It feels impossible that I’ve been in the publishing industry for over a decade. In that time, I’ve self-published, worked as a literary agent, an acquisitions editor, a developmental editor, a cover designer, and a book marketer. My clients range from independent authors to traditionally published authors with large houses. As I look back on my time and all the things I’ve learned, I want to share a few things that stand out.
The only right or wrong way to do this is the way that propels you forward or holds you back.
It’s simple. If you’ve thought about publishing a book but are obsessing over doing it “the right way” you will never take the steps that will teach you what you need to know.
I learned so much more about publishing as a fifteen-year-old exploring the industry than I did in college studying to enter the industry. Which isn’t to say that my degree failed me—it absolutely did not fail me and created so many opportunities for me to grow and learn and get my foot in the door. But the hands-on experience I learned from self-publishing is what allowed me to reach where I am today, working at a publishing house and pursuing publication in the way that will work best for who I am as a person and as a writer.
You will learn from querying. You will learn from self-publishing. You will learn from working with a publisher. Holding off on any of those things because you want to do it “right” will only stagnate your own learning and your ability to grow as an author.
There will, inevitably, be things you regret about how you publish your first book. I think this is a universal author experience, especially when you dive in headfirst as an indie author. But you have to learn. Give yourself time to learn. You can always fix things and update files and adjust your plan for the future. But you have to have a chance to learn, and you have to start somewhere.
No matter how you publish, you will have to market your book.
I work with authors who are with large traditional houses, authors who self-publish, and everyone in between. I’ve followed authors with HUGE platforms for a long time, and you know what they still must do, no matter what their route to publishing is?
Marketing.
Advocating for your book with readers is the common unifier for every single author. If that was not the case, well-known authors with 40+ books out (looking at you, Harlan Coben! And I’m looking forward to your memoir!) would not need, have, or engage with social media.
Learn how to market your book, connect with readers, and encourage a love of reading. You’ll need it regardless of your route.
Fostering a love of reading boosts more than just the publishing industry. It boosts humanity. We’re all in this together.
Books aren’t going anywhere. Print books, eBooks, audio books, large print… You name it, we will be engaging with the written word until the end of time. Every time you encourage someone to read a book, you boost the entire human race.
The more books you can get people to pick up and read, yours or otherwise, the better the world will be.
In a landscape where division of politics also drives a harsh division of what books are “acceptable” to read (and I’m sure a few topics or styles of writing just popped into your head, and believe me we’re thinking about different books) it is, in my opinion, a higher danger that no books will be read because everything will be banned than to combat the spread of different ideas and growing critical thinking skills.
I may not agree with every book published, but I am so incredibly glad that books exist.
Most advice on how to write well is good advice.
When someone tells you to write every day, create an outline, or spend time refining your word choice, it is good advice.
The tricky bit with any advice, even good advice, is knowing when and how to apply it. If you are a first-time mom scrambling to keep your head on straight, writing every day will not benefit you. But if you’re just starting out and you’re learning how to write with or without a deadline, writing every day will absolutely develop your skills. Like anything, writing well requires practice.
There are seasons where you will have to pick and choose what to focus on. When your seasons change, it’s often good practice to revisit advice you once neglected to see if it applies to you in your current circumstances.
The most common question I was asked when I announced that my book, The Regulars of Amanda Lexie, was releasing this year was, “How do you do it? When do you find the time?”
And the simple answer is that I made the time. I carved it out of my weekends. I chose to prioritize writing. It was the only way I’d be able to pursue this dream.
When working with professionals in your field, make a point to remain professional.
As a writer, it can be hard to hear that you chose a title that won’t sell your book. It can be hard to eagerly await your cover only to not resonate with the art style. It can be frustrating to work in the “wait-wait-wait-GO” schedule of a publishing house.
In all things, be kind. Ask questions. And above all, remember that there is a person on the other side of the screen who is juggling multiple projects and operating off industry best-practice.
It is okay not to like your cover, title, editorial style, or marketing plan. But when you approach this conversation (assuming you don’t have an agent to act as a liaison), do it with kindness and professionalism. Trust the professionals working on your book. It is their job to know their trade. You can disagree with them, because ultimately your book is your art, but do so in a polite and business-minded way.
The publishing industry is, at its heart, part of the entertainment industry. It is an industry that operates on who you know and who knows you. Word travels fast when personalities clash and it can impact whether your publisher will want to work with you again on future books.
Additionally, when it comes to art, if many people are saying the same thing, it’s important to listen. The final cover for The Regulars of Amanda Lexie was not the cover I instinctively wanted. But everyone I showed covers to grabbed it over the others. Despite my preferences, I had to choose the cover that people would pick up. If you’re going to ask, you need to also be ready for your target audience to disagree with you. You get to choose whether to listen or not, but ultimately it’s silly not to.
When a book is published, it takes on a life of its own.
In my years working with authors, I’ve seen two main avenues drive author careers: there are authors who hold on too tightly to the work as they intended it, whose work often sputters out and fades into the background, and there are authors who release the work into the hands of the readers and allow it to take on a new life.
Be the second type. Allow your readers to love your work whole-heartedly. Allow them to theorize and fantasize and add to the conversation. Books are art, and every piece of art invites the audience into their own applications and understandings. The worst thing an author can do is fight with readers about interpretations of the text. It leaves a sour taste in their mouth, and you will lose them for the rest of your career. Instead, allowing them space for their own understanding will add wind to your sails and allow your career to soar.
Once a book is shared with the world it is foolish to hold on too tightly. Let it fly.
Final Thoughts
The publishing industry is resilient. Even though the landscape is constantly changing, the industry isn’t going anywhere. Publishers and imprints come and go. Methods and options will keep changing. But as long as the written word exists, so will books in all their various forms. The most important part of your writing career is you, so find what works for your talents, your goals, and your desires and then keep doing that. No two paths into this industry are the same, and that’s a beautiful thing.
J. J. Hanna is a writer and reader from Colorado. She loves suspense stories above all else. Her debut novel, The Regulars of Amanda Lexie releases August 2026. When she’s not writing, you can find her making YouTube videos or reading up-and-coming thrillers and mysteries. Find her on social media @authorjjhanna and @jjhannaacademy to keep track of her most recent reads and current adventures.