From NICU Nurse to USA Today Bestseller: Why There Is No "Right" Way to Publish

Before I ever hit the publish button on my first novel, I spent a massive amount of time studying the publishing industry. I didn't just want to write a book; I wanted to build a career.

At the time, I was working as a neonatal intensive care (NICU) nurse. The shifts were long, the stakes were incredibly high, but writing had become a calling I simply couldn’t ignore. I knew that if I was going to pursue this seriously and transition away from my demanding day job, I needed to understand exactly how the publishing world operated. I needed to master not just the craft of storytelling, but the actual business of reaching readers.

If you are currently staring at a finished manuscript, feeling completely overwhelmed by the publishing options in front of you, I have been exactly where you are.

The Power of Starting as an Indie Author

When it came time to release my first book, I chose to start by independently publishing. For my specific goals and timeline, it turned out to be the absolute right decision.

Indie publishing allowed me to act as the CEO of my own career. I had complete creative control over my covers, my pricing, and my marketing. From the very beginning, my books found readers. With each new release, I built a stronger audience, gained momentum, and treated every launch as a learning experience.

By the time my fourth book released, it hit the USA Today bestseller list. That was a huge, life-changing milestone. More importantly, it was the validation I needed to confirm that the path I was on was working. I didn't need a traditional gatekeeper to validate my writing; I had built a direct pipeline to my readers.

Pivoting to Traditional Publishing (Without Losing Control)

There is a big misconception in the writing community that you must secure a literary agent before you can have a "real" author career. My journey proves that you can build an incredible author brand on your own first.

It wasn't until after I had independently published my sixth novel and continued to significantly grow my loyal readership that I decided to sign with my literary agent. Initially, my agent represented the subrights (like audio and foreign translation rights) for my existing indie titles. This is an incredible way to scale your income without giving up the rights to your core ebooks and paperbacks.

Two years later, we used that momentum to secure a deal with a traditional publisher.

The Hybrid Advantage: The Best of Both Worlds

One of the most important things I’ve learned over the publication of my fourteen novels is that there is absolutely no single “right” path to publishing success.

Some authors thrive entirely in the traditional publishing ecosystem, enjoying the editorial support, bookstore distribution, and advance checks. Other authors build incredible, multi-six-figure careers entirely independently, loving the fast-paced release schedules and high royalty rates.

For me and for many other full-time authors a hybrid approach offers the ultimate flexibility. It allows me to pivot based on what is best for each individual manuscript.

Finding the Path That Works for YOU

Every author’s goals, timelines, financial needs, and opportunities are fundamentally different. The publishing path that works perfectly for one writer might be a complete disaster for another.

That is exactly why I am so passionate about helping other authors navigate this industry. Over the years, I’ve learned an immense amount, not just through my own trial-and-error publishing journey, but by constantly studying what actually works when it comes to getting books into readers’ hands.

I know firsthand how confusing, isolating, and overwhelming publishing decisions can be when you’re trying to figure out the best move for your career. One wrong step in your launch plan or contract negotiations can cost you years of momentum.

Are you ready to stop guessing and start building your author career? Click the button below to book a 1-on-1 Publishing Strategy Session with me, and let’s map out the exact next steps for your book.

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