There are plenty of people who simply enjoy writing. To be an official author, you need to publish your work. If you are concerned about your manuscript and how it might be received, start with small steps. Look for short story contests that can give you feedback and confidence. The more you do anything, the easier it gets through repetition. If you keep submitting short stories, it will become easier to submit a full manuscript.
Without putting yourself out there or working, you will never know how good it is or how good you can be. Even if it is rough or needs work, you will grow from it. As an author, a writer and a person, growth is a good thing. Don’t let fear stop you from becoming the best writer you can be.
The answer to this question is very personal and each author has a different reason. Some publish their book to try and make money, some publish because they feel like they have something to say and want to share their story or stories. Some authors publish simply for fun. If you don’t think it’s ready, that’s one thing, but if you feel it’s good to go, then why not? You just have to know it will take some effort, maybe even some money, depending on whether you go the self-publishing route or the traditional or hybrid publishing route. If you don’t think it’s ready for publication, there are resources you can tap into to help you determine if the manuscript is ready to be published.
If you haven’t used outside resources, or even skilled friends, to review or workshop your manuscript with you, it is likely to be missing some items and chances are your book isn’t ready to be published. Try tapping into resources such as our Book Puma Services Platform where you can get multiple eyes on a manuscript at an affordable price. Along with our editors and professionals, the Book Puma Services Platform helps writers find their voice and cultivate the art they have within. Think of the Book Puma Platform as a way to get the help you need, as you need it. You can also think about working with a small press (maybe even Blue Handle Publishing!) that will have more of a direct interaction with you and help you along the way.
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