How Instagram Led Me to Self-Publishing

By Gayle Kirschenbaum

I never imagined writing a book, let alone self-publishing one. My creative expression was filmmaking. I needed visuals and sound to tell my stories. Along the way, when I had something I wanted to get off my chest, I turned to pen and paper and wrote personal essays—sometimes they got published. But the idea of having enough material to create a book—never mind publish it myself—was so far from my reality and comfort zone.  

I had turned some of my creative energy...