My Self-Publishing Journey in 2025: What I've Learned After Publishing "The Shadows Within"

Hey there, fellow writers and book lovers!

I want to get real with you today. I'm not some seasoned publishing veteran with a dozen titles under my belt. Far from it! I just published my very first book, "The Shadows Within," and wow—what a ride the Self-Publishing Journey has been. I'm learning something new literally every day, and I figured, why not share these experiences while they're still fresh? So grab your beverage of choice and let's chat about this wild self-publishing adventure I've jumped into headfirst.

The Terrifying Leap from Writer to Author

Remember that moment when you finished writing your manuscript and thought, "Now what?" Yeah, that was me about three months ago. I had this document filled with ~50,000 words that had consumed my evenings and weekends for nearly a year. I'd edited it until my eyes burned, shared it with a few trusted friends, and finally decided it was ready for the world.

But then came the big question: traditional or self-publishing?

I researched for weeks, joined about twenty Facebook groups, lurked on Reddit threads, and watched countless YouTube videos from authors on both sides. Every successful author seemed to have a different opinion, and honestly, it was overwhelming.

What finally tipped the scales for me was control and timing. I didn't want to spend another year or two querying agents, only to potentially wait even longer for publication if I was lucky enough to get a deal. And you know what? I'm impatient. There, I said it! I wanted to share my story NOW.

The Reality Check: Self-Publishing Isn't "Publishing Yourself"

Can I just say—whoever named it "self-publishing" did us all a disservice. Because you absolutely cannot do it all yourself, at least not well. One of my biggest initial mistakes was thinking I could handle everything to save money.

I designed my own cover, edited my own manuscript (missed SO many issues), and formatting my own interior (don't even get me started). Three weeks and many frustrated tears later, I finally admitted I needed help.

Finding the right professionals was its own challenge. I spent hours scouring Fiverr, Reedsy, and freelancer websites comparing portfolios and prices. My budget wasn't huge, but I realized this was an investment, not just an expense.

The day my professionally formatted design landed in my inbox was transformative. That's when I truly became an author, not just a writer.

The Publishing Platform Puzzle

Choosing where to publish felt like trying to order at a restaurant with a 50-page menu. KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Smashwords, Kobo... each with their own benefits, royalty structures, and distribution networks.

I ultimately went with IngramSpark to start, mainly because their process seemed most straightforward for a newbie like me. Missing out on the Kindle Unlimited option was tough, but I have found a process that may allow this after (more to come).

The actual uploading process? Let's just say I watched the progress bar crawl across my screen while nervously eating an entire bag of chips. Hitting that final "Publish" button was simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying.

Marketing: The Mountain I'm Still Climbing

If writing and publishing felt challenging, marketing has been like trying to learn a foreign language overnight. I started with absolutely zero platform—no Instagram followers, no TikTok presence, not even a personal Facebook page with more than my immediate friends and family.

I've been learning by doing (and failing, let's be honest). Some things that have actually worked for me:

• Creating a simple website where readers can learn more about me and the book (Welcome, friend!)

• Starting a newsletter (I have 17 subscribers and cherish every single one!)

• Joining online communities of readers in my genre

• Reaching out to small book bloggers who review indie books

• Running a BookSprout Review campaign (2 readers active, hoping for more to come)

I'm not hitting any bestseller lists (yet!), but seeing those first few sales from people I don't know was better than any payday I've ever had at my day job.

The Numbers Game: What Nobody Tells You About Sales

Here's something I wish someone had told me before I published: your first book probably won't sell thousands of copies. My preorders have hit 10 copies, and from what I'm reading on various platforms, this is more than some authors see from debut books. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate fame; keep writing, keep publishing, and a following should come.

The reviews have been the most surprising part—both the good and the challenging ones. Getting that first five-star review from a stranger nearly made me cry. Getting my first two-star review definitely made me cry. I'm learning to appreciate both as part of the journey.

What I'd Do Differently Next Time

Since I'm in the middle of writing my second book now, I've been reflecting on what I'll change in my process:

• Budget more for editing—it's truly the most important investment

• Start building buzz earlier, even while still writing

• Save up for a professional audiobook version

• Take more time with the book description and keywords

• Be more strategic about launch timing and promotions

• Join more writing communities before publishing for support and advice

AI-generated image of a pen and paper

Looking Forward: Why 2025 Feels Like a Good Time to Start Your Self-Publishing Journey

Despite the challenges, I genuinely believe this is an amazing time to be a self-published author. The tools available to us now make the technical aspects easier than ever, and readers are increasingly platform-agnostic—they care about good stories, not who published them.

Some trends I'm excited about:

• The rise of AI tools that help with marketing and production while still keeping the creative parts human

• Audiobook creation becoming more accessible to indie authors

• More bookstagrammers and BookTokkers embracing indie titles

• Print-on-demand technology getting better and more affordable

• The incredible supportiveness of the indie author community

I Want to Hear from YOU!

I'm learning as I go, and I'd love to know where you are in your journey. Are you:

• Still writing your first manuscript?

• Finished writing but unsure about next steps?

• Preparing to publish soon?

• A fellow published author with wisdom to share?

Drop a comment below and let me know what part of the publishing process you find most intimidating or exciting! Or take this quick poll:

What's your biggest concern about self-publishing?

• Finding readers who will love my book
• Cost of professional services (editing, formatting, design)
• Technical aspects (formatting, uploading, publishing)
• Marketing / Promotion

See All Options

And if you're curious about "The Shadows Within" or want to support a new author still figuring it all out, you can find it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. I'd be beyond grateful for your support—and I promise to remember you when I'm famous! (Just kidding... mostly.)

Until next time, keep writing weird shit! ;)

-RW