I have published ten books, and yet Sallie Dawkins taught me a thing or two about self-publishing. Her book, The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians, is an excellent resource. Sallie covers all the basics of self-publishing, leaving no stone unturned. She covers the different types of self-publishing and shares the pros and cons of each. She breaks the publishing down into preparation, writing, editing, pre-publication, launching, and marketing. I admit that I am weak in the marketing area, so I am thankful she gives wonderful advice in this and other areas. Fear is a big deterrent in writing a book, but armed with the wisdom and encouragement from Sallie, you can overcome your fear and move forward in the strength of the Lord. Writing styles, consistency, perceived lack of time, understanding your audience, and even setting up your writing space are thoroughly covered.

If you have ever thought of writing a book, The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians by Sallie Dawkins is for you. Sallie writes to help you accomplish your writing goals. She writes in a very encouraging tone and leads as one who has been exactly where you are. She leans heavily on the leadership and strength of the Lord Jesus Christ. Using examples from her writing experience, she will inspire you to follow the Lord and write the book already in you. One of the encouragements Sallie gives is the importance of a positive frame of mind. Working as a guide, Sallie leads the reader on their journey instead of just pointing the way. I highly recommend this book to all who have even thought about becoming an author. You will be glad you took the time to read this invaluable roadmap to success.

Remember, as the author summarizes, “All writers go through the same primary stages of preparation, writing, revision, document prep (formatting and cover design), publishing, launching, and marketing.” There’s more to writing a book than just the act of writing it. It can seem overwhelmingly daunting, but if you’re determined to follow it through, the end result, the published book itself, is well worth the effort and the stress. But, there are some important points to consider to avoid the expensive pitfalls of the writing game. In Sallie Dawkins’ book, The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians, there are some key points to consider, not just for Christian writers but for all writers. It’s a lot of work, but the end justifies the means.

Sallie Dawkins’ book, The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians, is a thorough and detailed study of the complex and sometimes frightening journey of writing and self-publishing. The author presents her story and experiences in a way that entices writers to consider their options wisely. She’s explored various self-publishing options but tends to primarily direct writers toward the Kindle Direct Publishing platform. She takes writers through the writing process before launching into publishing options, marketing, and book launches. This is a thorough guide to self-publishing. Coupled with the author’s stories of her own personal experiences and some well-founded advice, this makes for an engaging read. Also included is a detailed glossary of writer and publisher phrases and essential resources.

In The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians, Sallie Dawkins takes her readers through each part of the writing and publishing process while noting the relevant scripture references. The main points are summarized at the end of each chapter so readers can flip back through the book to find pertinent information. Readers who have busy schedules may refer to a list of twenty short steps at the end of the book to guide them as they publish their work, and undecided writers may look at a “Self-Publishing Success” checklist to be certain they are ready to begin their writing journey.

From deciding what to write to the intricacies of self-publishing, Sallie Dawkins has covered everything you need to know to become a self-published Christian author. Individuals daunted by the amount of information and the time-consuming process of publishing their titles will be relieved as they read how easily the author has broken the process down into bite-sized portions. The text follows a chronological pattern, so readers can start with the material in the first chapter and use each section as a guide until they have a finished product. Readers will be amazed at the wealth of knowledge they will gain from Dawkins’s insights. Readers will feel supported and encouraged by the author’s words and biblical quotations within the material. The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians is a great selection for readers who have considered publishing their work prayerfully but who need a comprehensive guide to help them make informed decisions.

The Complete Beginner's Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians by Sallie Dawkins is a helpful tool for novice authors who want to avoid the common pitfalls of self-publishing. Although it is targeted primarily toward Christian writers, anyone looking for insight into the process of self-publishing and the Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform will find this book useful. Dawkins delves into the hidden legal and financial expenses within the self-publishing process of writing, publishing, and marketing. She shares that there may be great courses and resources available to assist authors who want to self-publish their books, but these can also fail to deliver their marketing promises.

I found The Complete Beginner's Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians enlightening and positive. Dawkins encourages writers to avoid allowing their fear of rejection or failure to thwart their dreams and ideas or diminish their creativity. She advises on the best practices for writers, such as creating a clutter-free space and measuring how much time to devote to writing. Since the book is aimed at Christian authors, she includes relevant scriptures and testimonies to guide them using the word of God. The structure of the book is particularly commendable. The end of each chapter includes a helpful summary, and a glossary of key terms is included in the appendix. Dawkins also provides a step-by-step account of how to self-publish and a list of valuable resources (as well as their costs). A must-read for anyone who is looking for a concise compilation of self-publishing resources and tips.