By Imogen Short
That was the question explored in our recent WiPS panel, Publishing Non-Fiction: From Idea to Book Deal.
Bringing together perspectives from literary agent Marysia Juszczakiewicz, author and entrepreneur Veronica Llorca-Smith, and psychologist and author Dr Bee Lim, the discussion explored the realities behind the publishing process, from shaping an idea and securing a publishing deal through to building readership and creating opportunities beyond the book itself.
One of the most valuable aspects of the conversation was hearing how different author journeys can be.
There’s no single route to publication. Traditional publishing, hybrid models and self-publishing each offer different opportunities, challenges and trade-offs.
Understanding those choices starts with understanding what you want your book to achieve.
For some authors, a book is primarily about building credibility in their field. For others, it supports a business, a speaking career, an advocacy mission, or a wider body of work. The clearer you are on the role your book is intended to play, the easier it becomes to make decisions about publishing, positioning and promotion.
The discussion also highlighted how much the publishing landscape has evolved.
Authors today are increasingly expected to think about audience, platform, visibility and long-term engagement alongside the craft of writing itself. Veronica spoke about bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to authorship, while Marysia emphasized the importance of commercial viability and understanding what readers are looking for.
The conversation also served as a reminder that publication is often the beginning rather than the end of the journey. Books can open doors to speaking opportunities, professional visibility, community building and new forms of impact, but those opportunities are rarely automatic. Authors play an increasingly active role in creating them.
Thank you to our panellists for sharing their experience so openly, and to everyone who joined us for such thoughtful questions and discussion.
At WiPS, we’re committed to creating opportunities for learning, connection and professional development across the publishing community, and we look forward to continuing the conversation at future events.
WiPS thanks committee member Imogen Short for masterly moderating the dialogue and for bringing her own publishing experience to the conversation.