Why I Self Publish My Books // Pros and Cons

What's the pros and cons of self publishing smaller works while hunting agents and hoping for publication of larger works?

Super helpful video. I'm not exactly which way I'm looking to go. But I really appreciate your perspective on deciding what kind of career you want and what things about being an author are most important to you. Thanks!

"There's no way for me to do the things I've done in traditional publishing."
Are you certain about this? I've seen bibliographies of Dutch authors that went from lit-fic to poetry to non-fic to (auto)biography to theatre to essays all under the same name and then I wouldn't be surprised if they'd used a pen name to publish more stuff that didn't fit the broad stuff they already did. And I wouldn't be suprised if it happened mostly at the same publishing house.

Maybe that would depend on if you specifically publish in genre fiction or not. All the genre bending books would be a hell to publish otherwise too (they are, I guess, but not a lot more than other books by new authors. It's just hard to get into trad publishing).

Be ready to get all over the place here:
Maybe it's also because it's kinda normal for well known Dutch authors to have an extensive and varied bibliography as opposed to stuff in just one genre or target demographic. Publishing in Dutch is even harder than in English though. They're so picky, you have to know how write and create an engaging story (a lot of people don't agree on this being true in Dutch lit-fic, but I'd say that even with the consious play with grammar there aren't really a lot of books around that are atrocious in the language department). I've never caught a grammatical error that wasn't an active stylistic choice for example (and style figures as we call them are taught in school from a pretty young age). If you read the translation of Het Gouden Ei by Tim Krabbe, for example, it works in Dutch because it's playing with language in a way that even a bunch of Dutch people find annoying to read, but it really doesn't work well in translation (I've seen how that was done and it was horrible but I don't think it could've been done much different).


All this being said I still don't know if I'd go for trad or indie. But I also don't have more than half of a book and part of a poetry collection (a bit in the vain of books like The Poet X. It has a story, but it's told in verse to create a bit more whimsy. It'll need so much editing when the poems are done and I'm trying to actually get a BSc in biomedical engineering so my degree comes first. It would be a side hustle type thing anyway. I need to save money if I wanna go indie before I would be able to start and feel good about what I would be doing).

"you got to be real with yourself and your capabilites...." If this ain't the truth. I've had to face myself and my own draw backs as a person more in the past couple of years, then I have any other time of my life. But with that, I've also found my strengths and endurance to make this self-publishing a living dream. Even if I don't actually get to work full time as an author, I can still say I'm a self-published author.

Loved this video and your perspective.

The fit and hair today is immaculate 👌✨

My first book was released through an indie publisher years ago, and it was an awful experience. Worst part was being powerless to fix the issues that were hindering my success. I also just flat out didn't want to continue the series because of this. Once I got the rights back and self-published, it was life changing. Made more in 1 month than I did in the 3 years I was with them. I think the only way I'd want to be traditionally published now is if it was one of the major publishers and I got some kind of tv deal out of it 😂. Otherwise I'm good.

Thank you for this video! It was very helpful for you to discuss the pros and cons. It is keeping me hopeful for wanting to pursue self-publishing. As you said, I just gotta keep having honest conversations with myself to know what I can do and what I can't. (also, cute hair buns!)

Katie this just occurred to me as you were talking about bookstores - I also never see self pub authors being invited for interviews or author events at my local bookstores or libraries! Very weird that I just realized that. Do you think that's caused from indie books typically not being available in print in bookstores, so the event organizers aren't able to find a way to sell the book at the event? Idk it just seems kinda shitty bc I'd be way down to buy an ebook for an indie author event if it meant that person got more exposure!

I have been watching your channel for a while and I am so inspired by your work ethic, marketing ability and courage to try things to get your book out there!! I watch your videos just to get inspired to work on my own blog and brand!!! So happy for your success it is so great to watch!!

Hi Katie been watching for a minute now to learn about self publishing. Just letting you know I really enjoy the content. Congrats on your latest release.

I'm a hybrid author (indie and small presses) and I agree with your pros and cons. I think the 'when are you going to be in a bookstore' is the thing I hear the most. It's okay. I had been putting out 6-8 books a year. I released 2 this year and it was a nice break. I started supplementing my income with ghostwriting (which I love) and editing (which I love!) so it's been nice.

J.Elle is currently one of my favorite authors, and she was signed to Simon Schuster and not only did she manage to put out her first book wing of ebony, but she is coming with a sequel, so I think that it is possible to write more than one book under a big publishing company per year, but again Elle whole journey into the publishing world was really like a rocket and out of the ordinary, especially for a black women, she was extremely lucky to be picked by an agent the first time and managed to put out a successful book right out of the gate like she did, but your right, big publishing companies has the tendency to stifle their authors chance at creativity, I just started writing or trying to write my very first Ya crime/suspense novel, and the process it's quite daunting, but I am definitely looking to go the big companies publishing route.

You look SO CUTE. Cindy Lou Who vibes 🥰

Is anyone else having trouble with the Target link for Wicked Souls?

Thank you for answering my question Katie <3

Katie! I finally bought and listened to The Marionettes audiobook.
My favourite of all the books I've read of yours by far... and the fastest I've gotten through a book in years I loved it. Just started Wicked Souls on audiobook as well tonight after finishing the first today. 👏 Not even mad about the end. That was a great end to book 1.

To be fair to trad pub, almost no author can work full time at it with a book or two either. So I don't see that as a con for self pub. It's a career and those things take time. People spend six years up to get to be a doctor and have the start of a career, so a writer career should also take some time.

This is an amazing video. A way I am trying to cut money is talking to people I know that are good at the different parts, like cover art and editing. I have 2 editors, a friend and teacher, and my cover artist is a friend, I do plan on paying them, at least a bit of money

Omg the group project thing, same haha!

I really cannot stand the stigma around self-publishing.

❤❤❤