Finally my book Growing Invisible is a reality. I was so excited when I received my sample copy from the printers. To see my name in print on the front cover was just such a special feeling. I came up with the original idea when taking part in a Michael Heppell Write That book Masterclass Zoom coaching session. He suggested that if we put a small book on Amazon it would perhaps encourage people to read the next book. I thought ok a small poetry pamphlet or a short story book, why not both? It was meant as an experiment to see if I could self publish.

I was told that people wouldn’t like the cross over, that they would like short stories or poetry, but not both. My research revealed that there was a small group of writers who were doing both in the same book. Writers much more experienced and confident than me, but they were out there and were selling their books. Writers such as Harmony Kent, Suzanne Strong and Maureen Oliver are selling books in this genre.

I started looking at my previous stories and poems and before I knew it Growing Invisible was born! I edited a few stories and poems and wrote new ones to go in the book, I realised my little book was getting larger and I didn’t want that, so I stopped adding and set about editing and formatting, I designed the cover and had some amazing readers who advised and helped me stay on the right track. I designed the cover, created the book spine (no easy feat) and uploaded everything to the printers. I bought the ISBN number, registered the book. There was a fair bit of swearing and I did reach out to friends who were very helpful.

Growing Invisible is a slim volume as I wanted it to be as inexpensive as possible, at £4.99 it is the price of a glossy magazine and I thought affordable. Now I could have made the font bigger and put gaps between paragraphs which would have added pages but also make it more expensive, which I definitely was trying to avoid.

It has been a huge learning curve, but now I know I can do it. I am hoping to pitch the novel I am writing to an agent/publisher but if that doesn’t come off, I know I can still self publish.

This was a huge challenge for me and one I nearly gave up on a few times, but I didn’t. So what challenges have you faced and overcome? What has made you feel super proud?

I wish you health, happiness and most of all a huge pile of To Be Read books

Best wishes

Stefanie