How I Self-Published my First Poetry Book + A Free Resource for You

There are any number of ways to share your work with the world, perhaps my journey can inspire you.

When the world shut down four plus years ago during That Season Which Shall Not be Named, people turned to many different pursuits to pass the time.

Some folks took up learning how to bake a better loaf of sourdough bread. So many loaves. So much sourdough.

Some people learned how to work with watercolors or paint watercolor window panes (my creative therapy choice). Thank you Lori Jean! ¹

And other brave and foolish wordsmiths like myself decided, “Hey I know! I think I’ll write and release a new book of poetry.” Lest you disparage my remarks, dear reader, let me clarify:

Every writer I know is not only brave but foolish in the best sort of way, “Here is my gift for you, world, make of it what you will.” That sort of ‘je ne sais quoi’ kind of foolish.

Of course I had nothing but time on my hands (after the anxiety and worry wore off around mid-summer 2020) and folders of poems longing to be organized into a publication of some kind, so on I went.

Parentheses

In November 2017 I had self-published my first book, Living the Season Well: Reclaiming Christmas (available on my author website and Amazon; thanks for asking), and due in no small part to a stellar launch team and the world of blogging connections, in-person talks and events, the book was received well and sold over 450 copies. 

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By October 2020 I had learned a ton about all the ins and outs of the indie publishing process and was coaching other folks in their own writing pursuits; it made sense to dive back into those waters with my poetry manuscript in mind. 

I cobbled together the poems I’d written following the seasons of the year, a theme that has always found its way into my poetry, it seems. Then I hired a local tech designer to do book layout and the uploading to the print on demand platform, commissioned a watercolor painting for the cover, then traded work with my son-in-law the graphic artist to design the front and back of the book.

Hearts on Pilgrimage: Poems & Prayers was released in Spring of 2021 while the world was still bumbling around in its post-pandemic stupor and honestly, I can't think of a more timely and much-needed event than offering a book of poetry during that time. 

But then I am a poet, I think anytime is the right time for poetry.

My friend Laura S. sent me this photo recently. One of my poems inspired to write a poem of her own. Poetry is like that—both generative and generous, as Malcolm Guite has said.

From the Introduction: Publishing a book of poetry, noticing the good, true, and beautiful, seems a fruitless endeavor in the midst of the world’s current challenges and heartache. But we will always have trouble and sorrow with us. While we live in a fallen world, we live with a risen Savior, and God’s invisible Kingdom is there for us to see if we are looking.

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After my first two books were released, I have since had the privilege of a third manuscript being published by a small press in Oregon (thank you Wipf & Stock/Resource). My second book of poetry Mining the Bright Birds: Poems of Longing for Home was released in August 2023. (Available via the Books tab here on my Substack page. Thanks for asking.)

But this post is not about my books—it’s about your book, the one that’s been percolating just below the surface of your writerly heart.

Now, not everything we write or think needs to be in a book, that is true. You may be a great communicator but speaking or podcasting or blogging is the best avenue to share your message. I recently heard Jackie Hill Perry say just that on Will Parker Anderson’s Writer’s Circle podcast in an episode entitled, “What’s Wrong with Publishing.”

And yet. And yet….If you are a wordsmith you may be sensing a nudge to write that book, tell your story, share your poems. Or maybe you simply need a listening ear for that writing brainstorm (or brainsprinkle).²

If you’re considering the traditional publishing route, such a pursuit is not for the faint of heart. You will need an agent, a gigantic social platform and following, a book proposal and the right connections for your work to be seen. There is a lot of competition in the Christian space. A lot.

There is another way.

In a recent interview series which I was invited to be part of, Karen Swallow Prior at The Priory provided a place for authors to share their experiences about Publishing, Platform and Perspective. Each interviewee’s thoughts was eye opening, informative and inspiring. Our viewpoints ran the gamut of the various ways our words have found their way into the world via traditional publishing, self-publishing and hybrid. The link to my interview with Karen is in the footnotes.³

In my interview I discussed the path I’d found as a self-published author and now I’m sensing it’s time to offer to others the opportunity to share what I’ve learned. I am passionate about consulting with writers who want to share their work with the world. In fact, it brings me great joy to do so.

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I Made Something for You-A One Year Plan to Self-Publish Your Book

When I’ve consulted with clients in the past, we worked through a 20 step self-publishing checklist from book draft to book launch with editing, proofreading, book proposals and more. People like plans and checklists… and life doesn’t always go according to plan, this is true. But frameworks and outlines help.

I organize my thoughts when I’m writing—especially a poem or essay—via webs or mind maps. Sort of the main idea in the middle with spokes coming out to my various ideas. But for those of you who are more linear thinkers (and after a great deal of tweaks back and forth) I have created a streamlined checklist: Your One Year Plan to Self-Publishing to guide you.

Whether you’re a newbie writer just starting out or have a completed manuscript to share with the world, this One-Year Road Map will help you with your journey. The four page checklist is a Month-by-Month plan from Behind-the-Scenes prep work to Book Launch Party.

I begin with a short intro about the self-publishing process, the whys and wherefores about Indie as well as Hybrid publishing, including an eye opening primer on the current state of traditional publishing today.

After that you’ll find the two page checklist with month-by-month tasks to walk you through the self-publishing process, including Before the Book and Your Book Journey. You may discover some of the items are check-offable already. Website? Check. Email list? Check. And so on.

The last page includes a short bio and what it means to work with me, plus a link to my past projects and endorsements.

GOT QUESTIONS?

If you have ever considered independent publishing and would like to talk more about the process, I will be offering 30 minute consulting calls for $47** to a limited number of clients. What does this include? After our Zoom call you will leave the conversation with three tangible next steps and a cheerleader in your corner, me. Reach out today using this Contact link and let’s set up your call!

I’m also offering One Time Manuscript reviews for $149** in addition to my freelance editing, something I’ve been working on behind the scenes. Editing—copy and developmental both—is something I greatly enjoy as well. I currently have room for one more editing project so please contact me if that’s a service you need.

The tagline on my website says ‘Author|Poet|Teacher.’ I am all three and more, but the teacher in me enjoys helping others learn, hence this offering for you. I would be honored to brainstorm with you what God has put on your heart.

Cheering you on~

Jody

**These two prices are changed from the initial cost I had in mind when this email went out to my Subscribers; after a night to sleep on it, I thought $47 and $149 for much better adapted and more accessible to folks.

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1. Here’s a post on my author website about how to make a windowpane watercolor. Anyone can make these creations. Truly.

2. Did you see Inside Out 2? The brainstorm sequence was golden.

3. The link to my interview with Karen Swallow Prior on Publishing Platform and Perspective is HERE.