What Is the Best Publishing Route for Me?

My manuscript is almost finished, but I’m not sure where to go from there. How do I get this book published?

Is self-publishing okay?

Should I try to get it published somewhere? Or . . . ?

I get questions like these from authors all the time. And my answer usually begins with two words that might not feel particularly helpful: It depends.

Before we talk about publishers or printing or getting your book in bookstores, I want to know: What are your goals for this book?

Maybe you want to share your family’s stories so your grandchildren will know the people who came before them.

Maybe you’re writing a resource for your coaching clients, a study for your church, or a book that supports your speaking.

Perhaps you dream of seeing your novel on a bookstore shelf.

Any of those answers is okay. Really.

You don’t have to want a national bestseller to have a worthwhile reason for writing a book. And if reaching a large audience is your goal, that’s great too. What matters is understanding why you’re writing and whom you hope to reach.

Those answers help us consider your options.

If you’re writing for your family, you may need a beautifully produced book and a simple way to order copies. If you have speaking engagements lined up and need books by a particular date, your timeline will influence your choices. If you want to pursue a traditional publisher, you’ll need to consider whether your book fits a publisher’s audience and whether you’re willing to work through the submission (and rejection) process.

Then there are questions about your budget, the support you need, and how much control you want over the finished book.

Each answer helps bring the next step into focus.

To help you think through those questions, I’ve created a Publishing Path Assessment. The three-minute tool helps you consider your goals, audience, timeline, resources, and preferences, then identifies publishing paths worth exploring for your particular project.

You’ll also find questions to consider as you weigh your results. Think of these tools as a starting point for making an informed decision and having a more useful conversation about your options.

And if you have more than one book in mind, you can take the assessment again. The best path for one project may be different from the best path for another.

Your book deserves thoughtful decisions that support its purpose and the people you want to serve. Knowing what matters to you makes those decisions easier.

Use this link to take the Publishing Path Assessment, and let’s explore the options that best fit your goals for your book.