The Hardest Parts of Self-Publishing
There’s a reason people work with agents, editors, and publishers — because doing everything yourself is a lot. Some of the biggest challenges I faced are:
Figuring out formatting – Turns out, getting a book to look professional on Kindle and in print isn’t as simple as copy-pasting from Word. Who knew?
Marketing from scratch – Without a publisher’s marketing team, it’s up to you to get people to actually find (and buy) your book. Self-promotion feels weird and vulnerable, but I've slowly learned to embrace it.
Editing – Did I mention it was soul-destroying?
The mental rollercoaster – Some days, I felt on top of the world. Other days, I questioned everything and wondered why I ever thought this was a good idea.
The Best Parts of Self-Publishing
Despite the struggles, the journey taught me resilience and reinforced my passion for storytelling. Holding The Silent Bond in my hands was a surreal, beautiful moment. It has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Here’s what made it worth it:
Holding my book in my hands – Seeing my story go from a file on my laptop to an actual physical book? Unreal.
Connecting with readers – Every time someone tells me they loved The Silent Bond, it reminds me why I did this in the first place.
The “I did that” feeling – Self-publishing is all me. I made it happen. And that’s something no one can take away.
Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely. In fact, I am doing it again. I’ve got more books in the works, and now that I know what to expect, I feel way more prepared.
If you’re thinking about self-publishing, my biggest advice is this: go for it — but do your research first. It’s a learning curve, but if you’re passionate about your book, it’s worth every challenge. Remember: your story deserves to be told, no matter your budget or experience. So, start now — even if it means wearing all those hats yourself. You've got this.
Want to Support an Indie Author?
My debut novel, The Silent Bond, is out now! If you love stories that blend fantasy, adventure, and deep connections with nature, you’ll love this book.
