Are You Actually Ready to Publish? A Tough Love Reality Check for Aspiring Authors

Ideal for writers with a finished (or almost finished) manuscript wondering if their book and business are truly market-ready.


WEBINAR • Thursday, February 26, 2026 • 5pm-6:15pm PST (8pm EST) 


Choosing a publishing path is one thing—being truly ready to publish is another. In this brutally honest session, literary agent and industry veteran Amy Collins guides authors through a clear-eyed assessment of whether their book and author platform are truly market-ready. You’ll learn how to evaluate if your manuscript meets professional standards, what publishers, agents, and readers actually expect, and what business and marketing groundwork must be in place before launch. Amy also breaks down the most common mistakes that derail debut authors—and how to avoid them—so you can build a solid foundation for long-term success rather than a rushed, short-lived debut.


Sibyl Writing Craft webinars are held via zoom, allowing you to participate from anywhere.

  • You will receive your Zoom link via email the day before the webinar.
  • We will email any essential course materials, handouts, and recommended resources prior to the start of the webinar.


In this webinar, we will:

  • How to evaluate if your manuscript is polished enough for the market.

  • The professional standards publishers, agents, and readers expect.

  • Business and marketing readiness: what authors must prepare before launch.

  • The most common mistakes new authors make—and how to avoid them.

  • How to build a strong foundation for long-term author success.

The Tough Love Publishing Intensive: Get Real. Get Ready. Get Published.

This no-fluff, high-impact set of webinars bring the core principles of Tough Love for Indie Authors off the page and into your publishing plan—no matter which path you choose. Whether you're still weighing your publishing options, questioning if your book is truly ready, or searching for honest answers to the tough stuff, this group of webinars will give you the clarity, confidence, and roadmap to move forward like a pro.


Ready to publish like a pro?

Take the first step toward a clear, confident publishing plan.

Meet Your Instructor

Amy Collins

With over 30 years in publishing, Amy Collins is an agent at Talcott Notch Literary Services, representing authors across the fantasy, romance, horror, thrillers, pop-culture, cookbooks and lifestyle genres. Formerly a book buyer, publisher, and sales director, Amy pairs deep market insights with dedication to her clients. A USA TODAY bestselling author herself, her works include It’s the Little Things (Simon & Schuster). She’s often featured in classes and articles by Writer’s Digest and speaks globally at conferences.  To give back to the writing community, Amy manages AgentsHelpingAuthors.com, supporting writers with scholarships and can be found at amysadvice.com and on social media @askamycollins

Feeling stuck?

Get the clarity and roadmap you need to move forward with your book.

Get Keri Rae-Barnum's Tough Love for Indie Authors

Bonus 25% Discount on Sibyl Writing Craft Books!

Take your writing further—students enrolled in any course receive 25% off all Sibyl Writing Craft books, designed to spark creativity and support your journey. Discount code will be sent with course enrollment confirmation