So You’ve Written a Book… Now What?
First off, congratulations! Writing a book is no small feat and if you’ve reached the end of your manuscript (or even most of it), you deserve to take a breath and acknowledge what you've achieved. That alone puts you ahead of most people who only dream about finishing.
Now comes the part many writers find even more daunting: what to do after you've written the thing. Whether you're planning to publish independently, pursue traditional publishing, or just want to know what the next logical steps are, this guide will walk you through the journey ahead.
Step 1: Step Away (Briefly)
You’ve been inside the world of your book for a while. Take a short break - a week, maybe two. Let your brain breathe. When you return, you'll have fresh eyes and sharper instincts for what needs refining.
Step 2: Self-Edit With Care
Before involving anyone else, read through your manuscript yourself. Tidy up the obvious things: grammar hiccups, plot holes, clunky phrasing. Don't worry about perfection yet, just aim for clarity and flow. Tools like Grammarly can help, but your voice matters most.
Step 3: Decide on Your Publishing Path
Want to go traditional? Start researching literary agents, query letters and submission guidelines. It’s a long road but can lead to great partnerships.
Prefer self-publishing? You'll keep control and move faster. Start looking into platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and others.
Not sure which to choose? That’s okay. You don’t have to decide this second. Keep learning.
Step 4: Get Professional Feedback
A manuscript consultation can help you find your blind spots and show you the strengths you didn’t even realise you had. This isn’t editing yet—it’s thoughtful guidance that lets you move forward with confidence - we offer this at Turtle Tree Press if you're looking.
Step 5: Edit, Edit, Edit
Once you're confident in the structure, it’s time for professional editing. There are three core types:
Developmental editing (big picture)
Line editing (sentence-level improvements)
Proofreading (typos and polish)
Depending on your goals and budget, you might need one, two or all three. Invest what you can - this is what separates amateur from pro.
Step 6: Design Matters
Your book cover and interior layout aren’t just decoration. They signal to the reader that your work is worth taking seriously. A well-designed book builds trust before a single word is read.
Step 7: Plan Your Launch (Big or Small)
Even if you don’t want a fanfare, a launch strategy helps people find your book. Think through:
Who it's for
Where those people spend time
How you can reach them without feeling salesy
Social media, newsletters, launch checklists - we can help with that too.
Step 8: Keep Showing Up
Your book isn’t done the moment it’s published. It’s alive now and you can nurture its reach over time. Talk about it. Share parts of it. Mention it when it fits. Most books sell slowly and steadily, not in one giant burst.
You Don’t Have To Figure It All Out Alone
At Turtle Tree Press, we work with writers who are just starting out, as well as those further along. Whether you need clarity, polish, or a full publishing package, we’re here to guide you with calm, clear, human support.
Your story matters. Let’s help it reach the people who need it.