Key Advantages of Self-Publishing: Insights from Carissa Broadbent

Carissa Broadbent, renowned for her captivating romantasy tales, is best recognized for her 'Crowns of Nyaxia' series. Her narratives weave intricate worlds filled with vampire dynasties and romantic intrigue. The self-publishing of her inaugural book, 'The Serpent and the Wings of Night,' in August 2022 served as a significant stepping-stone, later transforming with a reissuance by Bramble in December the following year, swiftly climbing The New York Times bestseller ranks.

Broadbent continues to engage readers, now re-launching 'Daughter of No Worlds,' the opening to her 'War of Lost Hearts' saga, with fresh artwork set for an October 14 release. Ahead of this event, in dialogues with Business Insider, Broadbent discussed what initially drew her to self-publishing and how it’s helped shape her successful writing career.

Financial Gain

Operating through a hybrid arrangement with Bramble, Broadbent retains certain self-publishing privileges, particularly for her digital releases, while collaborating with traditional publishing. Emphasizing that opting for both routes doesn't imply a hierarchy, she highlights that each pathway comes with its own set of rewards and hurdles.

Broadbent's initial foray into self-publishing was driven by her aspiration to focus on writing full-time. She concluded that the autonomy offered by self-publishing made this goal more attainable versus traditional pathways, where authors often lack control. The immediacy and financial potential of self-publishing were significant draws, allowing some writers to earn substantially more than through conventional publication.

Balancing Dual Careers

In the early stages of her literary journey, Broadbent simultaneously managed a marketing role, which demanded creative integration of writing into her daily routine without the impositions of an external timeline. This necessity led her to adopt an early morning writing schedule, demonstrating that self-publishing can afford valuable flexibility.

Swift Publication Process

The ability to publish independently empowered Broadbent to release her books expediently, essential for generating income. Although editing remains a crucial and non-negligible aspect of self-publishing, Broadbent enjoys the capacity to coordinate directly with her editing teams, streamlining the drafting to publication process. This contrasts with traditional publishing, where extensive procedural delays can hinder rapid book releases.

Creative Freedom

Self-publishing granted Broadbent the liberty to explore novel genres like romantasy, at a time when the market hadn't yet fully embraced such narratives. Her decision to self-publish allowed her to maintain her creative vision without compromising character depth or thematic complexity—choices that might have been questioned in a conventional publishing scenario.