What I've learned from self-publishing 40 books!

Today I'm sharing some key things that I've learned from self-publishing 40 romance books. I published my first book in 2014 and the industry has changed a lot since then. It still shocks me to see how far I've come in this industry. I hope these tips help you in your self-publishing journey! Don't forget to leave me a comment below and like + sub if you haven't already! Thank you so much for being a part of my little community over here on youtube. I appreciate you all so much!

Snail Mail:
Courtney Young | PO BOX 697 | Groves, TX 77619

Do you have a question about self-publishing?

//A B O U T M E//

Pen names: Lyra Parish & Kennedy Fox (we're an author duo!)

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//Other News //
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//Searching for a Motivational Writing Group? //
I have a writing group on Facebook where you can earn stickers each month if you write 10K in a day or 50K in a month. You can choose your own day. It's a supportive community that's also fun. If you're international, feel free to join! I've sent stickers to people all around the world since July 2019!
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//2021 R E L E A S E S C H E D U L E//
Pushing You Away - February
Holding You Close - March
Bossing the Cowboy - May
Kissing the Cowboy - June
Winning the Cowboy - July
Forcing You Away - September
Wanting You Close - October
The End of Us - November
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//S O C I A L M E D I A//

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[AuthorMelodyLoomis]

There’s a quote and I forget who said it, but it says don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle, and I tell myself that when I feel like comparing myself to others. They are further along in the publishing journey, and I will get there one day too. Thanks for your insight, Courtney. You are an inspiration! And congrats on your 40 books! Amazing!

[SuperHappyNotMerry]

13:05 it took me so long to admit to myself that I want to write romance novels because I internalized this opinion so much. I think it has to do with having an older male mentor when I was a young and impressionable woman. he liked literary and so I wrote literary because I wanted to impress him. not to say I don't enjoy writing literary, I actually genuinely do enjoy writing my weird freaky literary works too. but I just have so much _fun_ writing romance, giggling to myself like a maniac as I'm typing or getting in the zone and writing 2k in 90 minutes. so now I've made it my goal to write romance andnbegin my self-publishing journey by the end of 2024! doesn't mean I won't also write literary under my real name, but I just won't have to worry about making money off a genre that is notoriously low in profits.

[lisapenner-dang]

Thank you for this message. 40 books is a huge accomplishment! I have been writing screenplays for over two years ( 17) and now exploring children's picture books. I'm having a friend do collage art for my first one. I will get an LLC and have her get one as well.

[TheSwordandPearl]

This was so encouraging. Thank you and for being so real about trusting people and being cautious. Thank you you're lovely

[SylviaUnscripted]

Yes. I agree with everything in this video but especially your advice in points 4 and 10. Good for you for staying true to your self in a humble way and encouraging others to do this. It sucks that sometimes the publishing industry feels like a shark tank but there are so many good people out there too--they're just usually quiet and harder to find. It's great to hear you encouraging other writers like this! So glad I found your channel! I am indie publishing my debut novel (YA historical fiction) and am currently drafting a romance novel under a pen name. As much as I LOVED writing my historical fiction book, I can totally relate to what you said about enjoying what you write--romance is SO MUCH FUN!

[atwistedlime]

Thank you for your frank take on this. I’m new and trying to find my path. Appreciate all your info.

[coloneljessop]

7:23 So true and they're usually so-called friends. A great line for a book.

[shellystar]

Thank you! I needed this today. I've been bummed because I have to return to a full time job I hate. Add a husband, and a child who's involved in a lot of activities, I'm just not sure when I'll a have time to write. And I'm not getting younger. Keep writing the words - exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for imparting the wisdom you've gained 😀

[TheXinchew]

I love love love love this so much. " be happy for other's success!! " so so true. Thank you girl! I love your video so much. Helps me stay in my lane. And keep moving ❤

[motoeric]

Excellent video. Thank you. There are times as a writer when you feel like banging your head against the wall. A bit of encouragement goes a long way. Thanks for keeping the engine going.

[denanebergall]

Great video as usual! The issue I'm having right now is not new, but still annoying. I have a Pre-Order due in December and I'm trying to edit it, but I am sooo over this story and have no interest in working on it. I keep telling myself I have to get through this to get on to another book, but still, my brain is sludge when I go to work on it. I know everyone goes through an "I hate this book" stage so I am trying to stay optimistic, but at the same time I still feel like if I can't be excited about my book, how are the readers going to be? Oh well. It will all work out. Thanks so much for your videos and live writing sprints!

[MariaBaiasHeritage]

Thank you for the information and advice! This is very helpful! And it's so sad to hear that there are people out there want to be your friends only when you reach a certain level of success because it's of use to them.

[anthonyizzoauthor]

Glad I found your channel. Excellent perspectives on writing and self-publishing.

[SDHegyes]

Such great tips. Thank you for making this video. A lot of times, I get caught up in the success of others. I love that they're being successful, and I celebrate every win with those I know. But at the same time, it makes me wonder when I'll have my own success stories like theirs. I'm a quick writer, but a slow editor—I'm actually learning to slow down my writing so there's less editing and cleaner writing the first go-round—and so I'm not publishing as quickly. But with every book I've noticed exactly what you mentioned. Backlist is key. Lovely video. I can't wait until I'm able to say I've published 10 books, then 20, 30, etc. I love the idea of these videos every 10+ books! I can't wait to see your next one after 50 books.

[Katlyn_Duncan]

Hey Courtney, nice to see you back on youtube. Loved this video, super motivational. It's helpful to be reminded of all of this advice. Sometimes as an indie we can be bogged down with advice and "expectations" of an author when really we need to look back and focus on why we started writing, and our own career/journey. Hope to "see" you soon!

[penguinlover]

This was so inspirational. I will try and incorporate your advice into my writing journey. Wish you the best! Thank you

[catcoluccio]

Thank you for such an encouraging video. As a non fiction author wanting to move into fiction, your tips are gold - especially about not comparing yourself.

[judyprescottmarshall]

Great video! Yes, I'm a huge fan of yours. Love your straight talk. Thanks, Judy.

[JoeyPaulOnline]

I loved the staying in your own lane, its so easy to look at others and think they had it made, but hard work and time will get you there, and better to focus on what you're doing than anyone else, and it very much is different for everyone.

[deidrewritesromance]

❤️❤️❤️ First of all congratulations on 40 freaking books! Whoop Whoop! I needed this video so hard. I just haven't been motivated to push for a while, because I'm struggling with a bunch of these exact issues that seem stupid to so many around me. But it helps so much to be reminded that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I haven't published in a little over a year and the prospect of starting over has been daunting but now I actually feel like I can. Thanks so much, Courtney! Hopefully, you and your family are doing okay ❤️