Behind the Scenes: The Journey to Publishing My First Book
- amackinnonauthor
- Oct 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 7
Publishing my first book was equal parts thrilling, exhausting, and eye-opening. I went into it with a heart full of excitement and a head full of dreams. What I didn’t realize was just how much I’d learn along the way.
You can purchase it below:
The Spark
The story began as an idea in my notes app. Once the idea took root it demanded space to grow. Before long I had a messy draft that was far too long, scattered, and rough. And yet it was mine.
The Hard Work
Turning that draft into a real book was the true test. Writing was actually the easiest part, but editing was the hardest for me. I cut scenes I loved because they slowed the story, rewrote dialogue that fell flat, and restructured chapters more times than I can count.
I gave myself a one month turnaround. It was a pretty quick window to go from messy draft to a hopefully polished manuscript. It was intense, but having that deadline kept me focused. Every day I chipped away and little by little the book took shape.
Of course there was more than just editing. I had to figure out cover design, formatting, ISBNs, uploading files, and creating blurbs. Each task felt like learning a new language. I made plenty of mistakes, but every setback improved my skills.
The Wins Along the Way
The moment I held the first draft in my hands, I couldn’t stop smiling. Seeing my printed work felt surreal. Even more rewarding was hearing from readers who connected with the story. Knowing that something I created resonated with someone else made every late night and frustrating edit worth it.
What I Learned
The biggest lesson was that publishing isn’t about perfection, but persistence. A one month deadline pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it also reminded me that progress happens when you set a clear goal and stick to it. No book will ever feel “done” enough to silence all your doubts. But put aside your doubts about it and just publish.
For Future Authors
If you’re working on your first book or however many books then here’s my advice:
It takes time and that’s okay even if your timeline is ambitious.
Every author starts with a first book
Celebrate even the small milestones along the way
Publishing my first book was the beginning of a journey, not the end. It taught me that stories have power, and sharing them is always worth the leap.
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