I really respect this decision, Sarah, and appreciate the insights you give here. I think this newsletter is the most comprehensive “why I chose to self-publish” piece I’ve ever read- and it makes me believe that self-publishing is a real, viable option. Go you!!!!!
And I do believe that it is a viable option if you are a good writer who has a story that you believe needs to be out there in the world. It is a lot of work and still requires getting a team behind you, but I believe that it is something worth exploring if you are willing to do the work to learn best practices for publishing tools and pushing yourself to put our your best possible product 😊
Thank you for documenting this whole journey for us! It’s inspiring. I know it’s a success just to have the book published, and I hope you also have success in the traditional “omg everyone bought my book!” sense☺️
Hey, Sarah. I'm the guy who you responded to yesterday on that shout-out thread. I was intrigued at your notion to self-publish because I've just begun to think about this phase of the process. This morning, I found the time to read, then re-read, your 'On the Journey' post on how to do this. You *completely* nailed it for me, fwiw. Not only am I currently reading Grohl's 'The Storyteller,' I've also realized that I eschew any limelight while also desiring creative control over my project. I wrote my first book, a hybrid memoir, solely because my closest acquaintances unanimously encouraged me to write down my story, after they heard me illuminate them with the details of my life. The only reason I was compelled to share with them some of the deepest, darkest secrets about my past, was because of what I found once I began submitting my DNA to those increasingly popular databases, like Ancestry and 23andMe. When I started "writing it all down," I didn't even know how to begin, because I'd never written more than a verbose email or two. But I was so inspired I eventually found my voice then couldn't stop. Sixteen months later - after about 1500 man-hours - I was editing the final draft (although, like you, I still find some simple something that needs to be tweaked). Earlier this week I began studying up on various publishing houses, only to learn that I would be paying them to own the rights to my work, none of which appeals to me. Then you appeared, right on queue.
I read a fascinating article this week about why it doesn't really help unknown writers to be in bookstores, even (https://scribemedia.com/self-published-book-into-bookstore/). I'm sure there is a lot more to it, but I'm going to just work hard to get my book into people's hands and hope for the best. If this works for me, I'll do it again for my next book (a camping memoir). And I'll keep writing about what I learn. I'm glad my post helped and feel free to follow along! 😊
Oh, I'll have to check him out for marketing! I'm having a really hard time being patient and waiting three more weeks to be officially published, but I know the importance of pre-marketing so I'm sticking to the plan 😉
This came across my Notes feed today. I'm hoping to eventually publish my Harold and Sallie stories in book form, so thanks for sharing your experiences.
So wonderful to read this. I have a memior manuscript I want to self publish on Amazon, it was my M.A. Creative Writing manuscript. Your post is a good nudge for me. I will look on Amazon to preorder! Congratulations Sarah!
It's a complicated process, but if you want it published and don't want to go through the process of submissions, I stand behind it. I did unpublish the paperback from Amazon KDP so that I could get an official ISBN (I learned this is preferred by even independent bookstores) and list it through both IngramSpark AND Amazon. Knowing what I know now, I would have done it that way the first time. Otherwise, it was a good process. But now that I've gone through IngramSpark, you can get it other places too, like Barnes and Noble. This is the paperback link: https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Journey-Learning-Doesnt-Planned/dp/B0CM7Q9FQM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DKHMCCH0A2E6&keywords=embracing+the+journey+styf&qid=1699141263&sprefix=%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1
Thanks so much for this info! I have heard of Ingram Spark and know that the ISBN is very important. I'm good with not going through the process of submissions, I'm happy to self publish.
I need to rework my intro and write an epilogue and possibly split a couple of longer essays, but it is otherwise good to go!
I really respect this decision, Sarah, and appreciate the insights you give here. I think this newsletter is the most comprehensive “why I chose to self-publish” piece I’ve ever read- and it makes me believe that self-publishing is a real, viable option. Go you!!!!!
And I do believe that it is a viable option if you are a good writer who has a story that you believe needs to be out there in the world. It is a lot of work and still requires getting a team behind you, but I believe that it is something worth exploring if you are willing to do the work to learn best practices for publishing tools and pushing yourself to put our your best possible product 😊
Thank you for documenting this whole journey for us! It’s inspiring. I know it’s a success just to have the book published, and I hope you also have success in the traditional “omg everyone bought my book!” sense☺️
We'll see how much "success" it actually has 😉 And thank you!
I just pre-ordered and am looking forward to reading your story!
Thank you!
Hey, Sarah. I'm the guy who you responded to yesterday on that shout-out thread. I was intrigued at your notion to self-publish because I've just begun to think about this phase of the process. This morning, I found the time to read, then re-read, your 'On the Journey' post on how to do this. You *completely* nailed it for me, fwiw. Not only am I currently reading Grohl's 'The Storyteller,' I've also realized that I eschew any limelight while also desiring creative control over my project. I wrote my first book, a hybrid memoir, solely because my closest acquaintances unanimously encouraged me to write down my story, after they heard me illuminate them with the details of my life. The only reason I was compelled to share with them some of the deepest, darkest secrets about my past, was because of what I found once I began submitting my DNA to those increasingly popular databases, like Ancestry and 23andMe. When I started "writing it all down," I didn't even know how to begin, because I'd never written more than a verbose email or two. But I was so inspired I eventually found my voice then couldn't stop. Sixteen months later - after about 1500 man-hours - I was editing the final draft (although, like you, I still find some simple something that needs to be tweaked). Earlier this week I began studying up on various publishing houses, only to learn that I would be paying them to own the rights to my work, none of which appeals to me. Then you appeared, right on queue.
I read a fascinating article this week about why it doesn't really help unknown writers to be in bookstores, even (https://scribemedia.com/self-published-book-into-bookstore/). I'm sure there is a lot more to it, but I'm going to just work hard to get my book into people's hands and hope for the best. If this works for me, I'll do it again for my next book (a camping memoir). And I'll keep writing about what I learn. I'm glad my post helped and feel free to follow along! 😊
Bravo!
An author/creator I admire, Brendan Leonard, has written a lot of good advice also about self-publishing; you can find it at semi-rad.com.
Oh, I'll have to check him out for marketing! I'm having a really hard time being patient and waiting three more weeks to be officially published, but I know the importance of pre-marketing so I'm sticking to the plan 😉
Very wise post. Keep gently plodding forwards
Thank you so much. And that's the word for 2023, forward 😊
Congrats on getting your book out there. It is a difficult but rewarding experience.
Thank you. It really is.
This came across my Notes feed today. I'm hoping to eventually publish my Harold and Sallie stories in book form, so thanks for sharing your experiences.
You're welcome. I'll do a reflective piece in January on the first anniversary with the things I've learned.
So wonderful to read this. I have a memior manuscript I want to self publish on Amazon, it was my M.A. Creative Writing manuscript. Your post is a good nudge for me. I will look on Amazon to preorder! Congratulations Sarah!
It's a complicated process, but if you want it published and don't want to go through the process of submissions, I stand behind it. I did unpublish the paperback from Amazon KDP so that I could get an official ISBN (I learned this is preferred by even independent bookstores) and list it through both IngramSpark AND Amazon. Knowing what I know now, I would have done it that way the first time. Otherwise, it was a good process. But now that I've gone through IngramSpark, you can get it other places too, like Barnes and Noble. This is the paperback link: https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Journey-Learning-Doesnt-Planned/dp/B0CM7Q9FQM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DKHMCCH0A2E6&keywords=embracing+the+journey+styf&qid=1699141263&sprefix=%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1
Thanks so much for this info! I have heard of Ingram Spark and know that the ISBN is very important. I'm good with not going through the process of submissions, I'm happy to self publish.
I need to rework my intro and write an epilogue and possibly split a couple of longer essays, but it is otherwise good to go!
I look forward to reading your memoir.
Excellent and inspiring article, Sarah.
Thank you!
Imformative and insightful stuff here, your writing is very engaging and one appreciates your shared journey :) keep writing and best of luck with it!
Thank you!