Why is publishing your book so damn scary?

You’ve written the words. You’ve edited (and probably re-edited) until you’re sick of looking at your own sentences. You’ve dreamed about holding your book in your hands.

And yet, when it comes to actually publishing… suddenly, the whole thing feels terrifying.

You’re not alone. In fact, publishing a book is one of the scariest things a writer can do. Here’s why, and how to banish those pesky mind monkeys!

First up we have, “Is it good enough?” (Imposter Syndrome hits hard!)

It doesn’t matter if it’s your first book or your fifth, almost every author has that creeping thought: What if no one likes it? What if it’s rubbish?

That’s imposter syndrome talking. And it’s normal. But here’s the truth: no book in history has been loved by everyone. Your job isn’t to please the masses, it’s to reach your readers. If you have worked with me, you'll know my mantra - 'write for an audience of one'.

If you are clear on your book's goals and objectives, and you are CRYSTAL clear on who your ideal reader is, then you can be confident that your book will hit the spot.

Millions of writers search “Is my book good enough to publish?” every year, and if that’s you, know that doubt just means you care. Without exception, EVERY author I have worked with has had a little 'wobble' right before launching, and every time I tell them that, it's all part of the journey so buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Next up, we have the overwhelm of publishing logistics

Editing, formatting, cover design, ISBNs, uploading to Amazon… publishing can feel like learning a new language while juggling. It’s enough to make many writers freeze before hitting “publish.”

But the secret is: you don’t have to do it all alone. Hybrid publishing, freelancers, and services exist for a reason. Your job is the writing...don’t be afraid to get help with the rest.

There will always be that crusty old 'expert' who tells you there is only one way to do things and that you should never pay for publishing services, but the truth is that the landscape of publishing has changed MASSIVELY! So, if you need help, then get help...just do your research first.

I mean, I am a great writer, but if my washing machine broke, I'd pay a plumber...if you get my drift!

Fear of visibility - sticking your head above the parapet is ALWAYS scary!

Publishing your book means putting yourself out there. Suddenly, your words aren’t just in a private document; they’re available to anyone with an Amazon account or an internet connection. That level of visibility feels exciting… and utterly terrifying.

But readers can’t fall in love with a book you never share. Vulnerability is the price of impact.

There are loads of quotes out there about taking a leap... "Feel the fear and do it anyway"..."If you aren't living on the edge, you're taking up too much room"..."If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got"...take your pick and dive in!

And finally, the “what if I fail?” loop...but what if you don't?

What if the reviews are bad? What if no one buys it? What if I launch and it flops?

Here’s the thing: every author starts somewhere. Failure isn’t publishing a book and not selling thousands. Failure is never publishing at all.

When I started my writing and publishing journey, I made SO many mistakes. But those mistakes meant that I learnt A LOT. In fact, I learnt a lot more than I ever could have done from Google or a dusty old textbook.

The truth is, you'll make mistakes, and there are things you'd do differently second time around, but these mistakes aren't unsalvageable. Use them to learn, grow and develop until you find the perfect path for you.

The Bottom Line

Publishing a book is scary because it matters. If it didn’t, you wouldn’t feel this way. But your book won’t change lives sitting on your hard drive.

With the right editing, design, and publishing support, you can move from fear to fulfilment. And when you finally see your name on the cover? All that fear will have been worth it.