Publishing Is Hard
When someone asks what I do at Lulu, my easy answer is “tell the brand story of Lulu to encourage others that publishing is easy and attainable.” I’ll go on to explain how a book can help grow a brand, complement a profession, tell an important story, or unleash artistic expression. I’ve made many projects on Lulu, most personal, so I’ve not experienced the joy (or angst) of launching something into the universe for others.
Seldom do I think to address the fact that publishing a book is a mental experience—testing the confidence and readiness of the author. That is, until I read the perspective on publishing from Louis Grenier, Author of Stand the F*ck Out.
He says, “I always wanted to write, but never felt like I had the right concept. This book thing lurked in the back of my mind for years. I was trapped in what I call Draft Purgatory… that psychological prison where your manuscript rots while you torture yourself with perfectionist paralysis. Is this good enough? Will anyone care? It’s like having homework due tomorrow, but that feeling lasts for a YEAR or TWO.”
Writing is an Emotional Challenge
What a gut check. Navigating perceived inadequacies is a human condition. On some level, we all have self-doubt. Even Tom Hanks and Michelle Obama have admitted to it. Some know this as imposter syndrome. It’s the feeling as if you’re a fraud, and it’s just a matter of time until the whole world sees it. This isn’t anything new; the “tortured poet” archetype is an old European literary model of a self-destructive artist who suffers from mental anguish or societal rejection.
It’s easy for me to teach others how to self-promote and market their book, but in the back of their head, they’re wondering how they’ll function in the vulnerable place of allowing others to judge their work. So not only do you have to figure out how to finalize a manuscript, decide on a book cover, set up the book in multiple sales channels, but now you have to let the whole world SEE your work? Ick. Scary.
So in essence, all these times I’ve told others, “Publishing is easy!” what I really meant to say is “Publishing is hard!”
Overcoming the Fear of Sharing Your Work
Here are some strategies to overcome any feelings of inadequacy creeping in:
- Take a breath, acknowledge the feelings: Remember this is a human condition and common experience
- Celebrate and remember your achievements: The fact that you have any kind of manuscript in progress is amazing.
- Find community: There are some really great writers’ groups like the London Writer’s Salon, or The Non-Fiction Writer’s Association, where you can attend virtual writing events to develop your writing skills and publishing confidence. You’ll find encouragement and learn you’re not alone in this.
- Don’t let failures define you. My mom has a saying, “If you’re failing, that means you’re trying.”
- Take a break and practice self-compassion. This will be different for everyone, but go touch grass, spark joy on a walk, or get a good night’s rest and decide that these feelings are temporary and you can begin again tomorrow.
Chelsea
There might be brutal times during the publishing process. Maybe you find an annoying typo six months after the book is out. Perhaps a soul-crushing bad review surfaces. These are all possible outcomes of taking the risk of publishing. But in my experience, the feelings of joy, completion, and contentment far outweigh being trapped in draft purgatory.
So the challenge is, with this one wild and precious life you have, are you going to finally publish the book?
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