3 things I learned as a first-time indie author in 2025

1. 
   

   The learning curves are steep ...

   
   

   I had to learn a lot as I went.

   Main regret? Not getting ARC readers.

   Honestly? I was scared, so I didn't go there ... MISTAKE.

   (Hey: would you like to be an ARC reader on my next project? Let me know!)

2. Little wins: time is key

   
   

   I'm a one-person team. I love writing, but I also have a full-time job and a personal life. I can't always be in 'author' mode. I've accepted I can't do everything at once, and that building my author profile and sales will take time.

   In December 2025 alone, I've sold 6 books so far. Sure, it doesn't sound like many, but each time my book gets out there a little more, it's overwhelmingly amazing.

3. It's possible

   
   

   And I want to do it all again! I'm constantly having to remind myself that there's no hurry and it's not a competition.

   I just need to remember to celebrate that 'Sweet Valentine' is out there in the world for readers to enjoy.

And that's my short but sweet round-up of my author journey in 2025. I hope that someone out there finds this useful.