How to Get Your Book Published This Year (Without Dragging It Out for Years)

📘 Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 44

This is my first official episode of 2026 and it felt like the right moment to talk about something I know is on a lot of people’s minds right now:

“This is the year I finally get my book out.”

Every January, people feel the pull to do things differently. And while I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions (over 91% of them fail), I do believe in intentional commitments, especially when it comes to writing and publishing a book.

So if publishing your book this year is one of your goals, this post is for you.

Let’s talk about what actually works and what keeps books from dragging on for years without ever seeing the light of day.

First: Your Book Does Not Have to Take Years

One of the biggest myths in publishing is that writing a book takes years.

It doesn’t.

None of the books I’ve written took a year to write. The longest was my first book, and even that took just over four months.

When authors say they’ve been “working on a book for years,” what that usually means is:

• they start

• they stop

• they walk away

• they come back

• they burn out

• and the cycle repeats

That doesn’t happen because the writing itself takes years.
It happens because there’s no plan, no structure, and no protected schedule.

At Smart Publishing, our authors typically complete their manuscripts in about six months,often faster.

Step 1: Solidify Your Goal Before Your Concept

Before you think about titles, chapters, or even passion, you need to answer one question:

👉 What do I want this book to do for me?

Some common goals:

• Position yourself as an authority in your industry

• Build your personal brand

• Generate leads or clients

• Support a speaking career

• Serve as a credibility asset in your profession

Your concept should serve your goal, not the other way around.

A great example is my first book, Leading Through Love. That book wasn’t written randomly. It was a professional branding book that positioned me as a different kind of leader, and it directly advanced my career.

Other authors write books that act as direct lead generators, funnels, or franchise builders.

The point is this:
The juice has to be worth the squeeze.

Step 2: Don’t Get Stuck on the Title

You don’t need a title to move forward.

Use a placeholder.

Many authors discover their title during the writing process, sometimes from a line in a chapter, a phrase that keeps repeating, or a moment that captures the heart of the book.

Titles can wait. Progress can’t.

Step 3: Build a Detailed Chapter Map

Your chapter map is your North Star.

This isn’t a loose outline, it’s a detailed plan that includes:

• chapter purpose

• key stories or principles

• major talking points

• takeaways or action steps

A strong chapter map eliminates writer’s block.
When you sit down to write or record, you already know exactly what you’re covering.

If you want a free template, you can download our chapter map spreadsheet at:
👉 smartpublishingservices.com → Resources

Step 4: Decide How You’ll Write (or Record)

Here’s a secret most people don’t realize:

Many bestselling books weren’t typed by the author.

They were spoken, transcribed, and edited.

If you’re not a natural writer, don’t force it.

• Record on Zoom, Voice Memos, Otter, or Descript

• Transcribe the audio

• Let an editor shape it into readable chapters

Twenty minutes of recorded audio = roughly 6–8 unedited pages.
Forty minutes = 12–13 pages.

That’s a chapter.

Step 5: Protect Weekly Writing Time

This is non-negotiable.

You need at least one protected hour per week, every week.

Weekly is the sweet spot. Biweekly isn’t frequent enough to build momentum or habit.

Authors who:

• block weekly time

• keep their chapter map handy

• and hand work off to an editor

…finish their books.

Authors who don’t? Stall out.

Step 6: Do Not Self-Edit

Self-editing is usually just imposter syndrome in disguise.

It shows up as:

• over-tweaking

• endless rewriting

• fear of judgment

• procrastination disguised as “polishing”

Write first. Edit later.
Always.

And please, don’t rely on AI to edit your book. It’s fine as a thought partner, but it lacks context, nuance, and human judgment. You need a real editor who understands:

• developmental flow

• reader experience

• structure and pacing

• your specific audience

Your editor’s job is to make your book shine for the reader, not for your ego.

Step 7: Format and Publish Like a Professional

Once your manuscript is done:

• hire a professional formatter

• hire a professional cover designer

There are industry standards for:

• margins

• blank pages

• chapter placement

• trim sizes

• paperback vs hardcover specs

At minimum, your book should be available as:

• Kindle

• Paperback
  (Optional but recommended: Hardcover)

Over 60% of global book sales happen on Amazon, and 84% of books are still purchased in print.

Amazon KDP should be your starting point.

If you want to self-publish, I have a full KDP Publishing Course under the Education section of our site.

Final Recap: The Path That Works

If you want to get your book out this year:

1. Clarify your goal

2. Align your concept to that goal

3. Build a strong chapter map

4. Decide whether to write or record

5. Protect weekly writing time

6. Don’t self-edit

7. Hire a professional editor

8. Publish with intention

You don’t have to do this alone. Coaching, accountability, and guidance dramatically increase follow-through.

If you need help, you can find me at smartpublishingservices.com or connect with me on Facebook.

And as always,

Keep writing your story, because the world needs your voice.
- Renee