Welcome to the inaugural post in what will be a series detailing—well, the things I Wish I’d Known Before. My intent here is for it to be part educational, part therapeutic. This series is meant to help others and give me space to reflect.

Looking back, I was naive about what it takes to be an author. I had a fantasy in my head about a lifestyle that doesn’t really exist in today’s world.

There’s far more to becoming a successful author than just writing a great story and releasing it to the world.

I want to open that door—peel back the layers—and maybe, just maybe, help someone else who wants to try their hand at this whole writing thing. Or at the very least, give some insight into the behind-the-scenes of being an author.

Have the things I’ve experienced made me want to stop writing?

Not at all. In fact, they’ve made me want to write even more. But there are easily a million (slightly hyperbolic, lol) things I wish I’d known ahead of time about what it really takes.

I’m an open-book kind of person (pun intended). If someone asks me a question, I give them a straight answer. If I’m not having a good day, I’ll say so—no sugar-coating. It throws people off when you’re honest too. Which is weird, but that’s another story.

Why do I bring that up? Because I plan to be transparent in this series. I want to give readers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create and share my stories. And, little by little, share part of my life with you.

When I started this journey—about ten years ago now—I was full of that wide-eyed hope you get when chasing a dream. I didn’t know much about the publishing world, and at thirty-something, I was starting from scratch.

It’d been years since I’d written anything. My college days. And even longer since I’d done creative writing. I was an accounting major.

Sure, I did some research. But no amount of research can prepare you for the brutal reality of authorship.

Yes, it’s easier to publish a book now than it was fifty—or even six hundred—years ago. (Shout out to the invention of the Gutenberg press, 1440.) After all, with platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, you can do it yourself.

Gone are the days of sending out hundreds of query letters to literary agents in the hopes of getting published. No more begging gatekeepers to shop your manuscript to the big publishing houses—only to have them slice it up to make it “marketable,” then take a big chunk of your royalties.

That’s where self-publishing shines… and also where it can destroy you if you’re not careful.

That’s where I hit my first wall.

Writing the story? Easy. Craft the plot, write the chapters—done. But all the other stuff? That’s where my lack of knowledge caught up with me.

I had to relearn grammar rules, figure out editing processes, and navigate an ocean of self-publishing pitfalls. Honestly, I’ve never fully grasped the mechanics of editing—but hey, that’s why we have editors. (Huge shoutout to Peggy, my editor for the Heartland Series. You’ve been amazing.)

Unlike traditional publishing, self-publishing leaves you to figure everything out: editing, marketing, proofreading, beta readers, and promotion. All of it. And because of that, you’re a ripe target for scammers.

So many companies promise the world—”Amazon Bestseller!” “Top 10 Guaranteed!”—all for just a few grand upfront. A small price to pay for all that sweet, sweet ROI, right?

Best-seller equates to thousands in royalties. You’ll earn that money back in no time.

Wrong. It’s a scam.

They prey on hope. They prey on dreams. And they got me.

When I received my “edited” manuscript for Heartland Strike, I knew I was in trouble. I had trusted the wrong people. I believed shortcuts would get me there. I was wrong.

Fast forward several years, and I’m still learning. Not just how to write better, as any writer worth their salt would say that their prose can always be improved. If they say otherwise, they’re probably lying to you.. But more-so, how to build a platform. How to build trust.

It’s like this: say your car dies, and you’re looking for a new one. You pull up to two dealerships—one is a well-known national brand, the other is a dirt lot with a sign that says “Rick’s Auto.”

Which one are you going to trust?

We gravitate toward what we know. That’s why names like Stephen King, James Patterson, JD Robb, J.K. Rowling, and George R.R. Martin sell books. They’re household names.

That’s where I want to be. A known, trusted name.

Getting there? It takes time, good writing, precision, and—most importantly—strong marketing.

Having a platform. Building a name and brand.

This is the beginning of that and my journey. One I want to share with all of you in hopes either to help, or just to tell about all the things…

I wish I’d known before.