Kate McKean opens “Write Through It” with a declaration that stops you dead in your tracks: “Writing is horrible. Most writers hate the act of doing it, and yet, so many will tell you that their dream is to publish a book.” Right there, in those first two sentences, she’s done something remarkable—she’s told the truth about writing that most how-to books dance around like it’s radioactive material.
What Makes This Guide Different
Unlike the countless publishing guides that treat writers like emotionless word-processing machines, McKean acknowledges what every writer knows but rarely admits: we’re “feeling humans who have unfortunately chosen to write.” This fundamental understanding permeates every page of her book, creating something genuinely revolutionary in the crowded field of writing advice.
McKean brings dual authority to this conversation—seventeen years as a literary agent and her own journey as a published author who has felt every painful emotion she describes. When she talks about the “dark nights of the soul” or explains how it feels to receive a six-page edit letter from your publisher, you know she’s been there. This isn’t theoretical advice; it’s battlefield intelligence from someone who has survived the trenches.
The Structure: Practical Meets Emotional
The book follows a logical progression from manuscript completion through publication and beyond, but McKean’s genius lies in how she weaves emotional guidance through each practical section. When discussing word counts and genre conventions, she simultaneously addresses the anxiety writers feel about whether their book “fits.” When explaining query letters, she validates the terror of distilling your life’s work into a single page.
Standout Chapters
- The chapter on book proposals serves as a masterclass not just in format and content, but in managing the psychological weight of selling your book idea before it’s fully formed. McKean includes her own book proposal as an appendix—a move that takes real courage and provides invaluable real-world insight.
- Her exploration of the submissions process goes beyond mechanics to address the emotional marathon of waiting, rejection, and uncertainty. She offers specific coping strategies that feel genuinely helpful rather than patronizing, acknowledging that “comparison is the thief of joy” while providing practical ways to resist the urge.
- The self-promotion chapter tackles one of writers’ biggest fears head-on. Instead of dismissing introvert writers’ discomfort with marketing, McKean offers a framework for “making peace” with self-promotion that feels authentic rather than performative.
The Voice: Direct, Warm, and Refreshingly Honest
McKean writes with the conversational confidence of someone who has seen it all. Her tone strikes a perfect balance—professional enough to trust, personal enough to connect with, and funny enough to make the hard truths go down easier. When she tells you that “most people just want to complain” about book production issues, or that publishers want three comparable titles “published in the last five years” for P&L statements, she’s giving you the kind of insider information that usually costs thousands in conferences.
Her writing style embodies the very advice she gives throughout the book: trust your gut, be authentic, and don’t try to sound like someone else. The result is a voice that feels like having coffee with a knowledgeable friend who genuinely wants you to succeed.
Where the Book Shines Brightest
Real-World Examples
McKean doesn’t traffic in vague generalizations. She provides specific query letter examples (both successful and problematic), detailed explanations of how publishers actually make buying decisions, and concrete timelines for various aspects of the publishing process. When she explains how auctions work or why editors need P&L statements, she gives you the kind of behind-the-scenes knowledge that demystifies the entire industry.
Emotional Intelligence
The book’s greatest strength lies in its emotional honesty. McKean validates feelings that writers often think make them “weak” or “unprofessional”—the jealousy when a friend gets a better deal, the imposter syndrome that strikes at random moments, the crushing disappointment of rejection. By naming these experiences and explaining their universality, she transforms them from personal failings into shared human experiences.
Practical Wisdom
Every chapter delivers actionable advice. Her “reverse outline” technique for editing is brilliant—creating an outline of what you’ve actually written to see structural problems. Her guidance on working with beta readers, understanding publishing timelines, and navigating the business side of publishing feels both comprehensive and immediately applicable.
Areas Where the Book Could Go Deeper
While McKean’s focus on traditional publishing is clearly stated upfront, the book occasionally feels incomplete when discussing hybrid approaches or the changing landscape of publishing. Writers considering multiple publishing paths might need to supplement this advice with additional resources.
The chapter on literary agents, while thorough, could benefit from more discussion of the realities of the agent-author relationship beyond the initial courtship phase. McKean touches on this but doesn’t fully explore how these relationships evolve over multiple books and career changes.
Some readers might find the emphasis on emotional validation occasionally repetitive, though this seems intentional—McKean clearly believes writers need to hear these truths multiple times before they sink in.
Who This Book Serves Best
“Write Through It” is perfect for writers who have completed a manuscript and feel paralyzed by the next steps. It’s equally valuable for those deep in the querying trenches who need perspective on the process, and for published authors struggling with the realities of book promotion and career sustainability.
The book shines particularly bright for writers who have felt isolated in their struggles with the emotional aspects of publishing. If you’ve ever wondered whether your anxiety about submission responses is “normal,” or if other writers also feel overwhelmed by the business side of writing, McKean provides both validation and practical coping strategies.
The Final Verdict
“Write Through It” succeeds because it treats writers as whole human beings rather than aspiring content producers. McKean has created something rare: a publishing guide with genuine emotional intelligence that doesn’t sacrifice practical value for feel-good platitudes.
This isn’t a book that promises easy paths or guaranteed success. Instead, it offers something more valuable: honest preparation for the realities of publishing life, complete with tools for surviving and thriving through the inevitable challenges.
McKean’s greatest achievement here is making writers feel less alone in an inherently solitary profession. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have both a clearer understanding of how publishing actually works and the emotional framework to navigate its ups and downs with greater resilience.
For writers serious about traditional publishing, “Write Through It” isn’t just recommended reading—it’s essential armor for the journey ahead.
Similar Books Worth Reading
For readers who connect with McKean’s approach, consider these complementary titles:
- “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott – The classic on the emotional reality of writing
- “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert – On creativity and the courage to create
- “The Forest for the Trees” by Betsy Lerner – An editor’s perspective on the writer’s journey
- “Refuse to Be Done” by Matt Bell – Practical advice with emotional awareness
- “The Writer’s Guide to Fantasy Literature” by Darin Bradley – For genre-specific guidance
- “Intuitive Editing” by Tiffany Yates Martin – Referenced by McKean, excellent on revision
Kate McKean is a literary agent at the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency and the author of multiple books. “Write Through It” represents her first major nonfiction work combining her industry expertise with personal writing experience. Her newsletter “Agents & Books” has become essential reading for aspiring authors seeking insider knowledge about the publishing industry.