After school activities

I’ve been exploring self book publishing but I’m still unsure if it’s truly the smartest route for new authors. Does self-publishing really offer more freedom and higher royalties, or does it come with hidden challenges people don’t talk about? How do you handle editing, design, and marketing on your own without overspending? And what platforms actually work best for beginners? I’d love to hear from authors who’ve tried it what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d recommend.