My Book, My Way ✨

Follow Along as I Publish Quickening: The Art of Being a Creative Mother

I kind of can’t believe I’m saying this, but here we go…

This summer I’m turning a manuscript that’s gotten a lot of “I love it buts” into a book!

I’ve worked in traditional publishing for 20 years, so it’s taken me a long time to make this decision, but I’ve been watching the writers and artists I admire publish beautiful art projects, chapbooks, and zines and thinking “Why not me?”

Substack has shown me there’s a wonderful community of thoughtful, creative mothers who will love this book, happily buy it for friends, and take solace in it when they’re feeling low.

I’m publishing this book for me and for you.

I believe in this book!

I’ve never done this before, so I’m making it up as I go. That feels a little scary, but I also know that’s part of the magic! I don’t have to worry about selling ten thousand copies. I don’t need to act like a marketing zombie. I can skip comparing myself to other authors. I’m not trying to be a publisher. There’s nothing to prove.

When I started freelancing, it took me a long time to learn how to stop assigning myself unnecessary tasks and not beat myself up for taking breaks or making mistakes. Like a lot of freelancers, I realized I was treating myself the same way my least favorite bosses used to treat me. Eventually I learned how to be a good boss to myself, and I want to bring that wisdom to the process of publishing my book. I can make this book into whatever I want it to be, and I can publish it in a way that works for me and my life. I’m calling in fun and magic, and my hope is that publishing this book will feel like a celebration!

This summer I’ll be sharing my self-publishing experience exclusively with paid subscribers.

When you upgrade, you’ll learn:

• What really led me to take this step

• My goals for the project

• How I’m finalizing the manuscript and designing the book

• What printer I’m using and how I’m avoiding big up-front costs

• Why I’m NOT doing a Kickstarter

• The changes I’m making to my bios and website

• How I’m selling the book WITHOUT using Amazon

• Why I’m thinking of this as an art project

• My marketing plans (and why I’m not doing a lot of the traditional things authors do to sell their books)

• Where my children’s books fit into all of this

I’ll be paywalling my posts about the self-publishing process because I want to be so transparent and honest about the process that you can reference these posts if you ever decide to publish your own book. You’re also welcome to ask questions along the way. If you’ve ever thought about self-publishing or wondered what it would be like to do things differently, this is for you.

It feels like I’m taking a BIG jump. Want to hold hands?

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Nebula Notebook is a place to meet kindred spirits, get inspired, and learn how to find ease and joy in the creative process—even when life is bananas. 🍌🍌🍌

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✏️ PS—The fastest way to grow as a writer is to book a manuscript critique or a creative coaching session with an expert. My clients get agents, sell books, and win awards. They also learn how to enjoy the creative process, so they can keep going when life gets hard. 👏