The journey from Self-Published to Traditionally Published author

From Women Writers, Women’s Books:

I often get asked why I decided to self-publish my books. It all started in the summer of 2019 when I attended the Winchester Writers’ Festival, submitting the first three chapters and a synopsis of my debut novel Leave Well Alone to four literary agents beforehand.

It was a busy weekend, listening to guest speakers, participating in workshops, meeting other authors and joining writing seminars. In addition, during the festival, I attended one-to-one sessions with each of the agents I had submitted my work to. These sessions were how I imagined speed dating to be, but for writers to find an agent rather than a lover.

There were about thirty agents in a hall and as many authors. A bell would ring, indicating the start and finish of each session, when the authors would stand up and leave their current perspective before moving on to the next agent. The stakes were high for us authors, each session intense as we hoped to find an agent.

The highlight of the weekend came when I sat down opposite the third agent (from a very reputable agency), and she said, ‘I love it. Everything about it. Your story idea, your writing, your characters, everything!’ We spent the ten-minute slot chatting about the publication process and the author name I should use. It was a surreal moment, and I was beyond excited! While raising my three sons, one of whom has severe disabilities, I’d been writing Leave Well Alone on and off for seven years. I envisaged signing copies of my labour of love in bookstores. I fantasised about seeing it at the airport.

But life doesn’t always take the path we hope for.

Things didn’t work out with that agent (long story), and to say I was bitterly disappointed is an understatement.

But, in hindsight, it was the best thing to happen to me. And if I ever met that agent again, I would wholeheartedly thank her for not taking me on.

I threw my manuscript into the Cloud in disdain and began plotting my second book, Don’t Come Looking. By the end of the year, I had completed a very rough draft.

Discouraged by the agenting process, I began researching self-publishing and what it would entail to get my book into the hands of readers. I found an editor (who went on to edit all my six self-published books) and worked with her to make Leave Well Alone the best it could possibly be. I spent hours learning the beginning of the publishing world and constructing a marketing plan, and at the end of 2019, I decided 2020 would be the year I would see my debut in print.

I found a cover designer, devised a detailed publishing schedule, and taught myself how to run Amazon and Facebook ads. Then, on August 1st, 2020, I self-published my debut. By Christmas, it had earned Amazon’s bestseller tag, topping the charts in both the UK and the USA. Little did I know I would go on to self-publish another five books.

In May 2023, I was approached by Bookouture, a division of Hachette UK, to work with them. Two months later, I signed a two-book deal with them. I was thrilled they signed me on two books I hadn’t even written. I spent the rest of 2023 writing How Can I Trust You? and Did I Kill My Husband? to be published on April 8th and May 29th respectively. I also wrote a short story, Sweet Revenge, to introduce new readers to my work. You can pick up a copy from the following link: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/aj-campbell/

I’m currently writing books nine and ten, which I can’t wait to tell my readers more about.

Link to the rest at Women Writers, Women’s Books