Is Self-Publishing Really a Thing?

I was talking to a friend recently and she asked, “Is self-publishing really a thing?” I laughed because it hadn’t occurred to me that people might not know that it is not only a thing, but it is a guaranteed way to get your story out to the world. So I answered, “Yes! It really is a thing!!”

Self-publishing is something anyone can do. You don’t need to submit a transcript to a publisher and wait months to see if they would be interested in publishing your book. Instead, you can take the reigns and do it yourself.

Whether you publish traditionally or self-publish by hiring quality professionals where you feel it is important or go a more inexpensive route when it makes sense, you will need to get on social media and let people know that your book is coming soon or already available. Since I had to do that part anyway (which was, to me, the hardest part), I decided to give self-publishing a try.

What was difficult though was knowing where to spend my money and how to know which tools were compatible before investing in them. THAT made me uncomfortable.

I would like to share what I’ve learned by developing and offering a course. I am finalizing the course title, but I believe it will be called Make a Splash Self-Publishing: Test the Waters Before Diving In.

It will have modules and lessons on how to write a book and how to get past the fear of whether it is good enough or the discomfort of telling people about it, but it will also share my experiences on what worked and what didn’t as I got my book ready for release.

If you are considering, or have ever considered, self-publishing, I’d love to get your vote on which of the following course ideas would be most helpful.

1. How to write, edit and self-publish a book.

2. How to write a book that sells.

3. How to make a profit writing and self-publishing a book.

Please put your answer in the comments. 1, 2, or 3.

I can’t wait to hear what you think!