Self-Publishing? What to do (If you don't want to go crazy)

Step One: Write your book... or at least start.

Step Two: PANIC... or don't. There is plenty of time for that later.

Step Three: Get down to business...

All jokes aside, there is so much information out there on how to self-publish. It's honestly overwhelming and confusing. So, instead of pretending I know everything (because I'm still a baby author), let me start with what I learned as someone who didn't do ANY research before they started writing. Because I never thought I would actually finish the book...

The Real Step One: Find an idea that doesn't quit... even if it takes you years. There will be so many ideas begging for attention. Some exciting, some clever. Most will fade when pressed too hard... pick the one that doesn't let go. Especially if it keeps coming back.

That's the story worth telling.

Step Two: Draft your outline, a plot summary, even a messy pile of notes. Whatever prewriting ritual you have. Do that.

Personally, my favorite way to do that is to draft a 1 - 2 paragraph plot summary, then create a "timeline" of sorts with loose dates for story beats.

• In my contemporary stories, I give them month (sometimes days if I plan a short jump) in our actual calendar.

  • I.E. - June - first kiss, June 15th - relationship talk

• In my fantasy stories, I set them to much looser beats.

  • I.E. Story starts - Enter main characters, 2-weeks later - inciting incident.

Give yourself a roadmap from start to finish. It will change. Guarantee it. Let it. But start with a way forward.

Step Three: Once you get to about 1/2 way, if this manuscript feels completable and publishable... Start Marketing. You can start this earlier if you feel comfortable. Start growing your following if you can find a way to do so. This is not to say you have to have a social media presence to sell your book, but it does make it easier. The sooner you start the better. Make sure you can leverage your experiences in a way that a) helps you build your writing community or b) helps you reach potential readers.

• Do this often and in various ways.

• But only in a way that feels sustainable.

Step Four: Finish your story. Not perfectly, not formatted, not polished. Just finish.

You can make changes up to the point you publish. Technically, you can make changes after too but only use that for small changes - fixing typos, etc.

I'll go into detail later on what I've found as part of the research I've done for my debut novel and all the parts that go into but... Finish your story. Nothing else matters until your story is done. No one can tell your story, but you.

And I can't wait to hear the one you choose to tell.