5 Things I Learned the Hard Way About Writing and Publishing

 Writing a book is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a business owner, expert, or coach. However, it’s also one of the hardest. When I began my author journey, I thought the process would be straightforward—come up with an idea, write the book, and boom, I’d be a published author. I soon learned the reality was very different.

In this article, I’m sharing 5 important lessons I learned the hard way about writing and publishing a book. These are the insights I wish someone had told me early on, and I hope they’ll save you from making the same mistakes.

1. Getting Clear on Your “Why” is Essential

One of the first lessons I learned was that having a strong “Why” is critical. Initially, I thought I just wanted to help people, but that was too vague. As I worked on my first book, The 6 Pillars of a Rewarding Life, I found myself questioning why I was writing it at all. I was spinning my wheels, unsure of what I was trying to achieve.

It wasn’t until I honed in on my purpose—that I wanted to help people find balance in their lives—that the writing process became clearer. When you’re clear about the impact you want to have, your book starts to take shape, and the writing flows with much more ease.

If you’re struggling with clarity about your book, take a step back. Ask yourself, "What impact do I want this book to have? How do I want it to make a difference in people’s lives?" Getting clear on your “Why” will make the entire process smoother.

2. Perfectionism is a Trap

When I first started writing, I thought every sentence had to be perfect before I moved on. I spent countless hours agonising over a single paragraph, trying to make sure every word was just right. This obsession with perfection kept me stuck for longer than I’d like to admit. I wasted time trying to get everything perfect instead of simply getting words down on the page.

Here’s the thing: writing is an iterative process. Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect—it just needs to exist. I didn’t learn this until much later, and when I finally allowed myself to write imperfectly, the words came much more easily.

So, give yourself permission to make mistakes in your first draft. Just write. You can always refine it later, but perfectionism will only hold you back from moving forward.

3. The Publishing Process is Far More Complicated Than You Think

Once I finished writing my book, I thought the hard part was done. I was wrong. The publishing process was far more complicated than I ever anticipated. After finishing The 6 Pillars of a Rewarding Life, I naively believed I could upload it to Amazon and call it a day. But there were so many more steps involved—editing, cover design, formatting, getting an ISBN, handling copyrights, creating a launch strategy, and so much more.

It took me a while to realise that publishing is a whole separate beast. The writing process is just one part of the puzzle. After your manuscript is done, you need to make sure your book is properly formatted, designed, and ready for the world. And even after publishing, you need a solid marketing strategy to make your book visible.

Don’t underestimate the amount of work that goes into publishing a book. Be prepared for the entire journey—writing is just the start.

4. Surround Yourself with a Strong Support Team

At the start of my author journey, I tried to do everything myself. I thought I could handle everything from writing to editing, cover design, and marketing. But I quickly realised I was in over my head. There are many areas of book publishing where I’m not an expert, and trying to handle everything myself only led to frustration.

I eventually found a team of professionals—an editor who refined my manuscript, and a designer who created an eye-catching cover. But I wish I had reached out for help much sooner in the process.

Writing a book, especially a bestselling one, is not a solo endeavour. It’s essential to surround yourself with a support team—whether it’s an editor, designer, or mentor—who can help take the pressure off and guide you through the process. Working with experts allows you to focus on what you do best—writing—while they take care of the rest.

5. Marketing Your Book is Just as Important as Writing It

When I published my first book, I thought the work was over. I’d written the book, so now it was time to sit back and watch the sales roll in, right? Wrong. The reality is that marketing your book is just as important—if not more important—than writing it.

Writing a great book is essential, but you also need a strategy to get it into the hands of the right readers. I quickly realised how much effort it took to get noticed in the crowded book market. From reaching out to influencers and bloggers to building an email list and running ads, marketing was a huge part of the process.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned is that marketing should start well before your book is published. Build your audience and platform early, so when your book is ready to launch, you already have people waiting to buy. Don’t wait until the book is out to start promoting it—begin building momentum long before you hit publish.

If you’re thinking about writing a book, these five lessons will help you avoid some of the pitfalls I experienced along the way. Getting clear on your “Why,” letting go of perfectionism, understanding the complexities of publishing, building a strong support team, and prioritising marketing will set you up for success.

If you’re ready to turn your expertise into a book that generates influence, income, and impact, remember—this journey doesn’t have to be done alone. With the right mindset and the right support, you can make it happen. Happy writing!