How and when to get your book noticed | Dallas Woodburn
You know that tug-of-war feeling between wanting to share your message and wanting to hide under a blanket until your book magically writes and launches itself? (If only!) It can feel nerve-wracking to be be visible as a first-time author.
I get it. Putting yourself (and your book baby) out here can feel vulnerable. But it’s also where the breakthrough happens—not just for you, but for the people waiting for your words.
That’s why I created an interview series a couple years ago called Because She Dared to Get Visible. It’s where I chatted live on Instagram with authors and entrepreneurs about the moments they chose to be seen, even when it felt scary. My hope is that their stories will spark courage for you, too.
Today’s conversation is with Dallas Woodburn—book doula, podcaster, and author of four books (with more on the way). Dallas is such a tender, generous soul, and she shares openly about the imperfect, messy, very real side of writing and publishing… including what it looked like to stick with a manuscript for ten years before it finally hit the shelves.
Watch the Instagram Live conversation, or read the transcript below.
Because She Dared to Get Visible: A Conversation with Dallas Woodburn
Emily Grabatin:
Welcome to the Because She Dared to Get Visible series for purpose-driven entrepreneurs with a God-dream who are ready to move from scattered and paralyzed to calmly productive and visible.
Today I’m excited to introduce you to Dallas Woodburn. Honestly, if I read all her accomplishments, it would take up our whole time together! She’s a podcaster, book coach, “book doula,” and the author of four books—with another in the works. She’s also the founder of a young writers’ group and has loads of experience from every angle of the publishing industry.
On a personal note, Dallas played a big role in my own book journey. When I was stuck at the very beginning stages of Dare to Decide, she showed up like a stranger-angel and inspired me to keep going. I honestly don’t know where my book would be if not for her encouragement.
So, Dallas—thank you for being here! Can you share a time when you dared to get visible even though you felt resistant or scared, and now you can see that it totally paid off?
Dallas Woodburn:
I love this question! And Emily, thank you for having me—I always love chatting with you. I remember when you were a guest on my podcast; I felt such a connection with you right away. It really means a lot that I got to play even a small role in helping Dare to Decide come into the world.
Why getting your book noticed feels scary (and thrilling)—but why it matters to be visible as a first-time author
When I think about getting visible, one of the biggest things for me is learning to be willing to be imperfect. For example—Emily, you don’t know this yet—but my three-year-old daughter is home sick today. She’s in the other room right now, and I’m just hoping she stays occupied. I even have a new toy ready in case she wanders in!
I think we often put pressure on ourselves that everything has to be perfect before we show up. But the truth is—real life is messy. People understand that. Part of being visible is embracing imperfection and showing up anyway.
A specific example: with publishing my books, I’ve had to get comfortable with sharing about them again and again. Sometimes it feels like I’m being a broken record. But I have to remind myself that while I’ve been immersed in this story for years, many people are just hearing about it for the first time.
My novel, Thanks, Carissa, For Ruining My Life, is one I worked on for 10 years before it was published. There were times I felt tired of it, but then I’d share about it again, and a new reader would discover it and love it. That reminded me—every time we choose visibility, we’re reaching new people who might be looking for exactly what we’ve created.
The long road to publishing Thanks, Carissa, For Ruining My Life
Emily Grabatin:
That’s so good. I remember when you posted about how long you’d been working on that book. It made you feel so relatable!
Many of my friends and I dreamed of writing novels in our teens and twenties, and for some of us, those manuscripts are still sitting on a shelf. For others, the dream has faded. Hearing that your published book went through so many drafts and years of perseverance really shifts perspective.
So tell us—what were some of the stages that book had to go through before it finally saw the light of day?
Dallas Woodburn:
Great question. One thing I’ve learned is that the order in which you write books isn’t always the order in which they get published.
I started Thanks, Carissa when I was in grad school. At the time, everyone in my program was writing very serious literary fiction, but secretly I loved young adult fiction. So this project became my fun, late-night side project.
Over the years it went through multiple drafts and revisions. Three different agents tried to sell it. It got close a few times but never quite worked out. Still, I kept coming back to it because the characters were so dear to my heart. Each time I revised it, I grew as a writer and the story got stronger.
Eventually, I discovered a publisher I admired that accepted unsolicited manuscripts. I no longer had an agent, but I decided to send it in one more time. And that was the “yes” I’d been waiting for.
That experience taught me: it only takes one yes. Every author gets rejections, but rejection doesn’t mean your book is bad. It just means it hasn’t found its right home yet.
That experience taught me: it only takes one yes. Every author gets rejections, but rejection doesn’t mean your book is bad. It just means it hasn’t found its right home yet.
– Dallas Woodburn
Emily Grabatin:
I love that perspective. And it’s such an encouragement for writers whose manuscripts are sitting in a drawer somewhere.
Let’s fast-forward a little. Once you had your publishing deal, what did the timeline look like?
Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing: what’s the difference?
Dallas Woodburn:
With traditional publishing, timelines are often long. If I signed a contract today, the book probably wouldn’t come out for at least a year—often two. There’s editing, production, and other books ahead in line.
That’s a big difference compared to self-publishing, where you control the timeline and can release much faster. Both have pros and cons—it really depends on your goals as an author.
For example, I signed contracts for two books back in 2021, but they didn’t come out until 2023. Patience is definitely required with the traditional route!
Emily Grabatin:
That’s such a helpful distinction. And it also helps new authors understand that what looks like “overnight success” is usually years in the making.
So, let’s talk about visibility again. When should writers start talking about their book—before it’s finished, once it’s under contract, or only when it’s ready to launch?
When Should Writers Start Talking About Their Book?
Dallas Woodburn:
It depends a lot on your personality and motivation.
For some writers, declaring publicly “I’m writing a book” can be a huge milestone and motivation. For others, talking about it too much can actually take away the drive to get it on the page. So you really have to know yourself.
That said, when it comes to publishing—whether you’re pursuing traditional or self-publishing—the sooner you start talking about your book, the better. Visibility helps build anticipation, and you never know who in your network might have a connection or opportunity for you.
Remember, it usually takes people multiple exposures before they buy. So don’t wait until launch day to start sharing!
Emily Grabatin:
Yes! And speaking of hesitations, one of the most common fears I hear from new authors is: “What if someone steals my idea?” How do you respond to that?
What if Someone Steals My Book Idea?
Dallas Woodburn:
It’s such a common fear. But here’s the truth: no one can steal your book because your book comes from you. Even if someone writes on a similar topic, your perspective, voice, and life experience make your version unique.
There are really only a handful of core story types in existence—what makes each book different is the author.
And honestly, writing and publishing a book is a lot of work. Most people aren’t going to go through all that effort just to “steal” someone else’s idea. The bigger danger for new authors isn’t someone stealing their book—it’s not enough people hearing about it. Which is why visibility is so important.
Emily Grabatin:
Yes, exactly! And as readers, we often seek out multiple books on the same topic or in the same genre anyway.
So, as we wrap up—what are some of the key opportunities along the publishing journey when authors should be intentional about getting visible?
7 Key Opportunities to Be Visible as a First-Time Author During a Book Launch
Dallas Woodburn:
I love thinking of them as opportunities! Here are a few:
- Announcing your publishing deal or publication date.
- Cover reveal. People love seeing a cover—it makes the book feel real.
- Advanced reader copies (ARCs). Invite people to read early and leave reviews.
- Sharing reviews and endorsements. Highlight them even before launch day.
- Pre-order campaigns. Offer bonuses or goodies for early supporters.
- Countdown to launch. Build anticipation with reminders leading up to release day.
- Launch day celebration. Treat it like your book’s birthday—make it special and share widely.
And remember—you don’t have to do everything. Choose the opportunities that excite you and fit your personality.
Emily Grabatin:
That’s so good, Dallas. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and encouragement with us today!
Before we go, where can people find you and your podcast?
Dallas Woodburn:
You can find me at dallaswoodburn.com and on the Thriving Authors Podcast. I’d love to connect with any new authors out there!
What Dallas’s story means for you as an aspiring author
Isn’t Dallas’s story encouraging? I love how she reminds us that being visible as a first-time author isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up as we are, again and again. That one brave step today might be the exact doorway to your future reader.
If you’re sitting on a book idea (or three) and wondering how to move from scattered to clear, I’d love to walk alongside you. As a book coach, I help faith-driven entrepreneurs and leaders clarify their message and map out the right structure so their book can finally take shape.
You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s explore what your next step could be.
Encouragement in Your Next Step to be Visible as a First-time Author
👉 Hop on an author coaching call and walk away feeling energized with hope and clarity, knowing your next step.
👉 Need more clarity for the stage you’re at? Dig into the 14-day email course on the exact stages I walked through with Dare to Decide.
👉 Got a non-fiction manuscript you’re not sure what to do with next? Get a Manuscript Review for some objective feedback on what to focus on next.
