3 Reasons Your Book Isn’t Published Yet (And How To Change That)
If you’re familiar with the Holy Bible, you may recall a passage that compares believers to light. The purpose of light is to illuminate and chase away darkness. However, when a lamp is lit and then hidden, it cannot fulfill its purpose. That’s why a lamp is placed on a stand, not under a basket, so its brilliance can be seen by all. This analogy applies just as much to aspiring authors as it does to believers.
Writing is a form of self-expression—it’s about documenting your thoughts and sharing your ideas with the world. Perhaps you’ve nurtured several ideas that have yet to make it to your notepad or keyboard. Or maybe you’ve already written them out, but they’re just sitting on your desk or laptop, gathering dust.
Before we go any further, let me reassure you: this challenge is not unique to you. Many writers struggle to turn their writing dreams into a published reality. Despite their best efforts, they encounter roadblocks that make the goal of being published feel distant. Today, we’ll explore some of these obstacles and how to overcome them. Let’s dive in.
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Self-doubt: Self-doubt is a familiar foe, especially when venturing into a new field. It’s that nagging feeling of inadequacy or lack of confidence in your skills, abilities, or worth. As a newbie writer, I battled with self-doubt constantly. Despite receiving positive feedback from friends and colleagues, I struggled to believe them. This lack of conviction led me to miss out on countless opportunities. I was too afraid to push for more—whether it was applying for writing jobs, entering competitions, or even building my brand as a writer. I convinced myself that there were better, more deserving writers out there, and I didn’t want to meddle.
Though I’ve come a long way since then, I can’t say I’ve completely overcome self-doubt. To be honest, I don’t think anyone ever does. We just learn to move forward, despite the fear. Self-doubt can have far-reaching effects. It can cause you to procrastinate or even abandon your book idea altogether, delaying or halting your publishing journey. And even if you finish writing your book, self-doubt might stop you from taking the next step toward publishing—it’s that powerful.
The good news is, it’s possible to break free from its hold. The first step is accepting that self-doubt is normal. What’s not normal is letting it dictate the course of your life and career. Once you’ve accepted that, shift your focus to what’s working for you—your writing skills, your creativity, your achievements. These are worth celebrating.
Then start writing. Break the process into small, manageable goals, and celebrate each win along the way. See it as a learning curve—an opportunity to try something new and prove yourself. If it works out, you’ve conquered that fear and gained confidence. If it doesn’t, you’ve learned from the process and become better for it. Top performers are those who’ve learned to run in spite of their doubts. Strive for the top. Self-doubt will cling to you until you shake it off. Your writing dream is valid, so get to creating.
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Fear of rejection or criticism: A book is a testament to your decision to be vulnerable, representing the time, effort, and a piece of your soul that you’ve poured into it. This is why criticism or rejection of your work can feel like a personal attack. The fear of rejection or criticism is a common obstacle, especially for new authors. To avoid the pain of rejection, some writers choose never to publish their books—nothing ventured, nothing lost.
That fear is real and can be paralyzing if you let it, but it can also be seen as a challenge to rise to. Writing, much like your personality, won’t appeal to everyone—and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to make everyone like you; it’s to connect with the people your message resonates with. This group is your target audience. These are the individuals who need and appreciate your book.
While writing with a target audience in mind is crucial, it won’t protect you from the inevitable criticism and rejection that exist in the literary world. The industry doesn’t owe you gentleness, so you need to develop a thick skin if you want to succeed. Learn to differentiate between constructive and destructive criticism, and see rejection as a necessary step on your journey as an author. Don’t let fear hold you back. Toughen up, shake it off, and focus on creating your best work.
Lack of time and discipline: Just as a garden requires daily care to flourish, writing demands time and dedication to reach its full potential. Skipping a day of tending to your garden can quickly turn into several days, leading to a neglected, overgrown mess. Similarly, without consistent effort, writing can suffer from irregular schedules, procrastination, inadequate research, missed deadlines, poor time management, and burnout. These issues can significantly delay or even halt your publishing process.
To address this, establish a writing routine. Choose a time and place where you’re most productive, ideally one that becomes a fixed part of your day. This routine helps signal to your mind that it’s time to write. Set realistic goals and deadlines—aim for targets that push you to excel without overwhelming you to the point of giving up. Lastly, hold yourself accountable. Use support from family, friends, or accountability groups to reinforce your commitment. Implementing these strategies can significantly boost your chances of completing and publishing your book.
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Why haven’t you published your book yet? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Talk soon!