Hitting Publish—When It Feels Like Dying

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5 truths I wish I had known earlier

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I had published a lot—books, articles, devotionals, stories. Dozens.

But I was about to hit publish for the first time under my own name.

And suddenly… it felt different.

What will he think?

What will she say?

I could already hear it: “Who does he think he is?”

As a ghostwriter, I never had to worry about people reading me. My job was to help someone else say what they needed to say. If the client was happy, I was happy.

But now? I was about to step out from behind the curtain.

I was simply going to post a link to my blog (which has since been replaced by Substack) and say something like: “Hey friends, I’m writing again.”

It felt like standing naked in public.

Weirdly, that little act of self-publishing took more courage than most of the books I’ve helped others launch. It surfaced every fear I didn’t know I still had.

That’s something every writer has to face sooner or later: not just the craft of writing, but the courage to be known.

Now, years later, I honestly have to work to remember what that fear felt like. But I know it’s still very real for many of us.

If you’re in that place—hovering over the “publish” button, wondering if you’re going to implode—here are five things I wish someone had told me:

1. No one (thankfully) really cares.

That voice in your head saying, “They’re all going to judge me” is lying. Most people are too busy to notice. And the few who do judge you? It’s usually projection. They’re not thinking, “How dare she?” They’re thinking, “I wish I had the guts to do that.” Their discomfort is not your assignment.

2. You don’t need to be liked—but do be clear, and be kind.

You’re not writing to win approval. You’re writing to serve. Learn what your readers are trying to figure out, what questions they carry into the day, and speak into those. You don’t have to be flashy or brilliant. Just be helpful. And speak plainly. That’s what builds trust.

3. Practice publishing in your imagination.

Here’s a simple (and surprisingly effective) way to face the fear: sit quietly, pray, and invite God’s presence. Then imagine the act of publishing—clicking send, posting the blog, hitting “submit.” Now imagine the worst responses. Let the fear rise. And then imagine doing it anyway. Even in your mind, you’ll notice—you didn’t die. Do this a couple of times, and your nervous system will start to believe it. Then go do it for real. Again and again and again.

4. Write with love.

Courage doesn’t come from having thick skin—it comes from having a soft heart. Love the reader. Picture the one person out there who’s hungry for truth, longing for connection, and hoping someone will say what they’ve been afraid to say. That’s who you’re writing to. And love will carry your words further than fear ever could.

5. You are obeying a call.

This is not self-promotion—it’s stewardship. You’re not broadcasting your ego; you’re releasing a gift. And yes, it feels like dying sometimes. That’s because it is. Hitting “send” is one small way to take up your cross and die to your fear of man, your need for applause, your instinct to hide. But resurrection follows obedience. Publish in faith. Leave the results to God.

So go ahead.

Hit publish.

You were made for this.

—

Jeff B. Miller

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