If there’s one thing self-publishing has taught me so far, it’s this:
I don’t really know what I’m doing.
At least… not in the “I have a master plan and a perfectly optimised launch strategy” sense.
What I do have is a growing stack of lessons, a lot of late nights, a willingness to learn as I go, and three books I’m incredibly proud of. And honestly? That’s starting to feel like a pretty solid foundation.
Learning in Public
When you publish traditionally, a lot of decisions are handled somewhere behind the scenes—cover design, positioning, categories, marketing plans, schedules. When you self-publish, the curtain is pulled back and you realise you’re not just the author.
You’re also the designer (or the person hiring one), the marketer, the blurb-writer, the ad-manager, the metadata nerd, the social media person, the “why is my paperback trim size doing that?” problem solver… and occasionally the person staring into the abyss of Amazon KDP dashboards wondering what any of it means.
It’s been humbling. It’s been frustrating. It’s also been genuinely exciting.
Because every time I learn something new, the books get better served.
Why I Redesigned My Covers
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how much covers matter.
Not just because they look nice (though that helps), but because a cover is a promise. It tells the reader the kind of story they’re about to step into. It sets the tone. It signals genre. And in the world of online bookstores—where people scroll fast and judge quickly—it has to do all of that in a split second.
So as part of this ongoing learning process, I’ve redesigned the covers for my three books:
- The Light Between Us
- Tracks in Time
- The Galway Girl
The goal wasn’t just “prettier.” It was clarity, consistency, and a stronger sense of author brand—so that if you enjoy one of my books, you can spot the others instantly.
The New Covers
The Light Between Us
This story sits right in the space I love writing in: emotion-first romance, meaningful connection, and the quiet moments that change everything. If you like romantic stories with heart, tenderness, and a sense of hope running underneath, this one is for you.
If you’ve already read it: thank you.
If you haven’t: this is a great place to start.
Tracks in Time
This is my most personal book to date—one that was inspired by real events and shaped by moments that genuinely stayed with me. It’s still romantic at heart, but it carries a deeper, more reflective pulse too: about timing, the choices we make, and the way life can circle back when we least expect it.
If you’re drawn to romance with emotional weight—stories that feel grounded, honest, and linger after the final page—Tracks in Time might be the one for you.
The Galway Girl
This book is very close to my heart. It leans into atmosphere and place as much as character—romance with a sense of escape, charm, and the kind of chemistry that builds in glances and half-sentences.
If you like romantic fiction with a strong setting—where you can practically feel the air, hear the streets, and get pulled into the world—then you’ll feel at home here.
What I’m Aiming For Next
The truth is, I’m still learning. Probably always will be. But I’m starting to understand the parts of self-publishing that really move the needle:
- presenting the books clearly to the right readers
- building consistency across covers and branding
- writing better blurbs and stronger hooks
- being more intentional about marketing (instead of guessing)
- showing up more regularly, even when it’s messy
And most importantly—keeping the focus where it belongs: on writing stories people can get lost in.
A Small Ask (That Helps More Than You’d Think)
If you’ve read any of my books and enjoyed them, leaving a review is one of the biggest ways you can support an indie author. It doesn’t need to be long—just honest. A few lines makes a massive difference.
And if you’re new here and any of these sound like your kind of read, I’d love for you to try one.
Thank you for being part of this little journey. I might not know exactly what I’m doing yet…
…but I’m getting there. One chapter (and one cover redesign) at a time.
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