Writing and selling your novel
Posted on: 3 December 2025
Before you consider writing your book there are a few questions you need to ask yourself.
- What kind of writer do I want to be? A hobby writer or a serious author?
- What skills do I need if I want to be a serious author with published novels?
A hobby writer is someone who wants to write only for themselves, perhaps a memoir for the family. However, this makes me think that if you can write there is no reason for you not to show the world you exist as a serious writer. My experience tells me there are many new writers out there who don’t know where to begin. I noticed this particularly with my mother. She was an artist and actress and her art was extremely good. However, she had no idea how to market her art and get it seen. Did she want it to be seen? I think she did, but didn’t have the skills to make a brand for herself. I think many writers are the exactly the same.
In the beginning of my writing journey, I was no different than any other novice writer. I was fortunate to have basic marketing knowledge since I had operated my own company for 25 years. Back then, before computers and social media existed, I had to rely on writing for publications, placing ads, and arranging events to get my name out there.
The year 2012 marked the publication of my first novel, ‘Goodbye Henrietta Street.’ Following my book’s release on the Isles of Scilly, I immediately grasped the significance of such events. The launch was well-attended, and attendees not only met me but also shared their understanding of my book with other people. It triggered a chain reaction. I had intended to secure a publisher for my second book; nevertheless, I ended up self-publishing, just like before. It was a waiting game, and I wasn’t willing to wait a whole year for publishers to reply. One publisher responded with a rejection letter two years after my submission and subsequent publication of my book. I was busy dividing my time between marketing one book and writing another.
You don’t have to be a top class sales person. However, you must consider that if you become an author, you need to think like Dragons Den. It is worth investing in yourself to gain a presence in the market. Be warned, there’s a minefield of scammers out there and the only way to outwit these people is to work on recommendations with tried and tested methods. Join a group of your genre and listen to what they say.
You should not pay to vanity publish, or be tempted to publish your book because it looks good with your name on the front. Books must be the best they can ever be and employing an editor that is not your best friend is important to your future as an author. You cannot write a book, check it over and then get it published. A novel is only as good as the editor and proofreader. The cover you produce should stand out to make people want to buy it. The font you use, the colours, the design, all count as part of the sales strategies. There is lots of help out there, but again do your research.
As an example I used Silverwood Books, a print on demand (POD) publisher. A well-known author had used them too and she became successful, with lots of sales. She eventually found a traditional publisher and has gone from strength to strength. I followed her recommendations and despite being ill for a few years and taking a break, I kept going and have recently published my third book The Trail to Freedom.
So now, back to sales. If you plan to self-publish, Vanity publishers and hybrid publishers rarely do more than the absolute minimum for your marketing. Find a publisher that will provided all the necessary links to web designers and marketing agents. You will be inundated with people from dubious parts of the world offering to review your book or charging a fortune to advertise it. Delete them! Go on recommendation and well-tried methods. Ask your author friends first, research the company to the nth degree and send an email if you feel it’s appropriate. Their replies are often filled with how wonderful they are, but read between the lines.
Last of all, I mentioned joining a writing group. I am with the Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) and also the Society of Authors. These experienced people are there to help you through and learn from them. One of the good things about the RNA is their New Writers’ Scheme. You can submit your work for review and obtain a full report if you are a member. Most of their members are professional authors. My advice to any new writer is to write a short story and see if it works for you.
Good luck and get hooked on writing a book. You can meet all kinds of great people on your journey and learn from them.
