CBC Barbados
Embracing Independence: My Journey to Self-Publishing with AI, Microsoft Word and Amazon KDP
As authors in the 21st century, the journey of bringing words to life is not just about storytelling; it's about mastering the art of self-publishing. My personal trajectory from traditional manuscript submissions to indie publishers, to fully harnessing the capabilities of AI and Amazon KDP, is a testament to the evolving world of independent publishing.
In the beginning, like many writers, I navigated through the conventional paths—designing my own book covers to keep costs down, meticulously preparing manuscripts on typewriters, analogue mobile phones and clunky laptops, then submitting them to indie publishers. It was a period that shaped my understanding of the industry and a crucial chapter of my authorial identity.
As the digital revolution unfolded, it brought with it tools that seemed to reach out directly to independent authors. The possibility of designing book covers with AI emerged as a creative renaissance. I designed the book covers for both Becoming What you Believe & "Time Will Tell" with the help of AI and platforms like Canva.
No longer was I confined to the back-and-forth of human collaborations; I could now input my vision into an AI's algorithm and receive a plethora of design options, each encapsulating the essence of my story with precision and artistic flair.
Formatting used to be another beast to tame altogether—an intricate dance of headers, footers, margins, and fonts. But Microsoft Word Editor and Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) came with its suite of intuitive tools that simplified the entire ordeal. The KDP interface granted me the autonomy to format my books with ease, offering templates and previews to ensure that every page looked just as I had envisioned before hitting the 'Publish' button.
Self-publishing with Amazon KDP didn't just streamline the formatting process; it revolutionised my approach to the broader publishing spectrum. The comprehensive platform endowed me with marketing tools, real-time sales analytics, and most importantly, direct access to a global audience.
The metamorphosis from reliance on indie publishers to self-reliance underscored a shift in mindset. It became clear that self-publishing was not a solitary venture, but a movement of independent storytellers empowered by technology. With each new tool, every revised edition, and through the leveraging of AI, Microsoft Word and Amazon KDP, I became an entrepreneur, marketer, designer, and publisher—all wrapped into one.
This journey has been more than just a shift in publishing methods; it's been an education. Each step, from the tactile world of print to the expansive digital realm, has underscored the same underlining narrative: the onus is on us, the authors, to take charge of our stories.
Like the great Jimmy Cliff said... "You can get it if you really want".
I've been asked this question a few times recently ...
"Is there any correlation between your books Time Will and Becoming What You Believe?"
"Time Will Tell" is the story of that 7 year old boy and his life changing experience, the pressures and struggles that he faced in having no choice but to adapt, and a journey through his mind and experiences as he grew from boy to man. It's my story and I am forever proud and blessed to be able to share it.
"Becoming What You Believe" on the other hand, is not a biography, it's a self-help, life coach career type of book and it is my opportunity to give back and encourage future generations. It shows the kind of tough mental mindset that that once lost, confused, scared and scarred young boy developed.
You can become what you want to become. History is for reference not for residence.
