Publishing My First Book: Everything I Wish I Knew
- authorllreid
- Jun 26
- 7 min read
Finished My First Book... Now What?
Finished your first book? Here's everything I wish I knew about publishing, avoiding scams, self-publishing, and finally finding the right publisher.
TLDR
You always hear people talk about writing a book.
Nobody really talks about what happens after.
If you've read How I Became a Dark Fantasy Romance Author, you already know writing has always been the easy part for me. Publishing, on the other hand, was an entirely different challenge.
When I finished my first manuscript, I thought the hard part was over. I honestly believed I would polish it up, send it to a few publishers, and someone would eventually say yes.
Instead, I found myself thrown into a world I knew absolutely nothing about.
Every Google search led to another company claiming they could make my publishing dreams come true. Every phone call sounded promising. Every website was filled with testimonials about bestselling authors and life-changing success stories.
Then I started reading the fine print.
Some companies wanted thousands of dollars just to edit and format my manuscript. Others promised marketing packages that looked impressive until you realized they mostly consisted of listing your book online. A few contracts essentially boiled down to this:
"You own your work unless it becomes successful, then we'd like a piece of that too."
As a first-time author, I didn't know what was normal.
I didn't know what questions to ask.
I didn't know which companies were legitimate and which ones were simply selling expensive dreams.
The entire publishing industry felt like one giant maze.
The Part Nobody Warns You About
Writing the book wasn't what almost made me quit.
Publishing was.
Every rejection email chipped away at my confidence, and every conversation with another publishing company somehow left me with even more questions than answers. The more research I did, the more overwhelmed I became. Traditional publishing felt impossible to break into, while many hybrid publishers sounded almost identical once you looked past the sales pitch.
Self-publishing sounded like the most affordable option, but every guide assumed I already knew what an ISBN was, how to format a manuscript, or how distribution worked.
Eventually, I stopped writing altogether.
Not because I didn't love writing anymore.
Because I couldn't see a path forward.
My manuscript sat untouched while I convinced myself maybe it just wasn't meant to happen.
Looking back, I realize that feeling is probably more common than most authors admit.
Watch Out for Publishing Scams
One of the biggest lessons I learned had nothing to do with writing.
It was learning that there are people who make a living selling hope to first-time authors.
That doesn't mean every hybrid publisher is a scam. There are some fantastic companies out there. But there are also companies that know new authors are excited, overwhelmed, and desperate to see their books in print.
Before signing anything, ask questions.
Who owns the publishing rights?
Can you leave the contract?
What marketing do they actually provide?
Are they printing your book or actively helping you build a career?
Are you paying for services you could realistically do yourself?
If a company promises bestseller status, movie deals, or guaranteed sales, walk away.
Publishing is hard work. There are no guarantees.
The right publisher should help you understand the process, not pressure you into making a decision before you've had time to think.
The Day I Decided to Figure It Out
One morning, I finally got tired of waiting for someone else to give me permission.
I remember thinking, "Screw it. I'll figure out how to self-publish myself."
That decision changed everything.
So I started learning everything I could. I bought my own ISBNs instead of relying on the free ones. I spent hours figuring out Amazon KDP, wrestling with cover dimensions that somehow looked perfect on my computer but were completely wrong once uploaded, and reformatting my interior files more times than I care to admit. (I have about a dozen reject prints to prove it)
I reformatted interiors more times than I can count.
Barnes & Noble Press had its own requirements.
Amazon had different ones.
Every platform seemed determined to make things just difficult enough that I questioned my sanity.
Then there was IngramSpark.
To this day, I still don't think I ever truly figured that one out.
There were moments I wanted to throw my laptop across the room.
But every small victory taught me something new.
Each problem I solved made the next one a little easier.
Self-Publishing Taught Me More Than Any Course Could
The first book that started this entire journey was Bound by the Broken Crown. Self-publishing it taught me lessons that no YouTube tutorial or online course ever could.
If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be this:
Don't be afraid to learn the business side of being an author.
Understanding ISBNs, print specifications, royalties, distribution, and metadata isn't glamorous.
Neither is learning about trim sizes or bleed margins.
But knowing how everything works gives you confidence.
It also helps you recognize when someone is trying to sell you something you don't actually need.
There are incredible companies in this industry.
There are also companies that make their living convincing new authors they're incapable of publishing without paying thousands of dollars first.
Education is your best defense.
Finding Literal Publications Changed Everything
Eventually, my journey led me to Literal Publications.
After everything I'd experienced, I was skeptical. I'd heard promises before and been pitched dream scenarios that sounded amazing until I looked a little closer.
This time felt different.
They never made me feel like just another author in a catalog or another manuscript in the queue. Instead, they took the time to answer my questions, explain the process, and genuinely get excited about my stories.
The first book I ever published on my own, Bound by the Broken Crown, has now found a new home with Literal Publications and has been re-released as
. If you had told me that would happen the day I nervously uploaded my first files to Amazon by myself, I never would have believed you.
They made me excited about writing again instead of stressing over contracts, formatting, and wondering whether I was making the right decisions.
For the first time since finishing my manuscript, I felt like I actually had direction. That feeling is hard to describe unless you've spent months feeling completely lost, wondering if you're doing everything wrong.
Knowing there was a team that believed in my work gave me permission to stop obsessing over publishing logistics and start focusing on what I loved most: writing.
I genuinely cannot wait to release future books with them.
Every release feels like a team effort. They celebrate the wins with me, answer my endless questions, cheer me on through every milestone, and somehow manage to make publishing fun again. After spending so long feeling like I had to figure everything out alone, having that kind of support has made all the difference.
If You're Holding Your First Finished Manuscript
First of all...
Congratulations.
Seriously.
Finishing a book already puts you ahead of the vast majority of people who say they want to write one.
Second, know this:
Feeling overwhelmed doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong.
The publishing world is confusing.
There are dozens of paths you can take, and everyone online seems convinced theirs is the only correct one.
Take your time.
Read every contract.
Ask uncomfortable questions.
Research every company.
Learn enough to understand the decisions you're making.
And remember that publishing your first book isn't the finish line.
It's the beginning of your career.
Looking back now, I don't regret the mistakes, the setbacks, or even the moments when I wanted to quit.
They taught me how this industry works.
More importantly, they led me to the people and the publishing home I was meant to find.
If you've just finished your first book and you're wondering what comes next, know this:
You're not behind.
You're not failing.
You're simply standing at the same confusing crossroads almost every author faces.
Keep going.
Your path may look completely different from mine, but I promise it's worth finding.
Find Your People Before You Publish
If there's one thing I wish I had started earlier, it would have been building my community.
Books don't succeed because an algorithm magically discovers them.
They succeed because readers fall in love with them and tell other readers.
That starts long before release day.
Build your street team.
Recruit ARC readers.
Connect with other authors.
Celebrate other people's launches.
Become part of the community you want to write for.
My street team has become so much more than a marketing group. They've celebrated every milestone, encouraged me when I questioned myself, shared my books with their friends, and reminded me why I started writing in the first place.
They're my biggest hype team, my loudest cheerleaders, and a huge reason I've fallen back in love with this process.
I genuinely don't think I'd still be doing this without them.
Publishing can feel lonely.
It doesn't have to be.
Interested in becoming an ARC reader for my future releases? I'd love to have you on the team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after finishing my first book?
Take a deep breath before rushing into publishing. Research your options, learn the differences between traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing, and never sign a contract without reading every detail.
Is self-publishing worth it?
Absolutely. Self-publishing taught me the publishing process from the ground up and gave me confidence as an author. Even if you eventually work with a publisher, understanding how publishing works is invaluable.
How do I avoid publishing scams?
Be cautious of companies that guarantee bestseller status, demand large upfront payments without clearly explaining their services, or pressure you to sign quickly. Always research reviews, ask questions, and read the contract carefully.
Do I need to buy my own ISBN?
Not always, but owning your ISBN gives you more control over your publishing journey. It's one of the first investments I made when I decided to publish independently.
What's the difference between hybrid publishing and self-publishing?
Self-publishing means you manage the publishing process yourself or hire professionals as needed. Hybrid publishing varies widely between companies, so it's important to understand exactly what services you're paying for and what rights you're giving up before signing a contract.
How important are ARC readers and a street team?
They're one of the best investments you can make in your author career. A dedicated street team and ARC readers help generate reviews, spread the word about new releases, and provide encouragement throughout the publishing process. They've been one of the biggest reasons I've stayed motivated to keep writing.
Still Wondering What Comes Next?
If you've just finished your first manuscript, don't let fear convince you to stop now.
Whether you choose traditional publishing, self-publishing, or find an incredible independent publisher like I eventually did, remember that every published author started exactly where you are now.
Keep asking questions.
Keep learning.
Keep writing.
And don't be afraid to lean on the people who believe in your stories.
If you'd like to follow my publishing journey, learn more about my books, or join my ARC team for upcoming releases, I'd love to have you along for the ride.
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