When I published my first book, I thought the hardest part would be writing it.
I was wrong.
Writing a novel takes time, determination, countless revisions, and more than a few moments of self-doubt. By the time I reached the end of my manuscript, I truly believed the difficult part was behind me.
Then I stepped into the world of self-publishing.
Like many new authors, I began searching for answers online. I watched videos. I read articles. I joined author groups. I followed social media accounts dedicated to self-publishing.
And everywhere I looked, I saw the same message:
"Self-publishing is easy."
What many people didn't tell me was that publishing a book and understanding publishing are two very different things.
The deeper I ventured into the publishing world, the more I discovered something surprising:
There were entire parts of the process I didn't even know existed.
The Things You Don't Know You Know
One of the most challenging aspects of becoming an indie author isn't writing the book.
It's learning about all the things nobody tells you until after you've already made important decisions.
ISBNs.
Barcodes.
Distribution.
Bookstores.
Author copies.
Publishing rights.
Second editions.
Metadata.
Retail channels.
At the beginning, most new authors aren't thinking about these things.
They're thinking about their story.
They're thinking about finally holding their book in their hands.
They're thinking about seeing their work published for the first time.
That was certainly true for me.
When I published The Crimson Legacy: The Isle of Legends, I wasn't thinking about bookstore shelves or local retailers.
I was thinking about accomplishing a dream.
But as time passed, my goals evolved.
What began as simply publishing a book turned into wanting to attend book signings, selling author copies, connecting with readers in person, and exploring opportunities beyond Amazon.
And that's when I discovered there was still so much to learn.
What I Learned About ISBNs
I recently wrote an entire blog post about changing ISBN numbers and what I learned throughout that process.
At the time I first published, I didn't fully understand the long-term implications of ISBN ownership.
Many first-time authors don't.
We often make decisions based on the information we have available at the time.
There's nothing wrong with that.
The important thing is continuing to learn as your publishing journey grows.
For me, obtaining my own ISBNs became an important step as I looked toward broader publishing opportunities and future distribution options.
What surprised me most, however, wasn't the ISBNs themselves.
It was what I learned afterward.
The Barcode Surprise
Once I obtained my own ISBNs, I discovered another detail I hadn't previously considered.
Barcodes.
It sounds like a small thing.
In reality, it became one more piece of the publishing puzzle I hadn't known existed.
When uploading a book through KDP, you'll see options regarding ISBNs and barcodes. At the time, I didn't fully appreciate why those questions mattered.
Like many new authors, I was focused on publishing my book.
Not on all the possible paths my publishing journey might take years later.
As I began exploring in-person sales, local events, and future retail opportunities, I realized that these seemingly small publishing details can become much more important than they initially appear.
Fortunately, I also discovered that obtaining a barcode didn't require spending a fortune.
I personally used Bookow to generate my barcode. The service allows users to make a donation if they wish, but it also provides an option to continue without payment.
That was a pleasant surprise.
The Canadian Advantage Many Authors Don't Realize Exists
One thing I learned during this process is that much of the publishing advice online is written from a United States perspective.
As a result, Canadian authors can sometimes be left believing they need to spend money on things that may actually be available at no cost.
Before I started researching, I often saw discussions about purchasing ISBNs.
Many authors understandably assume this is simply another publishing expense.
What I discovered was that eligible Canadian publishers and self-published authors can obtain ISBNs through Library and Archives Canada free of charge.
That information alone has the potential to save new Canadian authors a significant amount of money.
Yet I rarely see it discussed in many of the self-publishing conversations taking place online.
The Business of Being an Indie Author
One thing I've come to realize is that being an indie author often means wearing multiple hats.
Writer.
Editor.
Researcher.
Designer.
Marketer.
Publisher.
Business owner.
Problem solver.
And occasionally, professional internet detective.
The reality is that most indie authors are not sitting on thousands of dollars waiting to be spent.
Many are balancing families, careers, responsibilities, and financial realities while trying to bring their stories into the world.
That's why I believe it's important to understand what you're paying for—and why.
Some services may be worth every penny.
Others may not be necessary for your particular goals.
The key is making informed decisions rather than assuming every advertised service is essential.
Why I Share These Lessons
I want to be clear about something.
I'm not writing this because I'm selling a course.
I'm not writing this because I'm launching a publishing program.
I'm not writing this because I claim to have all the answers.
I don't.
I'm simply sharing what I've learned while navigating my own publishing journey.
If something I've discovered helps another author avoid confusion, save money, or make a more informed decision, then sharing that experience feels worthwhile.
Because sometimes the most valuable advice isn't found in an expensive course.
Sometimes it's found in a conversation between authors who are learning as they go.
The Real Lesson
If there is one thing this journey has taught me, it is this:
Don't assume you need to spend money simply because someone tells you that you do.
Research.
Ask questions.
Read multiple sources.
Talk to other authors.
Learn how things work before reaching for your wallet.
The publishing world is filled with things you don't know.
And that's okay.
Every author starts somewhere.
Every author learns along the way.
Every author discovers things they wish someone had explained sooner.
This is simply one of mine.
And if you're standing at the beginning of your own publishing journey, I hope sharing it helps make the road ahead just a little easier.
Until next time Lovelies!
Always,
— Ambrose Fider