8 Common Concerns of Aspiring Authors (And How to Overcome Them)

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” Zig Ziglar

You’re about to write your first book. For as long as you can remember, you’ve wanted to become a published author—yearning to share your thoughts with the world and reach others who may be facing challenges like yours. Now that the moment has arrived, with your dream nearly within reach, a wave of doubt has crept in. The certainty you once felt about becoming a published author doesn’t feel as strong as it did when you first began, and each passing day leaves you wondering if this is truly the right path. A small part of you still clings to the dream, but the rest… it seems to be drifting away, and now you’re questioning if you should give up altogether.

Hold on! Don’t quit just yet. Your feelings are valid, but they’re far from unique. At some point, every author you know and admire has walked this path of uncertainty—and emerged victorious on the other side. With a little guidance, you can too. Join me as we explore some of these common concerns and how to overcome them.

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• Is My Writing Good Enough?: This is a very common and limiting fear. Remember, though, that writing is a progressive skill—the more you practice, the better you become. With every new level of expertise, there will always be higher goals to reach. While some writing may indeed need improvement, most of the time, this fear isn’t about glaring mistakes; it’s rooted in self-doubt and impostor syndrome. You are a writer, and writers write. So, start writing. Dedicate yourself to the craft as you would to a beloved passion. This might mean joining writing groups, connecting with communities, or taking courses. Whatever commitment looks like to you, focus on growing your skills and building confidence. But don’t get so caught up in learning that you forget to put it into practice.

• How Do I Get Published?: As an aspiring author, the world of publishing might feel overwhelming. If you’re unsure about which publishing path to take, start by researching the options: traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid publishing. Consider your goals and resources to help you make an informed decision. Consulting with industry professionals can also offer valuable insight. At TEBEBA, we’re committed to helping new authors like you navigate the journey to becoming published.

• Will People Read My Book?: This is a very common and understandable fear. However, if you play your cards right, you’ll find there are many readers interested in what you have to say. So, how do you play your cards? Start by researching your target audience. Don’t try to write for everyone—writing for everyone often means writing for no one. Instead, focus on a specific audience to create content that truly resonates. Consider building an online presence and developing your author platform. Even before publishing, put marketing strategies in place for both the pre- and post-launch phases. This groundwork will help you find your audience and set yourself up for success as a new author.

• The Writing Process Is Overwhelming: Think back to every major goal you’ve tackled—how did you approach it? Did you dive in headfirst, hoping it would all work out, or did you take time to map out a strategy? If you chose the latter, you were on the right track. To avoid feeling overwhelmed and potentially giving up on your book project, try breaking your writing goal into manageable milestones and set up a realistic writing schedule.

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• There’s Never Enough Time to Write: We all have the same 24 hours each day—how you use them determines your productivity. Life will always be busy, and until you intentionally set aside time for writing, it won’t happen. You can’t accomplish what you don’t make time for. Think back to why you started writing in the first place and carve out time for your book. You might decide to hit a specific word count at the start or end of each day. Whatever time you choose, stick to it and minimize distractions. Prioritize your book, and you’ll make progress faster than you think. If you truly can’t make room in your schedule, consider hiring a ghostwriter.

• Many books have been written on this topic: Some would even say there’s no such thing as a truly new idea—every concept builds on or combines existing ones. However, none of those books were written by you. This means they lack your unique personality and experiences. While others have tackled the subject, none have explored it from your perspective. To make your work stand out, research the market to understand what’s already available, and use your book to fill any gaps you uncover. Your idea remains valuable; you just need to find your unique entry point.

• Fear of criticism and rejection: No matter how skilled you are as a writer, you’ll always encounter criticism and rejection along the way. You can’t please everyone. Since these are inevitable, what matters is how you handle them. Developing a thick skin and a growth mindset allows you to tap into the many opportunities that criticism and rejection can bring. For more on handling feedback, check out this post on book reviews.

• How do I edit and revise my manuscript? Writing is just the beginning of becoming a published author; your book still has a way to go before it’s ready for your target audience. Revision and editing are key steps in this journey. After completing your first draft, it’s a good idea to step away from it for a while before diving into self-editing and revising. Once you’re satisfied with your edits, the next step is to hire a professional editor. Remember, self-editing doesn’t replace the need for a professional; the two work together to create a polished manuscript that resonates with your readers.

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Like every journey in life, the writing path comes with its own unique challenges. To tackle these concerns and fears, persistence, practice, research, and finding the right community can make all the difference.

Were there any concerns we didn’t cover in this post? Feel free to share them in the comments below.

I’ll be in touch soon.