📚 A Transparent Look at My Author Journey
Real Numbers, Real Work, Real Faith
I wanted to take a moment to share something honest and transparent from my self-publishing journey, especially for fellow writers, creatives, and anyone curious about what truly happens behind the scenes of becoming an independent author.
This post isn’t about boasting numbers. It’s about progress, perseverance, and perspective.
📌 June–October 2025: The First Steps
The screenshots I’m sharing show the royalties I’ve already been paid as of December 29, 2025, covering the months from June through October.
It isn’t a large amount - roughly $35 total - but every dollar represents something meaningful:
A real reader
A real book sale
A real step forward
Early income in self-publishing often looks like this: quiet, slow, and unimpressive to the outside world, but deeply encouraging when you understand what it represents.
📌 November 2025: Momentum Begins
For November, the royalties currently sit at $10.89.
I haven’t been paid for this yet - it’s still processing - but seeing growth month-to-month matters. It tells me that the seeds planted earlier are beginning to take root.
📌 December 2025 (So Far): Encouragement in Real Time
And then there’s December. As of now, December royalties are at $25.77, and the month isn’t even finished yet. Again, this hasn’t been paid out yet. But it’s incredibly encouraging.
Not because it’s “big money,” but because it shows momentum.
✍️ The Part People Don’t Always See
Writing the book is only one part of the work. The real labor begins after publication:
Learning how to market
Paying for covers, formatting, and trailers
Running ads
Promoting without burning out
Spending money you haven’t earned yet
I have not made my investment back yet, and that’s okay. This journey isn’t a sprint. It’s a slow, steady race.
What these numbers show me isn’t profit yet. They show me forward movement.
🌱 Why I’m Sharing This
I’m sharing this because transparency matters.
I want to:
Encourage new and aspiring authors
Be honest about what the process really looks like
Show that growth happens in layers
Remind myself (and others) that progress still counts
Every small number means a real person chose to read my work.
That matters. And I truly believe this: When you do the work faithfully, God moves the mountain in His time - not ours.
💛 Thank You
To everyone who has:
Bought a book
Shared a post
Left a review
Encouraged me along the way
Thank you. Truly. Your support matters more than you know. Slow growth is still growth, and I’m excited to see where this road leads.
🙏📚✨
🔗 Find My Books & Follow My Author Journey
🌐 Official Author Website https://www.micheleaponteauthor.com
🎬 Book Trailers & Extras (Available on my website under My Books)
📚 Amazon Author Page https://amazon.com/author/maaponte
📖 Goodreads Author Page https://www.goodreads.com/maaponte
💬 Reviews Matter
If you’ve read one of my books, reviews on Amazon or Goodreads truly help more than you know. Thank you for supporting an independent author 🤍
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