How I Finally Decided My Book Was Worth Publishing

A first-person story from one of Bookworthy's founders.

There is something special about being on the open road. My husband and I often take a long drive as an opportunity to talk through the complexities of life — it's almost like the car's forward motion keeps the conversation flowing.

A few months after our first son was born, we took a drive to the beach. He slept the whole way. Somewhere on that highway, my husband brought up the impact we'd been making online with our blogs, and the Bible study I had put together for a few wives at our church. Then he said it: what if you turned those lessons into a book?

The light bulb went on.

When we reached the beach and told our friends, their excitement made it feel real. And as I stopped talking and started listening, I also felt something else: insecurity. The thought of publishing my first book surfaced a host of fears — before I had even started.

Over the next few weeks the conversation became a plan. My husband researched how to self-publish; I wrapped my mind around how to write a book. My heart shifted from could I? to a deep conviction that my words could matter to someone — that I had a message unique to me, and I was the only one who could share it.

So I decided to finish what I started, despite the insecurities.

My first book took a month and a half to write. There were hard days, and there were days I couldn't stop. If you had told me a year earlier that I would be a published author, I would have laughed. I had no idea how close I was — no idea a thought could turn into action so quickly. A few years later, I had written ten books with another on the way.

Before that drive, I was the person who would have kept putting it off forever. What I learned is simple: a dream is just a wish until you start.

Your book is worth publishing

Thousands of writers tell themselves self-publishing isn't for them, or that they're waiting for the right time (whenever that is). If that's you, consider:

• Is the message something you feel strongly about?
• Do you feel like you've found a treasure that would bless the people who read it?
• Is there a gnawing in your heart that you have a responsibility to share it?
• Is becoming a published author a dream you want to fulfill?

Sharing your story with the world is one of the most extraordinary things you will ever do. You don't have to do it alone — and soon, you won't have to leave your own store to do it.

Join the Bookworthy launch list and we'll tell you the moment you can publish your first book on Shopify. Your story is worth publishing.