Blog Post

How I Became a Self-Published Author

  • By Gina Agderian
  • 15 Dec, 2018

My Story

Welcome to my very first blog post!  I am so excited to use my website as a tool to share my story with you.  My posts will feature updates on my progress with my second book as well as life updates, writing tips, and general inspiration.  If you haven't already, I encourage you to visit my About page to learn more.

My journey as a self-published author began when I first learned to read at just three years old.  My father worked nights as a police officer, so most nights it was just my mom and me.  My mother would always make it a priority to read to me before putting me to sleep.  I would follow along as she pointed to each word on the page.  Before long, I had memorized all my favorite books and would correct her when she made a mistake.  I was quickly able to read books other than the ones I had memorized and was reading the Babysitter Club books by the time I was about six years old (hello, child of the 90s here!).

My love of reading eventually fostered a love of writing.  I would write short stories for fun and featured my favorite Disney characters in my work (I was writing fan fiction before it was ever really a thing).  I started keeping a journal at nine years old and spent recesses filling its pages with thoughts, stories, and ideas.  My father would take me to Barnes & Noble on rainy summer days and I would feel like Belle in Beauty and the Beast surrounded by all these gorgeous books.  I would imagine a table full of my books right in the front of the store with hopeful readers longing to snag a copy.  It seemed like such an impossible dream.

Still, I continued to read and keep a journal.  I started college and earned my bachelor's degree in English Literature and Language in hopes of working for a newspaper or magazine, but the journalism industry was changing, and it was something I no longer wanted to be a part of.  I earned my MBA and got a job in corporate America doing something that I enjoyed, but something still felt missing to me.  What about that dream of becoming a writer?  What about the thought of someone curling up with my book, eagerly turning each page to see what happens next?  There were nights when I would cry to my husband and tell him that I felt like I failed my younger self.  Where was that girl who stood there wide-eyed in the book store staring at the titles on the shelves?  Why had I abandoned my childhood dream?

My husband's advice was simple:  You can do it.  Just begin.  And so, I began.

After my job and my family, my book became my priority.  I wrote on nights and weekends.  I declined invitations to make plans with my friends.  Most of my friends were supportive, and the ones who were not supportive fell by the wayside and are no longer in my life.  I wrote and revised and deleted and read and re-read.   One page turned into five pages, five pages turned into fifty pages, and before I knew it, the book was complete.

I had decided early in my writing process that self-publishing was the way to go for me (I plan on doing a separate post all about self-publishing since there are so many misconceptions surrounding it).  I knew I didn't want to query agents and wait for responses.  I wanted assurance that my book would be published and that I would have complete control over the entire project.  I researched everything I could about self-publishing and really understood what I was getting involved in.  My friend of 25+ years Stephanie was my beta reader, and my husband Adam helped me design the cover.  Finally, on April 30th, 2018, The Letters in the Old House was an official book!  I cried when I received the notification from Amazon that my book was available.  It was a proud moment for me, and the feeling I get when someone tells me how much they enjoyed my book is like no other.

Click here to purchase my novel The Letters in the Old House, available in paperback and Kindle.  
 Welcome
My name's Gina, I'm a Jersey girl turned author and I can't wait to share my journey with you. If you've enjoyed The Letters in the Old House, stay tuned for updates on my second novel. I'll be sharing ideas and excerpts here on the blog each week.  
By Gina Agderian August 1, 2023
The graphic above says it all!  The Bergenfield Public Library in Bergenfield, NJ will be hosting a book signing for me on Sunday, October 1st, 2023 at 1:30 PM .  I'll be reading an excerpt from The Letters in the Old House , answering questions, and signing books!  I can't wait to meet some of my readers!

As a self-published author, I never dreamed that I would actually have the opportunity to do a book signing.  It's quite humbling, actually.  This opportunity came to me when one of my husband's friends attended an event at the Bergenfield Library and ended up speaking with someone about my book.  They put me in contact with the person in charge of events, and before I knew it, my signing was scheduled!  I'm hoping one day I will have a self-published best seller, but for now, I'm still in awe of what my dream of becoming a writer and a lot of hard work have brought me.  It's still strange for me to see my name on the cover of a book!

If you're local, I would love for you to attend the book signing so I can meet you and personally thank you for sharing this journey with me.  I hope to see some of you there!
By Gina Agderian April 2, 2023
I am SO EXCITED to share that I was featured in an article for  CanvasRebel  Magazine !  You can view the article here.

CanvasRebel
had reached out to me several weeks ago asking me if I'd be willing to share my journey as a self-published author.  This publication features the stories of micro-creators and gives us an opportunity to shine.  I was thrilled to share my experience and knowledge of self-publishing a book and how my upbringing shaped my creative journey and who I am today.  I love sharing my story because it gives me a chance to inspire others.  I would often look to other independent creatives as proof that someone could self-publish their way to success.  I hope that this article inspires readers to follow their dreams and to not wait for a traditional publisher to give them the "ok" to share their work with the world.  I am thrilled that the article is now live for the world to read!

Summer is coming, and my novel The Letters in the Old House is a great summer read!  The story takes place down the Jersey Shore and is perfect for a day at the beach or lake.  You can also check out my YouTube channel  for book reviews and other fun videos.
By Gina Agderian March 8, 2023

Like most creatives, I am constantly dreaming up new ways to leverage my creativity, expand my GSellsSeashells brand, and connect with my readers. I’ve been working on some fun projects that I am excited to share with you!

 

First, I have published two journals on KDP that are now available on Amazon! These journals are 100% designed by me and have two very different vibes. THIS JOURNALis hardcover and has a tropical vibe featuring palm tree designs on the pages. There’s something about it that reminds me of the Beverly Hills Hotel, even though I haven’t yet visited…or maybe I’ve been watching too many of Josh Flagg’s scenes on Million Dollar Listing LA . Either way, this journal has a cool, swanky feel that will make you feel like you’re staying at a world-class resort hotel.

 

My second recently-published journal has a nautical vibe. THIS JOURNALis softcover and perfect for jotting down your summer plans and adventures. I am in love with the colors used in the cover design.

 

I’ve also started a YouTube channel, which is something I always swore I’d never do. There is something so cringey about filming myself. I feel awkward sitting in front of my phone and filming myself, but I’m slowly becoming more comfortable in front of the camera. My YouTube channelfeatures quick book reviews and a few YouTube Shorts for now, but my plan is to keep the full-length videos focused on book reviews and writing tips and have some fun Shorts of travel, life, etc. However, this could change, so we’ll see where it goes!

 

I’m keeping my 2023 mantra of “Endless Possibilities” at the forefront of everything that I’ve been working on. My goal is to connect with my readers in different ways, even if it means creating journals when I have absolutely zero design experience and filming myself awkwardly talking about books that I’ve read. Straying outside of your comfort zone is the only way you can grow. You never know what will resonate with someone or who is watching!

 

As always, I am eternally grateful for your support! You can p urchase my novel The Letters in the Old House on Amazon in paperback or Kindle, and you can visit my YouTube channelto learn more about what I’ve been reading.

More Posts
By Gina Agderian August 1, 2023
The graphic above says it all!  The Bergenfield Public Library in Bergenfield, NJ will be hosting a book signing for me on Sunday, October 1st, 2023 at 1:30 PM .  I'll be reading an excerpt from The Letters in the Old House , answering questions, and signing books!  I can't wait to meet some of my readers!

As a self-published author, I never dreamed that I would actually have the opportunity to do a book signing.  It's quite humbling, actually.  This opportunity came to me when one of my husband's friends attended an event at the Bergenfield Library and ended up speaking with someone about my book.  They put me in contact with the person in charge of events, and before I knew it, my signing was scheduled!  I'm hoping one day I will have a self-published best seller, but for now, I'm still in awe of what my dream of becoming a writer and a lot of hard work have brought me.  It's still strange for me to see my name on the cover of a book!

If you're local, I would love for you to attend the book signing so I can meet you and personally thank you for sharing this journey with me.  I hope to see some of you there!
By Gina Agderian April 2, 2023
I am SO EXCITED to share that I was featured in an article for  CanvasRebel  Magazine !  You can view the article here.

CanvasRebel
had reached out to me several weeks ago asking me if I'd be willing to share my journey as a self-published author.  This publication features the stories of micro-creators and gives us an opportunity to shine.  I was thrilled to share my experience and knowledge of self-publishing a book and how my upbringing shaped my creative journey and who I am today.  I love sharing my story because it gives me a chance to inspire others.  I would often look to other independent creatives as proof that someone could self-publish their way to success.  I hope that this article inspires readers to follow their dreams and to not wait for a traditional publisher to give them the "ok" to share their work with the world.  I am thrilled that the article is now live for the world to read!

Summer is coming, and my novel The Letters in the Old House is a great summer read!  The story takes place down the Jersey Shore and is perfect for a day at the beach or lake.  You can also check out my YouTube channel  for book reviews and other fun videos.
By Gina Agderian March 8, 2023

Like most creatives, I am constantly dreaming up new ways to leverage my creativity, expand my GSellsSeashells brand, and connect with my readers. I’ve been working on some fun projects that I am excited to share with you!

 

First, I have published two journals on KDP that are now available on Amazon! These journals are 100% designed by me and have two very different vibes. THIS JOURNALis hardcover and has a tropical vibe featuring palm tree designs on the pages. There’s something about it that reminds me of the Beverly Hills Hotel, even though I haven’t yet visited…or maybe I’ve been watching too many of Josh Flagg’s scenes on Million Dollar Listing LA . Either way, this journal has a cool, swanky feel that will make you feel like you’re staying at a world-class resort hotel.

 

My second recently-published journal has a nautical vibe. THIS JOURNALis softcover and perfect for jotting down your summer plans and adventures. I am in love with the colors used in the cover design.

 

I’ve also started a YouTube channel, which is something I always swore I’d never do. There is something so cringey about filming myself. I feel awkward sitting in front of my phone and filming myself, but I’m slowly becoming more comfortable in front of the camera. My YouTube channelfeatures quick book reviews and a few YouTube Shorts for now, but my plan is to keep the full-length videos focused on book reviews and writing tips and have some fun Shorts of travel, life, etc. However, this could change, so we’ll see where it goes!

 

I’m keeping my 2023 mantra of “Endless Possibilities” at the forefront of everything that I’ve been working on. My goal is to connect with my readers in different ways, even if it means creating journals when I have absolutely zero design experience and filming myself awkwardly talking about books that I’ve read. Straying outside of your comfort zone is the only way you can grow. You never know what will resonate with someone or who is watching!

 

As always, I am eternally grateful for your support! You can p urchase my novel The Letters in the Old House on Amazon in paperback or Kindle, and you can visit my YouTube channelto learn more about what I’ve been reading.

By Gina Agderian February 21, 2023

EXCITING NEWS: I have released the title of my second novel! I had already sent an email blast to my subscribers, so please sign up for my email list if you want to be the first to know of any updates or fun announcements. Simply visit my homepage and scroll to the bottom where you’ll be able to enter your email address. And now for the fun announcement!

Drumroll, please…

The title of my second novel is…

The Faceless Woman ! I had this title picked out almost from the beginning of the outlining process, unlike The Letters in the Old House , which received its title after going through revisions. It has been interesting to see how different the entire process has been from my first to my second novel. I’m now able to take what I learned when writing The Letters in the Old House and apply it to The Faceless Woman . I don’t think writing a novel will ever become any easier, but I feel more equipped to handle everything this time around.

I’m also happy to share that I have COMPLETED my first draft of The Faceless Woman ! I had the luxury of recently spending a month in the Poconos with my husband and I was able to get some writing done during our trip. I sat myself down on our last night there and didn’t move for three hours while I finished the first draft of the novel. It is far from perfect and a complete mess, but at least I now have something to work with when revising and editing. The story is slowly but surely taking shape!

As always, thank you so much for your interest, support, and love. I write because I want to, not because I have to. Writing and creating is a labor of love for me, and it makes me so happy when someone tells me that they enjoyed my work.

You can purchase The Letters in the Old House on Amazon by clicking HERE . As always, happy reading!

By Gina Agderian February 5, 2023
What can I say? It has been a while since I’ve last written a blog post! So much has happened in the past few years, and truth be told, I took a break from writing while the world was completely upside down. I needed to step back from writing for mental health reasons. This was a good reminder that it’s ok to take a break from the things that we love – it doesn’t mean that we’re giving up or that we’ll never go back to them. Writing and self-publishing a book is a lot of work and very overwhelming, so taking a break was necessary.
By Gina Agderian November 6, 2019
Crafting in general is good for your mental health and your brain in general.  Simply Google "Crafting good for mental health" and sort through the plethora of articles that insist that crafting is good for you (fellow craft supply hoarders, rejoice!).  Knitting allows you to be still and focus on the task at hand, much like meditation, which allows you to focus on your breathing.  Stillness allows for calmness, peace, and relaxation.
By Gina Agderian May 26, 2019
I have kept a journal since I was nine years old.  One of my closets contains several boxes of journals that tell the story of my childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood.  It's always fun for me to go back and read about my first trip to Disney World or my memories from high school, but more importantly, there are several mental health-related benefits to keeping a journal.
By Gina Agderian April 27, 2019
I can't believe I'm typing this:  The Letters in the Old House will be celebrating its 1st birthday on April 30th, 2019!If I'm being honest, it still feels like I just published this novel a few weeks ago.  It's difficult for me to fathom that my first-born novel is now a year old.  I had worked on The Letters in the Old House on and off for several years and struggled to come up with a title (I won't embarrass myself by sharing what the book might have been named had I gone with any of the sub-par ideas).  I had thought of many other title ideas, but The Letters in the Old House felt right as soon as I had written it down.  I kept going with different names and suggestions, but I kept coming back to this one.  And the rest, as they say, is history.
By Gina Agderian April 20, 2019
Lately, I have been reading articles on Pinterest and seeing posts on Instagram raving about how self-publishing a book is a great way to make passive income.Make money while you sleep!Easy passive income!NONE OF IT IS TRUE!  Writing and marketing a book is hard work, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying through their teeth.
By Gina Agderian March 17, 2019
I recently had the opportunity to share my story on two incredible female-led podcasts:  Beyond 6 Seconds, and The Holistic Sojourner.  The episodes happened to be released one day apart from one another.  I am immensely grateful to have been interviewed on both of these podcasts.
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