I released my book, Sometimes Therapy Is Awkward, in December 2020, and it's been a wild ride! I'm proud to say that the book has sold over 75,000 physical, digital, and audio copies since its debut.

That said, there are many things I wish I had known before self-publishing my book. And there are many variables you should consider if you want to get published as a therapist. Here are some tips.

Identify Your Top Priority 

Not everyone writes a book for the same reason. Some want to cross the arduous task of "writing a book" off their bucket lists. Others want to build a lucrative passive income stream, break through as an author, or build credibility within a specific genre.

I encourage you to spend time reflecting on your top priority. It's okay if the goal shifts, but having one goal in mind can help you stay organized and focused on your efforts and publishing plans.

As for me, my first priority was to just "write a book." Since I was young, it has been a goal of mine to see my name in print. But as I evolved with the writing process, my goal shifted into really wanting to break through as an author. Having recently launched Soul of Therapy, I believed adding a book to my portfolio would increase my credibility and further support my business goals. 

Unpack Your Common Fears 

Writing and publishing a book can be daunting! Here are some common fears that plague many wannabe authors.

Fear of failure: This will be terrible. I can't finish it. Nobody will read this. If they do read it, they'll think poorly of me.

Fear of wasting time: I will have to sacrifice other things to get this done. It might just be a huge mistake.

Fear of rejection: What if this ruins my career? What if everyone hates it? 

I spoke and consulted with countless authors during my writing journey. I didn't meet a single one who didn't have some apprehension or anxiety about publication. With that in mind, remind yourself that you're not alone and that your fear can be data without being your direction!

Face Your Biggest Obstacles 

Fears go hand-in-hand with barriers to writing. Here are some of the main obstacles you might face.

Time

No matter how you break it down, writing a book requires a significant amount of time. In addition, if you have other obligations (and who doesn't?), structuring the time to write can be challenging.

There are no quick fixes to this issue. I highly recommend defining realistic goals and sticking to them. I committed to writing 1000 words a day at least five days a week. This helped me finish my first draft within six months.

Organization

Many writers struggle with organizing their thoughts and getting them down on paper. If you struggle with organization, consider whether you're a pantser, plotter, or plantser. Knowing your style can help you refine your practice.

Writing competence

Imposter syndrome is practically a given when it comes to this process. You may feel inadequate or incompetent to actually write the book.

The only real solution? Doing it anyway! If you wait to feel capable, that time may never come. 

Knowledge about the publication process

It's an entire process, and it can be overwhelming. But taking the process step-by-step makes everything feel more manageable. 

You will make mistakes along the way, but you will also learn as you go! Fortunately, with self-publishing, you can often correct your actions in real-time.

Traditional Publishing Vs. Self-Publishing for Therapists 

It's important to understand the key differences between traditional and self-publishing when it comes to releasing your book. There are many misconceptions about both, and I'd like to spend some time unpacking them.

Traditional Publishing

At first, I intended to use the traditional route for my book. I did receive a few offers- ultimately, I turned them all down, and I explain why below. That said, here are some takeaways for traditional publishing. 

Pros: Some people, particularly in academia, often perceive traditionally-published books as more reputable. There's a possibility for a higher advance and a greater likelihood of ending up in brick-and-mortar stores. In most cases, you won't incur publishing expenses on your end. 

Cons: Traditional publishing has a very high barrier of entry! You will likely need to spend several months or years pitching your manuscript to the right agents. There's no guarantee your publisher will market your book, meaning you may have to do some legwork yourself. You have limited control over the final product or branding. 

Self-Publishing 

Self-publishing has exploded in popularity over the past decade, and approximately one-third of all ebooks are self-published. Unlike traditional publishing, you're "running the business" when it comes to creating and promoting your book. 

Pros: Self-publishing has no barrier to entry. You can literally upload a manuscript onto Amazon's platform today. You set your own fees, you can earn up to 70% royalties, and you have complete control over your book when it comes to the final product.

Cons: It can be expensive (editing, formatting, graphic design, marketing). You're responsible for learning and doing all the work on your own. Without a platform, it can be hard to reach an audience. 

Common Self-Publishing Expenses 

After turning down a few traditional offers, I began venturing down the self-publishing path. Unfortunately, I found it overwhelmingly hard to get accurate data about how much I should expect to spend on certain services. That said, on average, you should expect to pay between $2000-$10,000 to self-publish your book. Please note that the following financial figures represent loose ranges. How much you spend will vary dramatically based on your budget and goals. 

Professional Editing: $1000-$2500

If you have to skimp on any service, don't let it be your editing. Good editing is non-negotiable- it's what separates amateur work from a professional, polished book. I found my editor on Reedsy, a well-known site for self-published authors. 

Developmental: Developmental editing refers to the "big picture" editing. A developmental editor helps you with issues related to character development, plot formation, and theme. 

Copy: Copy editing helps refine smaller details. If sentences sound awkward, or if you keep messing up your tenses, a copy editor will fix these issues. 

Proofreading: Known as the final step in publishing, proofreading catches all the tiny mistakes. Even if you have read your book a thousand times, you will have blind spots and make errors. If you've ever read a book and noticed many, many mistakes, there's a good chance the author skimped on proofreading. 

Graphic Design: $250-$1500

We all judge books by their covers. So, you must ensure that your cover is as aesthetically pleasing as possible. 

Formatting: $100-$1000

I have found many online guides that will help you format your book yourself. But it's also a relatively inexpensive task to outsource.

Initial Order of Books: $0-$1000

If you plan to sell books on your website or at an event, you need to have copies on hand. You can purchase books at wholesale costs through various online distributors. I like 48-Hour Books and have used them for all the books I sign myself. 

ISBNs: $125

You need an ISBN when you self-publish a book. Bowker is the only official source within the United States. 

Marketing: $100-$2500+

Marketing costs vary dramatically. Your efforts will depend on your budget and specific publishing goals.

Free copies: I recommend planning to purchase at least 25-100 copies of your book for distribution. Give these away to other therapists, bookfluencers, social media followers, etc. Ask politely for a review, but never pressure someone for one!

Amazon ads: If you put your book on Amazon, I highly recommend experimenting with Amazon ads. You can customize them and track analytics to determine what is and isn't working. 

Social media ads: Depending on your platform, you may want to also experiment with various social media ads. It may be worth running a few simultaneous campaigns to track data.

Professional publicists: Although they aren't cheap, you can hire a publicist to help promote your book. I recommend fully understanding their fee structure and promotion strategy before signing any contracts! 

Beta Readers 

Beta readers offer feedback and guidance about the shaping of your story. They are NOT editors, although some may provide light editing. Ideally, beta readers match the demographic of your ideal reader. They can tell you about your book's strengths and weaknesses and reveal any potential blind spots. 

Have a few beta readers look over your work BEFORE making a final edit before submitting it to a professional editor. Be mindful of using friends/family members as beta readers- they are rarely as honest as we want them to be.

You can find beta readers online! Facebook groups and Goodreads are great places for this. If you have a social media following, you can also ask if anyone is interested. Keep in mind that most authors don't pay for beta reading. Instead, it's customary to offer your appreciation with a signed book or their name mentioned within your acknowledgments section. 

Want More Guidance on Self-Publishing For Therapists?

No matter where you are in your journey, publishing a book is exciting! But if your pain points are holding you back, it may be time for more structured support. Whether you need specific marketing tips or want feedback on your story idea, I'm here to help! Learn more about my self-publishing planning consults and get started today!