So here's what I've learned.
Self publishing is HARD. So is traditional publishing. Both have their merits, both have their issues.
So let's rephrase: PUBLISHING A BOOK IS HARD.
Writing a book is the first step in the process and by no means is that a walk in the park like some people may think. Trying to get it ready to publish is the second. Again, no easy task. Lastly, you work on publishing it, whether that be sending out queries to find an agent, or working out prices to self-publish. Honestly, that might be the "easiest" part about it.
But the true test is what happens after it's published.
I've learned that even though I'd consider myself having a successful launch, I've not figured out how to sustain that fanbase. And that's okay.
I've learned that ARC's (Advance Reader Copies) are very important. For some reason most reviewers won't even look at your book once it's published. They want a first dibs reaction to review it. Why? I guess I'm not truly caught up on the ways of the book marketing world, but I'd like to think a review is great no matter the time. So this is definitely something I'll do differently in the future.
I've learned that I have support I didn't think I had, and on the flip side, I realized that I don't have the support I thought I did. It's helped me keep a level head and not be too humble but not be too about myself. It's definitely been an amazing experience nonetheless!
I've learned that I truly am a nobody! And that's okay. Maybe I'll stay some obscure artist that only a few hundred people in the whole world knows about. But that's okay because that's a few hundred people that have read my work and have actually enjoyed it!
However, my true goal is to be a widely known author. And not for the money either. Any author knows that there really isn't a lot of money in book writing. No. We do it for the chance to share a piece of ourselves with the rest of the world. And I'm trying everything. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Website, blog, music, writers lifts, ads, etc. You name it, I'm trying. And that's what counts. That is what will keep me going.
When you want something, when you REALLY want something, you tend to do everything in your power to make it happen. So, like Amity Thorne and the rest of the runaways, I'm going to go until I've exhausted everything.
Here's the kicker: It may start with me, but I need all the help I can get in carrying this as far as it can go. So please, leave reviews, comment, like subscribe, share, follow. Do anything and everything you can because that helps me in getting one step closer to my goal.
To sum it all up: I've learned that I still have so much more to learn!
P.S. I also want to give a big shout out to those of you that have helped out so much already. You guys truly are amazing!