đź“– My First Chapter: Becoming a Self-Published Author
I still can’t believe I get to say this out loud — I’m a published author.
Not through a big-name publishing house.
Not with a literary agent or an advance check.
But on my own terms.
With my own voice.
And my own vision.
I’m officially a self-published Black female author, and this is my very first blog post. Welcome to my journey.
đź’ˇ Why I Chose to Self-Publish
For years, I toyed with the idea of writing a book. I had characters living in my head, dialogue dancing in my dreams, and stories begging to be told. But I kept waiting. Waiting for permission. Waiting to feel “ready.” Waiting for someone to discover me.
Until one day, I realized:
I didn’t need anyone’s permission to start.
I chose self-publishing because I wanted full creative control. I wanted to tell a story that looked, felt, and sounded like us — Black women navigating life, love, loss, and liberation. Stories that are often ignored or watered down in mainstream publishing.
✍🏾 The Process Wasn’t Pretty (But It Was Powerful)
I had no blueprint, no mentor, and no publishing budget. I had Google, determination, and late nights. Here’s what I did:
- Wrote my manuscript between work, life, and doubt
- Edited it (and cried through some of it)
- Learned how to format for Amazon KDP
- Designed or outsourced my cover
- Hit “publish” with my heart racing
I won’t sugarcoat it — it was hard. But it was also one of the most empowering things I’ve ever done.
đź“š About My Book
My debut novel, Love and Radio tells the story of betrayal, heartbreak, survival and ultimate success.
Main character Angela Parkens, navigates life, dealing with her first love and first heartbreak, while trying to make a name for herself in the male dominated radio industry.
It’s dramatic. It’s honest. It’s Black. And it’s real.
If you’ve ever felt invisible, underestimated, or like it’s too late to start over — this story is for you.
