A Fog of Shadows released on June 4, 2026. I had a local release party. People came to celebrate this book I’d been working on for years.

And now, a few days later, I’m sitting here reflecting on what it actually took to get here – and what I learned along the way.

Here’s the honest truth about self-publishing my debut novel.

Self-Publishing Is Hard

Let me start with this: self-publishing is genuinely challenging.

I’m not saying this to complain or discourage anyone. I’m saying it because it’s true, and I think it’s important to be honest about it.

You’re not just the author. You’re also:

• The publisher
• The marketer
• The graphic designer (or the one hiring and directing designers)
• The formatter
• The event planner
• The social media manager
• The newsletter writer
• The website builder
• The project manager keeping all of this organized

That’s a lot of hats to wear. Especially when you’re also working two full-time jobs and trying to have some semblance of a life.

But here’s the thing: Hard doesn’t mean bad.

Yes, it’s challenging. Yes, there were moments I felt overwhelmed. Yes, I still have no idea what I’m doing half the time.

And yes, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

It’s Not For Everyone (And That’s Okay)

Self-publishing isn’t the right path for every author, and that’s completely fine.

Some authors thrive with the structure and support of traditional publishing. Some prefer to focus solely on writing and let a publisher handle everything else. Some don’t want to invest the money or time that self-publishing requires.

All of those choices are valid.

For me, self-publishing was the right choice because:

• I wanted creative control over my covers, my pricing, my timeline
• I was going to have to do my own marketing either way
• I wanted to build my platform my way
• I liked the idea of learning all these new skills
• The timeline worked better for my life

But that doesn’t make it the “better” choice – just the right one for me and my book.

If you’re considering self-publishing, be honest with yourself about whether you want to take on all these roles. There’s no shame in deciding it’s not for you.

The Joy I Found

Despite the challenges – or maybe because of them – I found real joy in this process.

The joy of learning new skills. I designed my own book covers. I learned formatting. I built a website. I figured out newsletter platforms and social media scheduling. Every new skill felt like an achievement.

The joy of control. I got to make every decision about this book. The cover looks exactly how I wanted. The price is what I chose. The release date worked for my life. That control meant everything to me.

The joy of problem-solving. When something didn’t work, I got to figure it out. When I hit an obstacle, I found a way around it. That sense of capability – of “I can figure this out” – was empowering.

The joy of creation. Not just writing the book, but building everything around it. The website, the graphics, the newsletter, the whole platform. I built something from nothing.

And most of all: the joy of saying “I did it.”

There’s something incredible about holding your book – physically holding it in your hands – and knowing you made this happen. Not just the writing, but everything. You published this book. You brought it into the world.

That feeling is indescribable.

My Following Is Small (And That’s Beautiful)

Let’s be real: my social media following is small.

I’m not going viral on BookTok. I’m not a bestseller. I don’t have thousands of newsletter subscribers or tens of thousands of Instagram followers.

And you know what? I’m genuinely okay with that.

Because the people who have found me? They’re the best.

Quality over quantity isn’t just a saying I’m using to make myself feel better. It’s genuinely true. The small community I’ve built is made up of people who actually care about my work, who engage thoughtfully, who show up and support.

Every newsletter subscriber matters to me. Every Instagram follower. Every person who’s taken the time to connect with me or my work – I’m grateful for them.

I’ve found some really great people through this process. People who get what I’m trying to do, who appreciate closed door fantasy romance, who are genuinely excited about my book.

That’s not settling. That’s success.

Would I love to reach more readers? Of course. Am I going to keep working to grow my platform? Absolutely.

But I’m not going to diminish what I’ve already built by calling it “just” a small following. These people are incredible, and I’m honored they’re here.

What Surprised Me Most

Looking back on the whole journey, here’s what I didn’t expect:

How much I’d enjoy the non-writing parts. I thought marketing would be a chore. Instead, I found I genuinely like connecting with readers, creating content, building a platform. Not all the time, not every task – but more than I expected.

How supportive the indie author community is. Other self-published authors have been incredibly generous with advice, encouragement, and support. I didn’t expect that level of community.

How much I’d learn about myself. This process revealed strengths I didn’t know I had and forced me to confront weaknesses I’d been avoiding. I’m more capable than I thought – and more stubborn.

How satisfying it is to do hard things. I knew finishing the book would feel good. I didn’t know that figuring out formatting or creating a marketing calendar or hosting a launch party would also feel like real achievements.

How grateful I’d be for small wins. Every newsletter subscriber. Every Instagram follow. Every kind message. They all matter so much more than I expected.

What I’d Tell Someone Starting This Journey

If you’re considering self-publishing your debut novel, here’s what I’d want you to know:

It’s going to be harder than you think. But you’re probably more capable than you realize.

You don’t have to know everything before you start. I still don’t know what I’m doing with half of this. “Anything is better than nothing” has been my motto, and it’s gotten me here.

Your platform will start small. That’s normal. Focus on connecting genuinely with the people who do find you rather than obsessing over numbers.

You’ll wear a lot of hats. Some will fit better than others. That’s okay. You’ll figure out which tasks you can handle and which you might want to outsource eventually.

The satisfaction is real. When you hold your book, when someone tells you they enjoyed it, when you see everything you’ve built – it’s worth it.

Find your support system. Whether it’s a spouse who cooks dinner so you can write, other indie authors who answer questions, or friends who cheer you on – you need people in your corner.

Be kind to yourself. You’re doing something genuinely difficult. Give yourself credit for that.

The Launch Party

I had a local release party for A Fog of Shadows. Nothing huge or fancy – just a chance to celebrate with people who supported me through this journey.

And it was perfect.

Seeing people show up to celebrate this thing I’d worked on for so long – that meant everything. Holding the physical book and showing it to people who’d been asking about it for months. Answering questions about the story and the characters and the process.

That feeling of “this is real, I actually did this” – worth every hard moment that got me here.

Looking Forward

Now that the book is out in the world, a new phase begins.

I’m still learning. Still figuring out marketing and platform building and all of it. Still working two full-time jobs and trying to write the next book and somehow manage everything.

But I’m doing it. And I proved to myself that I can.

Self-publishing my debut novel taught me:

• I’m more capable than I thought
• Hard work pays off in ways beyond numbers
• Community matters more than I expected
• Quality truly is better than quantity
• The joy of creation is real
• Saying “I did it” feels incredible

Was it easy? No.

Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Would I recommend self-publishing to everyone? No – it’s genuinely not for everyone.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

Gratitude

To everyone who found me along the way – thank you.

To my small but mighty following – you’re the best, and I mean that.

To everyone who subscribed to my newsletter, followed me on social media, engaged with my content, asked questions, showed interest – thank you.

To my husband who cooked dinner every night so I could write – thank you.

To the indie author community who answered my endless questions – thank you.

And to everyone reading this who’s considering their own publishing journey – whatever path you choose, I’m cheering for you.

Because at the end of the day, what matters is getting your story out into the world in whatever way works for you.

For me, that was self-publishing.

And I’m so glad I did.