For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved stories—reading them, writing them, and daydreaming about them. But turning them into books? That felt like an impossible dream. My self-publishing journey started the moment I realized traditional publishing wasn’t the only path. Query letters, rejection emails, waiting for someone else’s approval? No, thank you. I can barely handle waiting for my Amazon packages, let alone someone deciding if my book is “marketable.”
And then, I discovered self-publishing.
At first, I had zero clue what I was doing. How do you format a book? Who designs the cover? How do you get people to read it? Do you just casually leave it in random coffee shops and hope for the best? But after diving into a research spiral (which included many late-night Google sessions and an embarrassing number of YouTube tutorials), I realized that self-publishing wasn’t just an option—it was my option. It gave me control over my work, my timeline, and my creative vision.
The Book That Taught Me Everything (Mostly Through Trial and Error)
The first book I ever published was Mastering Time Management because, let’s be real—I needed it. My life was a mess, and I wanted to figure out how to juggle everything without drowning in stress.
I did everything myself—writing, editing, designing the cover (which… yeah, regrets). I thought a bright cover would grab attention. Instead, no one saw it at all. Why? Because I didn’t market it. It’s probably floating around on Amazon, collecting virtual dust. Maybe one day, someone will stumble upon it and be like, “Wow, this actually helps!” (Manifesting that moment.)
But despite its lack of visibility, this book taught me so much. I learned the basics of self-publishing, from formatting to pricing, and more importantly, I proved to myself that I could do it.
My Foray into Self-Help (aka Trying to Fix My Own Life First)
Next up was Mindful Mastery: Peace and Presence—a topic that, if you know me, is pretty much my life’s mission. I poured so much research and effort into it, thinking, “This is it. This book is gold.”
Then I got the printed copy. And… cue imposter syndrome. Suddenly, it didn’t feel “big enough” or “good enough.” I started doubting everything—should I have added more? Was it even helpful? The whole process, from editing to cover design to dealing with communication nightmares during publishing, left me feeling burned out. I barely marketed it. I was over it. And honestly? I haven’t fully bounced back yet. (Still bitter. Still recovering.)
But despite my struggles, I still believe in the message of that book. Writing it forced me to apply mindfulness to my own life—especially during the moments of self-doubt. And if it helps even one person, that makes it worth it.
The Book That Started It All
To make sure I had zero regrets, I wanted to create something truly special—something personal. That’s when I decided to write a children’s book dedicated to the most amazing little guy in my life. My great-nephew is basically a walking ray of sunshine, so I wanted to create something just for him. He loves fish, so I wrote an ABC Underwater Adventure.
At first, I thought, “Hey, I can illustrate this myself!” (Spoiler: I could not.) I was so proud of my little doodles… until I realized they looked like something a kindergartner would tape to the fridge. So, stubborn as I am, I found a professional illustrator, gave them my vision, and the result? Incredible. Seeing my great-nephew’s face light up when he held that book? Even better.
This book was a turning point. It reminded me why I love storytelling in the first place. Unlike my self-help books, this one felt lighter, more joyful. It reignited my passion for creativity in a way I didn’t expect.
The Good, The Bad, and The “Why Won’t Anyone Leave a Review?”
Of course, self-publishing wasn’t all smooth sailing. I had to learn everything from scratch—writing, editing, formatting, marketing, and, let’s not forget, overcoming imposter syndrome (which, spoiler alert, I still haven’t fully conquered). But when I held my first book in my hands? When I saw someone—an actual person who wasn’t my mom—reading it? Worth every single late night and self-doubt spiral.
The hardest part? Marketing. Unless you have an army of loyal followers, getting your book seen is like whispering in a hurricane. Amazon’s algorithm is basically a popularity contest, and if you’re not paying for ads or getting tons of reviews, you might as well be shouting into the void. And speaking of reviews—getting people to leave one? Harder than writing the actual book. I swear, I could offer a free puppy with every review, and people would still forget.
From Healthcare to “Wait… I’m an Author?”
Funny enough, I never thought I’d write a book. As a kid, I wanted to be a teacher. I loved playing pretend school, but I wasn’t exactly a model student. Somehow, that dream faded, and I ended up in healthcare—which, don’t get me wrong, is amazing and rewarding (for the soul, not always the paycheck).
But last year, I hit a crossroads. I knew I needed more.
So, I started writing. And that snowballed into wanting to share what I wrote. Then that snowballed into wanting to create. And suddenly, I was diving headfirst into this wild, unattainable-looking world, refusing to let fear stop me.
My motto? If I can encourage just one person to chase their dream—whether it’s writing a book or starting a blog—then I’ve accomplished something huge.
What’s Next?
Now, with multiple books under my belt and a growing bookish shop, I can confidently say that self-publishing was one of the best (and craziest) decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve learned so much—about writing, marketing, and the sheer willpower it takes to push through doubt.
So, if you’re thinking about taking the leap into self-publishing, do it. You don’t need permission. You don’t need a huge following. You just need the courage to start. And hey, if you need a cheerleader along the way—I’m here.
Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes chaos, hard-earned lessons, and probably a few more self-deprecating jokes.
Until next time—happy writing, happy reading, and may your Amazon algorithm actually work in your favor.
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