What’s the most important question to ask before publishing your first book?
The Dream and the decision
Publishing your first book is one of the most exciting and terrifying moments in any writer’s life. You’ve spent weeks, months, maybe even years crafting your story, polishing your manuscript, and imagining the day when it will finally be in readers’ hands. But before you hit publish, there’s one question you absolutely must ask yourself. A question that will guide not only how you publish, but how you position yourself as an author and build a career. That question is this: Why am I publishing this book?
It may sound simple. Maybe even obvious. But it’s the foundation for everything else you’ll do. And too often, authors skip over it, rushing straight into formatting, uploading, and marketing. Without a clear “why,” you risk feeling disappointed by the results, no matter how good they are. With a clear “why,” you give yourself direction, clarity, and confidence and you’ll make decisions that align with your goals rather than working against them.
Why your “Why” matters
Imagine two writers: one wants to share a family memoir as a legacy for their children and grandchildren. The other dreams of turning writing into a full-time career. Both are publishing a book, but the path they take will look very different. The first writer may prioritize beautiful formatting, keepsake-quality printing, and distribution to family and friends. The second may focus on building an author brand, creating a marketing strategy, and targeting an audience of thousands of readers online.
The same action, publishing a book, serves two very different purposes. That’s why your “why” matters. It’s not just about finishing your manuscript. It’s about shaping the journey ahead in a way that makes sense for you.
The common pitfall of first-time authors
Many first-time authors think the work ends when they upload their book. In reality, that’s where the journey begins. Without asking yourself why you’re publishing, you may fall into one of two traps. You either overinvest in things you don’t need because you think it’s what “real authors” do, or you underinvest and then feel frustrated when your book doesn’t meet your expectations.
Your “why” keeps you grounded. If your goal is impact, you’ll measure success in reader reviews and heartfelt messages. If your goal is profit, you’ll track royalties and sales numbers. If your goal is credibility, you’ll focus on professional polish and visibility in your industry. One book can serve multiple goals, but knowing which one matters most to you will help you decide where to focus your energy.
Turning the question back on you
So, why are you publishing your book? Is it to inspire? To teach? To entertain? To start building a career? To leave a legacy? Take a moment to answer honestly. Write it down. Say it out loud. Share it with someone you trust. The clearer you can be, the stronger your publishing journey will feel.
When I work with indie authors, I often encourage them to dig deeper. If someone says, “I want to sell as many books as possible,” I ask them why. Is it because they want financial freedom? Because they want to reach as many people as possible with their message? Or because they believe book sales validate them as an author? Each answer leads to different strategies. Each answer requires different tools.
The practical impact of your “Why”
Let’s say your goal is to become a full-time author. You’ll likely need to think about more than one book. You’ll plan a series, create an author platform, and start building a reader community early. If your goal is to use your book as a calling card for your business, your focus might be on creating a professional, polished product that supports your expertise. If your goal is to write a passion project for your inner circle, you may not care about marketing at all—you may simply want to celebrate holding your story in your hands.
This single question reshapes your entire publishing strategy. It influences your cover design, your distribution choices, your marketing efforts, and even the tone of your author bio. That’s the power of clarity.
A conversation worth having
Publishing can feel overwhelming. There are endless articles about ISBNs, royalties, algorithms, and formatting. But none of that matters if you haven’t asked yourself why you’re doing this in the first place. That’s the conversation we need to have as indie authors, not just about the how, but about the why. Because when we understand our motivations, we give ourselves permission to define success on our own terms.
I’d love to hear your answer. Why are you publishing your book? Is it about income, impact, legacy, or something else entirely? When authors share their reasons, it sparks connection and inspiration for others who might be wondering the same thing.
The role of community in finding your why
One of the most valuable things you can do as a new author is talk to others who have been in your shoes. Communities of writers are powerful because they remind you that you’re not alone, that your doubts and dreams are shared by thousands of others. They also give you perspective. Sometimes hearing another author explain their why helps you uncover your own.
This is where spaces like PubliWrite come in. PubliWrite isn’t just a publishing platform, it’s a place where indie authors connect, collaborate, and grow. It’s designed to support you not only in publishing your book but in understanding the bigger picture: what success means for you, how to position yourself, and how to keep going when things feel tough. Your “why” doesn’t have to stay private. Share it with a community that gets it.
Final thoughts: your book, your journey
The most important question to ask before publishing your first book is deceptively simple: Why am I doing this? Your answer doesn’t have to be perfect, and it may evolve over time. But asking it now will save you from confusion, wasted energy, and unmet expectations. It will help you measure success in a way that feels meaningful, whether that’s through glowing reviews, steady royalties, or a grandchild’s smile as they read your story.
Publishing is not the end of the journey—it’s the beginning of a relationship with your readers, your community, and yourself as an author. Make that beginning intentional. Know your why, build your how around it, and don’t be afraid to share it with others.
So tell me: what’s your why? Let’s start the conversation. And if you’re ready to take the next step, join us at PubliWrite, where indie authors publish with purpose, find their readers, and support each other every step of the way.
