Since 2020, I’ve learned how to self-publish, but I’ve never had access to a behind-the-scenes look at someone doing the work of self-publishing. Of hearing about their struggles and successes, and of their hard-won insight born from trial and error. Sure, there are TONS of blogs and resources online for aspiring authors, and countless tools and apps designed to give indie-authors the hand up they need to succeed . . . so many, in fact, I get lost and overwhelmed. The reality is, every resource provides tools for only part of the process, and every tool designed to help indie-authors has learning curves that often prohibit their usefulness. This vlog is my answer to the very frustrating reality that, as an indie-author, I am expected to work FULL-TIME at self-publishing while not quitting my “day job.”

Wandering Focus is a behind-the-scenes look at my process. It is told in real-time, meaning as I am prepping manuscripts, making corrections based on my editor’s notes, contacting marketers, working with an illustrator and a highly technical and eagle-eyed beta reader and formatter, all the way to the point of launch . . . and beyond. You’ll hear my frustrations when Amazon throws me curve balls, when my ARC program fails to provide reviews, or when I struggle to embrace the joy of writing after the tedium of self-publishing has eaten it. You’ll celebrate my successes when a book is finally available for purchase, when reviewers get the books and leave amazing reviews, or when I open a fresh batch of illustrations.

I don’t have the answers while I’m documenting the process. I am finding the answers. Isn’t that charming? But beware: I cuss and spit along the way. (I don’t really spit. Not on camera.) And just for clarification, Wandering Focus refers both to my inability to stay on topic and my camera’s deftness at mistaking my face for a cat’s anus, and thus having a wandering focus of its own.