Is self-publishing a good idea?

A friendly guide to help you figure out if self-publishing is the perfect fit for you!

Collection of my self-published book throughout the year.

I love self-publishing! It might catch you off guard coming from someone like me—who’s a commercially published author and artist making a living in traditional publishing. But honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am without self-publishing. When I first jumped into being an independent artist, I had no clue I’d discover such a passion for publishing until I started putting together my art book.

So, if you asked me now, "Now that you're a commercially published author, would you still think about self-publishing your future books?" I'd say a BIG "Yes!" I'm actually pretty excited because I'm working on self-publishing an updated collection of my watercolor paintings as a side project right now!

The value of self-publishing

• Not all book ideas are a great fit for traditional publishing, and that's okay!

  Let’s use my art books as an example. They aren't well-suited for traditional publishing. I know there are people out there who would buy my art book, but it really caters to a niche market. When it comes to traditional publishing, a lot of the decision-making revolves around the content and ideas, but a big part of it is also whether the book can reach a wider audience - basically, whether it will make money. That said, there are so many amazing ideas out there that might not have mass appeal, but they’re definitely worth sharing!

• Not everyone wants to be a traditional published author/artist.

  Choosing not to go the traditional publishing route doesn’t make you any less talented or awesome. Whether someone is working in traditional publishing full-time or part-time, it’s still a genuine job. When I say "genuine," I don’t mean to dismiss self-publishing at all. Traditional publishing involves partnering with a publisher and a team, along with legal contracts and responsibilities, which can feel pretty intense!

  But that structured setup isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re not looking to make a career out of publishing. On the flip side, self-publishing gives you the freedom to decide how much time and effort you want to put into your project.

• Self-publishing is an excellent way to explore and share your ideas at your own pace and within your comfort zone!

  

  My watercolor collection art books - Acquerello II & III. Click the link to see sample pages from the books.

  When I first got into painting and illustration, I used to put out a new art book every few years. My paid members probably know about my two watercolor collection books, Acquerello II and III, since they get them as free e-book gifts when they sign up. Putting together the artwork for these books has been a pressure-free, organic way to explore my voice and range as an artist.

  For me, self-publishing an art book is all about sharing my work with friends who appreciate the same kind of art I do. Sure, making a bit of money would be nice, but it's more about having fun and connecting with the art community instead of stressing over creating the perfect book. This freedom to explore has opened up unexpected opportunities for me, including a new direction in children's book publishing with Acquerello II and III.

  Everyone shares their stories and creations for different reasons. Some are personal, while others are about trying out new ideas. Self-publishing lets you express and share your creativity however you want, without all the outside pressure.

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• Some ideas are just a perfect match for self-publishing!

  Over the years, I've had the pleasure of joining various art groups and communities. Many of these groups host charity art shows for different causes, and to help bring in more sponsors and support, we come together to create beautifully printed art books that showcase a wonderful variety of artwork.

  While some of these groups love sharing their creative journeys and experiences with everyone, others prefer to tell the unique stories of different artists through collaborative books. Organizing these community-building projects can be quite challenging with traditional publishing, but self-publishing makes it so much easier!

  

  A collection of self-published books that I collaborated with different art groups and communities.

  What I really love about these organic creative book projects is the chance to meet and connect with amazing people from all over the world. It's a fantastic way to discover new art and talents that I might never have come across otherwise!

• Creates new opportunities with self-publishing.

  Many people think that the downside of self-publishing is that it's a smaller distribution network compared to going the traditional route. That’s definitely true, but self-publishing also comes with tons of cool perks! It’s a great way to find new audiences, grow your network, and team up with other creative and business-minded people. Plus, it can be profitable.

  Since you're in charge of everything as a creator, you get to decide how to publish your book and what you want to accomplish, all without any restrictions.

I’m excited to share more about the self-publishing journey with you! In my upcoming post, I’ll share how to choose the best self-publishing platform for your project, along with some fun and easy book-making tips. It’s been quite a while since I last self-published a book, and I can’t wait to show you the progress on my new art book, titled Paper Concerto. Stay tuned!

If you have any questions or there's a particular self-publishing topic you're curious about, I'd love to hear from you! Just drop a comment or chat below, and I'll share and answer your questions in upcoming posts and discussions.

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I’m giving away Aline's Travel Journal - the very same e-book that caught the attention of the directors at Lucasfilm and helped me snag my dream job as a story artist on Star Wars. This 98-page, full-color e-book is more than just a collection of art—it’s a proven blueprint for using self-publishing to transform your professional trajectory.

By joining our paid membership, you’ll get instant access to this exclusive resource. Use it as inspiration to create your own standout portfolio and unlock opportunities you never thought possible.

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