Suddenly it’s less and less clear what a trade publisher is bringing to an author’s career anymore.

If you’re just getting started on your self-publishing journey, there’s only a handful of nonnegotiables you need to get your manuscript off your hard drive and onto your bookshelf.

When it comes to self-publishing, there are systems to follow, rules to adhere to, coaching packages to purchase that guarantee your success. But what if I told you it could also just be a really fun, pleasurable, and enjoyable experience?

I’m not saying this from some theoretical headspace based on assumptions and projection. I’m saying this because I’ve worked on a handful of projects recently that used LLMs at some point in the writing process before they arrived at my desk.

Picture this: You’ve finally signed that contract you’ve been dreaming about for years and you’ve sent your full manuscript over to your editor. It’s time to celebrate, right?

So why do you suddenly feel like you’re living through a bad dream?

But like the process of a caterpillar making its cocoon in order to turn into a butterfly, there’s a whole phase in there when you’re honestly gonna feel like you’ve turned into soup.

What gives?