Yes, it sounds like you do want a post transition hook, probably draft_to_publish
as per the following from the Codex:
function your_callback( $post ) {
// Code here
}
add_action( 'draft_to_publish', 'your_callback' );
Use authorNotification
— your function name– instead of your_callback
. It should be fairly simple in your case.
However, the precise details of your project are not clear. You may require something more complex. I can’t tell.