10/2/26
So my first step was to choose what genre and topic I wanted to write about. I wanted to try something new, something I hadn’t done before. So I chose the Fantasy genre. The topic just kind of came to me as I created the world and started world building and character back story creation.
The setting came to mind first, at least part of it. The characters’ names came next. The inspiration for some of the places in the story came from different pictures I found online that I used as inspiration.
The next step was completing my first draft…and that took longer than I’d like to say as I took a several year break from writing it. But once I sat back down and got inspired, It only took me a few months.
Then I was on to self-editing…boy did I learn a lot on this step. I self edited my manuscript at least 3 times before I felt it was ready for beta readers. That final product I’d like to call my second draft.
Next after waiting for the beta readers and proof readers to finish…I worked on other books to stay occupied, it was on to my second edit. I did some revising, added some things, took out some things, and finished my final edit.
I chose self publishing on Amazon, so the next step was to find a cover designer, and that was scary for me. I ended up creating my own cover on Canva. I really wasn’t sure what I was doing and just went with hope that it turned out ok. I am happy with how it turned out, and I really wanted a cover that didn’t give the story away, you have to read it to find out.
Once I had all the pieces, I got my ISBN (international standard book number, all books have to have them to publish), I was able to put my book on Amazon, and self publish it!
The final step that in my opinion goes on forever, is marketing your book. Sharing it everywhere on social media, doing events to promote and sell your book, and of course continuing to write more books!
There you have it! The steps I took to publish my first book!
Leave a comment