5 Things I Learned from the Self-Publishing Journey
1. A Big Budget is NOT Required
You don’t need a pile of cash to publish your book. Seriously.
I’ve dabbled in both illustrated children’s books and chapter books, and guess what? If you’ve got a story and a computer, you’re already halfway there. For chapter books, all you really need is a word processor like Google Docs or Microsoft Word.
Worried about the cover? Don’t be. You can get a decent design for under $100, or even make your own with tools like Canva Pro (currently around $15/month). For my illustrated books, I used OpenArt.ai and Canva Pro to create everything. OpenArt.ai has affordable plans (I used the Infinite Annual Plan), and Amazon KDP lets you publish for free.
My first book cost just over $100 out of pocket — that included everything from tools to copyright fees. The biggest investment? My time. But honestly, it was worth every second.
2. You CAN Learn to Do Anything
My dad used to say, “If you can read with understanding, you can do anything.” And today, you don’t even need to read that much — just open YouTube!
Seriously, YouTube is a goldmine. I learned about everything from Amazon KDP to IngramSpark and even how to set up a publishing imprint (which isn’t required, but it gives your work that pro touch). There’s no shortage of tutorials, tips, and advice — and most of it is free.
You don’t have to buy anyone’s course (unless you want to). Just search, watch, and pick the voices that resonate with you. The info is out there — go grab it!
3. Patience is a Superpower (and Excitement Needs a Seatbelt)
You’ve written something amazing — yay! You're ready to publish like... yesterday, right? I get it. The excitement is real.
But here’s the thing: rushing can trip you up. Mistakes hide in the fast lane.
Case in point: my beloved “Bakari Tail Gate” situation. I didn’t realize Bakari even had a tail until I started designing a plush toy. Yikes! If I had stepped away and reviewed it with fresh eyes, I might have noticed it sooner. (Although, to be fair, even editors might’ve missed that unless they moonlight as chimpanzee experts.)
So here’s my advice: let your project marinate. Step away. Revisit it later. You’ll be amazed at what your brain picks up the second time around.
4. Perfection is a Myth — Just Leap!
Let’s be honest — you’ll probably never feel like it’s “perfect.” I know I didn’t.
Before publishing, I had all the questions:
· Is this good enough?
· Are the illustrations bright and fun?
· Will people get what I’m trying to say?
Even my chapter book Cookie the Detective gave me anxiety — and it didn’t have illustrations! I kept second-guessing the length and the story. I still might do an updated version someday.
But here’s the deal: overthinking = no action.
You can’t let fear keep your story locked away. Publish it. Let people read it. Worst case? It doesn’t sell. Best case? Someone out there LOVES it.
What helped me most was this: I actually enjoyed the process. If you’re having fun, it’s already a win.
5. Don’t GIVE UP — But Take a Break if You Need To
This journey is exciting, but it’s also A LOT. There were times when I was so frustrated trying to get AI to understand what I wanted that I was ready to scream. (Side note: I swear AI gets passive-aggressive when you correct it too much. 😂)
Some days I just had to walk away. Whether it was writer’s block or image fatigue, I gave myself permission to hit pause. And that made all the difference.
If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, please take a break. Your creative energy will thank you for it.
Final Thoughts
Self-publishing has been a wild, rewarding, sometimes chaotic ride — but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
If you’re sitting on a story idea and wondering if you can actually make it happen… the answer is YES. You absolutely can. Start small, learn as you go, and don’t let fear or perfectionism keep you stuck.
Your future readers are waiting. Go get started!
