Ready to Self-Publish? Here's What No One Tells You
I just spent 4 minutes breaking down everything I learned from self-publishing my novel
The dream: Upload your manuscript, hit publish, watch the royalties roll in.
The reality: Well... it's complicated.
I just spent 4 minutes breaking down everything I learned from self-publishing my novel They Called Me Wyatt (and what I'm experiencing with book #2).
Here's the truth bomb:
✅ The Good: The tools have never been better. From Scrivener to AI cover design, the process is surprisingly accessible.
💸 The Bad: Budget $3,000-$5,000 if you want to do it right. And yes, you become a project manager overnight.
😬 The Ugly: There's still stigma. Media gatekeepers often ignore self-published books, and sales numbers can be... humbling.
But here's the plot twist: I'm choosing to self-publish again anyway.
Why? Because control is everything. Your story, your timeline, your rights.
In this video, I reveal:
The exact tools and platforms I use (including where to find editors)
Why hiring ONE specific person can make or break your book
The hidden costs everyone forgets about
My honest take on whether the stigma is worth it
Watch if you're: Thinking about self-publishing, wondering about the real costs, or curious what it's actually like from someone who's lived it.
👉 Watch: Self-Publishing Reality Check: The Good, Bad & UGLY Truth
P.S. If you're ready to finally write your book but don’t want to do it alone, I can help. I offer a 1:1 book coaching program that guides you from idea to finished draft—with strategy, structure, and personal support along the way. Let’s make your book real.
Control is expensive. But renting your voice to gatekeepers costs more.
P.S. I write too: https://open.substack.com/pub/kaguura/p/writing-is-proof-of-thought?r=5536qk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Hey Natasha! Nice to meet you. Great post & video on the pros and cons of self-publishing.
I’m a self-published author & fellow YouTuber, and I use Scrivener and Amazon KDP too. I’m about to launch my 2nd book in my 4-book science fiction series, and I will be self-publishing again. But interested in finding Beta readers and doing free Advanced Reader Copies for a Launch Team this time around. Have you done that before? I’m trying to learn more about how to do it well.