Not Sure If You’re Ready to Write? Read This First.

You don’t need to be a writer. You just need to be real.

Welcome! If you’re here, it means something inside you is whispering: Maybe I have something to say.

You might be wondering if your story is big enough, if your words are good enough, if your truth matters. Here’s the truth: it does. And you don’t need to be a polished writer to share it.

This page is a soft place to begin. Whether you're writing for healing, legacy, connection, or creative expression—you're in the right place.

And here’s something most people don’t realize:

The majority of authors who write in our collaboration books have never published anything before.

They were just like you—unsure if their story was ready, wondering if their voice belonged. But they said yes anyway. And now their words are in books changing lives.

🧭 What You’ll Find Here

Simple writing exercises to help you start (even if you feel stuck)
Gentle permission to write without being “a writer”
Stories and quotes from first-time authors who’ve been where you are
A nudge toward clarity, confidence, and courage

💡 You Might Be a Fit If…

You’ve always wanted to write but didn’t know where to begin
You’re done waiting for permission to speak your truth
You care more about connection than perfection
You believe that even one honest voice can make a difference

✨ Ready to Start Your Chapter? Yes, I’m Ready →

1. The "I Am / I Was" Warm-Up

This exercise helps shake loose the doubt and drop you straight into voice.

Try this:

I am a ____ (e.g., mother, entrepreneur, survivor, caregiver).
I was a ____ (e.g., doubter, dreamer, overcomer).

Now go back and ask:

What story can I tell about that version of me?

You don’t need to start with the biggest thing that ever happened to you. Start with what feels alive. Realness over rawness. Presence over performance.

2. Find the Five-Second Turn

Every powerful story has a turning point—a split-second where something shifts.

Look for a moment where:

You moved from heartbreak to heart warmth
You moved from fear into love
You felt lit up, even just a flicker

Don’t worry about being dramatic. The magic is in the micro-moments. These are the hooks that hold your reader.

3. Everyday is Enough

You don’t have to tell your biggest trauma or your most polished success. Your ordinary moments can be extraordinary in someone else’s eyes.

Write about the day something finally made sense. Write about the conversation that stuck. Write about the time you felt seen, or invisible, or brave enough to be both.

This is what readers connect with. Humanity. Humility. Honest reflection.

4. Your Voice Is the Gift

You don’t need to sound like a writer. You just need to sound like you.

Your readers aren’t grading your grammar. They’re looking for themselves in your words. Writing a chapter is a conversation between you and someone who might need your story more than you know.

Let it be real. Let it be yours. Let it be enough.

5. You Belong Here: Words from Our Authors

"I am a new author and was initially very nervous and intimidated by the publishing process. However, the staff at As You Wish Publishing made the entire journey an absolute joy. Their encouragement and support helped me gain confidence as a writer." — Lori Verbin Flaum

"This was my first time being part of writing a book. AYW was absolutely wonderful at supporting us through the whole process. I would highly recommend this publishing house to anyone who is just starting out or is a seasoned writer. It was such a fabulous (and easy!) process!" — Jenny Cabaniss

"I had long wanted to get published and was stopped by my imagined difficulties with doing so. As You Wish Publishing did just what it says and made the process as I wished: easy and rewarding." — Foxye Jackson

"I didn’t think I had anything to say. I almost didn’t submit. But the moment I hit send, I felt a calm settle in. I knew I’d taken a brave step. And now I have a bestselling book with my name in it." — AYW Author

"I thought publishing was for other people—people with bigger stories, better words. But AYW helped me see: this movement is about real people, speaking real truth. I’m so glad I said yes." — AYW Author

💬 Ready to Write?

This is your sign.

Hundreds of first-time authors have crossed this exact threshold—and every single one thought their story might not be ‘good enough.’ (Spoiler: it was.)

Your words don’t have to be perfect. They just have to be yours.

✨ Yes, I’m Ready to Start My Chapter →

As You Wish Publishing
Freeing Voices. One Story at a Time.