The Honest Highs and Lows of Publishing Your First Novel—What I Wish I’d Known

Introduction:

No one tells you just how wild the ride will be when you finally hit “publish.” I thought writing The Legend of the White Dragon would be the hardest part—turns out, launching a book is a rollercoaster all its own. Here’s the truth: it’s exhilarating, exhausting, and absolutely worth it. But if you’re dreaming of publishing your first book, let me pull back the curtain and share what I wish I’d known.

1. The Highs

Seeing Your Book in Print

There’s nothing like holding your book for the first time. All the late nights, rewrites, and self-doubt suddenly feel worth it the moment your story becomes something you can actually touch. That thrill—of seeing your own story sitting on your shelf, right alongside the authors who inspired you—hits differently. For me, it felt like a private kind of magic, a quiet moment of “I did it,” even if nobody else was watching.

A New Kind of Confidence

Publishing my first novel gave me a sense of confidence I’d never experienced before. It’s one thing to dream about being an author, but it’s another to actually finish what you started and send it out into the world. I proved my own doubts wrong—every step forward reminded me I’m capable of more than I ever imagined. The day my book went live, I realized: I am an author now. Not someday, not “maybe”—but today.

Small Victories Along the Way

The journey to publication isn’t just about the big milestones; it’s also about all the tiny victories you collect along the way. Sometimes, the biggest highs aren’t the ones you expect—they’re the quiet moments when a stubborn chapter finally clicks, or you read back a paragraph and realize, “Hey, that actually sounds good.” It’s finishing a scene you dreaded writing, or discovering a new plot twist just when you thought you were out of ideas. Each small win matters, and together they build the momentum to keep moving forward, especially on the days when writing feels impossible.

Learning New Skills

By the end of the process, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve learned—often things you never set out to master. Writing a book doesn’t just teach you about storytelling; it’s also about learning to organize your thoughts, edit with a critical eye, and sometimes even tackle things like formatting, layout, or graphic design. Each time you solve a new problem, whether it’s fixing a plot hole or figuring out how to upload your book for print, you gain a new sense of resourcefulness and resilience. Suddenly, you’re not just a writer—you’re a storyteller, a problem-solver, and a creator in ways you never expected.

Creative Growth

Writing and revising my book stretched me in ways I didn’t anticipate. Every draft forced me to dig deeper, refine my voice, and trust my instincts. I discovered the kind of stories I truly wanted to tell, and I learned how to persist even when the words weren’t flowing. By the time I finally published, I had grown—not just as a writer, but as a person who doesn’t give up when things get hard. That creative growth, more than anything, made every challenge worth facing.

2. The Lows

Imposter Syndrome (Yep, It’s Real)

Even after publishing, there’s a little voice in your head that says, “Are you sure you’re a real author? Is anyone actually going to read this?” The fear of not being good enough never really goes away—it just gets drowned out by the next deadline.

The Real Hard Part: Editing and Formatting

Most people think writing the book is the hardest part. Honestly? That’s just the beginning. If you’re anything like me, you might assume that once you type “The End,” you’re almost there. I thought the hard work was over—but I was wrong.

Editing and formatting turned out to be one of the steepest learning curves of the entire journey. There’s a special kind of exhaustion that comes from reading your own words for the hundredth time, catching little mistakes you can’t believe you missed. Then comes the technical side: making sure every chapter heading, paragraph break, and page number is in the right place for print. I had to teach myself how to format my book for both eBook and paperback, and let’s just say there were moments when I wondered if I’d ever figure it all out.

If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone getting ready to publish: don’t underestimate the editing and formatting stage. It’s not glamorous, and it can be incredibly frustrating—but getting it right makes all the difference between a book that feels professional and one that doesn’t quite land. And when you finally see that perfect proof copy, you’ll know all those hours were worth it.

Marketing Overwhelm

Newsflash: Writing the book is only half the battle. Suddenly, you have to become a marketer, graphic designer, social media strategist, and maybe even your own tech support. There were days when I questioned why I ever thought this was a good idea. Learning to pace yourself (and ask for help) is key.

Waiting…and More Waiting

Waiting for your first sale. Waiting for reviews. Refreshing your sales dashboard way too many times. There’s so much hurry-up-and-wait in publishing. Patience, I’ve learned, is its own kind of superpower.

What I Wish I’d Known

Publishing is Only the Beginning
Connecting with readers, learning new skills, and growing as an author continues long after launch day.

Celebrate Every Milestone
Not just launch day—every draft, every review, every reader matters. Don’t wait for “bestseller” to celebrate.

It’s Okay to Be Proud (and a Little Vulnerable)
Telling the world about your book feels a lot like standing on a stage in your underwear. But your story matters, and it will reach the right people.

Comparison Is the Thief of Joy
There will always be someone with more sales, more reviews, more everything. Focus on your journey and the readers who connect with you.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help
You don’t have to do everything alone. Whether it’s hiring an editor, joining an author group, or just venting to a friend, support makes the journey easier—and a lot more fun.

Expect the Unexpected
No matter how much you plan, things will go sideways at some point. Maybe your formatting goes haywire, your launch day gets rained out, or a scene you loved doesn’t work in the final draft. The unexpected is part of the adventure. Flexibility and humor will save your sanity.

You Will Never Feel “Ready”
If you wait until you feel 100% ready, you’ll never publish. At some point, you have to take a deep breath, trust yourself, and hit that “publish” button—even if your heart is pounding.

Publishing is Only the Beginning
Connecting with readers, learning new skills, and growing as an author continues long after launch day.

Conclusion:

Launching a book is a whirlwind—equal parts joy and chaos. But even on the tough days, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. If you’re standing at the starting line, just know: your story is worth sharing. And you’re not alone in the wild, beautiful mess of making it happen.

There will be days when you find yourself staring at your sales dashboard, waiting for the numbers to tick upward, only to be met with silence. In those moments, it’s easy to doubt yourself or wonder if your story even matters. But here’s the truth: success doesn’t always happen overnight, and the worth of your words is not measured by immediate results.

Every story deserves to be told, including yours. Sometimes, it takes a while for your book to find its way into the right hands and for your voice to echo in the hearts of those who truly need it. Trust that your readers are out there, searching for exactly the kind of story only you can tell. Be patient with the process, and gentle with yourself. Keep believing in the value of your work, even when the world feels quiet.

Your time will come. Stories have a way of reaching the right people at exactly the right moment. Until then, celebrate how far you’ve come, honor your journey, and remember: just by writing and sharing your book, you’ve already accomplished something extraordinary.