You Want to Write a Book, so Do It Now!
You Are Your Own Worst Critic.
Whether it's fictional or autobiographical, we all have a story to tell. One person may have had the perfect life filled with amazing experiences and privilege, while another may have had the worst experience imaginable. No two stories are alike, just like snowflakes and fingerprints. But each is equally important and can make a difference in someone else's life. This is the reason I decided to share my life story of growing up in a predominantly white town in Tennessee in the book "Hating Self" by Boo Black. However, I'm not here to sell you a book, but to offer you a dream.
How many times have you thought about writing a book, spilling all your secrets, or creating a new universe of storytelling? Everyone assumes that you must find a literary agent to publish your work through traditional means, but that couldn't be further from the truth. My first three books were all self-published through Amazon KDP, and the only cost incurred was the printing cost of each book I ordered. Yes, I had to pay a fee for Adobe Acrobat, which allows you to convert any document into a PDF, and Canva, which offers premade book cover templates, but these costs were minimal.
Unfortunately, many bad actors and scam artists promise to publish and market your book for you, but it is difficult to decipher who you can trust. Believe me, I have learned my lessons the hard way and have lost around $1500 while trying to get help with publishing my books. I tell you this not to scare you, but to prepare you for the inevitable and give you the tools you need to say "NO" to the undesirables that will hunt you down on various social media accounts as soon as you mention the word "book".
I want to encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and write a book. As an "Indie" or self-published author, you have complete control over everything, and there are no limits or deadlines on what you can create. Below is a simple list to help you get started with your new venture:
1. Decide what topic you wish to write about in your book. Whether you use pen and paper, a computer, or voice recordings, you are the master of your domain. I use Microsoft WORD to type everything into a blank document. My fiction book, Butterfly Blossoms by Rachel Bleu, came to me in a dream, so I sat down and started typing whatever thoughts graced my mind. Writers refer to this as "freewriting" or "stream of consciousness" writing.
2. Don't worry about organizing your thoughts right now. If you have some chapter titles in mind, go ahead and write or type them down in the front of the document. Now is not the time to solidify anything, but it does help later to have a guide for your thoughts.
3. Write as often as your schedule allows, but don't feel guilty if you can't. Many writers make it a rule to write a little bit every day, but those of us who work regular jobs do not have this luxury. I work 12-hour rotating shifts, and on my days off, I have household chores, errands, and appointments to attend. I used to feel guilty about not having a consistent writing schedule, but life gets in the way, and I've learned to be flexible. Additionally, creativity doesn't punch a time clock.
4. You don't have to hire a professional editor. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, so editing my writings isn't too difficult. However, I recently paid a professional to edit my fourth book, Hurricane Helene Resiliency After the Storm Part One. Pricing varies depending on the source, but hiring a seasoned professional can cost you 25 cents per word. However, if you need help with editing, you can either: a) hire a professional freelancer on Upwork.com or Fiverr.com, b) find a local editor through your social media platforms, c) use the free AI-powered virtual assistant like Grammarly, which also offers a paid professional version, or d) ask for help from another author, teacher, or friend. Money is tight, so I used family members and friends to edit my first three books.
5. Decide which self-publishing platform to use. My three books were first published on Amazon KDP and later added to Barnes & Noble. I decided to get help from Shaw Hill Publishing on my fourth book (Helene), and they are using Ingram Spark. No matter which platform is chosen, please remember that you will not receive 100% of the sales and must share them with the distributor (approximately 40% or more). Amazon is the number one book distributor, so if you sell a large number of books, you will receive decent royalties every month. However, the best way to pocket the most money is by purchasing your printed book at the author's printed price and selling the books on your own. Again, if you work a regular job, this may require more energy than you're willing to give. I always keep a few copies of my books on hand so that I can sell them whenever the opportunity arises. However, with my Hurricane Helene book, I have purchased an author's booth at the Happily Ever After Book Festival in Sevierville, Tennessee, on September 5-7, 2025, so that I can also sell my works.
6. Don't be discouraged if you only sell a few books. It is rare that an author is an overnight success with their first book. Honestly, I began my writing journey to help others find their purpose, to help them deal with depression, and to assure people that they're not alone, so making money was not the priority for me. Now, however, I wish to become an author full-time, so the number of sales generated plays a huge role in whether I can make this a viable career. I've learned that to sell books, you need: a) a Marketing Plan, which guides you in activities leading up to and including the release of your book, b) a professionally designed book cover to catch the eye of potential readers, c) a professional photograph for the back of the book cover, d) a press release, which alerts media to the presence of your book, e) radio interviews, TV ads, and guest appearances on podcasts, f) a book trailer to play regularly on social media, and g) a budget or willingness to spend money to help create excitement around your book. If all of this sounds overwhelming, it is, but it's worth it.
7. If you've read this far, then CONGRATULATIONS! This is where it gets rather complicated. No matter which online platform you use for printing and distributing your book, you will be required to upload the book cover and book content file. Performing these acts has almost caused me to quit and give up on book publishing. Some guidelines need to be met, so I would suggest reading and researching on Amazon KDP, Barnes & Noble, or Ingram Spark's website to understand the basics. I, ignorantly, jumped head-first into it and struggled in the beginning. Even after doing your homework, you will still have questions and run into complications. I won't honey-coat it for you, but I will tell you that I am available for any questions regarding setting up your book on Amazon KDP or Barnes & Noble. I would try to give you information here, but I have learned by doing it on my own, and you may wish to do the same. Additionally, some stuff is just hard to put into words.
This is where I will leave you to contemplate your future. If the need arises, please feel free to email me at rebeccawellsphillips@gmail.com. I will do my very best to respond promptly and provide guidance where I can. Best of luck to all my future fellow authors. And remember, everyone has a story to tell.