The One Question I Wish Authors Would Ask More Often

Authors, the magic words your publisher dreams of hearing are “How can I help?” Then, right after, “I brought snacks.”

There’s a question I rarely hear from authors, even though it might be one of the most powerful things they could ask their publisher.

“How can I help make this book a success?”

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t expect authors to shoulder the entire burden of marketing, sales, or publicity. That’s what a publisher is supposed to do, and we take that seriously.

However, the truth is that publishing works best as a partnership.

And sometimes, the reason a book doesn’t soar isn’t because it wasn’t good enough. It’s because the author and publisher never sat down to discuss what they could each realistically contribute to the project.

When an author asks, “How can I help?” it opens the door to conversations like:

• Do you have a network or audience we could tap into?

• Are you comfortable doing events, or would you rather focus online?

• Is social media your thing, or does it drain you completely?

• Do you have connections in specific communities that might be excited about your book?

• Would you be willing to write essays, op-eds, or personal pieces related to your book for media outlets?

No one’s answers are wrong. However, knowing them helps us determine where to focus our energy for the greatest impact.

Sometimes, authors assume publishers have endless resources, connections, and time. The reality is that most of us, especially at independent presses, have to make tough choices about where to allocate our budget and attention.

If an author is amazing at speaking events, we’ll lean into that. If they hate public speaking but love writing essays, we’ll pivot to that instead. If they have connections in a particular community or niche market, we want to know.

It’s not about asking authors to do everything. It’s about ensuring we’re all working in sync and leveraging our strengths.

I’ve seen books thrive because the author and publisher would send each other an email once a month about their progress. They trusted each other, checked in often, and collaborated on ideas. I’ve also seen books struggle because both sides assumed the other one was leading the charge, or because nobody wanted to ask uncomfortable questions.

It’s not always easy. These conversations can feel awkward or vulnerable, especially if it’s a debut book and the author feels nervous about being “difficult” or “demanding.”

But the truth is, most publishers would love for authors to ask, “How can I help?” It tells us you’re invested, that you’re willing to be part of the team, and that you want your book to reach as many readers as possible.

I also want to admit something on my end. I can do better about reaching out with updates. I try my best, but sometimes it’s hard because there are a lot more authors than there are of me.

So if you ever feel like you’re in the dark, please don’t hesitate to check in. If you reach out to me, I’ll always give you an update. It’s never a bother. It’s just the reality that sometimes I’m juggling so many moving pieces that I fall behind on proactive communication.

I care about your book. I care about your experience. And I’m grateful every time an author reaches out and opens the door for a conversation.

If you’re an author working with a publisher, here’s my gentle encouragement.

Ask us how you can help.

We might say, “You’ve done plenty already, please take a breath and enjoy this moment.” Or we might say, “Actually, if you’re open to writing a few pieces or reaching out to readers in this community, it could make a huge difference.”

Either way, it’s a conversation worth having.

Your publisher wants your book to succeed.

You want your book to succeed.

The magic happens when we figure out how to get there together, as partners, not just as people stuck on either side of an email thread.

So next time you’re feeling anxious about your launch or worried you’re not doing enough, try asking your publisher that straightforward question.

“How can I help?”

You might be surprised at how grateful they are to hear it.

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