The Author process
Self-publishing a book is a daunting task, and it requires a lot of effort and patience. However, the rewards of seeing your work in print can make it all worth it. As someone who has gone through the process of self-publishing, I can confidently say that I have learned a lot about the ins and outs of the industry. From the illustrating process to ISBN numbers to finding a company to print a board book, every step of the journey has been a growing experience.
One of the most challenging aspects of self-publishing for me was finding a printing company that can produce a board book in the USA I initially thought it would be easy to find a printing company in the United States that could print a board book, but I soon realized that this was not the case. I spent countless hours researching different companies and reaching out to them for quotes, but many of them were unable to print a board book. It was frustrating, but I eventually found a company that was able to produce the book I envisioned and still be made in the good ol USA.
The illustrating process was another learning experience for me. I wanted the illustrations in my book to be just as important as the text, so I worked closely with an illustrator to bring my vision to life. This involved a lot of back-and-forth communication and revisions, but it was ultimately worth it. Seeing the final product with the illustrations that I had imagined was an incredibly rewarding experience.
Another important aspect of self-publishing is obtaining an ISBN number. This is a unique identifier that is used to distinguish your book from other publications. I learned that you need to obtain an ISBN number for each version of your book (e.g. print, ebook), which can be costly. However, having an ISBN number is important if you want your book to be distributed to bookstores and libraries.
Throughout the self-publishing process, I have learned that perseverance is key. There were times when I felt discouraged, but I reminded myself of the reasons why I wanted to publish this book in the first place. It was a labor of love, and I was determined to see it through to the end. It was also important to be flexible and willing to make changes along the way. Every step has taught me something new. While it requires a lot of effort and patience, the rewards of seeing your work in print can make it all worth it.
xoxo
Ashley