July 30, 2025

From Idea to ISBN: My Self-Publishing Journey

From Idea to ISBN: My Self-Publishing Journey
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From Idea to ISBN: My Self-Publishing Journey

In this inspiring episode of the BFF Empowerment Podcast, your host Black Diamond gets real about the truth behind self-publishing—the wins, the lessons, the frustrations, and the freedom that comes with owning your story. Whether you're an aspiring author, a curious reader, or someone sitting on a story that’s just waiting to be told, this episode is for YOU!

💎 Black Diamond kicks off with a heartfelt life update, sharing how her family showed up for her during a painful tooth ordeal and how she’s celebrating another major milestone—winning her 4th author award for her memoir "Stolen Innocence: A Survivor’s Journey to Freedom."

Then, she dives into:

  • 📚 Why she chose self-publishing over traditional publishing
  • 💰 The real cost of publishing (and why cheap editing can cost you big)
  • 📖 Her very first book: His or Her Betrayal and what went wrong (and right!)
  • 🛠️ The importance of professional editing, formatting, and book covers
  • 🔥 Why your passion, not money, should fuel your author journey

"Your story is already written—you just have to get it into the hands of a reader."

Whether you’re writing poetry, children’s books, fiction, or memoirs, this episode is packed with real talk, actionable advice, and motivation to get your book out into the world. If you’ve ever wondered how to go from dreaming to doing, this episode is your blueprint.

🔗 Listen now and don’t forget to rate, follow, and share with your fellow storytellers! 📬 Want to be a guest on the Women on the Rise segment of the show or have comments and suggestions? Email: bffempowerment@gmail.com 🌐 Visit: www.bffempowermentpodcast.com 📱 Follow @BFFEmpowermentPodcast on Instagram, Threads, YouTube & Facebook