Thank you for this post. This felt so close to home since I, too have multiple rejections in my kitty for similar reasons. After years of judging myself and my book for being not-good-enough for publishers, I have finally won the battle and decided to self-publish. In all these years I have edited the book multiple times too. Since I too am based in Europe (Germany) your tips are super helpful. Thank you once again.
Thanks for the kind offer Malika. My book is a biography of a woman who underwent the worst possible situations in her life, but what she made out of each one of them is something that would surely help women in tough, abusive relationships.
Congratulations Malika and thanks for a really helpful and honest explanation of self publishing. I wrote an illustrated memoir and poetry book that I self published too. A long but amazing process indeed. I love your cover and look forward to reading your book. You have re inspired me. I will write a review❤️
Congratulations, Malika. I look forward to reading your e-book and what you write here. I love that YOU believed in yourself and saw significant legitimacy in what you wrote. You took a bet on yourself—something many don’t have the courage to do. I self-published my first book (nonfiction) and am querying my first novel, but I reserve the right to self-publish because I know there’s so much goodness in my fully edited and reviewed manuscript, and I believe in it fully. You’re right; self-publishing IS work, but so is anything worth having. Kudos to you again!
Great work on the cover! I had a very similar experience with my debut.
I am curious if the publishing a chapter at a time thing COULD work on Substack. I agree I haven’t found much of a fiction community here, but maybe all of us fiction writers feel that way.
This is great! I self published my own book a couple of years ago and I am not just in the first draft. I hope to continue reading about your journey with your other books as well
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS, Malika!! First of all, the cover looks *incredible.* You're an inspiration, and hugely helpful to your fellow authors who are choosing to self-publish (like me).
BIGGEST congratulations for not giving up, because the "old way" is really not the path anymore. I just heard a story from a friend in publishing... the author's title (which was AMAZING) was changed, because they have the power to veto any creative decision.
I think you made the right call, no question - and hope you had the best nap. <3
Congratulations Malika - I’m so inspired by your resilience… in writing, re-writing and editing the book, not letting the query process bring you down to the point of giving up, and believing in yourself enough to self-publish. Really looking forward to reading this!
Thank you so much Simi! That means a lot. I can’t wait for you to read it and also can’t wait to get a copy of your book in my hands! Crossing all my fingers and toes for you! x
Congratulations 🍾
I love this! And congratulations on your debut! 🧡🧡
Thanks Mary! 🧡
Dear Namesake with a letter less,
Thank you for this post. This felt so close to home since I, too have multiple rejections in my kitty for similar reasons. After years of judging myself and my book for being not-good-enough for publishers, I have finally won the battle and decided to self-publish. In all these years I have edited the book multiple times too. Since I too am based in Europe (Germany) your tips are super helpful. Thank you once again.
oh I love that! So happy to have helped someone. What’s your book about? Always here if you have questions about self-pubbing!
Thanks for the kind offer Malika. My book is a biography of a woman who underwent the worst possible situations in her life, but what she made out of each one of them is something that would surely help women in tough, abusive relationships.
Congratulations Malika and thanks for a really helpful and honest explanation of self publishing. I wrote an illustrated memoir and poetry book that I self published too. A long but amazing process indeed. I love your cover and look forward to reading your book. You have re inspired me. I will write a review❤️
Oh that is so lovely Kate! Thank you!
Congratulations, Malika. I look forward to reading your e-book and what you write here. I love that YOU believed in yourself and saw significant legitimacy in what you wrote. You took a bet on yourself—something many don’t have the courage to do. I self-published my first book (nonfiction) and am querying my first novel, but I reserve the right to self-publish because I know there’s so much goodness in my fully edited and reviewed manuscript, and I believe in it fully. You’re right; self-publishing IS work, but so is anything worth having. Kudos to you again!
Thanks a lot Avril! And good luck querying. I’m sure you’ll book will find its place!
Great work on the cover! I had a very similar experience with my debut.
I am curious if the publishing a chapter at a time thing COULD work on Substack. I agree I haven’t found much of a fiction community here, but maybe all of us fiction writers feel that way.
Thank you! Yeah, maybe I didn’t give it enough time to grow. But anyway, I kinda prefer it this way now :)
A huge congratulations to you! I wish you a long and happy run with your book. Thanks for sharing this story too🌟
This is great! I self published my own book a couple of years ago and I am not just in the first draft. I hope to continue reading about your journey with your other books as well
So incredibly helpful and straightforward. Thank you!
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS, Malika!! First of all, the cover looks *incredible.* You're an inspiration, and hugely helpful to your fellow authors who are choosing to self-publish (like me).
BIGGEST congratulations for not giving up, because the "old way" is really not the path anymore. I just heard a story from a friend in publishing... the author's title (which was AMAZING) was changed, because they have the power to veto any creative decision.
I think you made the right call, no question - and hope you had the best nap. <3
This is super helpful, thank you for taking the time to write it!
I am also someone who is historically not great a finishing things so I find the road ahead on writing a novel quite daunting 😆
Keep going Carly! You’ve got this!
Thank you!!! ❤️
So informative on the process you went through. Congratulations, Malika!
Thanks Wendy!
Congratulations Malika - I’m so inspired by your resilience… in writing, re-writing and editing the book, not letting the query process bring you down to the point of giving up, and believing in yourself enough to self-publish. Really looking forward to reading this!
Thank you so much Simi! That means a lot. I can’t wait for you to read it and also can’t wait to get a copy of your book in my hands! Crossing all my fingers and toes for you! x
Thanks Emily! It was definitely worth it!