Notes on my self-publishing journey: Part 2

Coffee Table Poetry Book Series

Hello lovely,

It’s been a while since I wrote part 1 of this series, and I wanted to share with you more about my self-publishing journey.

These notes are based on my most recent collections of poetry that have formed the start of a series of coffee table poetry books.

Breakfast on the Terrace & Wine by the Sea is a stunning coffee table poetry book, featuring breathtaking images of the Mediterranean, paired alongside wistful poetry to dream your days away… [Image by Nicole Costa]

Conversations & Coffee Under the Maple Trees combines cosy autumnal photos, alongside soothing poetry. This book will nestle itself within your heart and is the perfect companion for those cool, dark evenings and crisp walks. [Image by TJ Lubrano]

The idea of creating a coffee table poetry book had been swirling around in my mind for a while, but it wasn’t until we visited Greece for our honeymoon in August 2023, that the idea fully took hold of me and I could finally imagine releasing it into the world.

The Mediterranean has always felt special to me — something about the way of life, the slowness, the simple pleasures.

I knew after our time in Greece that I had to create this book. So, upon returning back to England and wanting to keep the feeling of an endless summer alive, I started reaching out to photography accounts on Instagram that gave that same vibe and presence within their work.

At first, I messaged at least 50 people, many of which didn’t reply. But I didn’t give up. Eventually I started getting a trickle of messages back from people who got my vision so perfectly and wanted to be part of the team. They are all beautiful souls who have been so supportive in sharing this dream.

I have to say, that finding the photographers for both books has been the most challenging part!

The first in this series was released in April last year, and the most recent edition was the October just gone.

My aim for these books was to create something beautiful and inspiring, that you could place within your home, ready to daydream upon at a moment’s notice. Not only that, my reason for including photographers, rather than just using my own photos, was 1) I’m okay at taking photos, but I knew the kind of quality I wanted for this book and my skills weren’t up to that. And 2) I wanted to make something that lifted up other creative souls and showcased their work in a space that perhaps they wouldn’t usually be seen within.

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Now, this is where I want to be real with you for a moment. Creating these books has cost me a lot! Hence why the sale price is much higher than my other books.

For my first two books, they didn’t cost me a penny to publish.

As I mentioned in part 1, self-publishing your own book doesn’t have to be expensive — it can cost as much or a little as you like.

Whereas, for the coffee table series, I have paid each photographer for the rights to use their photos within the books, and having six photographers in each book, along with ordering 2-3 proof copies per edition, has meant that hasn’t been an overly cheap endeavour.

Being truly honest, based on the royalty I receive from Amazon KDP for one coffee table book, I would need to sell at least 140 copies in order to just break even.

Why am I telling you this? I want to be transparent about these books, because they are so different from my first two collections. When I first dreamed of making these books, I wanted to create something that resembled the stunning coffee table books you may see in an edition of Vogue, or in those really cool, independent shops that sell trinkets, amongst other cute gifts.

So, I guess I knew it wouldn’t cost me nothing to create. I wanted to also ensure that the photographers were being subsidised in some way for their art — because they too, have spent time perfecting their craft and personal style, taking the photos and editing them.

Due to the costing of these two coffee table books, my plans for creating the winter and spring edition have been delayed slightly. Not only due to funds, but also for my well-being. I spent so much of last year pouring everything I had into writing, editing and creating Breakfast on the Terrace & Wine by the Sea, and Conversations & Coffee Under the Maple Trees, that trying to publish a third in time for this winter season would have truly burnt me out!

So, my plan is to publish the winter edition later this year, and the spring edition at the start of next year. I am therefore, currently looking for more photographers to work with for each season respectively, so if you know of anyone who may be interested, please drop me a message.

How I plan to structure the photography costings of the next two editions will vary slightly, as I simply cannot afford the same amount another two times over that I’ve already spent.

The number one thing about self-publishing is that you live and you learn — I very much just figure things out as I go along!

And that is okay! That is the beauty of being fully in control of your creative work.

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In terms of publishing other books, I have many ideas for different collections I’d like to create in the future, and I often have to slow myself down after I’ve finished one project, because I’m always itching to get started on the next.

I also try to be flexible with my ideas, because one idea might feel like the best thing in the world one moment, but a few months down the line, it may perhaps not resonate with my style or where my writing is currently at. So, those little ideas get tucked back into bed for a while until I feel called to work on them again.

If you’re thinking of self-publishing your own book, my biggest piece of advice would be to just go for it! Figure things out along the way, ask for advice when you need to (my inbox is always open!), and most importantly, enjoy the process of creating this book… because let me tell you, holding it in your hands will never not be the most amazing feeling in the world.

Want to know one of my favourite things about being a self-published author?

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If you found this post helpful and would like to support me further without committing long-term, then why not order one of my books? Buying books from indie authors is one of the best ways you can support them and their dreams. Plus, they make for amazing gifts!

Also, a huge thank you to the beautiful

TJ Lubrano

for capturing some promo images of Conversations & Coffee Under the Maple Trees — you are an incredible soul and I’m so grateful for your presence.