Natalie Musgrave Dossett’s Atmosphere Press Experience

A case study in professional publishing, author initiative, and the long life a book can build after launch

For Natalie Musgrave Dossett, Sarita began the way many first novels do: slowly, and in the margins of an already full life.

Before publishing her debut novel, Dossett spent her career in nonprofit development, writing grant proposals, marketing materials, and public relations copy for charitable organizations. Writing had always been part of her life, but fiction remained a longtime personal goal. After marrying her husband and blending a family of six young children, she continued charitable work as a volunteer, primarily with the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, while still holding on to the hope of writing a novel.

That hope eventually became a manuscript through evening creative writing classes at Southern Methodist University, and out of this came the first draft of Sarita. Finishing it took her ten years.

Once the manuscript was complete, Dossett began exploring the traditional publishing route. She queried literary agents, but the process proved slow and discouraging. After spending a decade bringing the book to completion, she worried that publication itself might take many more years. She also had a personal deadline in mind: Sarita was dedicated to her father, then eighty-three, and she wanted to be able to hand him a finished copy. (And she ultimately did—on Father’s Day!)

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Choosing a Publishing Path

Dossett was not initially familiar with hybrid publishing, but she began noticing Atmosphere Press on trusted writing websites and in articles about the publishing process.

After submitting her manuscript, she received a quick response and began asking questions, researching the model, and speaking with members of our team. After the uncertainty of querying, what mattered most to her was the sense of forward motion.

“Everyone I spoke with was friendly, encouraging, and knowledgeable. It meant a great deal to me to be moving forward, to have a definite publishing date and to know it would be done professionally.”

For Dossett, the decision was not about rushing the book into print, but about finally having a clear, professional path for a manuscript she had spent ten precious years bringing to completion.

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Turning a Manuscript into a Finished Book

The production process for Sarita took about nine months, followed by a strategic two-month wait before launching. As a first-time author, Dossett found value in each stage, especially the guidance that helped carry the book from editorial development through launch:

“There are a lot of details involved in publishing a book — editing, proofreading, interior design, cover design, printing options … Some things I knew about, many I didn’t. I really enjoyed the process! It was exciting to watch the manuscript pages I’d been staring at for so many years transform into a book with a cover!”

Asked whether any moment or conversation changed how she saw the book, Dossett pointed to her work with her editor:

“Asata Radcliffe was my editor, and we had many great discussions. She helped me see my story from different points of view.”

For a debut author who had spent years close to the manuscript, that broader perspective became part of moving Sarita from a finished draft into a professionally shaped novel!

After years spent inside the manuscript, one of the most memorable milestones for Dossett came when Sarita finally arrived not as a file, a draft, or a set of pages under review, but as a physical book:

“I received a package, clearly a book, and wondered what I’d ordered. Opening the box and seeing my own novel was such a thrill. I still have that first author’s copy with its ‘Not for Resale’ banner across it sitting on my desk.”

Her first editorial review was another big milestone—when the Kirkus piece arrived, she made her husband read it first:

“Then I cried with joy! Sounds dramatic, I know, but I think most authors will understand.”

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Post-Publication Possibilities

No publishing experience can guarantee a specific result. Every book’s path depends on the manuscript, the audience, the author’s goals, timing, outreach, reader response, and many other factors.

But Sarita shows what can happen when a professionally produced book is paired with an author who continues to actively champion it.

Since publication, Sarita has received significant recognition:

➜ Women Writing the West 2025 WILLA Literary Award Winner in Historical Fiction

➜ 2024 Laramie Book Awards Grand Prize Winner for Americana and Western Fiction

➜ Philosophical Society of Texas 2025 Kempner Family Book Awards Honorable Mention for Fiction

➜ HFC 2025 Hugo Award for General Historical Fiction Finalist

➜ CIBAs 2025 Goethe Book Awards for Late Historical Fiction Finalist

➜ 2024 CIBA Short List, Somerset Book Awards for Contemporary and Literary Fiction

➜ CIBAs Finalist, Cover Design Awards for Fiction

➜ MPIBA 35th Annual Reading the West Book Awards for Fiction, Long List

➜ WWA 2025 Spur Award Finalist for Best Western Historical Novel

Reader response has also given Dossett a measurable sense of the book’s reach. At the time of this interview, Sarita has earned hundreds of ratings and reviews across Goodreads, Amazon, and Audible!

Further, Sarita has created new opportunities for Dossett as a speaker. She has appeared at literary events, book clubs, historical groups, writers’ conferences, and the Atmosphere Press Writers Summit. Media coverage has included local and regional publications, bookstore newsletters, literary outlets, podcasts, and author-focused newsletters.

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The Author’s Role in Visibility

One of the clearest lessons from Dossett’s experience is that publication is not the end of the work. In many ways, it is the beginning of a new phase.

Dossett has been highly active in supporting Sarita and has offered some specifics about what has worked for her:

“I’ve found book clubs to be the best way to reach readers. Each club has an average of twenty members, most of whom purchase the book, read it, and spread the word. I’ve got bookings through 2027!

Awards help! Receiving awards and honors lends credibility to your writing. Also, they each have their own followers, newsletter, social media outreach, and marketing that your book gets included in.

Something small — I include my book info on my email signature and have been amazed at how many people ask about it.”

These efforts point to a practical truth for authors: professional publishing support can help create a strong foundation, but long-term momentum often comes from the author’s willingness to keep showing up for their book!

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A New Identity as an Author

Publishing Sarita changed more than Dossett’s résumé; it changed how she understood her own creative and professional identity:

“I unexpectedly started a small business called My Book! It takes work and attention, and I’ve loved it all. Imposter syndrome is real, but I no longer hesitate to call myself an author.

Don’t be scared! I wish I hadn’t been so intimidated by the publishing process. Get your book out there in whatever way works for you. There are so many ways to publish today, all of them valid. Don’t get hung up on what you think publishing is ‘supposed’ to look like.”

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What Other Writers Can Take from This Case Study

Natalie Dossett’s publishing journey offers a useful model for authors who have strong manuscripts but feel unsure about the next step.

As Dossett herself notes, there is no single correct publishing path. Traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid publishing can all be valid depending on an author’s goals, timeline, resources, and desired level of support.

Her experience also shows how much goes into bringing a book into the world. Editing, design, production, printing, launch timing, and marketing all involve decisions that many debut authors are navigating for the first time. A professional publishing process can help make those decisions feel more manageable.

At the same time, Dossett’s story makes clear that author participation matters. Sarita did not build momentum simply by becoming available online; its reach grew through sustained outreach, reader engagement, awards submissions, events, book clubs, and Dossett’s willingness to keep saying yes to opportunities!

For writers considering Atmosphere Press, Dossett’s experience offers a grounded example of what a strong publishing partnership can provide: professionalism, guidance, encouragement, and a path forward. It also speaks to the kind of collaboration she valued most:

“Atmosphere Press never made me feel like they were doing me a favor. It’s been a great partnership.”

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