I Wrote a Book... Now What?
- Katie Zeliger
- Dec 1, 2025
- 3 min read
You did it. You wrote a book!
Whether you sprinted through 50,000 words for Novel Writing Month or slowly crafted your manuscript over months, this is no small feat. Writing “The End” is worth celebrating — but it’s also just the beginning of your publishing journey.
So what happens next? Let’s walk through the key steps that take your rough draft from messy brilliance to a polished, publishable book.
Revise and Edit
First things first: take a break.
Distance gives you perspective. After a week or two, return to your manuscript with fresh eyes. You’ll notice plot holes, pacing issues, or character inconsistencies that slipped by in the heat of drafting.
Start by revising for story and structure — the “big picture” elements. Then, work your way down to line-level edits like grammar, clarity, and flow.
Free tools can help:
Grammarly – catches grammar and clarity errors.
The Hemingway App – improves readability and conciseness.
ProWritingAid – provides in-depth analysis and style checks.
Scrivener – great for organizing scenes and notes during revisions.
If your budget allows, consider hiring a professional editor. They can spot what you can’t.
Seek Feedback
When you’ve taken your story as far as you can on your own, it’s time to get feedback.
Share your manuscript with beta readers, writing groups, or trusted friends who will give you honest, constructive input. Their perspective can help you identify what’s working — and what needs another pass.
There are several types of editing your manuscript might go through:
Developmental Edit – focuses on story structure, plot, pacing, and characters.
Line Edit – enhances sentence flow, tone, and voice.
Copy Edit – checks grammar, consistency, and technical details.
Proofread – the final polish before publication.
Each edit serves a purpose, and understanding them will help you decide which type your manuscript needs next.
Finalize Your Manuscript
After gathering feedback, revise again with intention. At this stage, a professional editor is worth the investment. They bring expertise that elevates your book to publication quality.
Once your edits are complete, it’s time to think about presentation — because great writing deserves a great package.
Design Your Cover and Format Your Book
Your cover is your first impression. Readers do judge books by them — and a professional design can make all the difference.
If you can, hire a cover designer who understands your genre and audience. Their expertise can help your book stand out on both digital and physical shelves.
If you’re on a tighter budget, self-publishing tools like Canva, BookBrush, or Reedsy’s design templates offer professional-looking options with minimal cost.
Don’t forget formatting. Clean fonts, consistent spacing, and readable margins all affect the reader’s experience. Many self-publishing platforms provide templates to help you get it right.
Self-Publish or Find a Publisher
Once your manuscript is polished and packaged, it’s time to choose your publishing path:
Traditional Publishing – involves querying agents or submitting directly to publishers. It’s competitive and time-consuming but offers prestige and professional support.
Self-Publishing – gives you full creative control and faster turnaround times but requires you to handle all the publishing logistics.
Hybrid Publishing – offers the best of both worlds: quality publishing, higher royalties, and a collaborative process that keeps you in control.
No matter which route you take, do your research and choose the path that aligns with your goals and timeline.
Marketing and Promotion
Publishing is only half the journey — now you have to reach your readers.
Build a marketing plan that includes:
* A strong author platform (website, newsletter, and social media)
* ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) outreach and reviews
* Collaborations with book bloggers or influencers
* Virtual or local book events
Remember: marketing isn’t just about selling books — it’s about building connections with your readers.
YOU DID IT!
Writing a book is an incredible achievement — but transforming that story into a finished, publishable piece is where true craftsmanship begins.
Take your time, trust the process, and remember: every revision, edit, and decision brings your dream one step closer to the shelf.
Are you writing a novel and need help bringing it to life? Meraki Press exists to serve first-time authors as they grow and launch their passion projects!
We offer complete packages for publishing or separate services for every step of drafting to distribution!
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