There’s a certain narrative that floats around the writing community like gospel: Be patient. Wait for the right deal. Don’t rush into publishing. Good things take time. And sure, good things do take time—but how much time is too much? How long are we supposed to sit in limbo, manuscripts in hand, waiting for the elusive green light that signals we’re “worthy” of being read?
Because here’s the truth: Some writers wait forever. Some never publish at all. And not because they aren’t talented, but because they’ve been told that waiting is part of the process.
Let’s talk about that.
The Reality of Waiting
Traditional publishing is, at its core, a slow-moving machine. Agents take months to respond (if they respond at all). Even if you land an agent, the submissions process to publishers can take years. And even if you get a book deal, you’re looking at another year or two before your book hits shelves. That’s not pessimism—it’s just reality.
So let’s say you’re twenty-six, bright-eyed and hopeful, sending out your first batch of queries. You go through the rounds of rejections, rewrites, maybe even shelving a manuscript or two. Five years go by. Then another three. Maybe by thirty-five, you get that deal. Maybe not.
The question is: Are you willing to let writing become a waiting game? If so, for how long?
Why Some Writers Choose to Move Forward
Let’s be clear—this isn’t about trashing traditional publishing. There are plenty of reasons to pursue an agent and a book deal. But too often, writers don’t move forward with their work because they feel like self-publishing is “lesser.” Like it’s some kind of failure. Like it means their book wasn’t “good enough” to make the cut.
That’s the real problem—the idea that unless a big-name publisher signs off on your work, it doesn’t count.
But ask yourself: If your goal is to write and share stories, then why wait? Why let an industry dictate when (or if) you get to put your book in the hands of readers? Independent publishing isn’t a consolation prize—it’s an opportunity. It’s the ability to take control, to build an audience, to share your work without waiting for permission.
The Validation Trap
The biggest thing stopping most writers? Validation.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that an agent or a book deal is the stamp of approval that says: Yes, you are a real writer. Your work matters.
But let’s be honest—traditional publishing is just one avenue. And it’s not even a guarantee of success. There are self-published authors making six figures and traditionally published authors struggling to earn out their advances. So what exactly are we waiting for?
What’s more important? A book deal, or a book in people’s hands?
The Counterbalance—When Traditional Publishing Does Make Sense
This isn’t an argument against traditional publishing. It’s just an argument against blindly waiting because you think you have to. There are valid reasons to hold out for a deal:
- Some genres (like literary fiction) tend to perform better in traditional spaces.
- If you want wide bookstore distribution, traditional publishing helps.
- If your dream has always been to be part of the “Big Five” world, that’s valid too.
But the key is to make an informed choice. If you’re waiting, wait because you want to—not because someone told you that you should.
The Bottom Line: Writers Write
At the end of the day, the only thing that separates a writer from a non-writer is… well, writing. If you want to be published traditionally? Great. If you want to self-publish? Fantastic. But what you don’t want is to let fear, hesitation, or an outdated industry mindset keep you from doing the thing you love.
So ask yourself: Are you waiting because you want to? Or because you’re afraid not to?
Because there are writers who spend their entire lives waiting for permission. And then there are writers who put their books into the world. Which one do you want to be?
