World Book Day: 25 More Inspiring Reasons to Publish
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Not long ago, we asked FriesenPress authors what publishing a book has meant to them—and their responses were so inspiring, so meaningful, and so varied that one post simply wouldn’t be enough.
Our previous post, 25 Reasons to Publish in 2025, only scratched the surface, so we had to share even more.
Whether you’re in the middle of writing or just starting to think about publishing, their words might just be the motivation you need to move forward with your book. Here’s another collection of honest, heartfelt reflections from authors who’ve already taken the leap:
Knowing that my thoughts, experiences, and stories now exist in a tangible form for others to learn from or be inspired by is profoundly fulfilling. It’s a way of contributing to the world and leaving something meaningful behind. Validation of effort: (3) Years of hard work, self-doubt, and perseverance culminated in something real. Holding the finished book felt like proof that dreams are achievable with dedication.
— Jean-Marc Guillamot, author of Leadership Through Hell and High WaterPublishing a book has meant that people call me an author, something I always dreamed about. I have found community in person and online as an artist, even over age 50. I needed a change in my life and having such a tangible outcome of the writing I love has been exciting, therapeutic, and inspirational to myself and others.
— Karen Lea Armstrong, author of DrownproofingIt meant that I am fulfilling my goals in life and creating meaning to my reason for being.
— Oriol Eustache, author of Dancing VowelsWriting a book is to share knowledge, pleasure, pain, amazement, and many other facets of life. It requires determination, sacrifice, and belief in what you are doing. (My co-author) Francis and I have 10 man-years (and counting) in Dying fFor Gold. It was a long, sometimes agonizing journey — and yet, it was worth it.
— Lee Selleck, authors of Dying For GoldWhen my son was diagnosed with autism, I promised him — and I promised myself — that our voices would be heard. That the voice of autism would be heard. This is exactly what is happening. There is no better feeling than knowing you are fulfilling your soul’s journey.
— Mandeep K. Atwal, LL.B, author of Noble Victory: A Family's Autism Journey
6. It has been a very satisfying accomplishment, which stimulated dialogue with my wife and children. So far, some colleagues, trainees, and patients have been touched by what I had to say about the coronary angioplasty revolution, the bypass surgery revolution. [This is my] quest for evidence-based care, and the role of academics in, Veterans Affairs Healthcare.
— Douglass Andrew Morrison, author of Different Drummer
7. I published my book for my grandchildren, to record my stories for them. It makes me proud and happy to see them enjoy my book and share my memories with them.
— Rose Bell, author of The Girl Who Loved Adventures
8. A whole new career, which I love.
— B. R. Bentley, author of The Blood Labyrinth
9. It made me proud and gave me more confidence in myself.
— Anne-Marie Courtemanche, author of Maman, Où Es-tu?
10. It has brought me and my community of 50 years ago back together, as well as creating new connections with those who succeeded us (so very successfully) many years later. People and organizations are interested in their origins. I am bigger than before, as are they.
— James F. Olwell, author of The Art of Being Irish in Hell’'s Kitchen
11. It was something that I would have never dreamed of because it was never an aspiration, but by doing it, it has made me see that you never know where life will take you, and you have to embrace it.
— Sabrina Carter, author of Sticky’s International Adventures
12. A lifelong goal has been accomplished. Hungry to follow with number two.
— Antonia Giglio, author of The Scent of Lilacs
13. Personal satisfaction that some of my experiences over a long career may be passed on to new teachers to help them find joy in their job and honour the importance of building trusting, caring, respectful relationships with students.
— Michael Babb, author of Reflections on Kindness, Connections and Lifelong Learning
14. This is the fulfillment of a dream at the top of my “bucket list.”
— Norma Collis, author of Return to Holly Cottage
15. Publishing a book has unleashed the creative side of me. The storyteller who would write five-page essays when the teacher only asked for one. I hope my words inspire others.
— Noelle Cormier, author of What Makes Your Heart Sing?
16. Capstone.
— Ralph Sultan, author of Ralph and all the Sultans: A Family Memoir
17. Publishing a book has not only fulfilled a lifelong dream, but also has inspired me to write more, to write better, and to persevere in conveying my life-message to the world around me.
— Arthur Enns, author of Connecting the Dots
18. Writing Mindful of You has brought me a deep sense of fulfillment. My first-born son struggled with schizophrenia for 15 years before succumbing to the ravaging illness in his brain. Writing his story has been cathartic and healing. Being able to honor my son’s memory and contribute to ending the stigma associated with mental illness through this book is so gratifying. Thank you, FriesenPress, for walking beside me in this journey, guiding this first-time author to completion of a work I am very proud of.
— Nancy Morgan Mumford, author of Mindful of You
19. The satisfaction of completing a long and difficult task. The opportunity to entertain or perhaps inspire the reader.
— Mario Morin, author of From Terra tTo Harmonia
20. I wanted to write about my experience of being a rescue flight surgeon in the US Coast Guard and waited four decades to find time to write down my retained thoughts on what I wanted to tell. Getting it into book form was a dream come true, and I felt proud of that accomplishment, and it has led to two more books. Writing gives me a pleasurable purpose. It is a delightful process and makes me more satisfied with “retirement.”
— Lee Walters MD, author of Microbial Mysteries
21. I wrote about my childhood and early life. It was fun to think about those times and write stories about that time. The thought that some of my descendants might read my words about where they came from and what happened then [is gratifying].
— George Rock, author of Farm Stories
22. Fulfillment. Just to have accomplished writing a book and getting it published, a tangible “product” you can be proud of. Many people are in jobs in which they (almost) never see the end result of their labour; the satisfying thing about a book is (a) it is very personal and (b) it is a very clear and satisfying end product you can show to people. It is just marvellous.
— Martin Groenewoud, author of Canada: Through My Eyes
23. A confirmation of what I always knew I had inside of me.
— Lynne Armstrong-Jones, author of On the Trail of the Sunset’s Dawn
24. It has made me more confident. I have met amazing people who share their stories, and we learn and grow from each other. You are the only one who can tell your story.
— Maria Moore, author of Not My Kind of Mennonite
25. I never want to have regrets. I have left a legacy of love to my family and have proven to myself just how strong I really am. It’s been an awesome healing and revealing process. In short, I’m very pleased with myself. I’m 70 years old, and I just published my first book.
— Susan D. Dagenais, author of E Is for Maggie
These reflections show that publishing isn’t just the end of a creative process, it often marks the beginning of new opportunities, personal growth, and unexpected connections.
Many of our authors didn’t anticipate just how meaningful it would be to hold their finished book, share it with others, or see it resonate with readers.
If you’re thinking about taking that next step, know this: Your story has value. Publishing it might take more than you expect, but it can also give back in ways you can’t yet imagine.
