Try. Fail. Try Again. Not Every Publishing Shoe Fits — And That’s Cool

If there’s one thing this publishing journey has taught me, it’s that one size doesn’t fit all. Not in platforms. Not in pricing. Not in editors or services. Not in anything that affects the work that has my (pen)name(s) on it.

I tried doing it “the right way” — went where every “serious” author goes, used the platforms and services the webinars said were “a must,” trusted editors who promised to make my work better. But here’s the thing: none of that guarantees it’s right for you. (Or me.)

Some tools felt like trying to walk a marathon in shoes that weren’t made for my feet. Some services bled my margins dry, offered zero transparency, and acted like that was just the price of doing business. Others promised polish but stripped away voice, sanding down every sharp edge until the story felt like it belonged to someone else. Or some other genre that specializes in butterflies.

That doesn’t mean the tools or services were bad. It means they weren’t for me.

Learning the hard way means gaining the clarity to say, “No. Not this one. Not anymore.” It means trying, failing, and realizing that making a mistake doesn’t kill your dream — it sharpens it. It means knowing your stories deserve more than a one-size-fits-all solution.

So to every writer out there wrestling with platforms, editors, pricing, and “the right way” — here’s your rallying cry: Try. Fail. Try again. Don’t be afraid to walk away. The right fit is out there, and when you find it, you’ll run harder, write bolder, and own every inch of the path that’s uniquely yours.

Learning the hard way doesn’t mean you lost. It means you learned. And that’s how you win.

If you’re feelin’ what I’m sayin’, authors (you know who you are), give me a shout on Instagram or X. You’re not alone.