My First Book Publishing Journey: What New Authors Need to Know

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Becoming a debut author wasn’t something I thought would come easy, and honestly, the to-do list feels like a never-ending mountain of tasks. From writing my book to figuring out how to market it, there are so many steps. But I’m learning—every day—and I want to take you with me on this journey. It’s not just about crossing things off a list, but about the challenges, triumphs, and lessons I’m discovering along the way. 

Intro slide reading "To-Do List: A debut author has a mountain of things to do" on a clean background, setting the tone for an author’s journey.
Slide listing 5 key steps of writing a book, including writing, revising, editing, designing cover and layout and finalizing the manuscript.
Writing a book isn’t one step—it’s five. Here’s how the manuscript comes to life, one page (and rewrite) at a time.

Writing My Book: The Foundation of My Author Journey 

Writing a book is a process that’s constantly evolving for me. At times, it feels overwhelming, and at others, it feels like I’m exactly where I need to be. There’s no one way to approach it, but I’m figuring it out step by step. 

Writing My Book: What I’m Learning 

1. Write, Edit, and Rewrite: This is something I’ve learned early on: it’s a cycle of writing, editing, and rewriting. What I’ve written today may not be perfect, but it’s moving me closer to where I want to be. 
2. Finding Beta Readers: I’ve just started looking for beta readers. I want honest feedback, but it’s a bit intimidating too. The fear of exposing my work is real, but I know I need to hear other perspectives to improve. 
3. Designing the Book Cover: I never realized how important the cover design would be! I’m still in the process of designing the first drafts, but I know it has to capture the essence of my book—something I’m still figuring out. 
4. Interior Layout: I’m starting to think about the book’s layout. I’m learning how small details can impact the reading experience, and it’s a whole other skill I didn’t expect to master. 
5. Approval for Publication: This feels like the final stretch, but I know I have so much more to learn before I give the green light. It’s intimidating, but I’m excited to see everything fall into place. 

Marketing My Book: A Learning Process 

Though marketing is my profession, I’m not an expect in marketing a book. I’m discovering how important it is to build an author brand and connect with readers, figuring out strategies, learning what works, and making plenty of mistakes along the way.
 
Marketing My Book: The Steps I’m Exploring 

1. Building an Author Brand: I’m still defining my brand. It feels like a journey of self-discovery. How do I want to present myself? How do I connect with readers on a deeper level? 
2. Planning the Book Launch Strategy: I haven’t nailed down all the details yet, but the launch is starting to feel real. I’m learning what goes into planning it and how important timing and strategy are. 
3. Growing My Online Presence: This one is tough! I’m still working on figuring out what platforms resonate with my audience. It feels like a constant experiment, and I’m embracing the trial-and-error process. 
4. Marketing Like My Story Matters: This part is crucial for me. I’m learning to believe in my story more deeply and communicate that passion with others. It’s not just about the book—it’s about why I wrote it. 
5. Thanking My Supporters: As I build this journey, I’m reminded that I’m not doing it alone. I have so many people supporting me, and I’m starting to truly appreciate them, even more as I get closer to launching. 

Slide showing 5 essential book marketing steps: creating a strategy, building an author brand, growing your online presence, marketing your book and thanking your readers.
Marketing starts long before publication. These 5 steps help debut authors build momentum and attract readers from day one.
Closing slide with inspirational message about the author’s book journey, featuring a call-to-action to follow along as the debut book comes to life.
Every story starts with a blank page—this one starts with a checklist. 📖✨ Stay tuned as the dream becomes a book.

A Journey of Passion, Growth, and Creativity 

As I continue working through each item on my debut author checklist, I know it won’t always be smooth sailing. But with passion and persistence, I’m learning and growing. This journey is about more than just checking off tasks—it’s about embracing the challenges, finding solutions, and sharing my journey with you. 
I’m taking each step one day at a time, and I’d love for you to follow along as I share what I’m learning, my behind-the-scenes challenges, and the triumphs that come with becoming a debut author. 
Follow my blog and connect on Instagram and Facebook as I navigate this journey of writing, publishing, and launching my debut book. Let’s learn together! 

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