You’ve got a story to tell, wisdom to share, or a brand to build—but is writing a book the best move right now?
We hear the motivational “fluff” everywhere. I myself am a culprit of it. I think that passion, dedication, and personal experience are enough to push anyone towards success, but when you really look at it, there are times when you should not write that book. And that’s a hard truth many aspiring authors often overlook.
In fact, many authors waste time and energy on projects that don’t align with their business goals, their personal brand, or their audience's needs. They pour countless hours into something that fizzles out, leaving them with an incomplete manuscript or a book that fails to gain traction.
Yes! Writing a book can be an incredible tool for elevating your authority, building your brand, or sharing your expertise, doing it at the wrong time or without the right plan can be a waste of precious resources. Writing a book isn't always, unfortunately, all about the process of storytelling pleasure or communicating knowledge—it's a process of timing, planning, and alignment around all your goals.
Before jumping in, ask yourself not only if you can write a book, but if you should, and right now. This book will guide you through when to write yourself, when to call in the professionals, and how to get the best out of your book either way.
The Book Writing Reality Check
So, it’s time for a reality check. Not every idea needs to become a book, and not every aspiring author is ready to publish.
The idea of writing a book appeals to many professionals, but the reality is far more demanding than most realize. Statistics reveal that out of 2.6 million books sold every year, a mere 268 sell more than 100,000 copies—a paltry 0.01 percent. The stories of success are outnumbered by the amount of unsuccessful manuscripts and disappointing debuts.
Yet these figures need not shatter your publishing aspirations. They merely underscore the value of planning and expert guidance.
The truth about self publishing a book may be difficult to swallow, but knowing these facts upfront from book publishing companies will spare you time, effort, and aggravation. Now let's talk about the very first myth prospective writers fall for: the idea that anybody can write a bestselling book at any time.
Myth #1 - “Anyone Can Write a Successful Book, Anytime”
Many aspiring authors believe passion alone guarantees publishing success. Morning writing routines, dedication, and subject knowledge should be enough, right?
The Reality: Timing and preparation basically dictate your book's prosperity. Starting at the wrong time or without strategic groundwork consistently leads to abandoned projects and missed opportunities.
One client came to me after two years of false starts and increasing frustration. In our consultation, we found their book idea had no relation to their business goals. By reworking their strategy, they created a focused manuscript that yielded multiple speaking engagements—their goal all along.
Decision Point: Do you have clarity on your book's purpose?
If YES: Strengthen your foundation by:
- Creating a one-page book concept document
- Identifying 3-5 specific business outcomes
- Developing reader transformation statements
If NO: Before writing a single word:
- Define your ideal reader persona in detail
- Clarify how your book connects to business goals
- Consider scheduling a “book strategy session” with a book writing service to overcome writer's block solutions and develop effective book marketing strategies
How book writing experts transform this challenge: Just one consultation can help you clarify your book's purpose and alignment with business objectives. Whether you ultimately write it yourself or work with a team, this clarity provides the foundation for meaningful success.
With purpose and timing out of the way, let’s look at the second myth that commonly causes writing struggles.
Myth #2 - "My Expertise Is Enough to Fill a Book"
Subject matter experts usually think that their expertise automatically makes them good content creators. After all, they have years of experience in their subject area.
The Reality: Knowledge by itself does not often make reader-friendly structure. Structure transforms expertise into interesting content that readers can easily comprehend and utilize.
A health consultant was months into creating unrelated chapters that were not coming together as readable methodology. Through working with professional book editing services, she found a strong framework hidden within her expertise. The finished book outlined her signature method, drawing clients who were especially interested in her particular approach.
Decision Point: Have you validated your content with your target audience?
If YES: Enhance your validated content by:
- Developing case studies demonstrating key concepts
- Creating visual representations of your methodology
- Refining your structure based on reader feedback
If NO: Begin validating your approach through:
- Speaking on your topic to gauge audience response
- Testing content organization with trusted colleagues
- Creating blog posts or articles exploring key concepts
How book writing experts transform this challenge: Expert book authors and expert book editors are experts at pulling out and structuring knowledge. Through focused interviews, they pinpoint strong structures within your knowledge while maintaining your original voice—often revealing knowledge you didn't know you had.
And with content validation no longer an obstacle, it is time to dispel the third myth that professionals have the hardest time with: the myth that they can do it by themselves.
Myth #3 - "I Can Handle Everything Myself"
Self-sufficiency appeals to many entrepreneurs and professionals. With countless online resources available, the DIY approach seems accessible and cost-effective.
The Reality: Professional publishing involves specialized skills across multiple disciplines. From developmental editing to cover design to marketing strategy, each element requires specific expertise for optimal results.
A business consultant spent 18 months attempting to self-publish before approaching our team. After switching to our Done-For-You approach, she completed her book in four months while focusing on her growing practice. The professional result attracted premium clients who specifically mentioned the book's quality as a deciding factor.
Decision Point: Do you have the time and skills for all aspects of publishing?
If YES: Focus your efforts on these critical areas:
- Developmental editing for structural integrity
- Professional cover design and formatting
- Strategic launch planning and execution
If NO: Consider delegating specific elements:
- Editing and proofreading for professional polish
- Design and formatting for visual appeal
- Marketing strategy for maximum visibility
How book writing experts transform this challenge: Authors On Mission offers flexible options ranging from comprehensive Done-For-You services to selective support for specific elements. Our team handles the publishing complexities while you contribute according to your availability and strengths.
Having covered the importance of expert help, let’s now unwrap another myth that hinders many authors: that sales are the only measure of success.
Myth #4 - "Book Success Is Measured By Sales Alone"
Many aspiring authors fixate on bestseller status and sales figures as the primary metrics of success. They imagine joining the ranks of famous authors recognized solely for their writing.
The Reality: Very few authors achieve fame through writing alone. Reports indicate only about 15-20 living individuals are famous exclusively for writing. The real value for most business authors comes from strategic outcomes beyond direct sales.
A consultant initially focused exclusively on sales targets until our strategy session revealed more valuable opportunities. By leveraging her bestseller status to secure speaking engagements and premium clients, she generated over $120,000 in new business within six months—far exceeding potential royalty income.
Decision Point: Have you defined success metrics beyond bestseller status?
If YES: Enhance your strategy by:
- Creating specific conversion paths from readers to clients
- Developing premium offerings for engaged readers
- Building speaking and media opportunities around your content
If NO: Establish meaningful success metrics through:
- Identifying specific business opportunities your book enables
- Setting concrete goals for authority building
- Determining how your book supports your long-term vision
How book writing experts transform this challenge: Authors On Mission guarantees bestseller status while focusing on strategic business outcomes. Our approach ensures your book serves as a powerful business development tool generating returns far beyond traditional publishing metrics.
Now that we've discussed the limitations of focusing solely on sales, let's confront the final myth that many aspiring authors fall prey to: that there's never a perfect time to start.
Myth #5 - "There's Never a Perfect Time to Start"
The popular "just do it" mentality suggests waiting for perfect conditions means never starting at all. This leads many authors to begin prematurely without adequate preparation.
The Reality: While perfectionism causes paralysis, strategic timing significantly impacts results. Starting at the right time with appropriate support leads to better outcomes with less frustration.
An executive delayed writing for years believing she needed to "just push through" despite overwhelming schedule demands. After assessing her situation, we recommended our Angel Writing approach. This allowed her to contribute her expertise through weekly interviews while our team handled the writing process. The resulting book established her thought leadership while accommodating her limited availability.
Decision Point: Does writing a book align with your current business goals?
If YES: Capitalize on this alignment by:
- Creating a realistic production timeline
- Identifying specific support needs
- Exploring Authors On Mission's services matched to your situation
If NO: Prepare strategically while timing improves:
- Develop content in smaller formats (articles, blogs)
- Build audience through speaking and media
- Consider Authors On Mission's assessment to determine optimal timing
How book writing experts transform this challenge: Authors On Mission's flexible approaches accommodate varying levels of readiness. Whether you need comprehensive support now or strategic preparation for future publishing, our team helps you maximize results based on your specific situation.
With these myths behind us, let’s learn about the different approaches to authorship and help you decide which one is right for you.
Conclusion
Your path to authorship should be tailored to your unique situation, goals, and preferences. Based on your responses, here are three approaches that may work for you:
Self-Directed Writing with Strategic Support Ideal if you:
- Enjoy writing and have the time to dedicate
- Thrive with clear structure and organization
- Need assistance primarily with design and marketing
Collaborative Creation with Professional Guidance
Perfect if you:
- Want to contribute content but need structural help
- Have limited time and need efficient processes
- Value professional polish but still want to stay involved
Complete Done-For-You Development
Best if you:
- Have limited time to write
- Struggle with organization or getting started
- Prefer sharing your expertise through conversations
No matter which approach resonates with you, Authors On Mission provides customized support to ensure your book achieves maximum impact with minimal frustration.
The Decision Is Yours
Your thought leadership deserves to reach the people who need it most. Whether you write every word yourself or hire a ghostwriter for professional support, choosing the right book publishing marketing strategies at the right time unlocks extraordinary speaking engagements and establishes your business authority.
With over 1,100 entrepreneurs and thought leaders guided to bestseller status, Authors On Mission adapts its services to meet your unique needs—whether you require full development or targeted help with specific aspects.
Schedule your complimentary consultation today to assess your readiness and explore the best path to becoming a published author. The world needs your knowledge—don’t let writing challenges hold you back from sharing it.
