Become a self published author

Entrepreneurs

Feb 19

101 in becoming a independent author

My Journey

I began writing my memoir in 2018 and worked on it through 2019. What started as a healing journal a private sanctuary where I poured my trauma, my pain, my raw edges ended up becoming something far greater.

The transformation? Both personal and professional.

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Especially for those of you that took this path to write not to become impacted by the potentiality of wealth and what is wealth. To me wealth is embodying the things that you’re passionate about and living a life present here in the now. if I said that this path was easy, I’d be pulling your coattail. It’s a lot of effort a lot of hard work a lot of errors a lot of mistakes but also a lot of great wins.

There’s been moments where I’ve wanted to press control alternate delete but the path was clear. It wasn’t about vindicating myself from unbelievable amounts of pain and self sabotage. It was about letting others know that it was possible to live after immense amount of rejection torment abandonment, and most excruciatingly inner child trauma.

My path to publication with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) on Amazon wasn’t smooth. But it was sacred.

The spark

I’ve long held a deep, intuitive sense of service: as a life coach, a Reiki healer, and an intuitive reader working with women who are transcending trauma to embrace their spirituality. I understood that telling my story could serve not only me, but us.
The catalyst: reading I Believe You by Brooke Woon. Her bravery to speak the unspeakable, to show up in her truth and help others heal lit a fire under me. I realized: if she could do it, I could too. And I wasn’t alone. There are millions (if not billions) of women whose lives have been touched by abuse, depression, trauma, and who are seeking to reclaim their voice.

Writing the memoir

In those years of writing (2018-2019), I sat with the pain and the whisper of healing. What began as journaling became structured storytelling. I joined a writer’s group, which was pivotal.

The writer community offered feedback, accountability, and encouragement. It asked me: What is the story you’re really telling?
That question turned the journal into a memoir. It meant shaping narrative arc, naming themes (shadow work, inner child healing, embodiment), and weaving in the spiritual tools I use (Reiki, oracle readings, intuitive guidance). It became not just a release, but an offering.

If you feel

Unsure know this, there were so many moments where I abandoned myself before I even got started where I felt like an imposter where I felt like how was they ever going to fit in and the bullying on multiple platform? Sure didn’t help however once I was able to lean into mentorship it was liberating. This year ignited even deeper passion to finish poetry that has been gettingand to continue living out my passion of writing. The noise of social media can be so excruciating so when it comes to marketing your book, try to step somewhat out of your comfort zone but do things that align with your message. I love Instagram and I am obsessed with substack I finally feel supported and seen and heard and not in a like for validation way in a presence where people take the time to observe and appreciate with genuine feedback.

Learning the craft: editing and tools

I learned that telling a story isn’t enough; it must be polished, accessible, and professional. I discovered tools like Grammarly to catch grammatical errors, clarify language, and refine my writing voice. I practiced revisions: cutting what didn’t serve, clarifying what did. I listened to the writing group's feedback, rewrote the scenes, and reimagined the structure.
It was humbling. It was powerful. It grounded my spirituality in craft. Because it matters: your healing story deserves the care of craft.

Publishing via KDP

Once the manuscript felt ready, I stepped into the world of self-publishing. I chose KDP because it gives you control, flexibility, and reach. I held both the creator’s flame and the business mindset.

Here are key steps I followed and you can too:

I hope you choose wonderment and feel freedom to get lost and be a little on detective. Remember the amount of effort that you put in ultimately determines your success. Do you realize sometimes you can’t just always do the free opportunities you have to invest so start small create a budget that reflects what you have and then, as you see the growth, and as you put in the effort and create a presence of your book, that’s when things will feel more fluid.

How To: Self-Publish Your Memoir on Amazon KDP

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Here is a streamlined guide to help you publish your book on Amazon via Kindle Direct Publishing.
Links & resources:

Amazon KDP: Official help and dashboard. Kindle Direct Publishing

Step 1: Prepare your manuscript & editing

Revise extensively. Use tools like Grammarly to catch grammar/sloppy writing.
Engage trusted readers (such as a writer’s group or beta readers) for feedback.
Include all front/back matter: title page, acknowledgments, author bio, etc.
Format your document: If you’re creating an eBook and paperback, ensure the correct layout and margins.

Step 2: Create your KDP account

Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account (or create one). Kindle Direct Publishing
Complete the author/publisher details, payment/tax info.

Step 3: Upload the book details

Enter: language, book title & subtitle, author name, book description, keywords, categories
Choose rights (“You retain the copyright”) and territories.

Step 4: Upload manuscript & cover

Upload your cover file (front only for eBooks; front/back, and spine for paperbacks). Amazon offers a Cover Creator, or you can upload your own. Kindle Direct Publishing
Preview the book (using Kindle Previewer) to ensure the formatting is correct.

Step 5: Pricing and publishing

Choose your royalty plan (for eBook: 35% or 70% depending on price/territory)
Set your list price. Choose territories (Worldwide rights often recommended).
For paperback: select trim size, bleed option, print options
When ready, click “Publish.” Amazon will review your book (typically within 72 hours), and then it will go live

Step 6: Launch & market

Create an author page on Amazon Author Central and add your bio, photo, and link to your book.
Use keywords/categories to help readers find your book.
Promote via your mailing list (you already send weekly updates), your membership, social media, and workshops.
Consider enrolling in KDP Select (for eBook exclusivity) if it aligns with your goals.

What Publishing Gave Me (and Why It Matters)

Publishing transformed my journey from standing in the vulnerability of “I survived, I came through, and here’s what I discovered.” I am ready. I am accepting and I am alive not just surviving.
For the women I serve, those who have transcended trauma and embraced spirituality, seeing my book out in the world meant possibility:
It meant community:

I’m not alone, you’re not alone.

The millions of women who carry shadows, who feel the invitation to step into light this is for them.

Purpose Workbook

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Final Reflection

If you’re sitting with a memoir idea or a healing journal that wants to grow, I invite you to lean into your courage. Use the writing tools, the editing tools, the publishing tools, yes, but above all, listen to the why.
Why do you write? Why do you share? Whose life might your story touch?

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When you answer that, the book becomes more than words it becomes soul-medicine.
And when you publish, you hold both the scribe’s pen and the healer’s flame.

Live and love deeply after all, you deserve it.

Elise

Listen to my memoir

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