Books number 10 and 11 in my publishing journey! Discover the After Ever series at www.aftereverbooks.com.
As a self-published author, I have a LOT to be thankful for. Sure, there's the creative freedom, the amazing readers, and the privilege of doing what I love. But there are also some very specific things that keep me going in this wild, occasionally delusional, always humbling publishing journey.
So, grab your pumpkin spice latte (or wine; I'm not here to judge) and join me in celebrating the things that make being an indie author almost as glamorous as it looks on Instagram.
1. I'm thankful for outlining.
That beautiful, color-coded spreadsheet that makes me feel like I have my entire novel figured out. (Hint: I don’t).
2. I'm thankful for drafting.
For the days when the words flow effortlessly and I feel like a literary genius. And for the other 97% of drafting, when I write 400 words in three hours, then delete 350 of them.
3. I'm thankful for editing.
Because nothing says humility quite like rereading a sentence you once thought was brilliant and wondering if you wrote it during a fever dream.
4. I'm thankful for beta readers.
The brave souls who agree to read my manuscript before it's ready for public consumption. They catch plot holes, point out confusing scenes, and ask questions like, "Why would she do that?"
5. I'm thankful for cover design skills.
Thank God I learned Adobe suite in college, because lemme tell ya…readers really do judge books by their covers.
6. I'm thankful for (a stiff drink during) formatting.
And for the 47 things that can go wrong in the process, including mysterious page breaks, page numbering hell, and rogue chapter headings. Nothing tests your patience like formatting. NOTHING.
7. I'm thankful for Amazon KDP.
I'm grateful that I can publish a book without needing a traditional publishing deal or an executive to approve my existence. I'm slightly less grateful for the mysterious fluctuations in my sales dashboard, but let's focus on the positives.
8. I'm thankful for hitting "Publish."
After months (or years) of writing, revising, editing, formatting, and questioning every life choice that brought me here, there's something magical about finally clicking that button. For approximately 30 seconds, I feel unstoppable.
9. I'm thankful for book sales and orders.
Every single order is exciting. Every. Single. One.
10. I'm thankful for book reviews.
A five-star review can carry me through an entire week. A thoughtful message from a reader can make me cry. And a one-star review? Guys, I’ve officially made it.
11. I'm thankful for marketing.
Social media posts. Newsletters. Ads. Promotions. Graphics. Reels. Pinterest. Trying to understand the algorithm. I promise I’m thankful (mostly).
12. I'm thankful for my newsletter subscribers.
These lovely people have voluntarily invited me into their inboxes. I appreciate your loyalty. Or your inability to find the unsubscribe button. Either way, you're my people.
13. I'm thankful for fellow authors.
Nobody understands the emotional roller coaster of publishing quite like another author. We celebrate each other's launches, commiserate over disappointing sales, share marketing tips, and send messages that would sound deeply concerning to anyone outside the industry. It's a beautiful, slightly unhinged community, and I'm grateful to be part of it.
14. I'm thankful for chocolate.
Because sometimes the muse doesn't show up, the plot falls apart, and the marketing campaign is going nowhere. But chocolate? Chocolate is reliable.
15. I'm thankful for the freedom to be my own boss.
No commute. No dress code. Just me, my laptop, and the freedom to decide which task to procrastinate first.
16. I'm thankful for my readers (yes, you get your own category).
Because at the end of the day, none of this works without you. And I will never stop being grateful that you choose to spend your time with the stories I create. Seriously. Thank you.
Happy Thanksgiving! I'm grateful for every reader, every order, every review, and every person who has supported my books along the way.