Why Your First Novel Shouldn’t Be Your Dream Book
And how understanding publishers can actually get you published faster
The Mistake Almost Every New Writer Makes
Every writer has one story that means everything to them.
The one they’ve imagined for years.
The one they have to get right.
So naturally, that’s the book they submit first.
And that’s where things go wrong.
Because the moment a publisher shows interest, something else happens too:
They ask for changes.
Now you’re stuck with a choice no one warned you about:
Protect the story you love… or change it to get published.
Here’s the Part Most Writers Don’t Want to Hear
Publishing isn’t just about storytelling.
It’s a business.
Every book costs money to produce, market, and distribute. And that money isn’t guaranteed to come back.
So when a publisher looks at your work, they’re not just asking:
“Is this good?”
They’re asking:
“Will this sell?”
That doesn’t make them the enemy.
It makes them responsible.
Why New Writers Have Less Control
If you’re unknown, your book is a risk.
No audience.
No track record.
No proof it will sell.
So even if they love your story, they may still want to reshape it—
to make it safer, broader, more marketable.
And if that book is your dream novel?
Those changes won’t feel small.
Even Stephen King Played the Game
Before he became Stephen King, he was just another new writer.
His first published novel, Carrie, wasn’t something he was deeply attached to.
That mattered.
Because when changes were needed, he could make them without hesitation.
Now imagine if that had been the one story he couldn’t bear to touch.
There’s a real chance it never gets published.
And everything that came after? Gone.
The Smarter Strategy Most Writers Miss
Instead of leading with your dream novel…
Start with a strategic novel.
One that is:
-
commercial
-
fast-paced
-
accessible
-
flexible
A book you’re willing to change.
Think of it as your way in—not your legacy piece.
One Practical Step You Can Use Today
Before submitting anything, ask yourself:
“If they ask me to change the ending… will I be okay with it?”
If the answer is no:
👉 Don’t submit that book yet.
Write another one first.
How You Gain Real Power as a Writer
Once you prove you can sell books, everything changes.
You’re no longer just a risk.
You’re an investment.
And when that happens?
-
publishers listen more
-
you get more say
-
your ideas carry weight
That’s when your dream novel has its best chance—
not just to be published, but to be published your way.
The Perspective That Changes Everything
Imagine you’re running a publishing house.
You can only afford to release a handful of books this year.
If they fail?
People lose jobs. Including you.
Suddenly, the decisions feel different.
You don’t choose the book you love most.
You choose the one most likely to succeed.
That’s the world your book is entering.
Final Thought
You don’t lose by playing the game first.
You lose by playing it at the wrong time.
Start smart. Build leverage. Then bring out the story that matters most.
Because the goal isn’t just to get published—
It’s to get published on your terms.
you might be interested in these blogs…
THE RISKY SIDE OF SELF-PUBLISHING YOUR NOVEL
WHY YOU SHOULDN’T MIX GENRES WHEN STARTING OUT
THE GREATEST TIP ON HOW TO BE A GREAT WRITER
