Self-Publishing Lessons I Learned
In this space, WestBow Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journey. The following blog is from Jack Manilla, author of “Secrets of the Pink House” For more information on the author visit his website and Facebook. To begin your self-publishing journey, get a free WestBow Press publishing guide today.
When it comes to running a successful business, I know what it takes. I have worked at many well-established companies including two Fortune 500 companies. But when it came time to publish my personal story in “Secrets Of The Pink House,” I didn’t know what that entailed. At first, I thought getting my book published would be a quick process, taking just a few months to set up the presses; but the truth is, writing and then getting your book published is a very long journey. If you want it done right, it requires patience and expertise.
The publishing team at WestBow are some of the best at what they do. We went through a very detailed process to ensure we were developing a high-quality book, and they were with me every step of the way. The experience taught me that those considering publishing a book, especially their own personal story, should take into consideration the time and effort it will take to complete. It can be rather daunting, so they should factor that into their decision to publish or not.
“Secrets Of The Pink House,” was indeed a labor of love. After being encouraged for many years to turn my story into a book, and share the lessons I learned while going through some of the roughest patches of my life, I decided to accept the challenge of putting my experiences down on paper.
Another thing I learned while on this journey was the importance of knowing yourself. It is critical to stay authentic when writing your story. No one knows you or your story better than you.
Lastly, just like when you were in school, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Reach out to your publisher, family and friends, people you trust and invite them to provide you with their opinion and feedback or bounce ideas off of them. They may help you remember a key piece of information or paint a better perspective of a moment or event.
Remember, you may be an expert on your life’s journey, but there are great benefits to bringing in others and learning from their experience like WestBow, to help you achieve the goals you hope to reach when publishing your book.
At the end of the day, I hope that those who pick up a copy of my book learn that through faith, trust and hard work, they are able to succeed in whatever path God places in front of them, and that might just include writing their own story down to share with the world.
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length.
Overcoming My Fear of the Publishing Process
In this space, WestBow Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journey. The following blog is from Patricia Wasylyna, author of “When Christmas Hurts.” For more information on the author visit her website. To begin your self-publishing journey, get a free WestBow Press publishing guide today.
Once the book was written, I felt stuck and unable to move forward. due to my lack of knowledge about the entire publishing process. Thankfully, I discovered Westbow Press through a fellow author. Westbow has helped me every step of the way. They have been very gracious to address and answer my naive questions and concerns. I felt very supported by them at every turn in the process. They made this publishing journey so easy and provided the feedback and help I needed to complete the process.
I have been very pleased with the finished product of my book. They did a fantastic job and helped to create a book that I hope will reach many and provide healing and hope.
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length.
Press On
In this space, WestBow Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journey. The following blog is from Codi Gandee, author of “#Winning: Wisdom for God’s Warriors” and “Selfless in a Selfie World: Before Honor is Humility” For more information on the author visit her website, Facebook, and Twitter. To begin your self-publishing journey, get a free WestBow Press publishing guide today.
“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in a demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” I Corinthians 2:2-5 KJV
The joy that I felt at the beginning of my writing process quickly evolved into a burden. Each day I struggled to find time to give to prayer, study, and writing. My eagerness, commitment and desire to follow through with the vision in my heart began to falter. Truly I was a weakened vessel, doubting at times if the labor the Lord had given me would ever come to pass.
But on the days that I allowed God’s strength to guide me, I was completely overwhelmed by His presence. Some days all I could do was pray. Other days I would squeak out only one paragraph. Countless hours were spent meditating on what the Lord was wanting me to write. However, every time I followed through by either just being still enough to listen or to sit down with my Bible and computer the Lord would intervene and provide exactly what was needed at the time.
It was at these times that I felt unexplainably grateful that God would use me to be a vessel for Him. The words He was giving me would give glory to Jesus. After two years of battling, I finally submitted #Winning to WestBow Press. I was completely ecstatic that the manuscript was turned in; not because I had hopes of making a bestseller list, but because I could live in peace knowing that I had completed the work that the Lord had given me. I could close out that chapter of my life accepting that I had glorified God simply because I was obedient to His will.
I have shared this to encourage those that are experiencing struggles within their own writing process. If you are writing because the Lord has laid it on your heart, then I can guarantee that the process won’t be easy. But I can also promise that seeing the finished product will most definitely be worth your perseverance. Remind yourself that even in your weakness God is willing to strengthen you for His glory. You will never regret giving to the world what the Lord has given to you.
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length.
Persistence and Perseverance Pays Off
In this space, WestBow Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journey. The following blog is from Priscilla McDaniel, author of “Raspberry Castle.” For more information on the author visit her website. To begin your self-publishing journey, get a free WestBow Press publishing guide today.
Find the Joy in Writing
If you want to be a writer, aside from perseverance and persistence, you should never write just to make money. Writing should bring you joy. The challenge for me is getting it right, what you want to say does not always go onto paper as easily as you think it should. Make every effort to keep your story interesting, i.e. don’t tell your story show it. Show it in dialogue, action words, and descriptive scenes kept short, sweet and to the point. Don’t overload with adjectives and don’t blather on or people will close your book. Develop your characters –even if your book is about your own life.
I never read books until I was a bride at 21, and we had no television. I never thought or dreamed of writing a book, but the Good Lord had plans otherwise. My inspiration came from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice story when A & E made it into a movie. My husband enjoyed watching it with me and when it was over, he said, “What happens after that?”
Jane Austen never wrote past the wedding, so I decided I would help her along and make up my own story. My first 20 pages were horrible. I had no experience in writing fiction, but I had done some technical writing, and therefore believed I could tell a story. After much writing and rewriting and rearranging scenes, I eventually learned to show my story in dialogue and character building.
One very important thing to remember for those who want to write is to just sit down and do it. Don’t worry about outlines in the beginning simply or with difficulty write your first paragraph on the page. When I began writing there was no in
Be prepared to change things around, rewrite, proof, rewrite, and changes things over and over until you get it right. Your first novel should not be more than a maximum of 100,000 words. If it is more than that, you are saying too much, which is common for beginners.
Join a writers group, preferably a Christian group, and never, never, never let anyone other than a writers group member read your work, even then choose carefully. Family members are the worst, and friends, too, for giving you free advice, wanting to rewrite your story for you or give you unneeded criticism.
Needless to say, it can be very discouraging and even cause you to put your book down for good. Some people may offer to proofread it for you, but instead will rewrite if for you, and if that is the case they probably are not good at catching errors but are busy telling you what you should say differently, a good editor can do that. Read your story over many times, pare it down, make sure it is interesting, well written and has a good storyline.
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length.
He Who Has Called You Is Faithful, He Will Do It
In this space, WestBow Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journey. The following blog is from LeAnn Petterson, author of “The Me Only I Get to Be.” For more information on the author visit her website and Facebook. To begin your self-publishing journey, get a free WestBow Press publishing guide today.
I chose WestBow Press to publish my book because of their open commitment to works of Christian authors. In addition to WestBow’s affiliation with Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishers. All believers are given different gifts at the time of their new birth. The motivational gift I received was that of exhortation (Romans 12:6-8). As such, my whole person seeks to give support, reference hope, and promote faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:10-11). Thus, writing my book fell into line with the “me” the Maker created me to be. Why am I surprised when God chooses to use my book to implement his further purposes? Yet, I am reverently amazed!
I believe God called me to write my book. His Word promised that he would faithfully achieve his purposes through my obedience. So, I put aside the hesitations and fears, and took my first step toward accomplishing this aspect of his will for my life.
The resulting obedience provided me with unimagined platforms from which I’ve been able to represent God. He has opened doors to accomplish all he purposed for my book; I’m cooperative, but he is “doing it.”
Children:
Doors of the public schools welcomed me as I read my book to multiple assemblies of Kindergarten through third graders. In their letters of thanks to me, students acknowledged that not everyone is the same, and that it’s okay to be “myself.” I saw this as a good “footing” upon which third graders could construct a Godly identity; identities in the process of being established.
Adults:
Although classified as a children’s book, “The Me Only I Get to Be”, spans across the age continuum. God has used it to affect groups of children and adults, as well as to minister to individuals. Technology made it easy to read the book to a women’s church group. This included an assignment of “Pairing and Sharing” as women read aloud God’s scriptural Word as to the truth of who God claimed they were in Christ Jesus; identities being reclaimed.
I was also blessed to witness the effect my book had upon a young woman whose husband had just given her notice of his leaving the marriage commitment. While reading the book aloud for the first time, she broke into tears…however not for herself. She mentioned her gratitude for all with which God continued to bless her. Her focus shifted from what she had not, to all that God faithfully continued to provide.
Please, Please, move forward into that purpose for which you were created. You may never realize the blessings your obedience will acquire if you don’t take that first step in faith.
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length.
Sharing My Message
In this space, WestBow Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journey. The following blog is from Jim R. Rannells, author of “A Peace that Passes All Understanding.” For more information on the author visit his Facebook. To begin your self-publishing journey, get a free WestBow Press publishing guide today.
I think my idea for a book came from the result of journaling for 20 years ever since my son took his life back in 1995. That Christ placed a certain peace about his suicide a
WestBow Press, I would say was just the right publisher at the right time. My desire to get my message out in book form. I believe God had a hand in all.
They encouraged me much through the process of editing and through their e-mails and phone calls. I never lost sight of my goal to finally get my message out in book form. Their high standards as to potential libel even helped me to forgive someone from 30 years back, who I thought caused the death of my wife. I actually wrote another chapter in my book as the result.
All-in-all it was a very good experience to finally get my message out in book form. I am presently writing another book from all the encouragement provided to me by WestBow Press.
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length.
All Faith, No Fear
In this space, WestBow Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journey. The following blog is from Deyona Estep, author of “Take What You Need.” For more information on the author visit her website. To begin your self-publishing journey, get a free WestBow Press publishing guide today.
Fear and faith, two things that don’t mix. One can’t exist if the other is present. In the midst of trial and tribulation we don’t fold, break or clamor. Not because we are confident in our own efforts or strengths but we trust in that of the Lord. One thing that I have aspired to be is “fearless.” Not meaning I don’t feel afraid but I recognize that those feelings are false.
God tells us to be strong and courageous, to not be afraid or discouraged but why? Doesn’t God know that it’s not easy being strong, especially when things around you aren’t going as you planned. It’s not easy to be courageous when you feel unsure. Feelings are fickle and we can’t give in to them. We have to trust in what we know to be true. So he commands us to be brave because he know that he is with us and with him we cannot fail.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Josh 1:9
What is there to fear when the perfect father is holding your 
Faith is not just believing for something to happen. It’s that belief pushing you to take the necessary actions to see those dreams and aspirations come to pass. The root of all feelings of inadequacy, failure, discouragement is fear. That little four letter word tries to keep us stuck, stagnant and bound living half empty when we should always be on full. Only we can allow fear to cripple us, it’s a choice. There is great purpose, skill and yet fulfilled success that lies within us. The only thing that can stop us from fulfilling that is fear. Don’t allow it to hinder you from experience the best that God has for you.
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length
Self-Publishing through WestBow Press
In this space, WestBow Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journey. The following blog is from Dianne Chatman, author of “Visions: What the Preacher Saw.” For more about Dianne Chatman, check out her website. To begin your self-publishing journey, get a free WestBow Press publishing guide today!
In searching and praying about which publisher to go with for my book, I was led by the Holy Spirit to WestBow Press. I contemplated why I was lead to WestBow. I was pleasantly surprised to find out they only publish books with Christian morals and biblical themes. They were exactly what I was seeking as a Christian author. You don’t just want anyone publishing your book because the message can get lost in the process. You should always search for a publishing company that shares your views, and I found that at WestBow.
WestBow Press worked with me every step of 
From submitting your manuscript, to viewing the cover of your book, it’s very important that your team knows your vision. It is crucial they understand what you are trying to accomplish with your book. I found all of that and more through WestBow Press. If you are a Christian writer looking for someone to share your vision, then I wholeheartedly recommend WestBow Press. They provided me with excellent service and where always more than willing to work with me. I have recommended them to other up and coming Christian authors.
I like the fact that they offer a vast array of services to get your book on the market for everyone to see. I found WestBow Press’s staff to be very caring and enthusiastic about what I was trying to achieve through writing and publishing my book. Even though I have not been able to partake of all the services that they offer, I am glad that other aspiring authors can. Would I recommend WestBow Press for those seeking to publish a Christian book? Yes, without a moment’s hesitation. The service from beginning to end was excellent.
– WBP –
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length.
With Faith You Can Move Mountains
In this space, WestBow Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journey. The following blog is from Marketta Smith, author of “Twenty-Nine Weeks and One Day.” For more information on the author, visit her website or check out her Instagram. To begin your self-publishing journey, get a free WestBow Press publishing guide today!
God gave me a testimony to share with hundreds and thousands of individuals and one day, millions. I lost my daughter on February 5, 2017 after twenty-nine weeks and one day of pregnancy. Westbow Press changed my life and helped me through publishing my story, 29 Weeks and 1 Day. I hope my book changes and saves the lives, hopes, dreams, and self-esteem of others. Experiencing the loss of a loved one can strip anyone down to the unknown and the unthinkable but with God, hearts can be healed and comforted out of the deepest thoughts and acts of depression.
WestBow walked me through every stage of my journey through consistent feedback, weekly check-ins via email and phone.
WestBow Press will:
Work with you throughout the entire process,
Exhibit your work,
Support your vision,
Talk you through your comments and questions,
Better your story through expertise editors,
Offer you top-notch support and assistance, and
Wait patiently for you to move through your own writing process.
Pressing forward with WestBow Press was an opportunity for me to grow as a person, a writer, and an author. The loss of my child was devastating. I needed to write and wanted to publish my first book. I wanted to share how I decided to overcome and not be buried in hopelessness and depression. It was an opportunity for me to heal and allow my story to heal and help others. I was given the time I need to really select a publishing company that would bring my vision to life. I was never rushed or pushed into making a quick decision. 
My book 29 Weeks and 1 Day has begun to change lives of many others. It has reached individuals who suffer from depression due to loss since that impacts many people. My story gives hope that even in the darkest and lowest points of life you can always get up and get out if you activate just a little faith. God can and will do the rest. After publishing, I received inspiring messages on how my book took people living in depression to fighting to climb out. WestBow Press took my vision and perfected it. I initially didn’t believe I would make it through the process and at times wanted to quit. WestBow Press walked me through the entire process from start to finish and then beyond the finish. I am extremely satisfied, thankful, and grateful to become a first time published author through WestBow Press.
– WBP –
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length
Tips for Beating Writer’s Block, Part Two
Welcome back to another installment of suggestions for beating writer’s block! Every self-published author has experienced it, or will someday. How crippling it becomes to your writing, though, depends on how you view it—and how you handle it.
Of course, what works for one writer won’t necessarily work for another, so these tips are like a buffet: try a bunch of things, and then come back for seconds on the things you liked!
In our first post, we discussed keeping things in perspective, having reasonable standards, and skipping the troublesome parts of your story for the sake of progressing forward. Let’s continue with today’s new set of tips!
Don’t wait to be “inspired.”
We’ve said this a hundred times so this will make it one hundred and one: write every day! No other piece of writing advice is so universal, so common to successful writers everywhere. You’ve worked other jobs before, right? And did you ever experience “waiter’s block?” “Carpenter’s block?” “Accountant’s block?”
To some extent, you have to treat your writing like any other job that you’re expected to do. Some days you’ll be more “in the zone” than others, but you should always show up, ready to do the work. One of the best things about writing is the ability to rewrite! If you wait for the muse to pull you by the ear to your desk, you could find yourself waiting a long time.
Set a schedule for yourself.
This is tied closely to the last tip above. Again, at that other job you had, you probably had a schedule, right? Well, have one for your writing too! One of the benefits of a writing career is the ability to set your own schedule, not necessarily to not have a schedule at all. Treat your writing time as a sacred block of time, and protect it.
Singer/songwriter Billy Joel once commented on all the songs that he never would have written if he hadn’t shown up at the piano with nothing particular in mind, but ready to do the work. Treat your writing the same way: show up, ready to do the work.
Read!
When you’re not writing, make sure you set aside time for reading! Read your chosen genre and outside it, fiction and nonfiction, prose and poetry. Not only will it make you a better writer, it can also plant the seed for your next story.
And don’t forget newspapers and magazines either, online print. Newspapers and magazines present situations and events; create characters, place them in those events, and ta-da! You have a story!
– WBP –
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length
Dr. Mark Kubala on “The Execution of Jesus the Christ”
In this space, WestBow Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journeys. The following blog is from Mark J. Kubala, MD, FAANS, FACS, author of “The Execution of Jesus the Christ: The Medical Cause of Our Lord’s Death During His Illegal Crucifixion”. To begin your self-publishing journey, get a free WestBow Press publishing guide today!
In 1986 there was an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association from the Mayo Clinic about the crucifixion of Jesus. This created quite a stir, as many felt it was inappropriate to have a discussion of the death of Jesus in a medical journal. Since I had part of my training at the Mayo Clinic, this article prompted my interest in the study of the crucifixion of Jesus. I read many books.
Dr. Frederick Zugibe, a forensic pathologist, in his book The Crucifixion of Jesus, a forensic inquiry, carried out experiments with young human volunteers and showed that as long as the feet are stabilized there is no difficulty in breathing in the sagging position. He did not go into great detail as to what was the cause of Jesus’s death. The majority of his book discusses the evidence for the Shroud of Turin. This stirred my interest as to what was the main factor in Jesus dying so soon from his crucifixion.
To answer this question, I turned to the Bible. The New Testament is replete with many quotations that say Jesus died “by the loss, or shedding, of his blood.” The only writer that was at the cross during Jesus’s crucifixion was John. However, the other writers must have known and talked to witnesses to the crucifixion, or talk to someone who knew someone who knew the witnesses. Since the eyewitnesses to Jesus’s dying said that he lost a lot of blood, the question came up, then where did this blood loss come from.
In my book, I reviewed the events as they unfolded during the passion of Jesus Christ. I present a new theory as to where this blood loss came from that led to such an early death. My book has been reviewed by many physicians who agree with my conclusion. How wondrous it is to realize that on Good Friday afternoon, as the high priests were slaughtering the lambs as an animal sacrifice, Jesus bled to death for our sins, as our sacrifice for the new Passover.
– WBP –
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length