The Book Chief

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What Authors Really Want to KnowWhen authors first come to me, they usually have plenty of questions… and quite rightly ...
19/06/2026

What Authors Really Want to Know

When authors first come to me, they usually have plenty of questions… and quite rightly too. Publishing can feel like a minefield when you have never been through it before.

These are the ten things authors ask me most:

1. How much will it cost to publish my book?
The honest answer is that it depends on the condition of the manuscript, the type of book and how much support is needed.

2. Do I need an editor?
Almost always, yes. Even strong writers need another experienced pair of eyes on their work.

3. How long does publishing take?
A professionally produced book takes time. Editing, design, formatting, proofing and distribution should never be rushed.

4. Will my book be available on Amazon?
Yes, but Amazon is only one part of the wider publishing picture.

5. Can my book go into Waterstones and other bookshops?
It can be made available to order, but that does not automatically mean it will be stocked on shelves.

6. Will I keep the rights to my book?
With self-publishing, you should retain ownership and control of your work.

7. Will the publisher market my book?
Marketing support varies and is usually an add-on, but authors still need to be involved. Nobody can promote your story with the same passion as you.

8. How many copies will I sell?
No honest publisher can guarantee sales. Good books still need visibility, positioning and ongoing promotion.

9. Do I need an ISBN?
Yes, if you want your book recognised and distributed professionally.

10. Is my book good enough?
This is often the real question hiding behind all the others. Most manuscripts have potential, but they may need development before they are ready for readers.

Publishing is not simply about uploading a file and hoping for the best. It is about giving your book the strongest possible chance once it reaches the world.

TheBookChief

What Happens When You Refuse To Give Up On Yourself?Some books tell a story. Others hold your hand through a chapter of ...
29/05/2026

What Happens When You Refuse To Give Up On Yourself?

Some books tell a story. Others hold your hand through a chapter of your life.

Gentle Honest Growth by Nicolie Murphy is a heartfelt guide for anyone navigating change, healing from the past, rebuilding confidence, learning self-love, or simply trying to find their way again.

Through faith, forgiveness, hope, personal reflection and practical journal prompts, Nicolie shares an honest and encouraging journey towards becoming the best version of yourself.

If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, overwhelmed, or in need of a little encouragement, this book was written with you in mind.

📖 Gentle Honest Growth
✍️ By Nicolie Murphy
🌍 Available in all major bookstores from June 2026

Sometimes growth doesn’t have to be loud. Sometimes it starts with one page, one thought and one small step forward.

We’re so excited for Nicolie to finally hold this book in her hands. Like many authors, there have been moments of doubt, nerves and anxiety along the journey, and times when continuing wasn’t always easy. But she kept going, trusted the process, and now the finish line is firmly in sight. We’re incredibly proud of what she’s created and can’t wait for readers to experience Gentle Honest Growth for themselves.

I must be mad… but I’ve decided to turn my campervan into a travelling publishing lounge.Over the years, I’ve spoken to ...
27/05/2026

I must be mad… but I’ve decided to turn my campervan into a travelling publishing lounge.

Over the years, I’ve spoken to hundreds of people who’ve wanted to write a book… but didn’t know where to start. Some had ideas scribbled in notebooks. Some had half-written manuscripts hidden away. Others simply needed someone to sit down with and say, “you actually could do this.”

So instead of waiting behind a desk… I thought, why not take The Book Chief Publishing House on the road?

This summer, I’ll be popping up at parks, events and local spots with soft drinks, biscuits, publishing friends, books and honest conversations for anyone thinking about writing, publishing or marketing their book.

There will be no pressure and no sales pitching, just a relaxed space to chat ideas, books and possibilities.

Our first stop is:

📍 Kingsbury Park
📅 20th June
⏰ 10am – 2pm
🌿 Come find us on the green (weather permitting)

Whether you’ve written one page or ten books… come and say hello.

And yes… there may be free copies of Sell The Damn Book too.

Now the big question…

Where would YOU like to see The Book Chief On Tour next? 🚐📚

thebookchiefontour

Your book isn’t your product… you are.That’s the part many authors miss at the beginning. You can have a brilliant book ...
21/05/2026

Your book isn’t your product… you are.

That’s the part many authors miss at the beginning. You can have a brilliant book that’s well written, professionally produced with a strong cover and great reviews. Yet it can still struggle to gain momentum.

Because readers are connecting with more than the words on the page now. They’re connecting with the person behind them. They want your voice, your story and your perspective. The way you speak about what you do and why it matters to you. That’s what creates trust.

People want to feel something before they buy into someone’s work. They want to understand who they’re supporting and what that person stands for.

When readers connect with you, the book becomes part of a much bigger picture. They follow the journey. They remember your name. They come back for the next book because they feel connected to the person who wrote it.

That’s where author branding really matters.

Readers don’t want the polished, corporate version that feels forced. They want the real version. The human side people actually relate to.

How you show up.
How you speak.
What you care about.
What people remember after they’ve read your words.

That’s the part that stays with them and keeps them coming back.

The biggest mistake authors make after publishing… they disappear.They’ve done the work. Written the book. Got it finish...
14/05/2026

The biggest mistake authors make after publishing… they disappear.

They’ve done the work. Written the book. Got it finished. Got it out there.

Then they step back. But that’s when things should really begin.

Readers need to see you and understand what you stand for. Without that, the book fades quickly.

Publishing isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point. The honeymoon period won’t cut it… it needs to be consistent. Even small visibility efforts make a difference. For example, I’ve reduced my LinkedIn posts to just Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. It’s not taking over my life, but it’s allowing me to show up.

Showing up matters so keep checking in!

These are the books making serious money right now…And the data backs it up.In the UK, crime and thriller remains the co...
13/05/2026

These are the books making serious money right now…

And the data backs it up.

In the UK, crime and thriller remains the country’s biggest genre overall, while romance and romantasy continue growing fast through BookTok and online reader communities. Science fiction and fantasy sales jumped by more than 41% in the UK between 2023 and 2024.

In the US, romance and romantasy are currently leading adult fiction sales, with publishers reporting huge growth across those categories. Rebecca Yarros’ Onyx Storm sold more than one million copies in its first week alone.

Then there’s non-fiction.

Adult non-fiction is still the largest overall category in the US market, with self-help sales rising by almost 15% in 2025. Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory became one of the year’s biggest-selling books.

There’s a clear pattern behind all of this.

Readers are either looking to escape something… feel something… or solve something.

That’s where attention is going.

Romance and romantasy give readers emotion and escapism.
Thrillers create tension and obsession.
Practical non-fiction promises transformation, clarity or results.

The books performing best right now understand exactly what they are and who they’re for.

That part matters more than ever.

Because readers decide very quickly now. If they can’t immediately understand your book, your message or why it matters to them… they move on.

This isn’t about copying trends.

It’s about understanding what readers are actively responding to and positioning your book clearly within that space.

The clearer the message, the easier it is for the right readers to find you.

publishingtips

People don’t just buy books… they buy people.They buy into the story behind the story. The person who wrote it. The reas...
12/05/2026

People don’t just buy books… they buy people.

They buy into the story behind the story. The person who wrote it. The reason it was written. The experiences, perspective and honesty woven through the pages.

That’s what creates connection. Readers want to feel something long before they click “buy now”. They want to recognise a piece of themselves in your words, your journey or the way you see the world.

That’s what makes one book stand out from thousands of others.

Connection will always carry further than noise.

When people genuinely connect with you, they stay. They follow your journey. They recommend your work to others because it meant something to them.

That’s where real growth starts to happen.

Behind every finished book is this…When Olajumoke came to me with The Daily Lift, she had the message. She knew what she...
11/05/2026

Behind every finished book is this…

When Olajumoke came to me with The Daily Lift, she had the message. She knew what she wanted the book to do.

But like most first-time authors… the process felt a bit much at times.

We worked through it together. Step by step. No rushing or pressure.

Shaping the content, tightening the message, making sure it actually lands the way it’s meant to.

The Daily Lift is one of those books that has a real purpose behind it.
Daily affirmations for children and teens… but more than that, it’s about connection within families and building confidence from the inside out.

It’s simple, but it’s powerful.

And this feedback below was just amazing.

Publishing a book isn’t just about getting it out there. It’s about how someone feels during the process… and how proud they are at the end of it.

That part matters just as much.

Just one format? You’re leaving money on the table!A lot of authors focus so heavily on getting the paperback out that t...
11/05/2026

Just one format? You’re leaving money on the table!

A lot of authors focus so heavily on getting the paperback out that they forget something important…

Readers don’t all read the same way anymore.

Some people still love holding a physical book in their hands. Folding corners. Highlighting pages. Leaving it on the bedside table half-finished because life got busy.

Others haven’t sat down to properly read in years… but they’ll listen to an audiobook every single day while driving to work, walking the dog, cleaning the house or travelling.

And then there are Kindle readers. The people downloading books instantly at 10pm because something about the title caught their attention.

Different formats reach different people.

That’s the part many authors miss.

A paperback alone can only go so far. But when your book exists in multiple formats, your chances of being discovered increase massively.

Someone may find your audiobook first… then go on to buy the paperback.

Someone may read the Kindle version on holiday… then recommend the audiobook to a friend.

It all works together.

You’ve already done the hardest part by writing the book.

Don’t limit how people experience it.

Not all publishing companies are equal.Some genuinely care about the outcome of your book. Some are simply trying to get...
07/05/2026

Not all publishing companies are equal.

Some genuinely care about the outcome of your book. Some are simply trying to get another project through the door as quickly as possible. The difficult part is that, at the beginning, they can often sound very similar.

That’s why asking questions matters far more than people realise.

What exactly is included? What happens after publishing? Who owns the files and ISBNs? Are there extra charges later? Will someone actually guide you through the process when things feel overwhelming?

These conversations matter because publishing a book is a big thing. Financially, emotionally and creatively. Most authors are stepping into a world they’ve never navigated before, so clarity should never feel difficult to get.

You should understand what you’re paying for.

You should know who is doing the work.

You should feel supported rather than confused.

At The Book Chief, we’ve always tried to keep things straightforward and human. No overcomplicated language. No disappearing after the upload. Just honest guidance, clear communication and a genuine investment in helping authors create something they’re proud of.

One thing I’m incredibly proud of is our Google reviews. Not because they look good on a website, but because they represent real experiences from real authors who trusted us with something deeply personal to them. That trust means everything.

Publishing is a huge industry, and there are some brilliant people within it. But authors should never feel afraid to ask questions before committing to anyone.

A good publishing experience should feel exciting… not stressful.

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