As a writer, have you ever wondered how to publish your work? Has the idea to publish felt so impossible that the mere thought of it, sends you down the rabbit hole of uncertainty and self-doubt in your ability to write? I mean, if you were a good writer, the act of putting your work out in the world would be easy peasy lemon squeezy right?
For years I limited my writing to Facebook and blog posts. I heard people say, “You are a fabulous writer. You need to publish your work in books. I would buy them.” I didn’t doubt their words but how to publish was the big unanswered question in my head. It was like I moved through life with a big question mark stamped on my forehead. How does one publish a book? No matter how good my writing got, the stamp on my forehead remained. Not so easy peasy lemon squeezy right?
A little over a year ago, in walked Maria Iliffe-Wood into my virtual life. We were in the Jules Swales Online Method Writing Program based on the Jack Grapes Method Writing. I didn’t know it at the time, but signing up for that one class, would be like an eraser for the question mark stamped on my forehead. Maria is a phenomenal writer, teacher, writing coach, editor extraordinaire and owner of a Press Service. Like what are the chances that me with my big question mark stamped on my forehead, would end up in an online writing program with just the person who could put my work out in the world? And this folks, is how the Universe works. Be open to receive and receive you shall.
Today I call myself a published author thanks to Maria Iliffe-Wood and her press service. She edited my work with the hands of a skilled surgeon. Her editing allowed my work, my words and my voice to remain mine. Authentic. My journey from writer to published author is by no small measure thanks to Maria Iliffe-Wood.
Usha Mayani is one of six authors whose pieces appear in A Different Story, How Six Authors became Better Writers.
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