Tuesday Truths August 12, 2025
Recently, I’ve been getting a lot of comments that sound like:
“Wow, you’ve published books! Oh my gosh, you are on your third book! That must be so exciting!” “I want to pick your brain!”
And yes… it is exciting — in the same way that rollercoasters are exciting.
You know — exhilarating, heart-pounding, a little queasy, and when you think you’ve survived the most significant drop… there’s another one.
Let me give you the unfiltered truth about self-publishing:
1️⃣ Writing the book is the “easy” part.
When inspiration is flowing, you feel like a literary genius. But when is it not, you find yourself staring at the blinking cursor like it owes you money.
2️⃣ Editing is like eating broccoli.
You know it’s good for you, but you’d rather have cake. Lots of cake. So, after many self-edits, I hired a professional!
3️⃣ Technology is your frenemy. (someone who acts like a friend but is also secretly an enemy.)
One click (if you don’t have tech gremlins) uploads your manuscript; another click sends it to a professional formatter, which feels like you just paid a ransom note.
4️⃣ Reviews are oxygen.
Seriously, a kind review can carry you for days, while the absence of them makes you question all your life choices.
(P.S. If you’ve read my books, please leave a review — it’s the single best way to keep my author-oxygen tank full.)
5️⃣ Passion fuels the process.
Whether you are writing memoirs, sharing life experiences, or crafting a heartfelt poem, the love of storytelling is what keeps us showing up to the page.
Our stories give us the purpose to be creative and to leavesomething meaningful behind.
6️⃣ You learn resilience… the hard way.
Every glitch, typo, and late-night “why am I doing this?” moment makes you tougher.
And honestly, I wouldn’t trade the journey — because holding my books in my hands, knowing I did it my way, is priceless!
7️⃣ Yes, there’s a financial investment.
Publishing isn’t free, and if you want to compete with others in your niche — with a professional cover, solid editing, and the proper marketing — it takes real dollars and cents. (Or in my case, sometimes dollars and sense, when I can muster it!)
So, to my fellow dream-chasers, creatives, and wordsmiths — here’s the truth: self-publishing is not for the faint of heart. It’s a marathon with occasional sprints… uphill… in the rain… but the view at the top is worth every step.
Now, excuse me while I go through the process of adding the copyright and review pages to the manuscript, for formatter, select my book designer contest winner, and run this ALL by my publishing coaches, today, before I hit the send button!
Wish me luck.
📚💬 And if you have read any of my books — be a hero and drop a review on Amazon.
Trust me, it means more than you know.
Until next time, and hopefully I will be done with the hard part of publishing journey, let me know if you have an interest in taking this journey with me!
Remember to keep yourself open to your authentic truth and continue growing and flowing with AGE-GILITY.
Be sure to check out all my blog posts and links on my website at michelerase.com and follow my authentic videos on YouTube!
Bye for now!