What to Expect Your First Time Self-Publishing

Festival details for tomorrow, a new children's book coming, and indie reads

Stepping into self-publishing for the first time is equally thrilling and overwhelming.

You’re in full control of your book — from the cover to the marketing — but that also means you’re responsible for every decision. If you’re wondering what to expect, here’s a realistic look at what the process involves, what might surprise you, and how to navigate it with confidence.

1. You’ll Wear a Lot of Hats

As a self-published author, you become the writer, publisher, project manager, marketer, and sometimes even the graphic designer and social media coordinator. The learning curve can be steep, but each step is part of building your brand.

Tip: Prioritize outsourcing tasks that aren’t your strength — like cover design or formatting — and focus your energy on writing and connecting with your audience.

2. Publishing Takes Longer Than You Think

Even after writing “The End,” you’ll still need time for editing, proofreading, formatting, cover design, uploading, and marketing preparation. Rushing through these steps can hurt your book’s success.

Tip: Create a publishing timeline with realistic deadlines. Buffer in extra time for revisions and unexpected hiccups.

3. You Might Feel Alone (But You’re Not)

It can be isolating to handle everything on your own, especially if your friends and family don’t understand the publishing world. But the indie author community is large, supportive, and filled with people willing to help.

Tip: Join writing groups, follow author communities online, and attend virtual or local writing events.

4. There Will Be Costs Involved

Self-publishing isn’t free. Expect to invest in editing, cover design, ISBNs (if applicable), formatting software or services, and possibly marketing. While you can publish on a shoestring, a professional product often requires a budget.

Tip: Plan and save ahead of time. Research the average cost of services and choose reputable freelancers.

5. You’ll Second-Guess Yourself

Impostor syndrome is real. You might wonder if your book is good enough, if you missed something, or if anyone will care. This is normal, and it happens to nearly every author.

Tip: Surround yourself with supportive beta readers, critique partners, or a coach who can offer honest encouragement and feedback.

6. You Have to Market Your Book (Yes, You)

Many first-time authors underestimate how much marketing matters. Even the best book won’t sell if no one knows about it. Marketing isn’t just a launch-day activity — it’s an ongoing effort.

Tip: Start small and consistent. Build an email list, post about your writing journey, and learn the basics of social media promotion.

7. The First Book is the Hardest

Your first self-published book is often the steepest learning curve. But it also lays the foundation for future projects. With every book, the process gets smoother, and your audience grows.

Tip: Treat your first book as the beginning of a long-term career. Focus on learning, improving, and connecting with readers.

Your first self-publishing experience will stretch you — but it will also empower you.

You’re taking control of your writing career, building something from the ground up, and creating a path on your terms. Expect challenges, but know that you’re not alone. With persistence, planning, and a willingness to learn, you’ll come out stronger, savvier, and ready to do it again.

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Lancaster Native Plant and Wildlife Festival (2025 MT Earth Fest)

Tomorrow is the day! And if you are local, I hope to see you there, even if it’s to say hello.

When: April 26th, 8 am to 1 pm (Rain or shine)

Where: 301 Golf Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601 (Nearly all the vendors will be indoors)

Who will be there and where will I be? (I will be at spot 28)

Hope to see you there!

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New Children’s Book Coming

This book is geared toward ages 1 to 3 and can be expected at the end of July 2025

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Indie Reads

When I was seven, I made a boyfriend list. Now he's sixteen and using it to win my heart.
Julia
The boy next door is a total dreamboat. Handsome, kind, and funny but he flirts with everyone- and did I mention he's my brother's best friend? And his parents are best friends with my parents? It's complicated. When he decides to use my childhood boyfriend list to show me how serious he is about us, I have to decide if he's worth risking all the complications.
Graham
I've been in love with her forever. But I'm kind of a screw up and she doesn't trust me. I come up with a plan to use her boyfriend list to prove myself. I recruit our families, friends-anyone who can help us finally be together. But will it be enough to finally convince her to trust me?
A swoony YA romance about friendships, families, and first loves.

Through the traumatic experiences of three girls—Beatrice Blair, Victoria Steele, and Alora Cisco—"how come you left?" explores the loss of friendship and the rediscovery of love. As they recuperate after a devastating breakup in the past, they reflect on all that may have been yet nothing at all. Although they remain close with other friends, they remember the recollections of the three girl's former circle, and find themselves losing sight of their past personas. Will they be able to relive the unadulterated love they shared years before, or will they remain thus heartsick throughout their college years?

"My name is Watson, and I’m a stray cat in the middle of a zombie apocalypse."
That’s how this heart-wrenching, pulse-pounding story begins!
A journey of survival, terror, and unexpected friendships, told through the sharp eyes of a cat who has lost everything… and now fights in the shadows of a world consumed by the dead.
Ravenous creatures.
Ruthless gangs.
Buried secrets.
But amid the horror and despair, there’s still room for bravery, loyalty… and the sharp-witted humor of a cat who refuses to give up.

When that cryptic email landed in best-selling author Andie Sterling’s inbox, her senses started tingling. Full of wit, sarcasm, and a daring spirit, the hard-working writer has never shied away from getting to the core of any good story. When a web search turns up nothing, Andie ventures out to the idyllic coastal Maine town to get to the bottom of its dark secrets; certain that Hollingshead’s seedy past and rumors of supernatural activity will inspire her next blockbuster horror novel.
When Andie vanishes into the mysterious depths of the historic New England village, her love-torn editor, Max, steps into the spotlight. With the help of Sylvia, an eccentric psychic who lives in Andie’s building, Max embarks on a perilous journey to unravel Andie's disappearance.
United by skepticism and unexpected alliances, Max and Sylvia navigate Hollingshead's treacherous waters, only to realize that every inhabitant guards a sinister truth. But as they edge closer to the chilling revelation, Max discovers that he may have a deeper connection to the town's secrets than he ever imagined.