Question 1

What Mabel and Stanley support means...

Accepted Answer

In-depth critique and feedback for your manuscript
 
An independent ISBN number assigned to Mabel and Stanley Publishing that allows your to market on multiple platforms
 
Inclusion in the Mabel and Stanley website Hall of Fame - join our other amazing authors and promote your book on our site!
 
A guest author interview on the Write to Publish Podcast - join the inspirational authors who have already shared their writing journeys with our listeners
 
Featuring on the Mabel and Stanley social media platforms as appropriate - we will tag you in wherever we can and love sharing our authors across our social media platforms!

Question 2

The benefits of publishing with  Mabel & Stanley...

Accepted Answer

You retain rights and complete control over your work
 
We do not take any royalties from your book sales
 
You pay a one-off fee to have your book formatted and support to upload to the Amazon platform 
 
Your book is assigned an individual ISBN number which enables you to put your work on other platforms should you wish
 
You have the support needed to format and upload your work to create a professional end product
 
You have the kudos of a publishing house logo on the back of your book
 
You will have your book listed as one of our published authors on the website
 
If you would like to be listed on additional book selling platforms such as Ingram Sparks or Barnes & Noble this can be done for you for an additional fee
 
Getting into Waterstones book shops means being registered on centralised platforms before you can request that they stock your books - we can also do this for you at an additional cost upon request.

Question 3

Costs and your rights when you publish with us...

Accepted Answer

The cost of publishing with Mabel & Stanley is a one-off fee. 
 
Once you have accepted your proof copy there is no further money charged.
 
Publishing with Mabel & Stanley means that yo​u are essentially a self-published author benefitting solely from our respected publishing house logo on your work.
 
The cost to publish with Mabel & Stanley Publishing has been made deliberately affordable...
 
You can choose from...
 • Ebook only 
 • Ebook & Paperback (with no images)
 • Paperback with images especially children's books

Question 4

Will this book make me money?

Accepted Answer

Short answer: it can, but only if it’s written and positioned with a clear purpose. Books don’t automatically make money just because they exist. A business book can be a powerful income-generating asset when it’s designed to build authority, attract clients, secure speaking gigs, or support a wider offer.

Fiction and memoir can earn income, but success usually comes from strong craft, consistent publishing, and realistic expectations.

From an SEO point of view, it’s important to understand that making money from a book is about strategy, not luck. The authors who earn well treat their book as part of a bigger ecosystem — brand, audience, visibility, and long-term marketing — rather than a one-off product.

Question 5

How do I know if my book is any good?

Accepted Answer

You don’t judge a book by vibes, you judge it by feedback, structure, and reader response. A good book has clarity, purpose, and consistency. It delivers on the promise it makes to the reader, whether that’s education, entertainment, or emotional connection.

The most reliable way to know if your book is good is through professional editorial feedback, beta readers who match your target audience, and a clear understanding of genre and reader expectations. Friends and family don’t count — they love you too much. Readers are honest.

Question 6

Should I self-publish or go traditional?

Accepted Answer

This depends on your goals, not your ego. Traditional publishing can offer validation and distribution, but it’s slow, competitive, and offers limited control.

Self-publishing gives you speed, ownership, higher royalties, and creative control — but requires you to be involved in marketing. (although in reality, even traditional publishers will do very little marketing for new or unknown authors)

For business owners, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, self-publishing is often the smarter choice because it allows you to publish quickly, align the book with your business goals, and keep control of your intellectual property. Traditional publishing works best for authors willing to wait years and relinquish control.

For fiction writers, the self-publishing route can give you creative control and the freedom to publish several books in a much shorter timeframe, thus building your author visibility.

Question 7

How long should it take me to write a book?

Accepted Answer

There is no single “correct” timeline, but there is an efficient one. A focused business book can be written in 3–6 months with the right structure and accountability.

Fiction and memoir often take longer, anywhere from 6 months to several years, depending on complexity and experience.

What matters is consistency, not speed. Writing a book takes longer when there’s no plan, no structure, and no protected writing time. A realistic timeline paired with clear milestones is what gets books finished.

Question 8

How do I stay motivated during a long project?

Accepted Answer

Motivation fades. Systems don’t. The authors who finish books don’t wait to feel inspired; they schedule writing, set deadlines, and commit to progress over perfection.

Staying motivated during a long writing project means reconnecting regularly with why you’re writing the book, breaking the process into manageable stages, and having accountability. Momentum is built through small wins, not bursts of enthusiasm.

Question 9

How do I overcome writer’s block?

Accepted Answer

Writer’s block is rarely about creativity; it’s usually about fear, perfectionism, or lack of clarity. Most blocks disappear when you know what you’re trying to say and who you’re saying it to.

Practical ways to overcome writer’s block include lowering the bar for first drafts, writing out of sequence, using prompts, and separating writing from editing. You can’t edit a blank page, so the goal is always progress, not polish.

Sometimes writer's block can be down to 'brain overload' or overwhelm. Our brains need a break just like our bodies, so do something that gives you a break...take a walk, have a drink or something to eat, read or watch something that inspires you, chat with a fellow writer. Sometimes the best way to beat the block is to remove yourself entirely - some of your best 'writing' will happen when you aren't writing at all!

Question 10

How do I market my book once it is published?

Accepted Answer

Book marketing starts before publication, not after. Effective book marketing includes building visibility, growing an email list, securing reviews, leveraging social media, and using the book as a conversation starter, not just a product.

For non-fiction authors, the most effective strategy is positioning the book as a credibility tool that leads readers to your services, speaking, or offers.

Fiction authors benefit from consistent publishing, reader engagement, and platform-building over time. Marketing isn’t a launch-week activity — it’s an ongoing process.

Question 11

How do I know if my book is ready for publishing?

Accepted Answer

A book is ready for publishing when it has been professionally edited, beta read by the right audience, and refined to meet genre and reader expectations. It’s not about perfection, it’s about readiness.

If you’re still making major structural changes, it’s not ready. If feedback is minor and mostly stylistic, you’re close.

Publishing too early can damage credibility; waiting forever can stop a book from ever reaching readers. There’s a sweet spot, and it matters.

Question 12

How do I handle feedback or rejection?

Accepted Answer

Feedback and rejection are part of the writing life — not a verdict on your worth or talent. The key is learning to separate useful critique from personal opinion.

Professional writers assess feedback objectively, look for patterns, and decide what serves the book. Rejection doesn’t mean your work is bad; it usually means it wasn’t the right fit, at the right time, for the right person. Resilience is a skill, and it’s learnable.

Make sure you trust the source of the feedback and that the critic is qualified to give you the advice.

Question 13

How do I find the time to write?

Accepted Answer

You don’t find time — you decide you going to write! Most authors write books alongside busy jobs, families, and businesses. The difference is prioritisation.

Finding time to write means scheduling non-negotiable writing slots, reducing decision fatigue, and letting go of the idea that writing requires long, uninterrupted hours. Even 30–60 minutes of focused writing, done consistently, is enough to finish a book.

Question 14

How do I come up with original ideas?

Accepted Answer

Originality doesn’t mean something has never been done before — it means it’s been done your way.

The most compelling book ideas come from lived experience, professional expertise, personal curiosity, and a clear understanding of what readers need.

Strong book ideas sit at the intersection of what you know, what you care about, and what your audience is already searching for. Trend awareness, reader research, and honest self-reflection are far more powerful than waiting for a lightning-bolt idea to strike.

Mabel & Stanley Publishing

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