What I've Learned from Publishing Three Novels in Five Years
And what it took me three books to figure out.
My third novel, The Other Lata, is officially out today! And while having a new book out is always thrilling, to have a book come out on this particular day has real significance for me.
On April 1, 2020, I received an offer for my debut novel. I spent a lifetime harboring dreams of publishing a novel, and then just a few weeks after finding an agent, I had a book deal. I wrote about this surreal experience—including the fact that this happened at the start of the pandemic—in the piece below.
And now on April 1, 2025, my third novel is officially out in the world. 🎉🎉🎉
And with such serendipitous timing, I thought I’d share the lessons I’ve learned these past three books and five years.
🔸Failure is better than never trying.
🔸Validation can feel great. But its pleasures last as long as cotton candy.
🔸Always write the book you want to write—but have an awareness of what will make it marketable and compelling to readers, booksellers, etc.
🔸Don’t equate your self-worth with how your books are being received.
🔸Writing never gets easier (alas). But it makes the eureka moments even more special.
🔸A good agent is invaluable and SO necessary through the inevitable ups and downs.
🔸Treasure and support your writer friends. They are invaluable too.
🔸We write books by ourselves, but books are published due to the hard work and expertise of many and should always be recognized.
🔸If someone’s book changed your life, at least one person will feel that way about yours. And when so much can be challenging and frustrating in this industry, that is the reason to keep writing.
I wrote the above in January 2025, but I have an additional lesson that came specifically from several newsletters I subscribe to on Substack.
🔸Authoring is not just about writing books anymore. It took me three books to fully embrace that I just can’t sit on the sidelines and hope that readers notice my work. While I wish I had realized it much earlier, it’s never too late to figure it out. Here are two examples of I how I changed my mindset.
I had long resisted posting more on Instagram in the months leading up to publication day because it felt self-serving to only post about my book. Once I realized I could mix it up by sharing writing and publishing advice and offer something of value to others, that helped me feel more comfortable with posting more often.
I also let go of the idea “I’m only a words person” and finally learned Canva and spent more time learning Reels. And crucially, I try not to be a perfectionist about it. I create posts and videos, share them, and if they don’t resonate, that’s okay. I’m on to the next thing. And I actually had fun making posts like this and videos like this.
In general, I’ve taken a “why not try” attitude when seeking and creating opportunities to reach readers. I’m not trying to do *all* the things, like joining TikTok, but just what makes the most sense for me.
Here are the Substacks that helped me rethink how I promote and market my work. (And my thanks to all of them!)
Publishing Confidential / Pine Street Publicity / Attention Economy / Get it Write / Book Publishing Brick by Brick / The Creative Shift / Too Much
I don’t know how much my efforts will move the needle in terms of sales or other markers of success. But I do know that this is my first time going into pub day feeling proud of my efforts—and more importantly, I actually enjoyed myself in the process.
Which is pretty novel for me! (Pun intended.)
THE OTHER LATA news + events
My calendar of events, including some new things I can announce!
New York: The Other Lata book launch, in conversation with Kirstin Chen | Yu & Me Bookstore | April 3 at 7 pm
Los Angeles: Los Angeles Times Festival of Books | Panelist, “Journey to the HEA: Tackling Big Topics in Romance” | April 26 at 4:30 pm | Book signing at The Ripped Bodice booth | April 27 at 3:30 pm
San Francisco: Book Passage at the Ferry Building, in conversation with Erin Carlson | April 28 at 5:30 pm
Virtual event: Novel Revision: Going Beyond the First Draft | Panelist, “How I Finished My Novel” | Sunday, May 4 at 11 am - 3 pm
Providence, RI: The Cardigan Connection author reading series | May 13 at 6 pm
Ellenville, NY: The Common Good in-store event with Ministry of Pop Culture | How to Turn Your Pop Culture Fandom into a Writing Career | May 15 at 7:30 pm
Pittsburgh: Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, May 31 (more details to come)
And if you’re interested in learning more about The Other Lata, my friends at my other newsletter Ministry of Pop Culture interviewed me about it! They had a lot of fun questions for me, like Sex and the City’s connection to the novel and my process for writing mysteries.
Thanks for reading this far and wishing you a good week ahead. 💐
Congratulations, Kirthana! This is a wonderful, helpful and inspiring post, thank you!
Yes!! Love it!!