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How To Overcome Your Publishing Fears

By on March 17, 2020

If you want to learn how to overcome your publishing fears, our useful advice can help you feel brave enough to send off your manuscript! We know how daunting the world of publishing can be. Yet releasing your book into the public domain is also very exciting. You’ve finally achieved something that so many people attempt but fail. You’ve realized a lifelong dream.

Publishing fears are real!


If you have finished your book and edited it, and you know deep down that it’s ready to be shared with the world, it doesn’t necessarily mean that sending it off to publishers, or pressing that final ‘publish’ button is necessarily an easy step to take.

For many, fear of publishing is a real and pressing problem. Authors are natural perfectionists, and having put so much time and energy into a project, it can be hard to let go.

Of course, there is always room for improvement, and delivering a flawless manuscript is probably setting yourself up for failure. So how can you get over your publishing fears and move onto the next stage of the writing process? Let’s discuss this.

Share your work early on

By getting early feedback, you’ll feel less daunted by the idea that your work might be criticized or rejected, so use the writing process to make you immune, or at least to grow a bit thicker skin.

Keep a writer’s journal

A writer’s journal can be a useful way to manage your feelings about the writing process. Not only will it be cathartic during your writing time, but will also be a helpful reminder of what’s at stake and everything you’ve been through to get to the point when you can publish.

Manage your expectations

Remember, it takes over six months for a typical publisher or agent to respond to you. Remember that you’ll have to work very hard and implement a robust marketing plan to make sure your book is successful. Try to focus on the practical steps you can take, and this will help you feel more in control.

Use outside techniques control stress and anxiety

If you are particularly prone to stress and anxiety, find out what works to help you feel calm and grounded. Exercise, fresh air, being in nature, and practices such as meditation or yoga can be so beneficial and ensure that you feel relaxed and strong both mentally and physically, which will help you feel more confident in your writing.

Consider the effects of not being brave

Remember, you can’t succeed if you don’t try, so make sure you really think about the consequences of not publishing and use this as ammunition to find your courage!

Accept rejection is imminent

Remembering that everyone gets rejected is essential. If you can normalize rejection, you’ll be less scared of it, and then you’ll realize you have nothing to lose!

Arm yourself with knowledge

The more you know about the publishing process, and the more time you invest in researching the publishers and agents you submit to, the more self-assured you’ll feel. So don’t waste time fretting about it, instead learn as much as you can to get ahead of the game.

Have deadlines and enlist professional help

Set yourself editing deadlines and stick to them like glue. That way, you simply have to let go when the deadline approaches. Enlisting professional editing help also makes good sense, and having an extra set of eyes on your manuscript can help you feel assured it’s good enough to be seen by the rest of the world.

By following the above, you can overpower your publishing fears and take that next exciting and brave step into the crazy world of writing a novel. So don’t let your fears hold you back, don’t stop just short of the finish line, you can do it, and when you do you’ll be so glad you did!

So now you know how to rid yourself of your publishing fears, why not learn more about how to negotiate a publishing contract?

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bethany cadman
Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

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