I’m proud of how far I’ve come since I published my first book in 2020. I’ve now published 5 books, and as an indie author who self-publishes, it takes me on a whole journey where I have to do a lot more than just write. So, here’s a little description of a journey to publication, which I hope might inspire you to publish too.
For me, the first step of this journey is to the Island of Ideas, a lush and fertile place where my popcorn brain pops out hundreds of ideas, flowing thick and fast like lava from a volcano. My task is to find the ‘chosen one’, the idea that I am going to go with, the story that is going to occupy my brain and become my next project. Now with so many ideas, you might think this is an easy task, but oh no, the ideas are screaming, ‘Pick me’, ‘I’m the best’, ‘My turn’, ‘Meeeeeee’!
When I have chosen my new project, we get up close and personal, spending every waking (and sleeping) hour together until the book is written. During this time, I swing from ‘Wow, this is great’ to ‘Writer’s Block’, and of course, procrastination. Once my project is finished, creativity gets taken over by admin!
Sounds boring, right? Wrong, this is an exciting stage which contains many peaks and troughs. Editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, ISBNs, lots of practicalities, and problems to overcome! So many places to get lost along the way, The Forest of Frustration, The Tidal Pools of Technology, Marketing Mountain, The Publicity Pyramids, and of course, The Savannah of Self-Doubt.
And then. After what feels like a lifetime of admin, it’s time. Publication. As an indie author, I gather up as many friends, family, acquaintances, randomers, waifs, and strays to support me, time to enjoy the book, and the fact that it exists.
Feelings of pride and satisfaction that I have done it all myself sit alongside the feeling of ‘never again’. but then I do … book 6 is underway! And I start all over again!
So, if you are thinking about self-publishing, I would say ‘go for it’; it’s a wonderful journey.
This was written by our contributing writer, Claire Walsh-Jones.
Image Source: Pexels, Yevgeniya Fedorova
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