How to Write and Publish a Successful Book

I’m no stranger to a good story. Working in the publishing industry gives me an opportunity to hear the impact that people want to make through their writing and help bring their stories to life. The burning question on a lot of aspiring writers' minds is how to write and publish a successful book—and success looks different to everyone. I assure you that there is no one path to coming up with an idea, executing it, or being published. There are several options for those who want to take their brightest ideas and turn them into tangible books to enjoy.

As a publishing guide, the first thing I ask my clients is where they see themselves in three years. While many may think of writing a book as an exercise in reflection, I see it as a catalyst to manifest your future. What do you want to change for you and your business? Is the writing you’re working on entrenched in your current field, or are you starting something new? A book can be an incredible pivot mechanism and a way to introduce yourself to people who don’t already know you, so it behooves you to think about your professional goals.

It’s also important to get crystal clear on your purpose when writing your book. The scale and sometimes personal investment involved in publishing depend on whether you’re trying to get into major bookstores, have your book in the back of the room at speaking events, or just want to publish something to share with family and friends. Especially in certain industries, having a deadline like a certain conference where you hope to present can help build a timeline for publishing.  

This leads many first-time writers to ask, “Well, what is the timeline?” Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The impact you hope to have and the scale at which your book will be published will help determine when it actually comes out. No matter what path to publishing you may take, the four stages remain the same: writing and editing, production, the launch, and promotion. But your publishing timeline, scale, and overall production quality can vary depending on the publishing path you choose.  

Many are already familiar with the traditional publishing route. Through an agent, you submit an extensive book proposal to a major publishing house. By working with them, you get prestige, built-in distribution to major retailers, and social capital from working with a major publishing house. In addition to this route being extremely competitive, downsides like minimal control over the creative aspects, messaging, timeline, or number of copies printed deter many from this route in the first place. With a timeline of what can be two to three years from start to finish, many writers seek other publishing options.

I work as a publishing guide for authors who want to publish their books independently—whether that means on their own with a professional team of vendors or in the world of hybrid publishing. Hybrid publishing works more like an agency or marketing firm that you hire for the editing, design, and distribution services you need. You can submit a manuscript or just a version of a book proposal and hold your book in your hands in under two years. Going this route, you have a lot more control over the timeline, quality, and creative content for your book. However, there is a range of quality when it comes to hybrid publishers, so it’s always a great idea to do your research.

The two other paths to publishing offer a lot of freedom, but a range of quality. If you’re interested in independent publishing, you can have total control as to who you bring onto your team to help edit, design, and distribute your book, but you’re running the show. There are several resources, like Reedsy.com, that help connect you with professionals to fill these roles. You can create professional-quality works going this route. Lastly, self-publishing is a DIY and no-gatekeeper option to getting your book out there. But for first-time writers who lack expertise, the process can be exhausting and can yield a lower-quality product.

No matter what process is right for you, I have the same advice for almost everyone: begin with a book concept. By taking the process slowly and intentionally, you can implement feedback from publishers and other writing professionals that you bring onto your team more easily along the way. Even if your concept has already been “done before,” you can still learn from these works and refer to them as you write and design your book to create something strong and truly distinct.

So, when inspiration strikes and you have your next great idea, writing and publishing a successful book isn’t out of reach. Through clear goal-setting, careful planning, and choosing a publishing path that best suits your needs, you can take pride in being a published author and watch your book take you into the next phase of your career.