Why I chose to self-publish

I’ve spent the last twenty years building the Twisted series, stories I’ve poured my heart and soul into. The first book, especially, was a real labour of love. It grew through the Faber Program, entered competitions, and was pitched to agents and publishers. For a long time, though, it felt like I was sending my words out into the void.

And yes, I got a bit tired of hearing, “So, when are you going to get published?” The truth is that pitching isn’t my strength. I’ve never been great at selling myself (anyone who’s ever interviewed me can confirm that!), and putting creative work out there can be pretty confronting. My two creative kids get that completely. It seems to run in the family!

But here’s the exciting part: recently, I received feedback from a competition, and readers genuinely loved the book. Some even said it was “ready for publication” and wondered why it wasn’t already out there. That kind of feedback was a huge confidence boost and a lovely reminder that persistence pays off.

At the start of 2025, I took some time off work and started a brand-new book. To my surprise, it came together in just six weeks! When I returned to work, I refined the draft, tightened the plot, deepened the characters, and polished the writing. Then in April, I shared it with beta readers, whose thoughtful feedback helped me take it to the next level.

After a few more rounds of edits, this book will officially become my debut novel. Choosing this story for my debut makes sense. It’s not tied up with twenty years of creative history like the Twisted series, and it gives me the freedom to learn the publishing ropes with fresh energy and fewer expectations.

That said, I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve written, and I can’t wait to share my stories with readers. This standalone book feels like the perfect first step. A way to finally take control of my writing journey and say, this is it, I’m doing it.