My publishing journey has been a bit unconventional, but it’s working for me.
Back in 2011, I closed my business and rediscovered creative writing. In 2012, I joined some challenges including 12×12 in 2012 and the Chapter Book Challenge. I continued these challenges in 2013.
At the start of 2014, I thought it would be fun to have a book launch for my birthday in October, so engaged Julieann from Lilly Pilly Publishing to help me self-publish my first book. From there, I got a publishing contract for Lizzy’s Dragon, and went on to publish another book with Julieann.
I took time learning about the publishing industry by talking to people as well as attending conferences like KidLit Vic to learn about submitting stories to publishers. I prepared my manuscripts and submitted, only to hear nothing, so decided to continue self-publishing.
Most of this happened before my AuDHD diagnosis.
I have found that self-publishing is a good path for me in many ways.
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is common among neurodivergent people. Every rejection feels like a punch in the guts (if you want to know more about it, there are a lot of great articles around). So many people say that rejection is part of being published. I would follow authors sharing how many times their manuscripts had been rejected, and getting my own rejections. This felt like I couldn’t write and that my stories weren’t good enough. Self-publishing my stories means the readers can decide if they like them, I don’t have to wait for a publisher to tell me whether or not it’s acceptable.
Reducing demands is something that self-publishing has given me. I don’t have to fit with someone else’s timeline, instead, I can publish in my own time, when I’m ready. If I’m struggling with burn out or just not feeling a story, I can put something aside or work on something else. This helps reduce demands, something I need while recovering from burn out.
With self-publishing, I can write the stories I want to. I find that many of my stories suit a niche audience rather than a wider one. Those who read them really enjoy the stories, however they are unlikely to be really popular, to make money for the publisher. I know that they are a business, and commercial viability is part of their decision making process. By self-publishing, I can write the stories that I want to write, and then share them. Readers find them, and enjoy them. By writing the stories I want to write, I can enjoy the process.
I have found that self-publishing also helps to reduce overwhelm. Yes, there are some bits that can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to marketing, however I have found things that work for me. I enjoy taking my books to markets where I can talk about them, much more than trying many of the online options. I am creating a team of people to support me to bring these books to readers, such as editors and illustrators. I find that having people who are happy to work with me in a way that suits me to reduce overwhelm. This also includes working to my timeline instead of one set by someone else.
I know that self-publishing isn’t for everyone, and it is hard work at times, but it’s also something that I’m finding is working for me right now. I am not ruling out submitting stories to publishers in the future, but for now, self-publishing is a great option for this AuDHD brain.
