Publishing Business - The Writer's Ally™

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

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.

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!

A 4-Step Guide to Mastering the Book Publishing Process

Feeling overwhelmed by the book publishing process? You’re not alone. Publishing a book involves a lot of moving pieces, many of which the general public never sees or knows about. It’s easy to feel lost or unsure of where to begin. It’s also easy to underestimate how much time and energy it takes when you don’t know what you don’t know. But here’s the good news: with a clear plan, the path from blank page to bestseller is entirely manageable.

In this high-level guide, I’ll walk you through the four key steps to book publishing success: writing, editing, design (production), and marketing. You’ll be treading a path that many famous (and not-so-famous) authors have trod before you.

Ready to outline your publishing journey? Let’s dive in—and don’t forget to download our free publishing checklist to help you take the next step with confidence.

Step 1: Writing – Building a Solid Foundation

Every great book starts with a strong foundation. Many new writers might think this refers to your idea or concept, but it doesn’t. In fact, to a certain extent, ideas are a dime a dozen. I guarantee that however original you think your idea is, someone else has the same idea right now. Usually, more than one someone else. That’s why you can’t copyright an idea. And why it’s so easy to find numerous books that tackle the same subject matter or tell similar stories.

What’s different is the author’s approach—your unique perspective and voice, the way you tell your story or share your expertise, turns common ideas into successful books.

Why Outlines Are Essential for Success

So you know what you want to write about. How will you get from start to finish? A detailed outline is your roadmap, making the writing process smoother and less daunting. Knowing where your story or ideas are headed lets you stay focused and maintain momentum.

Most people start with their outline before writing, but there is no wrong time to create an outline. If an idea has grabbed you and you feel the urge to just dive into writing…do it! But at some point, your initial burst of inspiration is likely to fade, and that’s when it’s vital to assess what you’ve already written—creating an outline of what you’ve done can help you see where you need to go next without losing yourself down rabbit holes.

Many “pantsers” or “discovery writers” swear that their creativity works better without the constraints of an outline. That may be, but an outline isn’t a rigid template—it’s a guidebook that may change as you go along, but it helps you stay mainly on the path you planned for (and ensures you reach your destination). Spending more time planning out your book up front will reduce your revision time and help you avoid the significant rewrites that most discovery writers have to deal with once they’ve finished drafting.

Tips for Consistent Writing Habits

Whether you choose to work with an outline or not, the most important thing is that you finish writing your first draft so you have the great raw material to sculpt into an even greater final product through the book publishing process.

Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art, often emphasizes overcoming resistance to creativity: “The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.”

In other words, don’t just wait for the muse to strike. Dedicate a set time each day for writing, whether it’s 30 minutes before work or an hour in the evening. If you can’t make time daily, try for at least a few hours every week on the same day and time. Treat this time as non-negotiable, and your manuscript will take shape faster than you might expect.

Consistency is key, and by combining discipline with your outline, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother writing process and a clearer draft.

Step 2: Editing—Turning Good into Great

Writing is just the beginning—editing is where your manuscript truly comes to life. It’s an opportunity to refine your ideas, polish your prose, and ensure your book resonates with readers.

Stephen King famously said, “To write is human, to edit is divine,” underscoring the transformative power of refining your manuscript with professional editing. Many other famous authors have similarly expressed gratitude for their editors, some claiming their books would not be successful, let alone exist, without their powerful collaboration.

Key Stages of the Editing Process

Once you’ve finished writing, you may feel the urge to scroll back to page 1 and start revising immediately. Resist that urge! For best results, you want to give yourself a fresh perspective, which means giving it some time. How much time depends on you, but I recommend waiting a week at least before you start revising.

Typically, successful authors do at least two rounds of revisions after they’ve finished drafting their book. The first one is just to clean up the obvious stuff, like scenes and subplots that don’t go anywhere or redundant sections. The second is to work your craft, looking at things like your plot and character arcs, the shaping of your scenes, the accessibility of your advice, and overall making your draft as strong as possible. Some authors will focus a lot on the line-by-line writing at this stage, and that’s fine, but I recommend you hold off line editing beyond basic cleanup until you’ve nailed the big-picture stuff; otherwise, you’re going to make double work for yourself as you continue to revise.

Think of your editing process as having three stages on repeat (feedback, revision, review) until your content is finalized, and then you’ll have one more stage to polish it all up and ready it for printing.

How to Choose the Right Professional Editor

When you’ve improved the draft as well as you feel able, it’s time to get some fresh eyes on your work. Enlist a professional developmental or substantive editor who can provide objective feedback and help elevate your draft to industry standards. Look for someone who understands your genre, has experience producing marketable books, and can guide you toward creating a cohesive and powerful manuscript.

You’re likely to go through several rounds with your editor to enhance the text at the developmental level before you move on to copyediting, which is editing to polish the draft for production. Genre or category experience matters a wee bit less for copyediting. However, it’s still ideal if you can find someone with a résumé full of books like yours, and you still want to find someone with experience working on successfully published books. At a minimum, you want your copyeditor (and proofreader, for that matter—and yes, they are different) to have experience with fiction if your book is a novel and nonfiction if your book is a business book or similar. Copyeditors look for very different things between narratives and more prescriptive books. Your high school English teacher, who is probably an awesome teacher with an admirable love of words, is not a good choice.

Remember to tackle the big stuff first and don’t get mired in line editing or copyediting until you’re satisfied with the more important aspects of your book, like making sure your plot evolves believably and your system or program is conveyed clearly to your reader. Otherwise, you may need to pause and disrupt your book publishing process later on.

Editing might feel daunting, but remember: even the greatest authors rely on their editors to uncover the brilliance in their work. Writing a bestseller is a collaborative process in many ways, from working with an editor to hiring designers and production assistants.

Step 3: Design—Creating a Visual Hook

Your book’s cover is its first impression, and as much as we’d like to think otherwise, readers do judge books by their covers. Professional design—both inside and out—is essential for attracting readers and standing out in a crowded market.

It’s important to understand that an effective cover is not just a nice-looking cover, though naturally, it should look great. Your book’s cover is, in fact, a critical piece of your marketing, designed to signal to the right readers that your book is precisely what they’re looking for, proving the power of thoughtful design in capturing attention and setting the tone for the reader’s experience. Understanding genre-specific book design trends can make or break your book’s success.

The internet is littered with before and after stories of books that took off once their covers were professionally redone. Check out this experiment that showed an average improvement of 35% in the books’ marketability.

But it isn’t just about the cover. Your print book’s interior needs design treatment as well to ensure that your book is easy to read, that it has a font and layout that supports the tone. Times New Roman and double-spacing is great for your manuscript but not for your published book.

Work with a designer who has experience with your genre. They’ll know what appeals to your target audience and can craft a cover that compels readers to pick up your book. Don’t forget the importance of interior design—clear layouts and readable fonts enhance the reader’s experience.

A well-designed book signals professionalism, which builds trust and makes readers more likely to invest in your work.

Besides the design itself, there are assorted administrative type tasks related to the book publishing process that you’ll need to learn about, especially if you are self-publishing. These include registering ISBNs, filing copyrights, choosing distribution platforms, setting up accounts, selecting keywords and categories, and more.

Step 4: Marketing—Building Momentum Before Launch

Maya Angelou, renowned for her poetry and memoirs, understood the value of community engagement. Long before her books gained widespread fame, she connected with audiences through poetry readings and local events, creating a loyal following that supported her career.

A common misconception is that marketing starts after the book is published. In reality, successful authors begin building their audience and networks months, sometimes years, before they launch.

The Importance of Early Platform Building

A lot of this is what we call “platform building.” Think of it this way: when your book launches, you want to have certain things already in place so you can leverage those opportunities to get noticed above the noise of the marketplace. Imagine a literal platform in the middle of a crowd. When you stand on that platform, you can be seen and heard. So it’s ideal to at least start building that platform before you need it.

If you don’t do the work before launch, your book isn’t lost…it just means your launch will likely be quieter and you’ll have to wait longer to start seeing momentum with your sales. But let’s be clear: you will still need to do this work if you want anyone other than your immediate circle of friends and family to buy your book. Marketing is non-negotiable, and there are no true shortcuts.

Creating Buzz for a Successful Book Launch

Start by building your email list and engaging with potential readers on social media early. Collaborate with influencers, reach out to other authors in your category, attend industry events, and create buzz before your book hits the shelves if you want a bigger launch.

Remember, marketing isn’t just about selling—it’s about building relationships. Who can you turn to for endorsements? Who might be willing to have you on their podcast? Who will support you with positive reviews? Who will send an email to their list for you when your book goes on sale?

Focus on authentically connecting with your audience to foster trust and loyalty. A small but engaged audience and network can get you farther than a huge list that doesn’t really care about you.

Next Steps to Bring Your Book to Life

The journey from blank page to bestseller starts with the right tools and a clear plan. Take the next step today:

Download our publishing checklist to stay on track and streamline your book publishing process.
Book a free Book Strategy Call to discuss how we can help bring your vision to life.
For a deeper dive into the entire publishing process, check out this episode of the Biz Book Podcast. You’ll find even more actionable tips and success stories to inspire your journey.

Every bestselling author once stared at a blank page, wondering how to bring their vision to life. Every publishing success started with someone learning the ropes. With determination, guidance, and a clear plan, you can transform your ideas into a book that resonates with readers and makes an impact.

Your bestseller awaits. Take the next step in your book publishing process today!

Overcoming Fear in Writing: Insights from Neuroscience

As a writer, growth is rarely a straightforward or simple process. Navigating the challenges that arise in pursuit of any goal—personal or professional—requires courage and resilience, and very few succeed to the utmost extent without a willingness to both seek out and accept support.

Ally has spent many years working tirelessly towards her own goals, all the while helping others to reach their literary dreams, and she knows a thing or two about growth and the writing industry. She very recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Irene O’Brian on her podcast, The Neuroscience of Coaching, for an insightful discussion of the intersection between neuroscience and the world of writing and coaching. Together, Ally and Dr. O’Brian explore the concept of self-defined success and discuss the mental approach to overcoming setbacks—whether they be external or self-imposed.

Ally reminds us that forward momentum is an imperfect process: Rejection is inescapable in the pursuit of any undertaking and fear of rejection is only natural, but neither is insurmountable when faced with a growth mindset. After all, “mindset sets your expectations, and the way that you see a situation, the way that you interpret your experience, really creates your reality.”

Give the podcast a listen on Mirasee FM or on your favorite podcast platform: Episode 20: Embracing Fear in Writing to Build Resilience (Ally Machate).

And if you feel ready to face down your own fears and start on your literary journey, visit The Writer’s Ally to schedule your free consultation call with Ally.

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