20 Things I’ve Learned About Getting a Book Publisher

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When people ask how I’ve published over 90 books, I tell them—it wasn’t overnight. It was years of persistence, prayer, and learning from both mistakes and divine appointments. If you’re dreaming of seeing your book in print, here’s what I’ve learned along the way.

Called to the Work Only You Can Do

Somewhere between In the beginning and Amen, God wrote your story. He placed in you a unique mix of experiences, insights, and words. Not a single other soul on earth can tell the story the way you can.

Paul reminds us:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Did you catch that? Prepared in advance. Before you held a pen, He knew what you’d write. Before you tapped a single key, He knew the readers who’d need your words.

But here’s the hard truth: many of us tuck that calling into a desk drawer. We tell ourselves we’ll write when we have more time. Or we let fear hush our voices before they can be heard. Some have manuscripts gathering dust, not because God hasn’t called, but because we’ve hesitated to answer.

Friend, what if your words are the very thing someone else is praying for today? What if your story, your testimony, your imagination—wrapped in sentences—becomes the lifeline God uses to pull them closer to Him?

Writing is not a hobby when it’s a calling. It’s a stewardship. It’s the parable of the talents in ink and paper. And I believe the Master smiles when we take what He’s entrusted to us and multiply it for His glory.

That’s why I want to share with you the lessons I’ve learned in over thirty years of writing—twenty things every author should know about getting a book publisher. Because the sooner you step forward in faith, the sooner your God-given words can go to work in the world.

1. Attend Writer’s Conferences

When I first stepped into a conference in California, I was terrified. My proposal shook in my hands. But that day, I met the editor who would open my first publishing door.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

📌 Tricia’s Quick Tip: Conferences aren’t just about learning—they’re about connecting. Smile, be approachable, and introduce yourself.

2. Submit Work While You’re There

I once slid a devotional across the table to an editor during a break. That submission led to my first published piece.

“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

💡 Faith Reminder: Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s trusting God in the middle of it.

3. Build Long-Term Relationships

Some editors I met 20 years ago are still friends today. Nurture those connections—a “no” can turn into a “yes” later.

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17)

📌 Tricia’s Quick Tip: Keep a spreadsheet of contacts—follow up with encouragement, not just pitches.

4. Find Your Writing Community

After a few rejections, I joined a prayer group of writers. Their encouragement kept me from quitting.

“Two are better than one… if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)

💡 Faith Reminder: God didn’t design you to do this alone.

5. Get an Agent

My first agent not only found opportunities but also protected me from bad contracts.

“Listen now to me and I will give you counsel, and God will be with you.” (Exodus 18:19)

📌 Tricia’s Quick Tip: Don’t query every agent—find the ones who represent your genre.

6. Research Your Dream Publishers

I once pitched a novel to a devotional-only house—oops! Know their catalog first.

“The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge.” (Proverbs 18:15)

💡 Faith Reminder: Preparation honors God’s call.

7. Build Your Platform

When I pitched Walk It Out, I already had a blog, social media, and speaking events. Publishers want to see your audience.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” (1 Peter 4:10)

📌 Tricia’s Quick Tip: Focus on quality followers, not just numbers.

8. Keep Learning

Even after decades, I still take classes. Publishing changes—so should you.

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning.” (Proverbs 1:5)

9. Understand “Finished” Doesn’t Mean “Done”

My first “finished” novel doubled in size after edits.

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine.” (1 Peter 1:7)

📌 Tricia’s Quick Tip: Embrace the editing process—it’s where good books become great.

10. Be the Writer Publishers Want to Work With

I’ve gotten contracts because I was easy to work with, not just because of my writing.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition… but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

11. Accept That Writing Is Hard

I’ve cried over rejection letters. Keep going anyway.

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

💡 Faith Reminder: The calling is worth the struggle.

12. Start Small

I began with Guideposts and Focus on the Family articles.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” (Luke 16:10)

13. Set Daily Word Count Goals

When I’m on deadline, I write 2,500–3,000 words before touching email.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.” (Colossians 3:23)

14. Batch Your Tasks

I research multiple chapters at once or cook double meals to save writing time.

“Teach us to number our days.” (Psalm 90:12)

15. Don’t Edit While Writing

I leave bracketed notes like [research here] so I don’t break my flow.

“By faith Abraham… went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)

16. Match Tasks to Your Energy

I write in the morning, save admin for later.

Faith Reflection: Offer your best hours to God.

17. Read Your Work Before Bed

I often wake up with solutions to plot problems.

“I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.” (Psalm 16:7)

18. Raise the Stakes for Your Characters

In From Dust and Ashes, I pushed my characters harder—it made the story better.

“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials.” (James 1:2–4)

19. Brainstorm with Others

Co-author calls have sparked some of my best ideas.

“Plans fail for lack of counsel.” (Proverbs 15:22)

20. Commit Daily—Even in Small Steps

Even Hemingway wrote only 700 words a day.

“Let us not become weary in doing good.” (Galatians 6:9)

Publishing is talent, persistence, and relationships—but most of all, obedience to God’s call. Every step—every article, every connection—is a seed He can grow. Keep showing up, keep trusting, and keep writing.

The Pages Yet to Be Written

When the last conference badge is packed away, when the edits are done and the contract is signed, the truth still stands: it was never just about publishing a book. It was—and will always be—about obedience.

You’ve been entrusted with words. Not the world’s words. Not borrowed words. But your words—shaped by the Spirit, pressed through the filter of your story. And somewhere, someone is waiting to hear them.

Remember what Paul told the church in Corinth:

“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) 

That means every chapter, every email to an editor, every midnight writing session is sacred work.

So, take the next step. Send the proposal. Join the conference. Open the document you’ve ignored for months. Put your talent back into the Master’s hands, and watch Him multiply it in ways you could never orchestrate on your own.

The Author of Life has already written the ending. Now it’s time to write your pages.

Additional Resources

Journal Through the Bible in 2025

Have you ever wanted to read through the Bible but found yourself giving up? Or even worse, you read the chapters and at the end question how they apply to your life. Tricia Goyer understands. For years she felt frustrated that she couldn’t stick to her commitment to read God’s Word all the way through. Things changed when she found a doable plan and wrote out a daily prayer. Tricia’s heart changed. Her life did, too.

God can bring real transformation into your heart and life when you daily commit to reading your Bible and praying through God’s Word. Praying through the Bible in One Year offers a guided reading plan and a daily prayer starter to help you make God’s Word applicable to your life. Discover the inspiration for real-life transformation.

Purchase a copy of Praying Through the Bible in One Year HERE.