Should I Publish My Book?
Recently, a prospective client reached out with an unusual request. He had already listed his book on Amazon but wanted me to suggest an editor who could review it and help him decide whether his book was worth promoting. I don’t think he appreciated my response, but it was genuine: if he was so uncertain about his work at this stage that he needed an outside opinion on whether to promote it, he was asking the wrong question.
Unless he had written his book solely for family and friends—which is a perfectly valid reason to write—his real question should have been: Should I publish my book?
The Foundation of Success
If a writer has traveled this far in the publishing journey and still harbors severe doubts about their work, that’s something requiring serious examination. As a PR professional, I want to support authors, secure media coverage, build their social media profiles, and pitch their books to studios and streaming services. But all of that effort becomes meaningless if the author doesn’t fundamentally believe in their work.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: no amount of professional support can compensate for an author’s lack of confidence in their own creation. An editor can polish prose, a publisher can package a book beautifully, and a PR representative can open doors—but none of that matters if the author stands behind their work with hesitation rather than conviction.
Beyond Belief to Passion
I don’t just want authors to believe in their books—I want them to be wildly passionate about their work. That passion becomes the fuel that sustains an author through the grueling process of promotion, the inevitable rejection, and the long journey of building readership. It’s what comes through in interviews, what resonates in social media posts, and what ultimately connects with readers.
When an author radiates genuine enthusiasm for their story, their message, or their characters, that energy is contagious. Readers, media professionals, and industry gatekeepers can sense authentic passion. They can also detect when it’s absent.
The Core Question
Publishing a book requires substantial investment—not just financially, but emotionally and professionally. It puts your work, your ideas, and often pieces of yourself into the public sphere for scrutiny. If you’re questioning whether your book deserves that platform, you need to step back and honestly assess why.
Are you suffering from typical writer’s insecurity? That’s normal and manageable. Or do you have legitimate concerns about the quality, readiness, or value of your manuscript? That requires a different response—perhaps more revision, beta readers, or professional developmental editing before publication
When Doubt Becomes Decision
There’s nothing wrong with deciding not to publish. Writing for personal fulfillment, for family legacy, or simply for the love of the craft are all worthy pursuits. Not every manuscript needs to become a published book, and there’s wisdom in recognizing that.
But if you do choose to publish, commit fully. Believe in your work with the kind of conviction that sustains you through the challenging road ahead. Get the professional support you need—editors, designers, publicists—but understand that they’re amplifying your vision, not validating it.
At its core, successful publishing starts with an author’s unwavering belief in themselves and their work. Without that foundation, even the best promotional campaign becomes an exercise in futility. So before asking whether your book is worth promoting, ask yourself: do I believe this book deserves to exist in the world? If the answer is anything less than an enthusiastic yes, it might be time to reconsider whether publishing is the right next step.
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