Thank you Jenna… I’ve been wanting to pull my poetry into a book for a while but feel so blocked by the ‘how’… this makes it feel very possible. Maybe this summer will finally be the time… xxx
Oh, Lauren, that is so wonderful! I really hope you do because I would love to read your words 🤍 Feel free to drop me message if you ever have any questions xx
Thank you for this boost… and I may very well take you up on this! I got as far as bringing them all into a word doc a few years ago but then kind of froze!!!! I need to do this though… they deserve a home! Funny as I decided while I was away I need to have more of them on here and that I would create a tab for them on my publication… all little nudges! Xx
I feel exactly the same! I’ve been wanting to bring my writing together into a book for months now, and this article has been so so helpful in clarifying those messy thoughts. Thank you Jenna!
Honestly, I found this to be such a helpful insight. Thank you for sharing your experiences so openly. I haven't yet published a book but it's very much on my to-do list for the future.
Thank you Jenna for this inspiring post. It’s encouraged me at my stage of currently researching self publishing for my poems and reading your journey makes it feel so achievable.
Aw thank you Beverley, that’s so kind! That’s amazing about you researching, good luck! If you ever have any questions or need some advice, feel free to message me 🥰
As a self-published author myself I love reading about other people’s journeys, and yours is so inspiring. Can’t wait to read more about the coffee table poetry book!
That's so cool! Your covers came out amazingly. I love how you did the marketing photos. I published guided journals on KDP. Amazon makes it so easy. I've also experimented with Lulu and selling through my own website, but it's not as neat and clean as Amazon. It's awesome to have all these technologies allowing anybody to release their work into the world.
I loved hearing the details about your journey through writing & publishing! Your words and photos are gorgeous <3 and I'm tickled to have been mentioned here! ily xoxoxo
Thank you so much for sharing this, Jenna. I am very close to having a novel ready to self publish and I'm so full of fear and overwhelm I'm struggling so much to finish it. But I believe that I will and I'm trying to be gentle with myself. I'm inspired by your creations and how you approached self publishing. It must feel so good to hold those books you've written
Aww thank you for reading Janelle. I truly believe you will hold your book in your hands someday soon! It’s such a wonderful feeling. Is it something about the self-publishing in particular that you fear? Or perhaps just having your words out in the world?
That makes a lot of sense and I completely understand. If you ever have any questions about the ‘how to’ or ever feel confused when you do decide to embark on that journey, my inbox is always open 🤍
Thank you Jenna for sharing your self-publishing journey, it was really interesting to read and hear about how you create your poetry books. I will definitely be getting a copy of Magic & Musings of the Universe: Explore, as I love nature and adventures! Have a lovely week 😊♡
I’ve self-published my own book and 2 of my husband’s children’s books. I found some excellent artists, editors, and book formatters online. I used Fiverr but i think there are a few different platforms out there (just make sure the person has plenty of good reviews). The first time I published, I hired out everything which got pretty expensive. The more I learned about the process, the less I relied on formatters, etc. Just like anything else, you learn as you go & once you know what you’re doing, the process becomes relatively simple. I opted for less stress on the front end to focus on things that really mattered to me. Now I can do almost everything (sans art) myself! 💛
Yes, I know what you mean about learning as you go and being able to do things yourself as your experience grows. I think that’s the beauty of self-publishing in that you can quite easily learn how to do things yourself rather than spending so much on others doing it for you 🤍
Wonderful! And congratulations for putting it all together. I know. It's hard work ~ I ended up going back and editing my manuscript and cover several times over the years through KDP. Not fun, but the freedom to do so is priceless, xo
Thank you Lani! It is such a process, but you’re right, the freedom to be able to change things as and when you like is wonderful. I’ve had thoughts recently of changing the covers on my first two books, but I also want to keep them as they as because I feel it’s part of the journey. I was thinking instead of doing hardback versions of them with different covers.
Thank you for reading, and for your kindness. I think on average they take around 4 months, but it all depends on the book itself. For example, my second book took almost a year to write and gather inspiration, but the process of creating it on Canva and getting it to print was only a few months.
Thank you Jenna… I’ve been wanting to pull my poetry into a book for a while but feel so blocked by the ‘how’… this makes it feel very possible. Maybe this summer will finally be the time… xxx
Oh, Lauren, that is so wonderful! I really hope you do because I would love to read your words 🤍 Feel free to drop me message if you ever have any questions xx
Thank you for this boost… and I may very well take you up on this! I got as far as bringing them all into a word doc a few years ago but then kind of froze!!!! I need to do this though… they deserve a home! Funny as I decided while I was away I need to have more of them on here and that I would create a tab for them on my publication… all little nudges! Xx
They definitely do deserve a home and people deserve to read your beautiful words! You’ve got this xx
I feel exactly the same! I’ve been wanting to bring my writing together into a book for months now, and this article has been so so helpful in clarifying those messy thoughts. Thank you Jenna!
Aww you’re welcome Holly, glad it helped! So exciting for you!xx
So excited for you! X
Relate to this a lot!
Honestly, I found this to be such a helpful insight. Thank you for sharing your experiences so openly. I haven't yet published a book but it's very much on my to-do list for the future.
Thank you for reading, and for your kindness Louise. That’s so exciting, I’m rooting for you! ✨
Thank you Jenna for this inspiring post. It’s encouraged me at my stage of currently researching self publishing for my poems and reading your journey makes it feel so achievable.
Aw thank you Beverley, that’s so kind! That’s amazing about you researching, good luck! If you ever have any questions or need some advice, feel free to message me 🥰
Great to see sk.ekne who has been there and done it. I've procrastinated for way too long. It's time to get my poems in order!
I’d say just go for it! You learn so much along the way and it’s such a wonderful feeling holding your book in your hands x
As a self-published author myself I love reading about other people’s journeys, and yours is so inspiring. Can’t wait to read more about the coffee table poetry book!
Aww thank you, that’s so kind! What was the part you found most challenging with your journey?
I found that making final decisions was quite challenging for me, especially with all the options.
Also, marketing has proven tricky for me, haha!
Yes, I feel that too! Having that amount of control over the outcome is both beautiful and difficult at times.
Marketing is a whole other thing! I find that so challenging too 😔
Thanks for sharing your journey!
You’re welcome! Thank you for reading.
That's so cool! Your covers came out amazingly. I love how you did the marketing photos. I published guided journals on KDP. Amazon makes it so easy. I've also experimented with Lulu and selling through my own website, but it's not as neat and clean as Amazon. It's awesome to have all these technologies allowing anybody to release their work into the world.
Aww thank you Suzanne! That’s wonderful, your journals sound beautiful. Yes! I love the ease of KDP and how simple it is compared to other platforms.
I loved hearing the details about your journey through writing & publishing! Your words and photos are gorgeous <3 and I'm tickled to have been mentioned here! ily xoxoxo
Aww thank you lovely! That means the world 🤍 Your words are so inspiring xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing this, Jenna. I am very close to having a novel ready to self publish and I'm so full of fear and overwhelm I'm struggling so much to finish it. But I believe that I will and I'm trying to be gentle with myself. I'm inspired by your creations and how you approached self publishing. It must feel so good to hold those books you've written
Aww thank you for reading Janelle. I truly believe you will hold your book in your hands someday soon! It’s such a wonderful feeling. Is it something about the self-publishing in particular that you fear? Or perhaps just having your words out in the world?
I think it's all related to fear. And then the 'not knowing how' at every stage is a barrier to overcome. Or a reason to run away.
That makes a lot of sense and I completely understand. If you ever have any questions about the ‘how to’ or ever feel confused when you do decide to embark on that journey, my inbox is always open 🤍
So kind. Thank you
Thank you Jenna for sharing your self-publishing journey, it was really interesting to read and hear about how you create your poetry books. I will definitely be getting a copy of Magic & Musings of the Universe: Explore, as I love nature and adventures! Have a lovely week 😊♡
Aww thank you Isabella, that’s so kind! I’m so grateful for your support xx
No problem! Thank you for your kind words and support too! 😊♡
Yes! It’s really nice having the control and being able to do it all just how you envision.
So very true!
I’ve self-published my own book and 2 of my husband’s children’s books. I found some excellent artists, editors, and book formatters online. I used Fiverr but i think there are a few different platforms out there (just make sure the person has plenty of good reviews). The first time I published, I hired out everything which got pretty expensive. The more I learned about the process, the less I relied on formatters, etc. Just like anything else, you learn as you go & once you know what you’re doing, the process becomes relatively simple. I opted for less stress on the front end to focus on things that really mattered to me. Now I can do almost everything (sans art) myself! 💛
Wow Kara, that’s great!
Yes, I know what you mean about learning as you go and being able to do things yourself as your experience grows. I think that’s the beauty of self-publishing in that you can quite easily learn how to do things yourself rather than spending so much on others doing it for you 🤍
Wonderful! And congratulations for putting it all together. I know. It's hard work ~ I ended up going back and editing my manuscript and cover several times over the years through KDP. Not fun, but the freedom to do so is priceless, xo
Thank you Lani! It is such a process, but you’re right, the freedom to be able to change things as and when you like is wonderful. I’ve had thoughts recently of changing the covers on my first two books, but I also want to keep them as they as because I feel it’s part of the journey. I was thinking instead of doing hardback versions of them with different covers.
Thank you for reading, and for your kindness. I think on average they take around 4 months, but it all depends on the book itself. For example, my second book took almost a year to write and gather inspiration, but the process of creating it on Canva and getting it to print was only a few months.