Everything I learned from self-publishing my first book

[@bonniezieman3424]

Congratulations Willow! I wish you had contacted me. I’ve published over sixteen books on Amazon ( most self-help and one novel which you edited for me!) and could have helped you avoid some of those issues. But, regardless, there is always ‘something’ that has to be dealt with. One thing, get your own ISBNs. That allows you to expand your distribution to book stores when/if you want. Another, really know the trim size of the book before hitting the publish button on Amazon. You cannot change it after unless you change the title as well. Anyway, I certainly can relate to most of your frustrations and certainly your excitement. Self-publishing a book is such an accomplishment. And to others reading: Willow’s editing skills are as great as she claims. She edited my novel and did a fantastic job.

[@lia-mariko]

I can fully understand how all these small things bug you and annoy you. On the other hand, as someone that will get one of the first copies and I suppose with its typos and “wrong”format, I will appreciate the uniqueness of my copy and all the stories and reasoning behind it. The cover is gorgeous! I can’t wait to receive it.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I really appreciate that, thank you!

[@tirarosaurioreads]

Thank you for sharing this journey with us! I have never considered there would be so many aspects to take into account in self-publishing.

[@danielaweberdani]

your honesty about the steps you took to get to the results you wanted makes your advice so generous! and about typos, most readers will be more invested in the stories than in finding mistakes. 🌳

[@tyghe_bright]

Everyone needs someone else to proofread. We are too familiar with what we intended to see the work clearly. Setting the work aside for a little while and coming back to it helps--but ultimately, you're only done when you decide you're done. Perfection is never possible. I'm very much looking forward to reading this!

[@Barryislarge]

I had not considered the size stuff, nor the order of coverart and typesetting stuff. When you say it, it makes perfect sense! Excited to get my hands on the book

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Glad it was informative!

[@Lourdes-nc3sp]

This is so interesting!! My copy of Managing and Other Lies is arriving on Wednesday, and I'm so excited for it. I have planned the whole thing: I'm taking my inflatable mattress, camping torch, my dog and a jar of chilly cashews down to the basement, and setting up camp to chill and read with my spider friends 😂

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Wow, I’m honoured to be part of such an atmospheric journey!

[@Lourdes-nc3sp]

😂😌😘​@@WillowTalksBooks

[@MaryReadsToLive]

I have your book and have started it! I instantly fell in love with the narrator's voice of the novella!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Ahh thank you so much!!

[@Keeva-]

Your book arrived today, and I can't wait to finish work and get stuck into it! 🧡 This was such an interesting and incredibly honest video. Thank you for sharing. I've had my book in my head for about ten years. If I ever write it, I will come back and watch this again!

[@badfaith4u]

Thank you so much for writing about your self publishing journey. 📚 I also messaged Amazon on Instagram asking why your eBook isn't available. Hope they can fix this issue. 🤞🏼

[@fairsaa7975]

Have really enjoyed reading it so far! I'm yet to get to "Managing" as I'm reading it back to front, but the stories are so lush with allegory it's been a fun time interpreting them. Definitely going to be giving a good review when I've finished!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Omg yay, I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you 💜💜

[@eclipssezz]

I was actually just starting to make out a story of my book as you uploaded this video! I wanted to create a fantasy book for very long now and I haven’t gone up to it and keep up consistently-wise but I just got a lot of courage with this. Holy shit thanks

[@WillowTalksBooks]

You’re so welcome! If you ever need an editor, I’m great 😇

[@calliperryleslie]

Hey Willow, well done for publishing I will totally be getting a copy when I can, can't wait to see what you do next 💜

[@crimsonwhispersva2498]

Thank you for sharing your journey of self-publishing it's really helpful to know, one day I'm hoping to write my own book (it's always been a dream for me to share the stories I have always going around in my head 😊).

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I really hope you do it!

[@LiteraryStoner]

Thank you for sharing! I'm working towards self-publishing. I haven't got anything ready yet but i'm working on it. Good luck with your stories and poems!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

When you’ve got a draft ready and you need an editor, you know where I am 😇

[@LiteraryStoner]

@@WillowTalksBooks ☺

[@Raven_Ruby]

I just got my copy in the mail today!!! Excited to read it. I am not a horror or scary story fan (big scaredy cat) but I am ALL for supporting you where I can. I will be reading this in the day time 😅 Thank you for sharing your publishing story! I look forward to more of your creations 😊

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Thank you so much! And tread carefully; it’s a really gross book :)

[@MikaDoesStuff23]

I don't remember where I heard this, and I don't remember the wording (lol), but there's a saying something like: By the time you finish something, you will have learned enough to start it. That feels like this journey, now that you've completed it once, you can start better the next time, and that's just how it goes! :)

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I really couldn’t agree more! This is exactly how it feels!

[@lavender3717]

So excited to read it! I'd love to hear more about your poetry writing journey too.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Thanks! I’ll talk more about it all soon :)

[@rachel1021]

This is all so interesting. Looking forward to reading and getting grossed out. :)

[@groofay]

I'm glad you made this video, complete with your frustrations as well as the tips themselves. I'll be looking back at this when I finally have something in a remotely publishable state. Has that Vivi plush been there in other videos? I hadn't noticed him until now.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Yeah Vivi has been there for a while now :) And if you ever need an editor, I’m real good ;)

[@bobbykeniston7240]

I ordered my copy... don't worry, when I find the "probably", I will cross it out and write "properly". In all seriousness, thanks for this video. I have been toying with the idea of self-publishing a collection myself.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Thank you! If you ever need an editor, you know where to find me 😇

[@bobbykeniston7240]

@@WillowTalksBooks I'm super poor, but I have no doubt you're amazing! I will definitely keep you in mind!

[@Gen-yh1jz]

I have just received my copy. Thank you for this interesting video on how you put it together.

[@MsPixieD]

Sarah!fucking!Waters! How exciting! I'm so happy for you. Pleasant surprises make life sweet. 🎉

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Thank you! I’m still screaming 😱

[@user-yq7fm8kn7t]

Congratulations 🎊

[@leeholly871]

This is a fantastic video, thank you

[@LivingDeadEnby]

Hahaha yes, editing is never ever done. I write since more than two decades now, on and off, and only "published" on an online platform to read for free - but I know the pain 😆 A few weeks ago I dug out an old story of mine from the 90s because I wanted to send it to a colleague who likes to read them in her holidays - and, fortunately, read it again before I sent it. My style back then was so different to my style right now that I cringed and had to go over it twice before I felt ready to give it to her. I'm sure if I'd read it again next week I'll find another thing. If I'd write in English I would hire you 😃

[@ae8_little]

Oh, this overview really helped me put the process of self-publishing into perspective! :) It must have been such hard work! I wonder about the uncredited typesetter in your book. Anyways, thank you so much for the great video! :)

[@bbwlanas]

I received You new book yesterday!!!!!!!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Yay! Enjoy!

[@crk.resrhetorica]

Thank you. That was very interesting!

[@x-11116]

sweeeet

[@gabytrevisan]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@MollyPrewittWeasley]

Any particular reason you only published to Amazon inside of going wide with a service such as draft to digital?

[@WillowTalksBooks]

As a first-time writer doing this, I wanted something that was easy, familiar, and had plenty of useful resources. The process was stressful enough, I wanted to make it as streamlined as possible

[@StitchandWitch]

Elizabeth Gilbert reads from print outs instead of directly from her books when she does readings because she hates finding errors in her books so much.