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The Writer's Ally™

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    Who Should Help You Publish Your Book? A Guide to Choosing the Right Support

    You’ve made the decision to publish your book — congratulations! That’s a huge (and brave) step. But now you’re facing a critical question: who should help you publish your book? Should you work with a book coach or an editor? A VA or a full publishing team? Should you try to manage it all yourself?

    If your brain is already spinning, you’re not alone. Most serious authors quickly realize they can’t—and shouldn’t—do it all themselves. But figuring out who should help you publish your book (and when) can be just as overwhelming as writing the book in the first place.

    This guide will help you understand the different types of publishing support available and how to choose the right team based on your goals, timeline, and experience.

    Understanding the Roles: Who Does What in the Publishing Process?

    If you’re exploring how to publish a book professionally, you’ve probably come across a few familiar titles. Here’s a breakdown of the most common publishing support roles and when to use them—plus a little real talk on whether one person can truly “do it all.”

    Book Coach

    A book or writing coach helps you develop your idea, build your structure, and stay on track while you write. Think of them as your strategic sounding board and accountability partner. A book coach is especially valuable if you’re just getting started, stuck in a messy middle, or tackling a significant overhaul and rewrite. Some book coaches go beyond the writing process to help coordinate the publishing effort, sometimes even guiding the marketing strategy as well. (See Publishing Consultant, below)

    When to hire: Early stage—when you’re brainstorming, outlining, or drafting.

    What it costs: A book coach typically charges between $150 to $300 per hour, or $2,500 to $10,000+ for a full coaching package that spans weeks or months of work. The total cost depends on how hands-on the coach is, the depth of support offered, and the length of your project. Some coaches specialize in memoir, business books, or proposals, which can also affect price.

    Freelance Editor 

    Every serious author needs an editor. Even the biggest names and bestsellers have worked with at least one and typically several as they progress through the process–one could argue their editors have a significant hand in their success, judging by the profuse thanks many give to their editors in the acknowledgements. Whether you’re still refining your message and plot or polishing structure, voice, and grammar, a good editor ensures your manuscript is engaging, professional, and publish-ready. 

    Still not sure who does what in the book coach vs editor debate? Think of it this way: A coach helps you write the book; the editor helps you refine it once it’s written.

    When to hire: After you have a complete (or mostly complete) draft.

    What it costs: Expect to pay between $0.02 to $0.09 per word, depending on the type of editing (developmental, line editing, copyediting, or proofreading). For a 60,000-word manuscript, this typically ranges from $1,200 to $5,400, though highly experienced editors or those with niche expertise may charge more.

    Author Assistant or VA

    A VA (virtual assistant) can help you manage self-publishing help tasks like file uploads, ISBN setup, and freelance coordination, but unless they are specially trained as author assistants, they will need direction from someone on what to do. These professionals work best if you already know what needs to be done and simply need someone to handle the basic doing.

    When to hire: During the final prep stages (but only if you’re confident managing the project yourself).

    What it costs: Rates can vary widely, but most VAs charge between $25 and $60 per hour. Author assistants with niche publishing or launch experience may charge $40 to $75/hour, especially if they offer strategic or technical skills (like uploading to IngramSpark or formatting for KDP).

    Hybrid Publisher 

    Hybrid publishers offer bundled services like editing, design, and distribution, essentially acting like any traditional publisher would, but asking you to share some of the production costs. Some hybrid publishers offer a great alternative to traditional publishing or going it alone. Others are expensive and vague, charging you a lot and offering very little that you couldn’t do on your own, and better. Always check the fine print: Who owns the rights? What are you paying for? What’s included, and what’s not? How much flexibility and control will you have? (Check out the IBPA’s Hybrid Publisher Criteria for more information about what you should expect from a good hybrid publisher.)

    When to hire: After you’ve finalized the content of your draft, ideally with the help of your freelance developmental editor–most hybrid publishers don’t handle the crucial development stage and only polish or copyedit the draft lightly before publishing it. 

    What it costs: Most hybrid publishers charge $5,000 to $25,000+, depending on the services included. Some offer tiered packages (basic copyediting and layout vs. full-scale strategy and marketing support). 

    Supported Indie Publishing Team 

    This is what The Writer’s Ally specializes in: an approach that gives you expert help across every phase—strategy, editing, design, publishing, and marketing—while you retain control, ownership, and all the income you can earn. It’s ideal for authors who want high-quality outcomes and a collaborative, values-aligned partner–in my very biased opinion, it’s the best of both worlds, giving you a traditional publisher experience with the control and flexibility of DIY. If you’re wondering who should help you publish your book and want a balance of guidance and autonomy, this is for you.

    When to hire: Once you have a first draft (or are nearly there) and want expert help to bring your book into the world professionally and confidently.

    What it costs: This varies based on the scope of work, but authors should expect to invest between $10,000 and $20,000+ for professional, end-to-end support across editing, design, production, and launch strategy. Our model allows flexibility in pricing depending on the level of involvement and which services you need.

    Publishing Consultant

    Book Sherpa, Book Midwife, Book Guide, Book Coach…This brand of book support goes by many names, but the idea is the same: this is an expert who guides your publishing decisions and manages your project. More than a project manager, though, a consultant can be expected to connect you with the other types of vendors you may need, such as editors and designers. They may either have a team they work with regularly or assemble different teams for different authors. They may do some administrative work for you or focus exclusively on their advisory role as connectors and coordinators. 

    When to hire: A consultant can step into the picture at any stage, but the earlier the better if you have ambitious plans for your book’s release. A consultant who specializes in business books, for example, can help you nail your concept down with an eye toward marketability and business growth, coach you to write a draft that converts readers into your ideal clients, and help you launch in a way that drives clients to you for years. 

    What it costs: Consultants typically charge $100 to $250 per hour, or $1,500 to $10,000+ for project-based or retainer packages. Pricing depends on how comprehensive their support is—some offer strategy only, while others include vendor coordination, administrative support, and project management.

    Do You Need All of These People?

    Many of these professionals work in sequence: a book coach supports you through the draft, an editor sharpens the manuscript, and a publishing team transforms it into a market-ready book.

    But do you need all of these people? In a word: no. Just know that doesn’t mean one person can or should handle every piece of the process. No one person can provide strategic planning, deep editing, professional design, and distribution and marketing guidance at the same level of excellence. You want the right mix of specialists for your needs, budget, and stage.

    That’s why many authors choose a dedicated publishing team—a group of specialists who work together under one aligned strategy. Unlike hybrid publishers, which often bundle services into rigid packages, our Supported Indie model gives you expert collaboration without sacrificing flexibility or control.

    Some authors piece things together out of necessity or an entrepreneurial spirit, hiring professionals for the tasks they can’t or don’t want to manage themselves, like cover design and final proofreading, while doing other elements on their own.

    But for many serious authors, the thought of finding, vetting, and managing multiple contractors is overwhelming and not the best use of their time or creative energy. That’s where a group like ours comes in. Our clients don’t want to spend their energy managing a team—they want to plug into one that’s already in sync. With us, they get a proven process, deep expertise, and a unified team that knows how to deliver exceptional results while they focus on writing an excellent book and building the foundation that will turn that book into a power tool.

    How to Choose the Right Publishing Help for Your Book

    Before you hire anyone, ask yourself the following questions.

    What’s your goal for this book? Are you trying to grow your business? Build authority? Launch your fiction career? Grow an audience for long-term success? Different goals require different strategies—and different types of publishing support. If you’re unsure, a consultant or coach can help you map it out, even if you intend to execute on your own.

    How much time do you have? If you don’t have time to manage all the moving parts, you need more than task help—you need someone who can lead and guide the process to make sure nothing falls through the cracks, or a pre-built team that can do the same. The more you plan to DIY, the more time you’ll need to learn all the things. The silent killer of every failed indie project is the stuff you don’t know because you don’t know. Speaking of which…

    How much do you know about publishing? If this is your first time, don’t assume you can Google your way through it or just ask Chat GPT. There’s a ton of bad advice out there, and both of those tools are experts at delivering it to you. The opportunities and options are many, and the best publishing strategies are not one-size-fits-all. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’ll “just get it out there” and update it later: Once a book is published, it’s very difficult to unpublish, and you can never truly make it disappear. The right support can help you avoid costly mistakes and missed opportunities.

    Have you previously had a bad experience with vendors? Many of our clients come to us after a disappointing attempt with a different provider, whether it was an underqualified editor, a disconnected VA, or an expensive hybrid publisher that didn’t deliver. If that’s you, you’re not alone. The right support makes all the difference. Don’t give up on getting good help. You and your book deserve it.

    Ready to Find the Right Publishing Team?

    Knowing who should help you publish your book is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an author. Whether you need help shaping your idea, refining your manuscript, or managing the full production process, there’s a support model that fits your needs and values.

    👉 Get a free Book Strategy Call

    If you’re ready to talk through your options and get expert guidance tailored to your goals, we’d love to help.

    Who We Work Best With

    Our Supported Indie Publishing model is designed for authors who want to do it right the first time. Our clients are:

    • Serious about producing a high-quality book
    • Looking for professional results without giving up creative control
    • Focused on long-term impact, not just getting published fast

    We provide done-for-you and done-with-you services tailored to your goals—whether that’s growing a business, building a readership, or simply creating a book you can be proud of.

    Still asking yourself who should help you publish your book? We’re happy to walk you through the options and share what makes our approach different and effective.

    Want to learn more about the different publishing paths? Check out our guide to publishing models to explore your options.

    Not Everyone Should Write a Book—Is It the Right Move for Your Business?

    Are you thinking, “Should I write a book for my business?” Lots of entrepreneurs think the answer is always yes. So let’s go ahead and break what seems to have become a near-sacred online-business rule:

    You don’t have to write a book.

    If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Should I write a book for my business?” you’re not alone. Books can build authority, boost visibility, and offer long-term leverage. But they’re not right for everyone—or every stage of business.

    In this post, you’ll learn how to tell the difference between when the answer to “should I write a book for my business?” is a resounding YES–because a book will move your business forward–and when the answer is NO, because it might actually hold you back.

    Signs You Might Want to Wait Before Writing a Book

    If you’re feeling unsure, here are some signs that it might be wise to hit pause on your book plans (for now):

    1. You’re Still Early in Your Business

    Maybe you’ve just launched your business or pivoted into a new space. If you don’t yet have a clear message or established audience and if you have to rely on invented or borrowed case studies and anecdotes because you don’t yet have any of your own, a book might not land the way you want it to or drive the results you need.

    If you’re still just getting started, don’t fall into the trap of thinking a book will build your business for you. Instead, you’re likely better off creating content that allows for faster feedback, quicker pivots, and more interaction, like a podcast, blog series, or live program.

    2. You’re Motivated by External Pressure

    If your desire to write a book is fueled by what other people think—industry pressure, client expectations, or that vague “everyone says I should” energy—it’s worth questioning.

    Books should serve your business goals, not your ego. If the “why” behind your book is cloudy or externally driven, that’s a red flag. Why does it matter? Because if you aren’t clear on why you need a book, it’ll be harder to nail down precisely what kind of book you need, which in turn will lead to wasted time, energy, and money and probably a lot of heartache when your book fails in the marketplace.

    3. Your Ideas Haven’t Been Tested Yet

    Books are best built on tested, refined ideas—the kind you’ve seen resonate with real people, real clients, and real results.

    If your content is still conceptual, it may be better to run a pilot program, build a workshop, or launch a course first. That’s how you gather the insights and stories that belong in a great book…and how you publish the kind of book that does the heavy lifting for you in attracting clients and opportunities.

    Roberta’s Story: From “Should Write a Book” to Strategic Success

    Roberta came to us with a wealth of industry experience and a brand-new coaching business. Her LinkedIn was strong, and people were telling her left and right that she should write a book. So she thought, “Should I write a book for my business? Maybe I should…”

    But when we dug in, a different picture emerged.

    Roberta had tons of experience, but because she had primarily been working for others, she hadn’t yet built a mailing list. Her income wasn’t where she wanted it to be. And while she had many great ideas, they were still untested. No real clients had gone through her new framework yet.

    Writing a book at that stage would’ve meant spending months (or years) developing content that hadn’t been validated and expecting it to sell to an audience she hadn’t built yet. That’s time, energy, and money she could be investing in growing her fledgling business.

    Instead, we helped her translate her book idea into a live online course. She used it to test her process, refine her content, build her email list, and generate income.

    The best part? That course will eventually become the foundation for her book—and then it’ll be grounded in real stories, real data, and real results that connect with prospective clients and convince them to work with her.

    When a Book Is the Right Move for Your Business

    All that said, there are times when writing a book is exactly the right next step. For example…

    You Have a Clear, Validated Idea: You’ve refined your message, tested it with real clients, and proven it works. You’re ready to put it into a container that can reach people at scale.

    Your Business Model Supports a Book: You have a solid foundation with products or services that a book can naturally lead people to. You’re not relying on book sales to make money; you’re using the book to generate opportunities.

    You’re Willing to Invest (or Delegate): You understand that a book is a serious undertaking, and you’re prepared to either invest the time and energy to do it right or build a support team to help you make it happen.

    Ask Yourself: Should I Write a Book for My Business?

    Still not sure? Ask yourself:

    • What’s the primary job I want this book to do for my business?
    • Do I have a clear, tested message, or am I still figuring it out?
    • Who is this book for, and how will I reach them?
    • Am I looking for leverage or validation?
    • What could I build first that might help me test this idea faster?
    • Do I have other priorities (like making money) that would interfere with my ability to write and publish this book successfully?

    And most importantly: Is writing a book the best use of my energy right now? Before jumping into a big investment, it’s smart to pause and ask: Should I write a book for my business now—or later?

    This isn’t just about the book—it’s about timing, clarity, and the role this project plays in your bigger picture.

    You Can Always Write the Book Later (And Why That’s Okay)

    Saying “not now” isn’t the same as saying “never.” If you’re still asking, should I write a book for my business, remember: timing is everything.

    That question alone is worth sitting with because writing a book isn’t a box to check. It’s a strategy—a powerful strategy that can help make your pursuit of almost any business goal easier, faster, and more successful. 

    But like any strategy, it only works when it’s rooted in the right timing, message, and goals.

    If the foundation’s not there yet, that’s okay. You can always write the book later when you’ve got more clarity, more data, and a stronger business to support it.

    And if the timing is right? You’ll move forward with purpose, confidence, and a plan that actually supports your long-term vision.

    Still on the fence?

    Check out our blog post “Choosing the Best Publishing Path for Your Book (and Business) Success” to explore your publishing options, or “The Hidden Costs of Doing It All” for tips on how support and delegation can set your book—and business—up for success.

    Ally Machate is on a mission to help authors make great books and reach more readers. A bestselling author and expert publishing consultant, Ally has served small and “Big Five” publishers, including Simon & Schuster, where she acquired and edited books on staff. Her clients include authors with such companies as Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Rodale Inc., Chronicle Books, Kaplan Publishing, Sourcebooks, and Hay House, as well as independently published bestsellers. As founder & CEO of The Writer’s Ally, Ally and her team lead serious authors to write, publish, and sell more high-quality books.

    Choosing the Best Publishing Path for Your Book (and Business) Success

    Choosing the right publishing path is one of the most important decisions an author can make—and one that directly impacts your book’s success, your business goals, and your creative control.

    With multiple routes to consider—Self-Publishing, Hybrid Publishing, Traditional Publishing, and Supported Indie Publishing—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But each path comes with its own trade-offs, and understanding those differences is key to making a choice that actually supports your long-term vision. You don’t want to do what everyone else is doing. You want to do what’s best for you.

    In this guide, you’ll learn what sets each publishing model apart, which factors to weigh before making a decision, and how to align your choice with your goals as a business-minded author.

    Criteria for Choosing the Right Publishing Path

    Before we dive deeper into each publishing model, consider the following factors carefully. These are some of the key criteria that will help you identify which path aligns best with your goals and plans, ensuring your choice is a strategic one:

    • Goals for Your Book: Are you seeking to enhance your credibility, maximize sales, increase visibility, or leave a legacy?​
    • Timeline and Creative Control: How quickly do you wish to publish, and how much control do you want over the content and design?​
    • Marketing and Platform Size: What is your current reach, and how much marketing support will you require?​
    • Financial Considerations: Do you have money to invest in creating your book, or do you need a partner with the funds? Are you willing to give up income later for help now?

    A Breakdown of Your Publishing Options

    Self-Publishing

    Self-publishing, also known as indie publishing, gives you the most flexibility and potential for income…if you know what you’re doing (or can invest the resources to learn).

    • Pros: Total creative control, faster time to market, all income is yours, and you have the flexibility to do whatever you need or want to do.
    • Cons: Requires a significant personal investment, and success depends on your ability to use all that control effectively.
    • Financial Insight: According to a 2022 survey by the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), the median income for self-published authors was approximately $12,755, with a 50% increase over the prior year. Impressively, 28% of self-published authors earned over $50,000, and nearly 20% ran six-figure publishing businesses. 

    Hybrid Publishing

    If you’re considering a hybrid publisher, choosing the right publishing path comes down to finding a trustworthy partner and making sure they’re flexible in the ways your plans might require. Otherwise, you’re giving up control and income in exchange for little more than you could do on your own.

    • Pros: Shared responsibilities between author and publisher, access to professional services and distribution at the level equivalent to a traditional publisher, and experienced guidance along the way.​
    • Cons: Upfront costs are shared with the publisher, and the quality and reputation can vary widely among hybrid publishers.​ (Check out these criteria for hybrid publishers you can trust from the Independent Book Publishers Association.) Too, like traditional publishers, some hybrid presses are rigid about things like price changes, giveaways, and experimenting.
    • Financial Insight: More and more surveys are revealing that “hybrid authors” (i.e., those with both traditionally published books and indie books) seem to enjoy the most income and success overall. Don’t confuse that rosy picture with authors who publish with hybrid presses. They don’t mean the same thing by “hybrid.”

    Traditional Publishing

    For some categories—like literary fiction, memoir, and children’s books—traditional publishing offers more exposure to the right audience and gatekeepers who can elevate your book’s visibility. For others, if you’ve already done well with books independently or have a successful business platform, traditional publishing can help you level up to national (and international) visibility, chain bookstore reach, and mainstream media.

    • Pros: Prestige, access to professional services and expert guidance, broader distribution channels with opportunities for exposure through mainstream media, and you earn money up front through advances vs. having to lay out cash.
    • Cons: Highly competitive, much slower time to publication, lower royalty rates, less creative control, and less flexibility overall.​
    • Financial Insight: The Authors Guild’s 2023 survey indicates that full-time traditionally published authors have a median writing-related income of just over $25,000, where $15,000 of that comes directly from book sales (the rest may include a variety of related income). (To read the full report, click here.) 

    Supported Indie Publishing

    This model may be the best fit if choosing the right publishing path for you means maintaining creative control while still getting expert support. You’ll pay for everything up front, but all income is yours and you’ll likely earn more on backend sales (such as through services or other products) thanks to the full ownership and flexibility this route provides.

    • Pros: Combines the autonomy of self-publishing with professional support, allowing authors to retain rights while accessing expert services.​
    • Cons: Involves upfront investment, and success heavily relies on the chosen support team’s quality.​
    • Financial Insight: The data may be a decade-plus old, but the basic takeaway of these surveys remains true—you’ll find in every survey or report that asks the question that authors who invest in professional services earn more from their books than those who DIY.

    Which Publishing Path Is Right for You?

    Once you’ve reviewed the pros and cons, it’s time to match them to your specific needs. Here’s how to approach choosing the right publishing path with clarity.

    • Self-Publishing: Ideal if you desire complete creative control, have the resources to invest in professional services, and are prepared to handle project management and marketing efforts.​ Best for authors with modest goals, limited income expectations, and plenty of time.
    • Hybrid Publishing: Suitable for authors who prioritize access to mainstream (including brick-and-mortar) retailers and media akin to traditional publishing but who are also open to sharing responsibilities and costs without complete control over decision-making. Best for authors with moderate existing platforms and books geared toward a large mainstream audience but who don’t want to wait long or give up control.
    • Traditional Publishing: Fits those aiming for prestige, willing to navigate a competitive landscape, and comfortable with relinquishing some creative control and time for massive visibility and mainstream sales.​ Best for authors with ambitious goals and a desire to grow a large national platform.
    • Supported Indie Publishing: Perfect for authors who want to maintain control, rights, and income, who recognize the value of professional support to elevate their work, and who lack the time or interest in figuring out how to do and coordinate all the things.​ Best for authors with ambitious goals focused on leveraging their books and dominating a niche vs. broader mainstream recognition.

    The Smartest Way to Publish Is the One That Aligns with Your Goals

    Choosing the right publishing path is about more than just logistics or picking what’s popular, and it’s certainly not about which way is “real publishing.” That’s a bunch of nonsense in this technology-driven age. 

    Choosing the right publishing path is very personal. It’s about aligning with your bigger vision and needs. Whether you crave complete creative control, value the support of a trusted team, need a book fast, or are chasing industry prestige, there’s a model that fits. The key is clarity—and knowing which trade-offs you’re truly willing to make.

    Once you think you’ve settled on a path, you might enjoy learning about “3 Costly Mistakes Authors Make When Publishing” so you can understand what to watch out for as you move forward. 

    Ready to explore publishing options that don’t require doing it alone?

    Check out our article “The Hidden Costs of Doing It All” to learn why delegation is one of the smartest publishing moves you can make. 

    Or, if you’re ready to talk through what your ideal path might look like, let’s start that conversation. We specialize in working with authors who are:

    • Self-publishing and want their book to earn rave reviews
    • Looking for a supported indie publishing partner for editing, publishing, and marketing
    • Planning to compete for a traditional book deal and need help with their manuscripts, proposals, and query letters

    Sign up for your free Book Strategy Call today!

    Ally Machate is on a mission to help authors make great books and reach more readers. A bestselling author and expert publishing consultant, Ally has served small and “Big Five” publishers, including Simon & Schuster, where she acquired and edited books on staff. Her clients include authors with such companies as Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Rodale Inc., Chronicle Books, Kaplan Publishing, Sourcebooks, and Hay House, as well as independently published bestsellers. As founder & CEO of The Writer’s Ally, Ally and her team lead serious authors to write, publish, and sell more high-quality books.

    The Hidden Costs of Doing It All: Why Delegation is an Author’s Best Productivity Tip

    You’re not imagining it—this whole “write the book, run the business, grow the brand” thing? It’s a lot.

    As an author-entrepreneur, you’re wearing all the hats: crafting content, serving clients, marketing your message, and somehow trying to finish your book. And sure, you’re capable of doing it all. But here’s the truth:

    Doing everything yourself isn’t one of the best author productivity tips—it’s a fast track to burnout.

    In this post, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked ways to stay productive as an author with a business: delegation. Let’s unpack why it’s a power move, not a luxury—and how the right support can take your book (and your business) further, faster.

    The Real Costs of Trying to Do It All Yourself

    Before we dive into the best author productivity tips, let’s talk about what’s slowing you down. 

    I remember my first few years in business. I had a free website I’d built myself using a template. I set up my own mailing list, which took forever. I wrote all of my emails to my list, researched groups and conferences to speak to, and marketed myself constantly. Oh yeah–and I also had to do sales calls, onboard clients, write contracts, manage invoices, and do the work I’d been hired to do!

    I thought this was how things got done in early-stage businesses. It wasn’t until much later that I learned about growing a team, working with coaches, and otherwise delegating so I could focus on my “zone of genius.” If I’d known then what I know now, I would have used savings, borrowed money, and racked up my credit card to get good support and guidance right away–and I know without a doubt that my success would have had a much shorter learning curve with profitability and spaciousness coming much sooner.

    I like to say that everything is a trade-off of some kind: We can do anything, but not everything. So when you try to do it all yourself as an author and business owner, you’re consciously or unconsciously making decisions that may cost you more than you anticipated. It’s about so much more than money.

    Burnout and Missed Opportunities

    While you’re busy investing in things anyone could do, you’re bankrupting your resources for doing the things only you can do. Writing your best work, in your voice, with your genius ideas? That’s your lane. Showing up for your audience? Absolutely. Manually updating your email sequences or wrestling with design software? That’s not where your best energy—or the smartest author productivity tips—belong. 

    There are many ways to look at this issue: general burnout, using up your limited decision-making “spoons,” creating blinders to new opportunities…However you want to look at it, the bottom line is clear: You have limited time and limited energy—why spend that needlessly?

    Lack of Creative Bandwidth

    Constant context switching—from book outlining to backend admin to marketing strategy—doesn’t just drain your energy. It smothers your creativity. And let’s be real: Your work suffers when you’re creatively exhausted.

    I’ve tried many different things in my business to deal with this. I went from editing all kinds of books to specializing in nonfiction (thinking I’d save my creative juices for my own fiction). I blocked off certain days for work and certain days for writing. I set up a small desk in my living room so my work and creative spaces could be different.

    None of that worked. What did work? Building a team. 

    Emotional Toll and Inconsistency

    When you’re stretched thin, you’re more likely to second-guess, stall out, or publish something half-baked. That leads to frustration, disappointment, and a loss of confidence in your voice. 

    It can be the difference between a half-dozen projects moving forward at a snail’s pace and with a fraction of your focus, compared to one project at a time having your complete attention and moving forward more quickly and confidently.

    That’s maybe the most painful cost of all.

    What Successful Authors Do Differently

    Let’s take a cue from productive authors who’ve mastered their time and output: They’ve learned to optimize their craft and systems. And one of the smartest author productivity tips they follow? Delegate early, delegate often.

    James Patterson, one of today’s most successful bestselling authors, is known for his collaborative approach. He often works with co-authors, providing detailed outlines—sometimes as long as 50 pages—and then revising the drafts they produce. This method allows him to publish multiple books yearly without compromising quality. 

    Now that’s an extreme example, but it’s still true that successful authors treat publishing like a team sport.

    Here’s what that can look like:

    • Hiring research assistants to gather data or study the market
    • Handing off editing to a professional so they can focus on ideas
    • Delegating administrative and publishing tasks so the launch doesn’t derail life
    • Partnering with a strategist to shape the book into a real asset
    • Letting a designer craft a cover that actually sells
    • Leveraging a marketing team to coordinate JV partnerships and podcast outreach
    • Hiring childcare so you can have focused writing time

    Delegation can help you not only achieve more and faster, but it can also help you do better work. The possibilities are as unlimited as your imagination.

    I remember the moment I decided to hire my first house cleaning service: I was in a webinar about productivity, and the instructor asked, “How much is your hourly rate? Or, if you spent two more hours a week working, how much more do you think you could earn in a month, or a year?” We all did those mental calculations, and then he asked, “Now, how much do you think it costs to hire a cleaning service or someone to mow your lawn?”

    Delegation isn’t a luxury. It’s leverage.

    Melinda’s Story: From Stuck to Six-Figure Launch

    Real-world proof that one of the best productivity moves an author can make is building the right support team? Take Melinda Cohan. She’s the brilliant founder of a coaching support business and a successful coach herself.

    For eleven years, she struggled to write her first book. The ideas were there. The passion was clear. But between running her business, serving clients, and trying to piece it all together on her own, the book never made it past the back burner. She told me she must have started and stopped a dozen times.

    Until, finally, she reached out for help. Within nine months of working with us, her book The Confident Coach was not only written and published but also became the centerpiece of a launch that generated multiple six-figure revenues and brought in thousands of new leads.

    Melinda didn’t magically find more hours in the day. She found a team.

    She was fully invested and involved in creating her book—we work in a way that is both collaborative and also takes a lot off the author’s plate—but she stopped trying to do it all. Melinda could focus on her writing with the support of her editor, and she gave her valuable input throughout the publishing process while letting The Writer’s Ally take the helm and ensure no balls got dropped along the way. 

    She’d already learned the power of delegating in her business, but it wasn’t something she fully understood was possible with her book.

    And the results spoke volumes—literally. Melinda’s turnaround proves what most high-achieving creatives eventually discover: following the right author productivity tips can unlock growth you didn’t know was possible.

    Delegation Isn’t Weakness—It’s a Power Move

    More and more entrepreneurs are choosing to write books these days, and it makes sense that they default to figuring it all out themselves. After all, it’s this roll-up-your-sleeves bravery that connects those of us who venture into the wilderness that is self-employment. 

    But this isn’t about giving up control. It isn’t about what you are capable of doing. It’s about whether or not you should be the one doing it…or instead, stepping into your zone of genius. 

    Before delegation, you’re buried in the weeds—writing in fits and starts, launching half-finished marketing plans, stuck in indecision because there’s simply too much to do and not enough time (or clarity) to do it all well. In short, you’re working against every author productivity tip in the book.

    After delegation, you gain traction. Not to mention some breathing room.

    You reclaim creative energy, sharpen your message, and finish your book—and it becomes a launchpad, not just another project collecting dust. Your team fills the gaps so you can focus on what only you can do: delivering your message, connecting with your audience, and building the next chapter of your business or career.

    Delegation isn’t about giving up control. It’s about gaining momentum—and creating space for the kind of impact, visibility, and growth you actually set out to achieve.

    That’s why we built our Supported Indie Publishing model: to help serious authors move from stuck and scattered to clear, supported, and strategic—with a professional-quality book they’re proud to publish.

    The Best Author Productivity Tip? Get Support.

    If you’ve been grinding alone, wondering why finishing your book (or launching it well) feels so hard, here’s your reminder:

    You’re not lazy. You’re just overdue for support.

    Delegating isn’t giving up—it’s choosing momentum over burnout. It’s how serious author-entrepreneurs move from stuck and scattered to clear, supported, and strategic. It’s investing in yourself.

    If you’re looking for author productivity tips that actually move the needle, this is where you start: with support that amplifies your voice and your time. Sure, you can try to “hack” your way to better results, but why inch along when you can fly?

    Ready to explore publishing options that fit your business—and your bandwidth?

     

    Let’s talk about what delegating could look like for your book: Contact us for a free Book Strategy Call.

     

    Ally Machate is on a mission to help authors make great books and reach more readers. A bestselling author and expert publishing consultant, Ally has served small and “Big Five” publishers, including Simon & Schuster, where she acquired and edited books on staff. Her clients include authors with such companies as Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Rodale Inc., Chronicle Books, Kaplan Publishing, Sourcebooks, and Hay House, as well as independently published bestsellers. As founder & CEO of The Writer’s Ally, Ally and her team lead serious authors to write, publish, and sell more high-quality books.

    3 Costly Mistakes Authors Make When Publishing (And How to Avoid Them)

    Publishing a book is an exciting milestone, but rushing through the process or making uninformed decisions can lead to unnecessary setbacks. Many authors make common publishing mistakes that hurt their book’s success. Some can be great learning experiences, there are some mistakes you just can’t come back from or make “go away.” Your corrected or updated editions may be haunted by bad reviews, and some opportunities are only ripe at certain points of the process, so you can’t go back and try again.

    I’ve worked with hundreds of authors and I see the same common publishing mistakes kill authors’ dreams in the cradle repeatedly. Avoid these three pitfalls if you are serious about publishing a high-quality book that resonates with readers.

    1. Rushing to Publish Without Proper Editing

    The Risk: Poorly Edited Books Lead to Bad Reviews

    Skipping professional editing might save time (and money in the short term), but it often leads to embarrassing typos, poor readability, and negative reviews. Readers can forgive minor mistakes, so a typo here or there won’t offend. But consistent errors and awkward phrasing can frustrate them, leading to bad reviews that impact sales. 

    Worse, once those negative reviews are on your book’s page, they are challenging to recover from. Many sites, like Amazon, will carry those reviews over to each new edition of your book. Think you’ll republish with a new title, new cover, and pretend that first mistake of a book never existed? Think again. You may spend months to years petitioning Amazon and other sales channels to remove old titles. I had one client who tried and was informed by Amazon’s Customer Service that as long as a third-party retailer can sell a used copy of a book, they would not remove the listing, even if it’s out of print.

    But when we talk about “proper editing,” I don’t just mean things like punctuation, usage, grammar, and syntax (or PUGS, as most copyeditors say). I’m also talking about the execution of your idea, or the overall reading experience of the book. Does it deliver on its promise? Is it even clear what the promise is?

    Why Editing Matters

    A well-edited book enhances readability, strengthens storytelling (for fiction and memoir), and improves clarity (for nonfiction). It also demonstrates professionalism. Readers expect an engaging, polished experience tailored for the expectations of the book’s category, and a poorly edited book signals inexperience or a lack of care.

    Think of it this way: Would you trust a business with a website marred by typos and grammatical errors? Or work with someone who doesn’t understand your problems or desires? Probably not. Your book is your brand, and if it feels unpolished or poorly targeted, it won’t inspire confidence in readers.

    The Solution: Work With a Professional Editor

    While self-publishing offers the flexibility to update your book later, it is not a best practice to publish first and revise as you learn. A book should be the best version of itself from day one. Working with an editor helps refine your writing, clarify your message, and elevate your book to professional standards.

    It’s important to understand that there are different types of editors–a copyeditor, trained to spot those PUGS issues I mentioned earlier, isn’t going to be able to help you deal with a flawed plot, slow pacing, or the strength of your promise to your readers. A developmental editor, trained to deal with big picture issues, won’t be of much help cleaning up minor errors in your draft.Our FAQ can help you better understand the role of different editors and the overall process of editing a book. This article about finding and working with editors is helpful, too.

    2. Underestimating the Importance of Relationships

    The Problem: Books Do Not Sell Without an Audience

    Many authors assume that once their book is published, readers will automatically find it. But without a dedicated audience or strong network to help you promote it to the right people, even the best books struggle to gain traction.

    One of the first things I learned about marketing is this: once you’ve created a great product, good marketing is just about ensuring the right people know it exists and where to find it.

    Seems simple, and it is–but of course, simple doesn’t mean easy.

    Think about it: If no one knows your book exists, how will they buy it? If you’re letting people know about the book, but they aren’t the people most likely to want the book in the first place, what’s the likelihood of sales following? Authors who do not focus on building an audience–the right target audience–before launching often find themselves disappointed with low sales, no reviews, and minimal word-of-mouth marketing.

    That said, there is another way to think about this problem that inexperienced professionals and authors miss. You have a choice here: You can take the time to build your audience before you launch and enjoy success with the book sooner, or you can accept that your launch will be quiet and small, but you can then use the book to build your audience.

    Many new indie authors fall into the latter category. You still can’t just take a Field of Dreams “if you build it, they will come” approach, but when you don’t have an audience, it can actually be easier to build one once you have the book to leverage.

    How an Audience Helps You Sell More Books

    Whether you build the audience before or after you publish, knowing who your audience is and increasing their awareness of your work can make all the difference in your book’s success. 

    Readers who are already engaged with your work are more likely to pre-order your book or purchase it as soon as it launches. A strong early sales boost can improve your book’s rankings on platforms like Amazon, making it more visible to new readers.

    An engaged audience also increases the likelihood of getting reviews. Readers who feel connected to you—whether through email newsletters, social media interactions, or blog content—are more inclined to leave positive feedback. Reviews play a crucial role in a book’s success, as they help establish credibility and influence potential buyers. 

    You may have heard that getting as many as 50 positive reviews on Amazon, for example, within the first 30 days of your book’s release is important. A pre-existing audience can help make that happen. But even long after the book is launched, growing and nurturing your audience is the key to ongoing sales and reviews.

    Perhaps the most powerful benefit of a dedicated audience is word-of-mouth marketing. People love to share books they enjoy, whether through personal recommendations, social media posts, or book clubs. When readers are invested in your work and your journey as an author, they naturally become ambassadors for your book, expanding your reach far beyond what paid advertising alone can achieve.

    How to Fix It: Grow Your Email List, Network, and Engage With Readers

    There are lots of ways to build relationships and a few key groups of people to focus on. For best results, you want to look at:

    • Growing your email list – Email subscribers are highly engaged and more likely to buy your book.
    • Engaging with readers and influencers on social media – Consistency is key; share and reshare valuable content and connect authentically.
    • Networking with other authors and influencers on and offline – Cross-promotions, podcast interviews, and guest blogs help expand your reach.

    Check out our article “How to Build An Audience for a Book Before You Launch” for more advice. 

    When debut author Andy Weir first released The Martian, he self-published chapters on his website for free. He built an enthusiastic fanbase as readers engaged with his work and shared it widely. This grassroots momentum led to a traditional publishing deal and a blockbuster movie adaptation starring Matt Damon (have you seen it? It’s great!). 

    3. Choosing the Wrong Publishing Path for Your Goals

    Why This Happens: Authors Rush Into Publishing Without Research

    Publishing is an exciting process, and many authors feel pressured to “just get their book out there.” Some of this is about needing a kind of closure to what is often a lengthy process.  Sometimes it’s pure impatience. 

    But most often, there is an element of “you don’t know what you don’t know” when it comes to book publishing. That’s why failing to consider their publishing path carefully can result in an author making one of the most common publishing mistakes—choosing an option that does not align with their goals, finances, or long-term vision.

    Why No One Path Is Right for Every Author

    There is no single “best” way to publish. It all depends on your goals:

    • Want creative control and higher royalties? Self-publishing may be the way to go.
    • Want industry validation, professional distribution, and potential advances? Traditional publishing might be a better fit.
    • Want a little of both? Hybrid publishing or supported indie publishing (which is what we do here at The Writer’s Ally) could be right for you.

    And here’s another way forward that I bet isn’t even on your radar: Maybe all that great content you want to put into your book would better serve your audience and your goals if it weren’t a book. There are lots of ways to share content these days. A book is just one, and not always the right or best one.

    The Solution: Find the Right Path for You

    Indie author Amanda Hocking famously failed to get an agent or book deal for more than 14 novels before she decided to dive into self-publishing, where she found massive success for cross-genre books that were, at the time, uncommon and considered hard to market. She was so successful in proving that her books could find an audience that just a few years later, she had traditional publishers vying for the right to republish her books to the tune of seven figures. 

    On the other hand, one of our clients told us that she wasted nearly a year trying to get a literary agent because she thought that was the only “real” way to publish her book. Then she learned more about traditional publishing and realized it would not allow her to give away the large number of books she planned to gift to partners. By the time her book was published, her cutting-edge ideas would likely be stale (traditional publishing typically takes at least two years from book deal to print). 

    There’s more to consider here beyond “getting published.” Take the time to weigh the pros and cons of each option, talk to a publishing consultant if you need help (I’m available for one-hour Profitable Publishing Consults–contact us to find out more), and do not rush your decision.

    Take Action: Avoid These Costly Mistakes!

    Publishing a book is an incredible achievement, but your choices will impact its success. Don’t leave things to luck. To set yourself up for success:

    • Invest in professional editing before publishing.
    • Build your audience and author network early, if you can, or plan to use your book to build one later.
    • Choose the right publishing path for your long-term goals.

    If you want to avoid these and other common publishing mistakes, here are a few great resources for you to explore:

    Podcast: After the First Draft: An Interview with Ally Machate on What Comes Next
    Podcast: Working with an Editor Effectively
    YouTube Video: Why Editing Matters: Thinking Like An Editor

    Article: A Guide to Author Networking: How to Partner with Other Authors

    Free Resource: Download our free guide to publishing success or schedule a consultation today!

    Ally Machate is on a mission to help authors make great books and reach more readers. A bestselling author and expert publishing consultant, Ally has served small and “Big Five” publishers, including Simon & Schuster, where she acquired and edited books on staff. Her clients include authors with such companies as Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Rodale Inc., Chronicle Books, Kaplan Publishing, Sourcebooks, and Hay House, as well as independently published bestsellers. As founder & CEO of The Writer’s Ally, Ally and her team lead serious authors to write, publish, and sell more high-quality books.

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