Samantha Mullins's Blog, page 2
March 12, 2025
First Week as a Self-Published Author: Chaos, Caffeine, and Conquering the Unknown
Well, it happened. I hit the button. You know, the button—the terrifying, exhilarating, completely irreversible "Publish" button. After months (and months... and months) of rereading, editing, and circling back through the cycle of "Shampoo-Rinse-Repeat," Heavens Keys is officially out in the world.
Cue the celebratory confetti! 🎉
And then cue the immediate realization that now the real work begins.
Because as it turns out, writing the book? That was the warm-up. Now, I have to make sure people actually read it.
Step One: Accept My Status as a Tiny Pebble in a Giant Publishing OceanI am a brand-new, unknown, indie author in a sea of so many incredible books and writers. I don’t expect overnight fame, instant bestseller status, or even (let’s be real) a huge paycheck. But I do expect my inner self-doubt to chime in with,
📢 “Your book sucks.”
📢 “No one's going to read it.”
📢 “Are you sure you spelled ‘definitely’ right every time?”
But that voice? It’s not in charge.
Step Two: Scream Into the Void (a.k.a. Marketing)Since hitting "publish," I've been running around (virtually) like a caffeinated goblin setting up:
✅ A Goodreads page (because apparently, that’s where books live)
✅ A shiny new author Facebook page (because my book deserves a home)
✅ An actual website (which makes me feel very official)
✅ Outreach to book reviewers (because reviews = credibility = more people willing to take a chance on my book)
✅ A LibraryThing Giveaway launching April 1st (so free books are happening, folks!)
I even braved BookTok—because let’s face it, TikTok is where books get discovered. Did I know how to make a book trailer before last week? Nope. Did I make one anyway? Absolutely. It’s basic, but hey, we all start somewhere, right? (Pro-level book trailers can come after I’ve had several more cups of coffee.)
Step Three: Keep Writing, Keep GoingWhile Heavens Keys is officially out, Under Darkness is still in its final editing phase (because perfectionist tendencies never rest), and Lightfall Rising is technically still in progress… though editing the previous books kind of hijacked my writing flow.
But I’m getting there.
For now, I’ll keep reaching out, putting my book into the hands of readers, and reminding myself that every author—no matter how big—once started as an unknown.
So if you're reading this and you've made it to the end: hi, you’re awesome! And if you happen to pick up my book, even better. I hope you enjoy it! If not… well, thanks for stopping by!
Now, back to the chaos of editing. Someone send snacks. 📝☕✨ Time to throw on some K-pop—maybe some Stray Kids, ATEEZ, SF9, or SEVENTEEN—because nothing fuels productivity like a dramatic beat drop. And of course, I’ll have an Asian drama playing in the background for maximum multitasking. (Will I actually follow the subtitles while deep in edits? Probably not. But will I pretend I can? Absolutely.)
Cue the celebratory confetti! 🎉
And then cue the immediate realization that now the real work begins.
Because as it turns out, writing the book? That was the warm-up. Now, I have to make sure people actually read it.
Step One: Accept My Status as a Tiny Pebble in a Giant Publishing OceanI am a brand-new, unknown, indie author in a sea of so many incredible books and writers. I don’t expect overnight fame, instant bestseller status, or even (let’s be real) a huge paycheck. But I do expect my inner self-doubt to chime in with,
📢 “Your book sucks.”
📢 “No one's going to read it.”
📢 “Are you sure you spelled ‘definitely’ right every time?”
But that voice? It’s not in charge.
Step Two: Scream Into the Void (a.k.a. Marketing)Since hitting "publish," I've been running around (virtually) like a caffeinated goblin setting up:
✅ A Goodreads page (because apparently, that’s where books live)
✅ A shiny new author Facebook page (because my book deserves a home)
✅ An actual website (which makes me feel very official)
✅ Outreach to book reviewers (because reviews = credibility = more people willing to take a chance on my book)
✅ A LibraryThing Giveaway launching April 1st (so free books are happening, folks!)
I even braved BookTok—because let’s face it, TikTok is where books get discovered. Did I know how to make a book trailer before last week? Nope. Did I make one anyway? Absolutely. It’s basic, but hey, we all start somewhere, right? (Pro-level book trailers can come after I’ve had several more cups of coffee.)
Step Three: Keep Writing, Keep GoingWhile Heavens Keys is officially out, Under Darkness is still in its final editing phase (because perfectionist tendencies never rest), and Lightfall Rising is technically still in progress… though editing the previous books kind of hijacked my writing flow.
But I’m getting there.
For now, I’ll keep reaching out, putting my book into the hands of readers, and reminding myself that every author—no matter how big—once started as an unknown.
So if you're reading this and you've made it to the end: hi, you’re awesome! And if you happen to pick up my book, even better. I hope you enjoy it! If not… well, thanks for stopping by!
Now, back to the chaos of editing. Someone send snacks. 📝☕✨ Time to throw on some K-pop—maybe some Stray Kids, ATEEZ, SF9, or SEVENTEEN—because nothing fuels productivity like a dramatic beat drop. And of course, I’ll have an Asian drama playing in the background for maximum multitasking. (Will I actually follow the subtitles while deep in edits? Probably not. But will I pretend I can? Absolutely.)
Who Let Me Write a Book? (Oh Right, I Did.)
I Wrote a Book… Then Another… And Now I Have a Whole Series?
Hi, I’m Samantha! Fantasy author, world-builder, caffeine enthusiast, anime enjoyer, Asian drama lover, and someone who keeps telling herself “this next draft will be the last” (it never is).
Let’s talk books.
My debut novel, Heavens Keys, is out in the world (yes, actually published—cue happy screaming!). But funny enough, I wrote Under Darkness (Book 2) before Heavens Keys was even edited. Because why do things in order when you can make life more complicated?
Right now, Under Darkness is sitting pretty in the "I’ve written it, but now I have to edit the life out of it" stage. (Which, let’s be honest, is where books go to haunt their authors.)
Then there’s Book Three, Lightfall Rising, which is in the “yes, I’m totally writing this” stage, aka “let me finish dealing with Book 2 first”. As for Books 4 & 5? Oh, they exist--somewhere in the void of my imagination. TBD on when they decide to materialize.
So if you love magic, reluctant heroines, broody fae princes, and prophecies that absolutely ruin everyone’s lives, then welcome! Stick around for chaotic writing updates, bookish ramblings, and me trying to pretend I have a plan.
And if you’ve ever wanted to write a book but keep putting it off—just remember, I did it. Which means you can, too.
Happy reading, and may your books never require 50 rounds of edits.
Hi, I’m Samantha! Fantasy author, world-builder, caffeine enthusiast, anime enjoyer, Asian drama lover, and someone who keeps telling herself “this next draft will be the last” (it never is).
Let’s talk books.
My debut novel, Heavens Keys, is out in the world (yes, actually published—cue happy screaming!). But funny enough, I wrote Under Darkness (Book 2) before Heavens Keys was even edited. Because why do things in order when you can make life more complicated?
Right now, Under Darkness is sitting pretty in the "I’ve written it, but now I have to edit the life out of it" stage. (Which, let’s be honest, is where books go to haunt their authors.)
Then there’s Book Three, Lightfall Rising, which is in the “yes, I’m totally writing this” stage, aka “let me finish dealing with Book 2 first”. As for Books 4 & 5? Oh, they exist--somewhere in the void of my imagination. TBD on when they decide to materialize.
So if you love magic, reluctant heroines, broody fae princes, and prophecies that absolutely ruin everyone’s lives, then welcome! Stick around for chaotic writing updates, bookish ramblings, and me trying to pretend I have a plan.
And if you’ve ever wanted to write a book but keep putting it off—just remember, I did it. Which means you can, too.
Happy reading, and may your books never require 50 rounds of edits.
