SELF-PUBLISHING SERIES RECAP

Oh, hey! Ça va ? It’s been a few months since I posted something here, and today, I’m coming with something a bit… lighter. By now, you already know that I am an author; what you may not know is everything that went into publishing my book independently. I talk all about it on a new platform that has made me take another step outside of my comfort zone.

The New Platform

After months of contemplating the idea of starting a YouTube channel, I finally made the earlier this year. I initially thought I was going to make short-form videos on TikTok because it was less intimidating, but then I realized all I have to say (and show) may not always fit in a three-minute vertical video. So, on February 7, 2025, I posted my very first video on my YouTube channel. Well, technically, it wasn’t the very first video, because that channel is where I previously posted The Trailer, but you get the point.

Independently publishing my book led me to starting a company, so, on my channel, I share my journey as an author and entrepreneur in Canada. While posts on this blog will remain bilingual (in English and French), I primarily post YouTube videos in English.

Self-publishing in Canada

I recently completed a four-part series about self-publishing my book in Canada. Throughout my writing and publishing journey, I did a lot of research but couldn’t find many resources focused on the Canadian market.

Many of the resources I share in this series can be useful for authors around the world, but I made sure to also include ones that are specific to the Canadian market; I do so in light of my personal experiences. I talk about everything from writing, editing and translating, to book interior and cover design, to metadata and copyright, and finally publishing and distribution with IngramSpark and Amazon KDP. Some elements, like ISBNs, had different processes depending on the language of the book. Since I published my book in English and French, I had to apply for an ISBN with two separate government entities in Canada.

In addition to resources and practical advice, I also give you the stories behind every step of my process. Being a first-time author who never thought about writing a book, I learned a lot! I learned from my research, and I learned from the many mistakes I made along the way.

Okay! I’ll leave you to watch the series. Below is Part III about book metadata and copyright. This step of the publishing process can be easily overlooked, especially by self-published authors, but it’s arguably the most important one after writing a good manuscript. Your readers need to be able to find your masterpiece! book metadata helps with exactly that. Enjoy!

I’ll be back soon. In the meantime, stay well, physically and mentally.

Câlins,

Danielle