From Struggle to Bestseller: How I Wrote, Self-Published, and Marketed My First Book (And How You Can Too in 2025)

They say change is constant, and over the past few years, I’ve lived through that truth in more ways than one. From personal pain to public wins, my journey has been anything but ordinary. And in 2025, I’m proud to say that my first book, No Regrets, Just Lessons, is transforming lives—including mine.

In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to conceptualize, write, self-publish, and sell a best-selling book, even if you have zero writing experience.

Because if I can do it, so can you.

The Journey Behind No Regrets, Just Lessons

By age 17, I had been pregnant twice—one pregnancy from sexual abuse. I didn’t finish high school. I dropped out of college. Yet, I knew I had a story to tell.

Fast forward to 2025, and that story has become a best-selling memoir-meets-self-help book that now includes workshops, affiliate opportunities, and a loyal reader base.

The message is clear: Your pain can become your power. Your story can become someone else’s survival guide.

Step 1: Conceptualize Your Book

Start by asking:

What is the central message of your book?
Is it a memoir, a guide, a journal, or a mixture?
What will the reader gain from reading it?

For me, the concept started when I was 11. I knew I wanted to write a memoir. But I didn’t want it to be just about my life. I wanted each chapter to teach a lesson and include practical exercises that helped readers transform their own lives.

This is how No Regrets, Just Lessons evolved into a memoir with 12 transformative lessons.

Step 2: Layout Your Book

Before writing, sketch out your structure:

Will it be broken down into chapters, lessons, or sections?
What are the key themes or moments that belong in each?

My book includes 12 lessons:

Make Peace With Your Past
Be Comfortable With Who You Are
This Too Shall Pass
Never Give Up On Your Dreams
Set Goals and Crush Them
Character Building
Love Yourself
Face Fear
Don’t Judge, Don’t Hate
Be Vulnerable In Love
Embrace Spirituality
Take Your Life to the Next Level

Step 3: Decide on Content Format

Will your book include:

Photos?
Templates or Worksheets?
Exercises?
Inspirational Artifacts?

Mine includes all of the above—offer letters, budget templates, valedictorian programs, and more. This not only made the book more engaging but gave readers tools they could use immediately.

Step 4: Write With Tech Help

If you’re juggling work or family, writing can be hard. Here’s how I wrote mine:

Used voice notes to capture thoughts on the go
Typed the manuscript on my iPad using Scrivener Pro (great for photos, charts, and text)
Used Grammarly Premium for sentence clarity, grammar, and spelling

Don’t worry if English isn’t your strong suit. Grammarly will become your best friend in 2025 and beyond.

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Step 5: Edit and Proofread Like a Pro

Even with Grammarly, I hired:

A professional editor to restructure and polish the content
A proofreader to fine-tune grammar and punctuation

Pro tip: Use platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to find editors on a budget. You can also ask book-loving friends to review your draft.

Step 6: Design Your Cover and Layout

You have two options:

Do it yourself using Canva or Adobe InDesign
Hire a professional designer (which I did)

My book included:

A professional front and back cover
Concept photographs for each lesson
High-quality interior layout design

Invest in visuals. People do judge a book by its cover.

Step 7: Choose Your Book Size

I chose a 5.5 x 8.5-inch layout—small enough to fit in a handbag, big enough to feel substantial. This size balanced portability with value perception.

Step 8: Get Your ISBN

ISBNs are essential for retail and library placement.

In Jamaica, I worked with Jamaica Library Services
You can also purchase ISBNs online

You need a separate ISBN for each format:

Paperback
Hardcover
eBook
Audiobook

Step 9: Copyright Your Work

There are two ways to copyright:

Poor Man’s Copyright: Mail yourself the sealed manuscript and don’t open it.
Legal Copyright: File through a copyright office or lawyer.

I did both. Better safe than sorry.

Step 10: Choose How to Print

Options:

Amazon KDP for print-on-demand (great for black-and-white books)
Local Printers (I used one in Jamaica)
Regency in Hong Kong (for full-color bulk printing)

Shop around. I saved up to 75% by printing in Hong Kong.

Step 11: Pick Your Formats

I recommend offering all 4 formats if you can:

Paperback
Hardcover
eBook
Audiobook

That way, there’s no excuse for someone not to get your book.

Step 12: Set Your Price

Balance these factors:

Market research
Cost to produce
Your book’s perceived value

My book is $19, and I offer $5-$10 in affiliate commission per sale through my own platform.

Step 13: Why I Chose to Self-Publish

Publishers often take 40%. Retailers take 50%. That leaves you with just 10% of the earnings as the author.

Instead, I built my own e-commerce platform (Gopher) where I:

Sell my book directly
Offer affiliate commissions to supporters
Keep 70-90% of the earnings

Step 14: Market Your Book Like a Pro

Methods I Used:

Affiliate Marketing via Gopher
Book signings and launch events
Speaking gigs (offering books instead of a speaker fee)
Paid ads on Facebook and Instagram
Social media mentions in almost every video and post

Get Reviews!

Ask every reader to review your book
Share those reviews across platforms
Leverage testimonials for future promotions

Final Thoughts for Future Authors

In 2025, there are more tools and platforms than ever to help you share your story. Whether you’re a single mom, a survivor, or someone simply looking to make an impact—your voice matters.

Don’t wait for a publisher to approve you. Don’t wait for the "perfect time." Start today.

And always remember: Your story could be the light someone else is waiting to see.