5 Steps How I Self-Published My First Book
Recently I was asked by many how I self-published my first book. Well, now is the time I feel like I could explain. When I decided to self-publish, it wasn’t because I had a grand plan or industry connections. It was because I had no other choice. No publisher wanted to take me on. I had no writing resume, no published short stories in a traditional sense, and every competition I entered ended in rejection. I was, in publishing terms, a “nobody.”
But I had one thing that outweighed all of that: a stubborn need to share my stories.
I loved writing. I loved creating worlds and characters. And I didn’t want my work to stay hidden in a folder for years while I hoped for someone to “discover” me. If traditional publishing wouldn’t open the door, I was willing to build my own.
This is the story of how I took my anthology book, Deadly Sins, from an idea to a finished, self-published title and the lessons I learned along the way. And before we go any further, I’d like to discuss what Deadly Sins (blog post) is about.
Deadly Sins (Amazon Link) is an anthology of seven stories where I correlated the seven deadly sins with mental illness. Whatever sin the character committed eventually led to their mental illness. There are no psychiatrist characters, nor do I ever name the disorder the characters suffer from. Instead, the reader is taken on a journey in the shoes of an undiagnosed protagonist, understanding their symptoms and struggles firsthand.
Contents
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Step 1 – Choosing Self-Publishing
The project, Deadly Sins, that became my first book actually started as a TV series bible. An editor read it and gave me favorable feedback, encouraging me to pitch it. But at the time, I wasn’t connected to anyone in the industry. The path to getting a TV deal felt impossible. So I made a decision: I would adapt it into a book.
Around this time, I stumbled upon author Natalia Leigh’s YouTube channel. One video in particular, “HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SELF-PUBLISH A BOOK?“ , grabbed my attention. It was about 20 minutes long, but it felt like 4. Natalia broke down the process in such a practical, approachable way that it convinced me this route was possible. To be transparent, I haven’t read her books, but her content gave me the knowledge and motivation I needed.
Sometimes self-publishing is less about control and more about bypassing gatekeepers. You can’t sit on your story forever hoping someone else will validate it.
Step 2 – Writing and Preparing the Manuscript
At first, my writing process was scattered. I wrote whenever I felt like it, with no clear plan. But once I committed to publishing, I became more disciplined. For Deadly Sins, which was a short story collection, I gave myself one full day to draft each story.
My editing process was simple but effective for a first-time author: I self-edited each story until I felt it was polished enough, then I hired an editor on Fiverr to go over the full manuscript. I didn’t work with beta readers back then. I didn’t even know that was a common step, but I now keep a list of potential beta readers for future projects.
A schedule makes the difference between “I’m writing a book” and “I finished my book.” And even if you’re self-editing, outside feedback is essential. It’s easy to miss mistakes in your own work, even after multiple read-throughs.
Step 3 – Designing and Formatting
I designed my own cover using Canva. Before I even touched the design tools, I spent time researching covers in my genre. I looked at thriller novels, then anthologies, to see how they conveyed mood, tone, and theme. I knew my cover needed to visually communicate that my book was a thriller collection, even at a glance.
For formatting, I initially considered doing it in Word after watching Natalia Leigh’s tutorial, “HOW TO FORMAT A BOOK IN WORD”. But then I discovered Atticus software through Kindlepreneur’s newsletter. At over $100, it was an investment, but it was a lifetime purchase, no ongoing fees, and it simplified the process immensely.
Readers do judge a book by its cover. Even if you DIY it, make sure it looks professional. And when it comes to formatting, the right tools can save you hours of frustration and produce a more polished final product.
Step 4 – Publishing
I took a multi-platform approach:
- Paperback: Published through IngramSpark (based on Natalia Leigh’s recommendation). (They also offer hardcovers)
- eBook: Published on Amazon KDP for Kindle readers.
- Other eBook platforms: Used Draft2Digital to reach Apple Books, Kobo, and others.
Before uploading, I made sure to register my copyright, something I consider essential before sharing your book with the public. IngramSpark did have a learning curve, especially compared to Amazon’s more user-friendly interface, but it gave me better distribution for the paperback.
Every publishing platform has its own quirks. Amazon is easy for beginners, but if you want your paperback in more places, platforms like IngramSpark are worth learning. And always protect your work legally before publishing.
Step 5 – Launching
I announced my book on social media and relied heavily on word of mouth. I ran Instagram ads and experimented with third-party advertising sites. But here’s the truth: I didn’t have a launch strategy. By the time the book was ready, I was burned out from months of writing, editing, and formatting. I just wanted it published.
The work doesn’t stop once the book is written. A well-planned launch can give your book momentum, but burnout can hurt your ability to promote it effectively. Now, I know to leave some energy for the marketing stage or just hire a marketing agency if the budget persists.
Lessons and Advice
- Hardest part: Realizing that self-publishing means building a brand. You’re not just a writer, you’re also the marketing department, the sales team, and the business manager. I created a website, which this one, to help garner some traffic.
- What I wish I knew: Don’t set a public deadline too early. Finish the final draft before making announcements, so you can market with confidence.
- Would I do it again? Absolutely. The best feeling was when strangers bought my book. Friends and family were supportive, but knowing my work reached readers I’d never met was even more rewarding.
- Advice for new authors: Go for it, but understand that publishing the book is only half the work. You’re also publishing yourself. Market your work when it’s ready, build your audience, and share your style so readers know what to expect from you.
Final Thoughts
Self-publishing isn’t just hitting “publish”, it’s learning to wear many hats. You’ll make mistakes. You’ll feel overwhelmed. But you’ll also hold your book in your hands and know that every page exists because you made it happen. And that’s a feeling worth chasing again and again.
I have two books in the works, 8-Bit and The Devil’s Disciple. By the time this post is first published, both books are in their first completed drafts and await being edited by a team of editors I plan to hire. You can sign up to my newsletter to be updated on the books and future blog posts.
You can also check out my essays page for self-published essays. Also check out my short stories page where I also have a list of self-published stories.
I also can’t leave out Natalia Leigh’s website where she offers services for other writers such as professional editing and book designs. Enchanted Ink Publishing.
