From Dreams to Reality: My Journey to Publishing Toby
- Diane Alvarado
- May 8
- 7 min read
Writing a book has been a dream I held since childhood. As a little girl, my best friend Kathryn and I would write stories, Kathryn imagining herself as the next VC Andrews or Judy Blume, and myself as the next Nancy Drew or Agatha Christie. There we were, writing stories that would captivate the world! Or, at least our small town of Whittier. We spent countless hours writing together and dreaming big. Life, with its twists and turns, led me down different paths with marriage, career, children, grandchildren, and the dream of becoming a novelist was pushed aside with the business of a wonderful life. Then the unexpected happened: The Covid pandemic gave me the time and space to reconnect with my passion for writing. This is the story of how I finally fulfilled my lifelong dream of being a novelist. Little did I know, I would be publishing Toby.
Rediscovering Writing During Covid
Before the pandemic, my writing was limited to devotions and Christian articles here and there. But when stay-at-home orders slowed life down, I found myself drawn back to the keyboard. The quiet moments gave me the chance to write consistently, and that’s when I launched Smallest Victories Online Christian Publications. This platform became a space where local writers could share their work, and it also helped me build confidence in my own writing, something I though I had lost.
Writing Christian articles was rewarding, but the dream of writing a novel was still in my heart. I wanted to tell stories that went beyond articles. Stories that could touch hearts and inspire readers on a deeper level. My genre? Mysteries!
The First Step: Writing My Short Story
My husband, Floyd, is my biggest encourager. He's known me for 41 years and knows my talents and passions. He told me countless times, "You need to write a book!" Floyd was the pushing force behind me and he helped me muster up the courage to write bigger. His tactic? He told me to start small. I'd already been writing articles. He guided me to step it up. In 2023, I took a big step forward by writing my first short story, The Tenant. This project was a turning point. Floyd came up with the main idea of it, and I took that idea and ran with it. The story was easy to write and I was surprised how quickly it flowed out of me. Floyd would read it, and make further suggestions, elevating it even higher. My next dilema was how to put it on You Tube. I hemmed and hawed whether to narrarate it myself, but ultimately, I had it narrated in a cool, english accent, thanks to Eleven Labs. During the video, (see link below), you'll see it's being illustrated. That's Floyd. He's drawing the narration as it's happening throughout the story. Pretty cool if you ask me! Needlesstosay, Floyd supported my ability to write and really encouraged me to start with a short story. It taught me that I could create fiction that held meaning and emotion. Sharing The Tenant on My YouTubechannel: https://www.youtube.com/resultssearch_query=the+tenant+sumo+beach+art+and+more helped me connect with readers and receive valuable feedback.
This experience gave me the courage to take on a bigger challenge: writing a full-length novel.
The Journey to Toby
The novel that would become Toby did not start with that title. Over the years, it went through several changes as the story and characters evolved. Up until 3 months ago, the book was called "We Need To Talk About Toby". Just before publishing, I decided to shorten the name to "Toby". My publisher and publishing team were behind me 100% in this decision. Naming the book Toby felt right. It captured the heart of the story and the spirit of the character.
Publishing Toby brought a joy I can hardly describe. Holding the finished book in my hands was a moment of pure happiness and satisfaction. It was proof that dreams can come true if you don't give up on yourself and more importantly, if you don't let your inner voice talk you out of it.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Writing and publishing Toby taught me many things that I want to share with anyone who has a dream of writing a book:
Start small: Writing short stories or articles can build your skills and confidence.
Create a routine: Consistency is key. Even small daily writing sessions add up.
Seek support: Connect with other writers or local writing groups. Sharing your work helps you grow. I have many author groups around me. There is always someone you can learn something from.
Be patient: Writing a novel takes time. Don’t rush the process. If you get frustrated or hit a writers block, move to another project. It will help you reset your mind.
Editing: This is the hard part. Editing is a never-ending process, and that’s why it took me so long. But be patient. Edit away! Trust the process, and enjoy every minute of it. If you start to see it as a bother or a chore, you risk losing the entire reason you started writing your book. And why do we write? Because we love to!
Embrace change: Your story may evolve. Expect this. Be open to new ideas and directions.
Celebrate milestones: Every step forward is progress worth acknowledging. Celebrate each chapter written.
Finding an Editor: This is the MOST important advice of all....Finding an editor can feel overwhelming, but patience is key. The process might take time, and you could face rejections along the way. I sure did. But don’t let that discourage you. Here are some tips to stay motivated and improve your chances:
Be Patient and Persistent
If you face one rejection (or even more), keep going. Rejections are part of the process, and they don’t mean your work isn’t good, it just means you haven’t found the right match yet.
Research and Find the Right Fit
Finding the Right Editor
Not all editors are the same. Some specialize in specific genres, writing styles, or publishing formats. Take the time to research editors who align with your goals and the tone of your work. The right editor will understand your vision and help refine your manuscript to its best form.
Self-Publishing is a Great Option
If you’re considering self-publishing, that’s absolutely okay! It’s a fantastic way to retain control of your work and learn valuable skills along the way. However, it requires effort and dedication since you’ll handle the entire process yourself. Here are a few tips:
Use Free Self-Publishing Platforms
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is one of the most popular and accessible platforms for self-publishing. You can publish your book for free and reach a global audience.
Avoid Vanity Publishers
Do NOT pay someone to publish your book. Vanity publishers often promise the world but charge steep fees for services you can easily do yourself. They may try to upsell unnecessary packages, but in reality, they often just upload your book to platforms like KDP, something you can do on your own for free.
Design Your Own Book Cover
If you’re self publishing and worried about creating a professional book cover, don’t stress! You can design one yourself using platforms like Canva, which offers templates and design tools that are easy to use, even for beginners.
Embrace the Learning Process
Self-publishing is not just about getting your book out there, it’s a learning experience. You’ll gain insights into formatting, marketing, and the publishing process, which will only make you a stronger and more resourceful author.
Save Your Money
Instead of wasting money on vanity publishers, invest in what truly matters:
A good editor or proofreader to polish your book.
Marketing tools or ads to promote your work.
Courses or resources to improve your writing and publishing skills.
Final Tip:
Whether you choose to self-publish or work with an editor, remember that your story is worth telling. Take your time, do your research, and enjoy the journey! 😊
Write a Strong Pitch
When reaching out to editors, it’s important to write a clear and compelling pitch.
Briefly introduce yourself and your work.
Explain why your book is unique or how it would be valuable to them.
Be concise but specific about what you're looking for in an editor.
Be Open to Feedback
A good editor will help shape your work into its best form, but that might involve constructive criticism. Be ready to accept feedback with an open mind. This was very hard for me, I didn't want to change anything in my book. But their intentions are to take your book from good, to better!
Network and Ask for Recommendations
Other writers, writing communities, or even online forums can be a great resource for finding editors. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations or advice. I cannot stress this enough.
Trust the Process
Finding an editor can take time, but the effort is worth it. Once you find someone you trust and connect with, they’ll help elevate your work to the next level.
What’s Next: The Sequel
The story of Toby is not over. I am currently working on the sequel, excited to continue the journey and explore the characters further and of course, add new characters. Writing this book has shown me that if I can do it, anyone can.
Writing a novel is a challenge, but it is also a deeply rewarding experience. If you have a dream to write, don’t let it slip away. Take the time to nurture it, and you might be surprised where it leads you. In fact, why not start now? Do you have a captivating story you desire to share? Has something so inspiring that you need to share it with the world happened to you? If you have an article you would like submit for publishing, send it to smallestvictories@gmail.com and we will review it. We will be selecting ten submissions to publish. The deadline for open submissions is June 15, 2026. Who knows, yours just might be the next article published!
If your curiosity is getting the best of you, read Toby. https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=toby+diane+alvarado&crid=2JPR8DJLM5AGX&sprefix=toby+diane+alvarad%2Caps%2C233&ref=nb_sb_nossIt's It's currently on amazon and will hit the bookstores soon. Remember, your dreams are worth chasing. If I can do it after a lifetime of dreaming, you can too. You are never too old or too young! Start small, finish big!
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