Publishing your first book is a big deal. You’ve poured months—maybe years—into writing, revising, and preparing your story to meet readers. But now comes the next challenge: figuring out what comes next in your publishing journey.

Naturally, most authors turn to the people already helping them: their editor, formatter, or cover designer. They ask: "What should I do after this? How do I publish this book well?"

And while those service providers may offer helpful tips, here’s the hard truth:

Service providers focused on one piece of the publishing puzzle are not always equipped to guide your entire author career.

Let’s talk about why this matters—and what you can do instead.

The Problem With Asking Each Provider "What’s Next?"

Each provider you hire is an expert in their niche:

Your editor is brilliant at story structure, grammar, pacing, and polish.
Your cover designer knows visual trends and how to appeal to genre expectations.
Your formatter understands the intricacies of KDP settings and page layouts.

But none of these individuals are hired to oversee your publishing strategy. That means their advice (while often well-meaning) is naturally focused on their specific deliverable—not the full scope of your business or long-term goals.

What This Can Look Like:

A formatter might tell you to go wide because it's what they see a lot of clients do.
A cover designer might recommend a launch timeline based on when they have availability, not what works for your audience-building.
An editor might push for rapid release schedules that don’t align with your lifestyle, budget, or mental health.

None of these professionals are wrong—they’re just not the ones managing the full picture. And if you try to patch together your career based on mixed feedback from everyone you hire, you're going to feel like you’re spinning your wheels.

Why Strategic Guidance Matters

If your goal is to become a full-time author, you need more than a finished book. You need a strategy. One that aligns with your lifestyle, your audience, your values, and your financial goals.

That’s where a publishing strategist or author business coach (like me!) comes in.

We’re here to:

See the entire journey from manuscript to money
Help you launch a brand, not just a book
Align your publishing timeline with realistic growth milestones
Walk you through both the creative and the business side of your career

Because here’s the truth:

Books are products. You are building a business.

And you need someone who understands the logistics of that.

Your Book Isn’t Just a Story—It’s a Product in a Business

As soon as you decide to publish your book, you’re stepping into entrepreneurship. Your novel isn’t just art; it’s an offer. It needs a sales funnel. It needs packaging. It needs a target audience and consistent marketing.

When you treat your book like a business:

You build systems that lead to consistent sales
You understand the long game of audience-building
You create sustainable marketing strategies that don’t burn you out

This is why asking an editor for business advice is like asking your plumber for interior design tips. It’s not that they’re wrong—it’s just not what they do best.

Who Should You Ask About What’s Next?

Instead of piecing together your strategy from fragmented advice, you need a central source of guidance:

1. Publishing Strategist / Author Business Coach

Someone who understands the entire publishing process, marketing ecosystem, and business structure of an author career.

2. Marketing Consultant with Author-Specific Knowledge

If you want to drive sales, you need to understand reader behavior, Amazon algorithms, newsletter growth, and social visibility.

3. A Central Community or Membership

Spaces like the Story Flow Collective offer education, feedback, and curated vendor recommendations so you know exactly who to trust (and what questions to ask).

It’s Not the Editor’s Job to Teach You How to Launch

Your editor is there to shape your story.
Your formatter is there to prepare your files.
Your designer is there to craft your cover.

It’s your job to lead the project.

If you don’t want to manage it alone, find someone who offers holistic, strategic support—because piecemeal guidance leads to confusion, delays, and inconsistent results.

I often work with clients who say:

"I thought I was supposed to do X, but now I’m stuck."
"My designer said I didn’t need an email list, but now I’m not getting sales."
"My formatter recommended IngramSpark, but I have no idea how to use it."

These issues are preventable—but only when you have someone helping you see the whole board.

Building a Full-Time Author Career Takes More Than a Book

If you’re dreaming of full-time income from your writing, the book is only the beginning. You need:

A brand that resonates
A growing, nurtured email list
Multiple sales funnels
Ongoing audience engagement
Clear pricing, packaging, and publication strategies
Visibility and review systems
The ability to reinvest in your growth

None of this happens by accident. And it’s not something a one-time service provider can build for you.

What you need is foundational support. The kind that helps you:

Make confident decisions
Avoid costly mistakes
Build real momentum (not just a lucky launch)
Stay aligned with your long-term goals

What You Actually Need to Succeed

If you’re serious about your author career, stop crowdsourcing your publishing plan from everyone you hire.

Instead:

Work with someone who understands your full vision.
Invest in strategic support that helps you grow over time.
Surround yourself with people who care about your business as much as your book.

And if you’re looking for that kind of guidance?

The Story Flow Collective is perfect for you.

Inside the membership, I help authors like you map out your publishing timeline, build sustainable systems, and develop the kind of business that supports your creative goals long-term.

Because you weren’t meant to do this alone.
And you weren’t meant to settle for half the picture.

P.S. Letters From Story Flow is your bi-weekly resource for authors who are ready to grow their careers with clarity and ease—without relying on hustle-heavy strategies that don’t feel like you.

If you're ready to build a sustainable author business, connect with readers, and get expert guidance that actually meets you where you are, click here to join me!

Why Asking Every Service Provider "What’s Next?" Can Stall Your Author Career