Chapter 1: My Self-Publishing Adventure

My path as a self-published author of children's literature began just a month ago when I crafted an inspiring tale addressing bullying, complemented by calming worksheets for children.

My book, "Kids Club Against Bullying," delves into the prevalent issues children encounter in school. Given my deep passion for combating bullying, I aimed to create a narrative that empowers kids to stand up for themselves and seek assistance when needed.

With a vision for my book's appearance, I turned to Canva to design both the cover and the illustrations within. With my aspiration to be a published children's author taking shape, the next step involved choosing a self-publishing service.

Upon researching various options, I chose Lulu for its reliability. I was immediately impressed by the intuitive design of their website. All the features were accessible, and after a brief exploration, I felt prepared to transform my manuscript into a published work. Lulu provides authors with essential tools to publish their creations with just a few clicks.

I needed to modify my file sizes to comply with Lulu's formatting guidelines, upload them, and complete various details about the book, including copyright, ISBN, description, pricing, and distribution options. I appreciated that Lulu could generate my ISBN, saving me the hassle of purchasing one.

The user interface was remarkably straightforward, and I found the instructions easy to follow. Moreover, the customer support throughout the process was outstanding; their team was friendly and readily addressed all my inquiries.

After completing these steps, I ordered a proof copy and approved it, allowing my book to be available for global distribution. It's now possible to purchase it on platforms like Amazon, Ingram, and Barnes and Noble.

Once my book was published, my excitement knew no bounds! I priced it at $10, with Lulu's print cost at $3.88. Including shipping, I spent just $9 to order my book—a fraction of what traditional publishing would entail, and the process was much quicker. It felt like a dream realized.

To my delight, a week later, I made my first sale. I was thrilled to know that someone would enjoy the story that I had poured my heart into! After deducting publishing costs, I was left with a profit of $3.78. Though I never anticipated significant earnings, this amount surpassed my expectations, giving me hope for my writing future.

Unfortunately, that initial sale turned out to be my last. Despite my book's official publication, I soon realized that sales were not forthcoming.

Despite my persistent efforts to promote my book across social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, and Twitter, as well as offering various promotions, I struggled to secure additional sales. What began as an optimistic venture quickly turned into a period of stagnation. Doubts began to creep in regarding my potential as a writer.

Nevertheless, I refuse to surrender. Instead of losing faith in my work and abilities, I'm determined to intensify my efforts to reach a wider audience. I’ve created new Instagram and TikTok accounts to share my journey and raise awareness about important social issues.

My self-publishing journey is still in its infancy, and I won’t rest until my story reaches those who will cherish it as much as I do.

Despite the discouraging circumstances, my narrative continues, and I remain committed to crafting children's stories that impart valuable lessons and create a positive impact. If nothing else, that single sale reminded me that anything is possible and that I am closer to achieving my dreams.

Although self-publishing my book through Lulu may not have been the most profitable choice, it imparted invaluable insights into the publishing industry. Additionally, I now possess a greater appreciation for the publishing process, which will benefit me in future projects. For aspiring authors, conducting thorough research and choosing the right platform is crucial. While immediate financial rewards might not be evident, patience and a focus on quality work will eventually yield results.

To enhance my sales and profitability, I am contemplating enrolling in Barnes & Noble Press, which allows authors to distribute their work to Barnes & Noble, Nook, libraries, and schools globally. They provide excellent customer support, efficient production, and robust marketing services.

This service bears similarities to Lulu but offers additional benefits, such as editorial recommendations and custom cover designs, which I find appealing. However, it’s worth noting that they charge higher commission fees and offer fewer promotional services compared to Lulu.

In summary, the advantages of self-publishing include retaining creative control over your book, having complete autonomy in design choices, and keeping a larger share of profits compared to traditional publishers. However, the drawbacks include initial costs, as you are responsible for promoting and editing your book.

The journey to becoming a successful self-published author requires considerable effort, but the rewards can be significant when approached correctly. I hope my experiences are helpful for anyone considering self-publishing. Best of luck, and remember to remain patient as your book's journey unfolds!

Here’s the book I published if you’re interested: Kids Club Against Bullying

Chapter 2: Valuable Insights from Experts

In the video "What I Wish I Knew Before Writing a Children's Book," a bestselling picture book author shares essential tips and insights that can help aspiring writers navigate the journey of children's literature more effectively.

Chapter 3: Learning from Mistakes

The video "5 Mistakes I Made Publishing My First Children's Book on KDP" provides a candid look at common pitfalls encountered during self-publishing, offering valuable lessons for those on a similar path.