Sex and the City Meets Self-Publishing: Juggling Author, Agent, and Publisher Like a Pro

Self-publishing a children’s book series? Sounds simple, right? Just write down the words of your book, hit "publish," and voilà! Well, not quite. What started as a joyful creative process turned into a full-blown juggling act. Suddenly, I wasn’t just the author—I’d become the agent, the publisher, and the PR guru. At this point, I feel like I’m channelling the entire cast of Sex and the City: Carrie with her writing struggles, Samantha with her fierce PR hustle, Miranda with her corporate savviness, and Charlotte because, well… it is a children’s book series after all!

Picture this: me running around London bookstores, PR kits in hand, pitching my book like Samantha selling a high-profile nightclub. Then there’s me, hunched over my laptop like Carrie, drinking way too much coffee while shaping Maya’s Worldly Wonders into something kids and parents will adore. Let’s not forget my Miranda moments, when I’m pouring over fine print from distribution platforms with all the intensity of a corporate lawyer. And finally, feeding my inner Charlotte when I’m visiting schools and libraries, armed with all the motherly charm I can muster.

Welcome to the glamorous (and slightly chaotic) world of self-publishing!

Now, if only I had the Sex and the City wardrobe to match my new multitasking superpowers.

When I First Set Out to Self-Publish...

When I embarked on this journey with Maya’s Worldly Wonders, I thought it would be all about creativity and storytelling. Little did I know that I’d be juggling a thousand different hats: writer, editor, marketing whiz, PR maven, agent, logistics coordinator, and full-time stress-buster (still working on that last one!).

As Waterstones so aptly put it, "Self-publishing is not for the faint-hearted." Nope. It’s more like strapping into a rollercoaster’s front seat and holding on for dear life, praying you don’t spill your popcorn.

The Uploading Ordeal: A Digital Mind Field

Think writing a book is hard? Wait until you try uploading it to three different distribution platforms. Formatting? Sizing? Cover margins? Let’s just say I’ve earned an honorary PhD in "How Not to Break Down While Navigating Book Formatting Rules." Between Amazon, IngramSpark, and my own website, I felt like I was stuck in an endless game of "spot the difference," with rules straight out of a legal drama.

You think you’re done, you press upload, and—what’s that? Your book cover is 0.05 inches too small? Cue meltdown. The amount of hair-pulling that went into ensuring my book looked flawless across every platform might qualify me as a part-time perfectionist.

The Interview Spotlight

One of the unexpected highs of this journey? Being interviewed by BBC Radio, getting featured in international magazines, and even being filmed by a prominent reading charity. Who would have thought I’d be talking about my books with some of the most respected voices in the media? It’s both surreal and humbling—and let’s not forget a little nerve-wracking. The challenge? Making sure your story shines through all that adrenaline surging through your veins.

When I sat down with Authority Magazine, it hit me: this whole journey, from scribbling Maya’s adventures to the highs and lows of seeing the first copy printed, was one wild ride. Reflecting on that, and then sharing my experiences with other aspiring authors? Totally worth all the sweat, coffee, and occasional panic attacks.

A highlight? Bookmark Reading charity hosted an inaugural "author filming day," where kids across the country got to hear me talk about my writing style, inspiration, and the magic behind my books!

Tips for Aspiring Authors: Welcome to the Hustle!

In my recent article for Writing.ie, I shared some tips for those bold (read: crazy) enough to take on the self-publishing world. First lesson? Reviews are EVERYTHING. I’ve sent more review copies than I can count. But getting people to read and review? Well, it’s like herding cats—except the cats have email addresses and might ghost you.

Then comes the delightful task of visiting bookstores and libraries all over London to meet managers, buyers, and librarians. It’s basically speed dating, but instead of looking for love, you’re hoping they’ll stock your book. Thick skin? You’ll grow it. But nothing compares to that moment when a bookshop manager takes genuine interest in your work and offers that coveted shelf space.

But Is It Worth It? Absolutely.

Despite the rollercoaster ride, the hair-pulling, and the occasional formatting-induced meltdown, nothing beats the thrill of seeing your book on a shelf or hearing a child talk about how much they love Maya’s adventures. Those moments make it all worthwhile.

So, to my fellow aspiring authors: fasten your seatbelts, stock up on caffeine, and prepare to hustle harder than ever. Self-publishing isn’t easy, but when you hold that first copy in your hands? It’s pure magic.

And when you’re knee-deep in formatting chaos? Remember, if I survived, so can you!

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