As I hunted through a decade’s worth of poems, notes, and diary entries, I felt my heart ache and flutter with excitement all at once.

My vision began to take shape with each selection and edit. The chapters of my journey through love and healing revealed themselves effortlessly. Illustrations, titles, color schemes. Intention lives in every piece you see. Yes, It’s About You was created entirely from my own, pure intentions and choices. As I approached the end of this two-year process, to me, there was only one possible next step. Self-publishing. Who better to share my story with the world than, well, me?

The decision to self-publish was simple for me. IngramSpark was convenient and straightforward. I had a talented graphic designer to work with, Artiana Wynder, and I wanted this experience to be about sharing my voice and choices with the world. No query letters, no negotiations, and no changes. This isn’t to say I thought my book was perfect, but rather I believed imperfections had a space in this collection. My main reasons for self-publishing were always clear to me. If you’re currently considering all of your options, taking a look at what self-publishing meant for me may help clarify the right path for you.

A Book Created for Healing

Yes, It’s About You was born from the love and wounds of my life’s experiences. Nearly every piece was written long before I knew it would form my debut collection. I’ve always been quite introspective. The pages of my journal held stories and thoughts no ears had ever heard until I knew it was time to release them. Telling the world my truths was a way to free my voice and free myself from haunting memories that held me captive. So, self-publishing was truly the only route I ever felt comfortable with. With this kind of vulnerability and honesty, I wasn’t just debuting my poetry. I was announcing to the world what I’ve been through, what I’ve done, and who I am. Whether one person or one million, those truths remained the same, and so did the purpose of YIAY. 

I wanted to show others how powerful our stories are. We are all created by choices, designed by experiences, heartaches and reconciliation, deaths and births. We begin again every time we make a new choice. Throughout my book, it’s obvious how many times I thought a loss was the end. Yet, that has never been true. Humans are storytellers. Our lives are enriched by hearing stories. We are freed by sharing them. I self-published my story to remind others of the power in owning and expressing our journeys. Authentic, honest, and entirely on my own terms, this book was my heart as it beat outside of my chest.

Creative Control That Honored the Vision

Maintaining full creative control was one of the biggest reasons I chose to self-publish. From the order of the poems to the font and color scheme, each choice is a direct reflection of my story. My wonderful illustrator created artwork mirroring the subject matter and is laced with Easter eggs from my life. Hidden tattoos, scenes from real events, and secret little winks are on every page. These ideas flowed to us so naturally. I didn’t want to compromise. 

Traditional publishing often requires notes and revisions. While I’d be open to it on other projects, this one was too close to the heart for me to take outside perspectives into account. A large part of this process required me to build strong self-trust and begin owning my desires and wishes. Keeping this the way I envisioned it was absolutely vital for me.

Connection and Community

Self-publishing allowed me to connect deeper with readers. I knew this collection wasn’t for everyone. The poems were intimate, emotional, and introspective. But I had every faith that the hearts that needed YIAY would find it.

Distributing the book myself allowed me to place it directly into the hands of the right readers. I selected the bookstores and shops that my book called “home”. Although it did require a bit of legwork, it was fun to chat with people about something I was so passionate about. This gave my publishing journey a personal touch by allowing me a chance to verbalize the intention behind the book. We shared stories and built a connection with every sale. Creating a community around this book helped open me up to support, possibilities, and new beginnings.

Honoring the Purpose of My Book

In many ways, self-publishing Yes, It’s About You became an extension of writing the book itself. It required patience, vulnerability, and trust in my own voice. I shaped the entire experience of the collection with the help of my illustrator and graphic designer, and IngramSpark’s customizable help. From its conception to arrival, each aspect was chosen with purpose.

Choosing this path allowed me to build something that was both personal and powerful. Self-publishing lets the book remain what its always meant to be– a catalyst for growth, an account of resilience, and proof of the power our voices hold.