I learned so much from publishing my first book. It helped me learn the process of publishing and how it should go. There were many mistakes that i made.. that I'm going to have to fix eventually. I was much more confident with my second book and I also have my go to people now. I cant even tell you how many cover makers, formater and editors I went through before I got my people.
I would tell myself not to doubt myself. Not everyone is going to like my stories, they aren't for everyone. Self doubt is a dream killer and had i not doubted myself I'd have so many more books completed and published by now.
An English teacher of mine actually inspired me. She loved my short stories, I was a freshman in high school and one day she gave me a laptop and told me to do something with it. I started It Is What It Is a few days later. I was 15.
The feeling that comes with any recognition is amazing. I wish i could do more than say thank you. I feel like what i'm doing is what i should be doing.
