Choosing the Independent Route: What Self-Publishing Taught Me About Courage and Creativity
I’ve always dreamed of writing a book and over the years I’ve written and finished books and even completed entire non-fiction book proposals but most have remained quietly on my laptop. At times, I would pull projects out and even pitch them to literary agents with the hopes that someone else might find the story interesting enough to share with the world. I thought I would recognize when the right project was in front of me and when it happened, ironically (because is there any other way?) it wasn’t the project that I thought it would be.
When I first dreamed up A to Z Love Letters to You, I wasn’t thinking about publishing routes or marketing plans, I was thinking about my girls. I was also thinking about all the times in life when I may not have had the right words, but if I had only had a pen and paper in hand, the words and messages would have flowed easily.
I’ve always loved letters, not only the letters of the alphabet but the physical letters that family members and loved ones have written to me over the years. Extremely sentimental, I even have the best-of-the-best of those letters tucked away in a little box and imagine myself pouring over them when I’m a little old lady and need a pick-me-up, laugh or the words of those that loved me magnified so I can remember. I imagine that there might be other mothers like me, that would love to pour their hearts out onto paper with messages weaving faith, hope, love and few childhood memories onto the page. I knew the project could be meaningful and I wanted the book to exist exactly as I envisioned it. After receiving one of the very best rejection letters that I’ve ever received (yes, really!) from a literary agent, I decided I wanted to pave my own path.
Choosing self-publishing wasn’t just a business decision, it was an act of courage and creativity. I needed to trust my own voice, invest in my vision and validate my own concept without the opinions of others. I’ve learned and will continue to learn so much throughout this process and I’m grateful for the amazing collaboration I had with my wonderful illustrator, Aarohi Bansal who help visually bring the concept to life.
Self-publishing definitely gave me the freedom to create without compromise and reminded me that sometimes the most fulfilling journeys are the one’s we carve out for ourselves even if the road is rocky.
If you are standing at the edge of your own dream, whether it’s a creative project or simply doing a health overhaul on your life and you are unsure of the next step, I want to encouraged you: it’s ok. You don’t need to know all the answers at first, but you will find answers and make mistakes. There isn’t a finish line, it’s all growth. Sometimes the most beautiful things are born from the simple courage of taking the first step forward in a new direction.
What are you waiting for?
If you have already received your copy of my book, I’d love your feedback. Please leave a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Walmart where you can purchase the book. 📕