Self-Publishing: The Freedom to Share Your Story, Your Way

Have you ever dreamt of seeing your name on the cover of a book?

Maybe you have stories to tell, insights to share, or?a passion for writing that won’t stay bottled up. But then comes the intimidating part—publishing. Where do you even begin?

If you're anything like I was, you’ve probably wondered, "Will anyone even want to publish my book? What if I don’t get picked up by a traditional publisher?"

Well, guess what?

You don’t have to wait for someone else to make your dream come true. That’s where self-publishing comes in. And yes, you can do it—even if you aren’t a celebrity or household name.

Because you know what: I just did.

Traditional Publishing: My First Try

Like any aspiring author, I initially thought about traditional publishing. So, I wrote to a publishing house editor, hoping for the best. My manuscript wasn’t ready, but I had a vision and some published pieces to back it up.

The editor responded, politely asking for time. Weeks passed, and after a gentle nudge, I got a carefully worded response—she was sorry she couldn't proceed with the proposal. It was clear that I wasn’t a priority, and a month later, I learned that this editor was sending the exact templated response to many authors like me.

A former colleague who’s authored many books suggested I write to another editor she knew. I did, but this editor didn’t even care to reply.

It felt like a dead-end.

At that point, I could’ve easily given up. And honestly, I almost did. But the idea of writing a book nagged at me.

Then came the real turning point.

Self-Publishing: The Moment of Decision

Fast-forward a few months. I was on a family holiday when the thought hit me: I will do this myself. No waiting, no reminders, no gatekeepers. It was time to take matters into my own hands.

That’s when I discovered Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)—Amazon’s self-publishing platform. I realised self-publishing is not just for people who couldn’t get published traditionally. It’s for anyone who wants complete creative control and a faster route to getting their work out there.

Why Self-Publishing?

1.??? No Gatekeepers: You’re not waiting for approval from a traditional publisher. You get to decide when your book is ready.

2.??? Creative Control: You pick your cover, decide your structure, and don’t have to listen to anyone tell you how your book should look or feel.

3.??? Faster Process: Traditional publishing can take long. With KDP, you can fast-track the entire process.

4.??? Global Reach: Your book can instantly reach readers globally through Amazon.

The Challenges (Because It’s Not All Roses)

Now, don’t get me wrong. Self-publishing isn’t without its hurdles. You won’t have a team of editors, designers, and marketers working with you—at least not unless you hire them yourself.

With traditional publishing, you get at least some help spreading the word. Self-publishing is entirely on you. But hey, the internet gives you access to more readers than ever before.

The Real Hurdle: Self-Doubt

Here’s the part that might surprise you: the biggest challenge wasn’t the design or the logistics. It was my own mind. I kept asking myself: Why would anyone want to read this?

But every time I got down, I remembered the response from my newsletter readers. They connected with my stories because they were real.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, you’re not alone. But the truth is your story matters. Every person has experiences worth sharing, and someone out there is waiting to hear yours.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

• Take it step by step: I didn't know anything about the process when I first started self-publishing. I took it one task at a time—editing, formatting, designing—and somehow, everything came together.
• Don’t wait for perfection: You’ll never feel 100% ready. But there comes a time when you have to hit “publish” and trust that you’ve done your best.
• Be flexible: I didn’t realise till the end that KDP doesn’t print in India. That meant finding a local printer and figuring out distribution for Indian readers.

Thankfully, a close friend connected me with Vincent Varghese, who runs Book Biz Co. A short chat later, I realised that printing locally requires a series of steps, and expecting all of that to fall in place in a crunched timeline was being overly optimistic.?

But what choice did I have???

Given the festival season, Vincent prepared me for all possible scenarios, including waiting for a month or more. The last quarter of the year is also the busiest work period in many sectors, including printing.

All said and done, Vincent helped deliver the book in less than a week. Now, the last hurdle I had to cross was listing it on Amazon India. This was yet another learning experience for me. It involved multiple steps in a short timeline, followed by waiting and watching (with bated breath).

I counted five days, but it felt like a lifetime.

To Self-Publish or Not?

Having come this far, I can tell you that if I can do it, you can, too.

If you’re serious about writing, self-publishing is worth it. There’s something incredibly liberating about taking control of your work and putting it into the world on your terms.

Will it be easy? Not always. Will it be worth it? I think so.

You decide.

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