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The Self-Publishing Route

The real sequence for getting a finished manuscript into readers' hands yourself: edit, format, design, register, price, launch, and start building an audience. Every module is built on what actually happened when I self-published my own books.

0 of 17 lessons0 XP earned here

Module 1

Choosing Self-Publishing

0/3 done
  1. Up nextWhy I Chose Self-PublishingThe real reason I skipped querying agents for my first book, and why it turned out to be exactly the right call.5 min+30 XP
  2. 2Self-Publishing Isn't a Consolation PrizeWhy I still choose self-publishing today, now that traditional publishing is genuinely an option for me.5 min+30 XP
  3. 3Which Path Is Right for YouA short, honest check-in before you commit to a direction.6 min+30 XP

Module 2

Preparing the Manuscript

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  1. 1Checking If Your Story Is FreshThe honest question I ask before I let myself call a draft finished.6 min+30 XP
  2. 2Self-Editing With AIHow I use AI as a second pair of eyes, and what it's actually good for.6 min+30 XP
  3. 3Why Every Author Needs Beta ReadersThe one check no author can do for themselves, no matter how good their self-edit is.6 min+30 XP

Module 3

Formatting for Print and Ebook

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  1. 1My Formatting DisasterHow badly I got my first book's formatting wrong, and what it took to fix it.6 min+30 XP
  2. 2The Rules of Proper Book FormattingWhat a finished book's interior actually looks like, so nobody repeats my mistake.6 min+30 XP

Module 4

Cover Design and Packaging

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  1. 1Designing Covers on a Budget with AIHow I make covers without a design budget.5 min+30 XP
  2. 2What Makes a Cover Look ProfessionalThe difference between a cover that reads as self-published and one that doesn't isn't the art.6 min+30 XP

Module 5

ISBNs, Copyright, and Choosing a Platform

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  1. 1How ISBNs Actually WorkThe tradeoff between a free platform ISBN and a purchased one, learned the hard way.6 min+30 XP
  2. 2What You Automatically Own — CopyrightCopyright starts the moment you finish writing. Here's what that does and doesn't mean.4 min+30 XP

Module 6

Pricing and Launch

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  1. 1My First Launch — No Plan at AllWhat actually happened when my first book went live.4 min+30 XP
  2. 2Learning to Price My BooksI got pricing wrong at first, in both directions, before I figured out what it actually tracks.6 min+30 XP
  3. 3Setting Your Own PriceA concrete starting point for pricing your own book.5 min+30 XP

Module 7

Marketing and Building an Audience

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  1. 1How Marketing Actually Started for MeIt didn't start with a plan. It started with one small, low-stakes step.6 min+30 XP
  2. 2You Don't Have to Be Good at MarketingOne low-effort step is enough to start.4 min+30 XP