Why I Chose to Self-Publish
And why it finally felt like choosing magic!
I get asked all the time why I chose to self-publish instead of trying for a traditional deal. And every time, my answer comes back to this:
I wanted to write the kind of stories I love — stories filled with magic, heart, and hope — without waiting for permission.
I didn’t want to stand at the edge of a long road, holding my stories while someone far away decided if they were worthy. I wanted to put those stories into readers’ hands now, while the ink was still wet and the excitement still alive.
1. Because my stories felt ready — even if the industry wasn’t
Traditional publishing can take years. Years of querying, waiting, revising, and hoping someone says “yes.” I was in that line, and I decided to step out!
My characters were already speaking.
My worlds were already alive.
My magic systems were already singing in my head.
I didn’t want them sitting in a big blue bin collecting dust. I wanted to share them with readers who were ready to step into those worlds with me.
Self-publishing opened that door.
2. Because creative control matters to me — down to the last detail
I’m the kind of person who loves making things beautiful and intentional.
The covers.
The maps.
The packaging.
The wax seals and brown-paper wraps.
The entire unboxing moment.
Self-publishing lets me craft the experience from the first page to the last piece of string tied around a signed set. I get to build worlds on the page and in readers’ hands, and that’s something I treasure.
3. Because I wanted a genuine connection with readers
There’s something special about shipping a book directly to someone who is excited to read it. It feels personal. It feels like handing them a piece of my heart — without it getting filtered through a dozen middlemen.
When you support my books, you’re supporting me, not a corporation.
And I love being part of that connection.
It feels magical, in the most ordinary, real-life way.
4. Because the writing world is changing
We’re living in a time when authors don’t have to wait to be chosen. We can build our own path, step by step, book by book.
I’ve watched indie authors create beautiful, thriving careers — with devoted readerships, gorgeous special editions, and whole ecosystems built from imagination and determination.
Self-publishing isn’t a “second choice.”
It’s a powerful, creative path that rewards heart and hard work.
5. Because this isn’t just my hobby — it’s my calling
I didn’t choose self-publishing just to release a book.
I chose it because I wanted to build something lasting.
A catalog of stories.
A brand.
A place where clean YA fantasy feels magical, hopeful, and emotionally true.
Scribbled Reads LLC isn’t just a business — it’s the home for every world I build and every reader who steps into them.
Self-publishing gave me the freedom to grow fast, dream big, and create a life centered around storytelling.
6. And honestly? I chose self-publishing because I believe in these stories
I believe in elemental magic and singing dragons.
In shifters bound by destiny.
In people who choose hope even when the world cracks around them.
In courage that comes in quiet, steady pieces.
I believe these stories deserve to exist now — not someday, not eventually, but today.
Self-publishing allowed me to stop waiting and start sharing.
If you’re an aspiring author wondering which path to take…
Here’s what I’ve learned:
If you want to write freely, if you want to build boldly, if you want to connect deeply with your readers — self-publishing is a beautiful path. Not easy, but deeply rewarding.
And for me?
It was the right choice.
The true one.
The one that let me bring magic into the world without apology.
Thank you for choosing to read my stories.
Thank you for stepping into these worlds with me.
And as always —
may your reading be magical. ✨
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