Shedding Light on Some Popular Publishing Myths

There are many hot takes on social media about how to write a book, what traditional publishers like, and what you need to do to make your novel a bestseller. There are some kernels of advice that are very useful, but others make you want to scratch your head and wonder where on earth they come up with that one?

Below are some of my favorite myths about the publishing industry, and some truths about them.

You have to have an MFA to be published by traditional publishers.

While this one is new to me, it’s still fairly ridiculous. You don’t need to have an MFA, or even a writing degree for that matter to be a novelist. Many authors come from diverse backgrounds; I have met former attorneys, doctors, businesspeople, stay-at-home moms, and retirees who have books published by a traditional publisher. I have a degree in sociology and a paralegal certificate and have managed to publish two novels. I also know some best-selling authors who don’t have a degree at all. If the writing is good and the story is compelling enough, then a publisher will take an interest in you.

Other authors are your competition.

This could not be further from the truth. Other authors are not just your colleagues, they are your friends, your support system, your mentors, and at times your research buddies. I don’t know how many times I I’ve sat with another author for a cup of coffee and venting session. Or have gotten a text from a writing friend excited because their novel is getting a starred review, and so we celebrate together. Other authors are your tribe. I honestly don’t know where I would be without the advice and friendship of other writers in this community. To look at them and treat them as your competition is only hurting yourself.

There is one way to write a book.

Everyone has their own methods. I like to outline and write continuously from the beginning to the end. Other authors refuse to outline and love to pants their way through a novel; what happens at the end is just as much a surprise to them as it is to their characters (and sometimes their editor). Others like to jump around, writing scenes at the beginning, middle, or end as they so choose. The point is, there is no one way to write a novel, whatever helps you finish writing the book is the right way to write a novel.

Traditional/Independent/Hybrid type of publishing is the best/worst way to publish a novel.

Whether you’ve published independently, traditionally or hybrid, they are all valid. One is not better than the other. Each one comes with its own challenges and its own rewards. In today’s age, self-publishing doesn’t mean you gave up on trying the traditional publication route or that it was the easy way out. I hate to break it to you, but there is no easy way when it comes to publishing. Truly, getting your book out into the world comes down to one simple question: What avenue works best for you? Research the challenges, ask other authors, and decide for yourself what you want for your writing career.

You have to do all the things for your book.

Just in case no one reminded you of this today: You are one person, there are only so many hours in the day, you can’t do everything. You can only do so much social media promotion, so many newsletters, cartwheels, or whatever else you can think of to promote your book. Once the book is out in the world you pretty much lose control over what happens. You can’t force your book to be on the best sellers list or strong-arm people into buying it. Unless they are family and you drive them to the bookstore yourself…which I may or may not have done on occasion. But have you seen the cost of gas lately? It’s not a reliable method, even if you have a large family.

It’s easy to think we need to be on all the social media platforms in order to sell our books and, in many ways, sell ourselves. If you are not comfortable on a platform then don’t be on it. The same can be said about learning a new platform. The most important thing is consistency. Pick one or two that you enjoy. If you enjoy it, then it will make the act of singing and dancing for your supper more bearable.

And one thing that is not a myth: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

About six months ago, a telemarketer called me to ask if I was working on a novel. They said they were from some company I had never heard of and would publish the book for me and make all my writing dreams come true. The catch? I had to pay them $3,000. They didn’t get a chance to make their pitch about distribution, cover art, or anything else before I laughed in the telemarketer’s ear.

All of this goes back to my favorite quote from The Princess Bride, “Life is pain. Anybody that says differently is selling something.”

Publishing, regardless of what avenue you take, is not meant to be easy. You run your writing through a gauntlet so that it can stand the test of being able to be on a bookshelf for a reason.

When it comes to publishing, everyone has their opinion, especially on social media. And while you may have found my pieces of advice to be helpful, at the end of the day, they should be taken with a grain of salt. The only constant in this crazy industry is that there is no constant. Things change, what works for one writer won’t necessarily work for another. Trust your gut and your book.

What publishing myths have you heard that you know to be false? Would you like to ask the writing community here if any other confusing ideas are true or not? The floor is yours.

Diana Giovinazzo

Diana Giovinazzo is the co-creator of Wine, Women and Words, a weekly literary podcast featuring interviews with authors over a glass of wine. Her debut novel, THE WOMAN IN RED, released in 2020, and her second novel, ANTOINETTE’S SISTER, released in 2022. You can find her in the Los Angeles area with her menagerie and husband.

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