I have enjoyed reminiscing about the last fourteen years as a published author in a three-part series entitled “What’s it like to be a published author?”
You can read how I became a published author in Part 1, and my journey as a traditionally published author in Part 2.
I left Part 2 on a cliffhanger. I thought my dreams were dead; Turns out they were just getting started…My self-publishing journey allowed me the creative freedom I only dreamed of including connecting with dream clients in dream locations.
I learned all about self-publishing with my first eBooks, Loves Me Not (2013) and Dream Devotional (2014).
I had no idea my first two traditionally published books would be discontinued shortly after.
I got the rights back and quickly self-published Faithbook of God (2014) and Not Another Dating Book (2015).
Around this time, Marc and I moved from Southern California to Austin, Texas. Weeks before we moved, I got connected with Maria Durso. She is the co-pastor of Saints Church in Queens, New York with her husband Michael (formerly Christ Tabernacle).
A major Christian publishing house was weeks away from publishing her first book when they canceled her contract. She, like me, had no idea a publisher could do such a thing. I helped Maria self-publish her book and many more including her book in Spanish.
While I was in New York, Maria connected me with Willie Alfonso (former Chaplain to the Brooklyn Nets and Chapel Leader for the Staten Island Yankees and the Hispanic players of the New York Yankees).
I helped Willie self-publish his book, It’s a New Beginning (2015). This was my first ghostwriting gig. A highlight for me was flying to New York City with Marc and my brother, Richard, for his book launch.
My next ghostwriting opportunity was Heart4Iran with Dr. Mike Ansari (2016).
2017 was an influential year for me. I connected with Nelly Murariu of PixBee Design. She helped me redesign Forgiving Others, Forgiving Me so that I could self-publish it because I got the rights back.
Thanks to Nelly’s expertise, I started selling self-publishing templates on my website. As a Dream Defender, I loved self-publishing and helping others self-publish, which led to my first LLC.
I self-published an eBook, Unloved, in 2018.
My next ghostwriting was Iran’s Great Awakening with Hormoz Shariat in 2020.
A highlight for me was working and traveling to multiple locations, and working with my dad to complete the project.
After working on my “seasons” book for many years, I self-published Soul Gardening in 2022. This was after moving from Texas to Iowa, and the birth of my miracle rainbow baby girl.
My fifteenth and first children’s book, I’d Rather Be Playing with You releases on May 7. You can purchase the pre-release hardcover or eBook here. The paperback won’t be ready to purchase until the release date, May 7.
I’m thankful to God for self-publishing and the continued opportunity to keep writing. In my next blog post, I will unpack the pros and cons of traditional versus self-publishing.