5 Lessons I Learned Self-Publishing My Own Workbook
In November, I decided to turn my Introspection workbook (a workbook I created back in 2020 for myself and students to support reflection over the winter break [the free version is here]) into a workbook-notebook hybrid. Other than publishing my scholarship as a faculty member, I had minimal experience self-publishing. Little by little though, I researched the process and forced myself to get the updated version of Introspection out into the world before the end of 2024. Creating an LLC, gaining a copyright, testing different printers, promoting on social media, and learning all of the other business aspects of publishing a book has been no easy feat, but I did it and I’m so proud Introspection is out into the world (see my Etsy to purchase)!
I’m posting these lessons more as a reminder to myself; however, I hope they will be supportive to anyone else with a big goal or project they’re endeavoring to achieve this year. These are my lessons from this journey.
It’s okay to take a step back while you’re building - While I was working on getting Introspection completed last year, I reduced my time on Instagram and changed my workouts to walks (instead of cycling and lifting because they prevented me from multitasking) so I could spend more time researching and creating. Although I worried what people might think of my disappearance, I knew stepping back socially would help me focus. I’m so glad I took this time and space to build. You don’t have to explain.
Feedback from people who care about you truly is a gift - There was a point when I believed Introspection was complete, but when I laid in bed at night trying to feel relief that I was finished, I felt dissonance. As an academic nothing I’ve ever written has been published without feedback; why would Introspection be any different? So, I sent Introspection out to several trusted friends and family members asking for their honest, constructive feedback. They delivered and I’m grateful for the gift of their suggestions, advice, and insights. They made the workbook stronger, more complete, and affirmed that the work was needed. In a world that tells us to guard our ideas and creations because theft is real, sharing yourself and your work in a trusted community can be a gift.
Everything takes much longer than expected. Even still, don’t rush the process - From getting the book printed to learning how to set Etsy up properly, everything took much longer than I anticipated to the point that I just wanted to rush things done. However, each time I rushed I made a mistake that could have easily been prevented had I just waited. As with my art journey since 2018 and my slowly improving my watercolor practice, I can’t rush the process; patience is key.
You can’t manifest what you don’t say out loud to yourself. Speak your dreams out loud - I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want access to a softer life; a life of creativity, slowness, art, family, and good food. Unfortunately, my life as an academic (while wonderful and incredibly rewarding) is not that life. Full of busy-ness, judgment (read: evaluation) from all angles (i.e., from students, colleagues, reviewers, editors, accreditors, the public, etc.), meetings, and to-do lists that never, EVER end, I often long for more time to just think, create, and engage in dialogue with others as we dream about better worlds. My desire to live such a life cannot just be a secret I keep inside my heart in head, though. I can’t remember where I first heard the idea of “speaking your reality into being,” (probably my mother), but I’m a firm believer in this concept. I stand beside the notion that in order to manifest my dreams, I not only have to see it in my mind’s eye, but I need to say it out loud because the saying leads to the doing and such motivation can fuel the work that turns dreams into reality.
Good or bad, planned or not, failure or success; all roads leads to now - Like all people, I’ve navigated a range of positive and negative experiences. I believe each one has taught me something and has led me exactly where I need to be. This is why I remain open to the future God has planned for me even though I have no idea what that future holds. As I was putting together Introspection and revisiting old drawings from the past 6 years, I realized that just about everything I’ve created has led me to this point. Although my art style has evolved, my perspective has not and though I wasn’t able to articulate my point of view (or art style) as an artist then, it’s clear to me now what I was trying to say and have been saying all along. I love Black women and see our beauty, magic, and wisdom in the world every day and I dedicate my work to sharing that truth with all who will listen.
Of course, I’m still learning and will share as I continue on this journey. I just wanted to pause now to share because we don’t gate keep in this community 😉.