10 Things You Need to Know About Publishing Your First Book by David Mcllroy
From someone who wishes he'd known them sooner.
I’ve been writing creatively for as long as I can remember.
English was my favourite subject in school. In fact, it was probably the only subject that came naturally to me. Everything else required effort.
I always loved creative writing. I dipped my toe in every aspect of it throughout school and university - poetry, prose, screenwriting - and enjoyed them all, but writing an honest-to-goodness story always won the day, hands down.
I banged out my first book in my early teens. It was fan fiction, and pretty hilarious looking back on it now. But even then, I proved to myself I could do it - if I put my mind to it, I could complete a book-length story. And I could do it in my spare time.
Fast forward to 2020. The pandemic had just struck. We were trapped at home with very little to do. I had oodles of time to kill. So I started writing fiction again.
I’d dabbled on and off for years, but now I had no excuse. I stuck at it, and in 2021, my first full-length novel was complete. Fast forward again to 2024, and that novel is now available to buy on all good bookish websites. It’s called The Soulburn Talisman, and if you like Young Adult Fantasy stories, it’ll float your boat all the way downstream.
I won’t bore you with the in-between details of how Soulburn made the leap from a Google Doc on my laptop to the online shelves of Amazon (I’ve told that story a few times already). What I will tell you about, however, are a few things you may not know (or know for sure) about what the publishing process actually looks like.
Here are my top 10.
1. Traditional publishing is still a viable option.
Most of the current stories you’ll hear around trad publishing are pretty doom and gloom these days, and usually for good reason. It often seems like only celebrities (or, more accurately, their ghost writers) and already-established authors stand a chance of getting a book deal with a big-name traditional publisher. However, while it’s more difficult than ever, it’s not impossible (just ask Veronica!). If you want to pursue the trad route, give it a fair shake. I tried it in 2022: I queried hundreds of literary agents, finally got representation, and lost it again when that same agent had to step back from the industry. It was a roller coaster, but at the very least, I proved to myself that it could be done. If it’s your dream, don’t give up on it too soon.
However…
2. Other publishing routes are just as legitimate.
It goes without saying, but in 2024, traditional publishing is not the only way to bring your book to life. You can self-publish, try hybrid-publishing or, like me, go through a smaller, independent publisher. Don’t ever feel like there’s only one route to the finish line, and never let anyone make you feel lesser for choosing a different path than them.
3. Indie presses are amazing.
My publisher, Burton Mayers, did a great job bringing my book to life. I knew very little going into the process and was happy to let my publisher take the reins. He handled everything from formatting to SEO to registering my ISBN number online, and he worked closely with me on every other aspect where my input was required. If you can find an independent press that aligns with your vision and values, don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
4. You don’t need to spend a fortune.
If you do decide to self-publish, you don’t need to break the bank, no matter what others might say. Talk of spending thousands of dollars on your self-published book is wide of the mark. Pay someone on Fiverr to design your cover. Find a reasonable editor for a few hundred dollars at most. Cover all your costs with a Kickstarter campaign if you want to go in that direction. Don’t be put off from self-publishing by the exorbitant (and often fictional) fees.
5. You can publish your book online.
Have you considered using a platform like Substack to get eyes on your story? More and more writers are turning to online platforms to publish their work instead of pursuing the usual physical routes. For instance, I’m serialising one of my manuscripts on Substack right now as an experiment. Don’t be afraid to put your writing online - you don’t know which agents or publishers might come across it and have their interest piqued.
6. Getting published is just the first step.
I think many authors fall into the trap of thinking the job’s done once their book’s out there in the world, but nothing could be further from the truth. It’s just step one. If you want your book to succeed, you have to be willing to work hard at everything that happens next in the process; if you take your foot off the gas and decide to take it easy, you may as well not have written the book in the first place.
7. You’ll have to do almost all of your own marketing.
This one’s a dealbreaker for many writers, the ones who “just want to write”. Sorry, it doesn’t work that way anymore. If you want your book to get read by more than just your close family and a few friends, you have to get comfortable with learning how to market your book successfully. Publishers won’t go the extra mile to help you, not even the big boys. If you don’t market your book, it simply won’t sell.
However…
8. Marketing is manageable.
There are a ton of different ways to market a book, and you don’t have to do them all. Find one or two that suit you best and lean into them. For instance, my most engaged audience is on Substack, so that’s where I promote my book most often; I also use TikTok and Instagram (through other people who enjoy those platforms more than me) and will expand into other arenas in future. And beyond giving away a few physical copies of The Soulburn Talisman to influencers, I haven’t spent a penny. Market your book, and keep it manageable.
9. Getting reviews is hard, but it can be done.
Good public feedback for your book won’t guarantee success, but it helps. The more positive reviews you can garner, the easier a sell your book will be. Write it like art, sell it like a product. Give away advance copies ahead of your release date in exchange for honest reviews, and keep pursuing reviews long after your book becomes available for purchase. Don’t sleep on that social proof.
And finally…
10. Be prepared to play the long game.
The time it takes to write the first draft of a book seems endless in the moment, but it’s actually one of the shortest parts of the process. If you write 1,000 words a day, for example, you can finish an entire book in under 3 months. It’s everything that comes after - editing, getting feedback from beta readers, formatting, preparing the cover, blurbs, acknowledgements, pre-orders, advance copies, marketing - that take up far more time and effort. Writing a book is the sprint that precedes the marathon of making it successful.
“Everyone has a book in them” is a common misconception. It’s just not true. Those who can write (and actually complete) a book are few and far between. And most people on the planet will never attempt it.
If you’re in the minority who have a story to tell and can match it with the desire to see the job through, you owe it to yourself to give it a proper go, no matter which publishing route you choose.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
And check out David McIlroy Fiction while you’re at it!
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Thank you David, for sharing your experience and wisdom with us.
Publishing is definitely a long-term play.
Good luck with your new book!
If only one could write without the hassle of marketing… so true as to how we writers feel but that’s not the world we live in if we want our stories to be read. Thank you David for pointing this out. I appreciate Thing 7 (You will have to do your own marketing) and 8 ( Marketing is manageable). These are the 2 most important things for me to know, be reminded of, and get on board with 😊