12 tips for publishing your first book.
During my time in the publishing industry, I have heard a fair amount of bullsh*t conversations around the people who get published, the stories that are chosen, and the reason why traditional publishing is the only measure of talent and success. These ‘myths’ are rarely founded in any facts, and if they are, have been conveniently twisted to suit the dominant narrative about the publishing industry.
Let’s myth-bust five common misconceptions about the publishing industry (and learn 12 helpful tips instead):
Myth 1: Traditional publishing is the only ‘real’ validation of a writer’s so-called talent and work.
Gosh, this makes me SO ANGRY! And I can honestly say that there was a time where I harboured the same thoughts. I fought calling myself a writer for years because I would never be ‘good enough’ to be published.
There are so many barriers to different people and communities getting into the industry, and so called talent isn’t one of them.
It saddens me to think how many writers believe that traditional publishing will give them the validation they crave. It won’t… for some people, it will continue to stoke the fires of insecurity. There will always be another person to impress, starred reviews to obtain, and the unpredictable nature of readers and their whims. Just because your ideal reader loved one fantasy book, doesn’t mean they won’t rip yours to shreds.
Traditional publishing guarantees nothing.
Oh, and validation comes from the inside, out.
Myth 2: Traditional publishing is the only measure of a writer’s success (and that publishing your book guarantees success)
This is highly subjective and depends entirely on what you define as ‘success’. If financial stability and relative wealth are a factor for you, you may want to take a seat.
In 2020, the Australian Society of Authors conducted ‘a survey of Australian writers and illustrators to collect essential data to present to the Government in our submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry.’1
According to the 1400+ respondents, the results are grim. The findings around author incomes shows that the average is well below the minimum wage in Australia.
‘Of the total respondents, almost 80% are earning less than $15,000 per year, with 49.7% earning between $0-$1,999 per year… 53.6% of full-time writers indicated they earn on average less than $15,000 per year from their creative practice, with 23.2% of them earning on average between $0 and $1,999 per year.’2
‘Recently, the ASA commissioned a report from Nielsen Book in which Nielsen reported on book sales for the last three years. This research demonstrates how few books make it to the top end of the Australian market. Of all the unique titles sold in Australia within 2018 – 2020 YTD, on average, only 1% of titles sold over 1,000 copies each in a year.’3
According to new research, two fifths of authors rely on their partner’s income and another two fifth’s rely on a day job that is unrelated to their writing.
Before you embark on the publishing journey, I highly recommend getting intimate with your WHY, and what success looks and feels like for you. Without these two things, you’re setting yourself up for great disappointment. There is an exercise on finding your WHY in our freebie 12 tips for writing your first book.
Myth 3: Self-published books are poor quality (and traditionally published are the best)
Self-publishing gets a really bad rap. I understand why to a certain extent - the easy access to self-publishing technology has led to some very questionable books being published, mainly due to a lack of interest in investing in any professional services, fact checking, and readability to name a few.
However, there are many indie authors who take their publishing very seriously and they’re producing works of exceptional quality. They work hard at learning their craft, and they invest in reputable editors and designers. They are dedicated to marketing their books, and engaging with their audience. Some of my favourite books to date have been self-published (and some of the worst books I have read have been traditionally published).
There are high and low quality books in all aspects of publishing!
Myth 4: Being a full time writer means you get to write all day.
Being a full time writer is often romanticised and the reality will come as a blow to many writers for whom full time writing is their dream.
Usually, the only way to get writing done is to fit it in. A report by the Australia Council found that full time writers spend less than half their time producing original writing.
Authors are essentially sole traders; they spend a large portion of their time doing admin, managing finances and sales, emailing, social media management, event appearances and more. That’s not to mention daily responsibilities such as domestic chores, caregiving, study, full-time work… the list goes on. These responsibilities are amplified when we consider the intersections of gender, race, disability, economic status and more.
A large part of being a writer is the (unfortunate) hustle.
Myth 5: Only talented writers get published.
Talent is a myth because the ‘perfect writer’ doesn’t exist. It is not a natural skill bestowed by the universe, but a direct result of raw effort, determination, hard work, stubbornness and patience.
What we see from so-called successful writers is what they choose to put out into the world.
It doesn’t include the false starts, the projects that never went anywhere, the projects they never started, the hours and hours of writing that has been deleted, crossed out, or torn up and thrown in the bin.
Or, the countless hours in front of a blank screen or piece of paper with nothing to show.
12 tips for publishing your first book
You only need to do a quick Google to see that there are millions of pieces of writing advice on the web. It doesn’t take long to fall down the rabbit hole of conflicting information and opinions.
I have been in this book industry for more than a decade now and I’ve heard a multitude of opinions shared on what writers need to know on their path to publication.
Here are the 12 tips I know to make a difference when publishing your first book!
Know your why
Talent is a myth
Know what you’re getting in to
Don’t pitch your first draft
Read the damned submissions page
Rejection is inevitable
5 and 6 figure book deals are the exception, not the rule
You have to make time to write
3 things that will make you a great writer (that isn’t to do with actually writing)
Writer’s block is a form of perfectionism
You will need to market your own book
You need an author platform
For a further breakdown of each step, download your FREE copy of 12 tips for publishing your first book today!
