Last June I wrote a short blog, my first ever, questioning whether I could write a book. This blog followed on from listening to other writers chatting about what they did and the frustrations of getting their books published.

Bringing your work to a group which can accurately assess the characters within it and are not afraid to say if they are confused by a lack of differentiation is one of the most valuable resources an aspiring author can have.

A writers’ group which can critique effectively is a valuable resource for all writers. To be able to take your work into a trusted place for honest, unvarnished and constructive suggestions for improvement and well deserved encouragement is something no amount of bought editorial services can match.

As I was listening to other authors talking about their new books, I got to thinking about what they had gone through, up to now to get to the stage of publishing a book.

Bookshops are vital for selling books. To see your book on a shelf in a shop, to sit inside one while a queue forms out the door to have you sign their copy, more than balances out the sigh when you see your small royalties payment.

Of the three principal routes to publishing a book, hybrid publishers are emerging strongly against traditional and self publishing. For many, the traditional route is proving too difficult to break into. Self publishing involves a steep learning curve into design, marketing and IT knowhow.

For a book to appear in a bookshop or library, it has to first be bought from the wholesaler. The wholesalers will not buy a book from Amazon or any other online retailer because they are not offered it at trade discount (35-60%).

Hybrid Publishers are either affiliated to a traditional publishing house or they are independent. Of the independent ones, these are either run by literary professionals from the traditional publishing world or experts in other fields. Or neither.

Sadly, a first book, however good, rarely becomes a best seller attracting screen deals. To just break even on the cost of publishing is a more realistic goal, but even this may not be achieved. Markets are fickle, public trends change faster than any writer can write.

Manuscripts have to be edited. Having a great story is not enough. Delivering it to the reader is what a book is all about. The craft of writing is hard work and writing the original story idea is just the start.