Self-Publishing 101

My workshop at the WriteAngles Writers Conference

I plan to share what I have learned first-hand about self-publishing at a conference this fall. Appropriately titled, Self-Publishing 101, this workshop will help writers curious about whether this would be a realistic approach for them.

The workshop will take place Saturday, Oct. 24 at the 2026 WriteAngles Writers Conference at Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Mass. Here’s a link to Straw Dog Writers Guild, which is sponsoring the conference. I am a member.

This is the pitch I offered the conference’s organizers: You’ve written a book you want others to read, but your querying attempts have failed to attract a publisher. Yes, self-publishing is a legitimate option. As a hybrid author who has self-published 15 books, I will share what I’ve learned, including the possibilities, realities, and processes of publishing this way.

Since I started as a wide-eyed, wannabe author 26 years ago, I have had a variety of experiences related to the publishing world. The first thing I learned is there is writing and then there is the business of writing. Frankly, the first is easier.

I queried a gazillion agents — in those days indie publishers were few. I did secure two agents, but they were unable to sell my books. After we parted ways, I paid a talented friend to design three books that I self-published. I also kept writing novels.

Then in 2017, shortly after we moved from New Mexico to Western Mass., I hooked up with an indie publisher, Crooked Cat/darkstroke books based in France, which published 11 of my books. It was a very rewarding experience, but in 2024, the publisher closed shop.

Bloodhound Books in the UK reached out to publish the first in my Isabel Mystery Series, but, alas, no more. What to do? I pledged this time not to query aka beg even with the large increase in indie publishers willing to take on writers without an agent.

Like so much in my life, I decided to do it myself, including handling the formatting and promotion. Crooked Cat/darkstroke handed over the covers free plus formatting guidelines, so I got started.. Using my laptop and software I already have, I republished eight books and then published four new ones. You can see them in the photo above. I admit being lucky to have an artist son Ezra who creates covers for me.

Curious? Here’s the link to my books on Amazon.

What will I offer at this workshop at the WriteAngles Writers Conference? Basically, it will be the nuts and bolts of self-publishing. And those who attend can decide if this is the way to go for them. I will write another post closer to the conference.

So much to teach in 75 minutes, but I will do my best in Self-Publishing 101.