What’s Happening with "Moonlit Awakening" and My Progress

Let’s start with the book launch and everything that led up to it.

I realised something the other day - I never actually made a proper post about my book launch. Or really, about what’s been happening with Moonlit Awakening in general. Things have been moving so fast that I’ve just been doing, doing, doing without stopping to write about it.

So here we go, it's time to catch up.

The Book Launch and All the Prep Work

Launching a book sounds amazing, doesn’t it?

Writing a chapter and following characters' steps in the map that was illustrated by me.

The big moment when your dream finally becomes something you can actually hold in your hands.

But what people don’t always see is the amount of work that happens behind the scenes before that launch day even arrives.

For me, Moonlit Awakening wasn’t just a book - it was a three-year journey. I poured everything into it. The story, the characters, the emotions. It all became part of me.

When I reached the editing stage, I hired a professional editor to make sure my words carried the meaning and flow I intended.

Then came the illustrators, who honestly became a big inspiration for me. Working with them sparked something creative in me, and that’s how I started illustrating myself.

Of course, the talent was there all the time, just never trained!

Adding the last touches to the illustration.

So one day I decided to design the book cover myself. I wanted something that represented the world I had built and the character I created.

Every time someone tells me they love the cover, I can’t help but smile. It feels good knowing that the first impression of Moonlit Awakening already tells a little piece of its story.

The launch day came, and yes, it succeeded. People showed up, there was laughter, there were books sold, and there were a few happy tears (okay, maybe more than a few).

I was surrounded by support, both from people I knew, my husband, my family and new readers who just wanted to get to know me.

It was surreal in the best way possible.

Signing my very first book.

But then, after the excitement settled, there was this question that quietly sneaked in:

“So… what’s next?”

What Happens After the Launch

Here’s the part that no one really talks about. After you’ve launched your book and posted all the photos and thank-yous, what happens next?

Well, the truth is: nothing.

Nothing happens.

Sales stop, and the attention as well stops.

Since my background is in marketing, I knew that writing a book and launching it was only the beginning.

If you’re a reader and not an author, this might be an interesting peek behind the curtain. Because it’s definitely not all beautiful flowers and book signings that happen when you publish a book, especially for a self-published author. There’s so much more you have to do.

You see, writing is the creative part - but publishing and selling a book? Well that's a totally another deal.

Convincing anyone in the dark romantasy genre to pick up a new book, especially from an independent author they’ve never heard of, takes a lot of effort. Readers already have their favorite authors, series, and worlds they love to escape into, so asking them to take a chance on something new can feel like climbing a mountain.

It’s not that people don’t want to support new writers, most do!

But with so many books out there, getting someone to stop scrolling, read your blurb, and actually decide, “Okay, I’ll give this one a try,” takes real work. It’s constant outreach, sharing posts, showing your personality online, and letting people see that there’s a real human behind the book.

Sometimes it feels like you’re shouting into the emptiness, but then one message or one review comes in saying how much someone loved your book, and suddenly, all those hours spent marketing feel worth it.

That one reader who connected with your story makes it all meaningful again.

That’s where the hard work begins.

Sure, I could’ve gone down the traditional route - querying agents, waiting for responses, hoping someone somewhere would take a chance on Moonlit Awakening. But let’s be honest: that process can take years.

Even if a publishing house accepted me (and that’s a big if), it could take another 2–3 years before the book actually reached readers. And even then, I’d still have to do most of my own marketing, manage my social media, and promote the book myself.

Oh, and did I mention that traditional publishers often take 70% or more of your earnings?

So I thought, why not do it myself?

Why I Went the Self-Publishing Route

Moonlit Awakening by Emile Sodyte.

I decided to self-publish Moonlit Awakening through Amazon KDP and IngramSpark.

Amazon KDP handles the B2C (business-to-consumer) side, getting books directly into the hands of readers around the world.

IngramSpark handles the B2B (business-to-business) side, bookshops, libraries, and international distribution.

Because of that decision, Moonlit Awakening is now listed in multiple countries like Australia, the U.S., Spain, Taiwan, Lithuania, Latvia, and many more across Europe and overseas. Bookshops can order it, libraries can stock it, and readers anywhere can find it online, and if not, just walking into a random bookshop and asking for Moonlit Awakening, they will add it on their listing, because all bookshops are connected to one database.

Sure, IngramSpark takes a bit of a bigger cut compared to selling directly, but you know what?

The trade-off is visibility and reach. My book is out there, on real bookshop websites, being ordered by real people. Some stores even started ordering physical copies for their shelves, and that’s honestly the best feeling ever.

Would a big publishing house have done the same? Definitely. But I did it myself, and I’m proud of that.

The Grind Behind the Scenes

Now, I won’t lie, it hasn’t been easy. The past few months have been full-on hustle mode.

I’ve sent hundreds of emails to libraries, independent bookshops, book influencers, and reviewers. I’ve offered collaborations, organised PR boxes, joined ARC reading communities like Wing and Words and followed up with every opportunity I could find.

And slowly, it’s paying off.

I’ve made deals with five bookshops so far, 4 in Denmark and 1 in Lithuania, which honestly feels like such a huge milestone for me. But let me tell you, this part has been a learning experience too. When you start talking to bookstores about stocking your book, you quickly realise that everyone has their own idea of what’s “fair”.

Usually, the standard bookshop commission split is 40/60 - meaning you, the author, get 60%, and the store gets 40%. That’s already a pretty decent deal. But some stores come in with proposals like 50/50, and I can’t help but think… why would they think that’s okay? 

Like, really, what kind of deal is that?

Because here’s the truth: even if I “get” 50%, that’s not actually 50% profit. From my share, I still have to pay for printing, packaging, and shipping - and by the time all of that is deducted, I might be left with something closer to 20%. Sometimes even less.

So if you’re a new author reading this, please, learn from me and don’t go higher than that 40% cut for the bookshop. You’ve done all the hard work. You’ve written the book, edited it, designed it, paid for an editor, even maybe paid for an illustrator and promoted it. The bookshop is simply selling it. And while yes, they deserve a fair margin too, remember that you’re the one who brought the product to life.

Hold your ground, value your work, and don’t be afraid to say no to a deal that doesn’t make sense.

Okay, what happened next since the book launch on the 31st of May, 2025?

A new set of books has arrived.

I’ve signed a contract with a warehouse in Denmark, that’s where my books will be stored and shipped every time a bookstore in Denmark places an order through bogportalen.

Basically, they’ll handle all the big B2B orders so I don’t have to pack and ship boxes myself anymore (which, let’s be honest, was starting to take over my living room).

It’s exciting, but it also means I need to order more prints to keep the warehouse stocked - and that part?

Yeah, my wallet is definitely going to suffer a bit.

Printing in bulk is no joke, especially when you’re self-funding everything. I mean really, everything! But it’s part of the process. Every print run is an investment into the book’s future and the possibility of reaching more readers.

Still, I’ll admit there’s something both terrifying and satisfying about seeing your savings transform into stacks of your own books. It’s that moment when you realise, wow, this is actually happening.

I’ve also partnered with PostNord to offer cheaper postage for readers who want their books delivered outside Denmark and get their PR box shipments. The shipment pricing will be updated shortly.

It’s all coming together piece by piece. But let me tell you, it takes time.

It takes patience.

Moonlit Awakening by Emile Sodyte, Hardback.

And most importantly, it takes bravery.

You have to step out of your comfort zone every single day and believe in your work even when no one else does (yet).

Because at the end of the day, this is your book. 

Your creation.

The best thing you’ve written.

And if you don’t tell the world about it, then who will?

For Readers and Fellow Authors

If you’re a reader, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Every message, every review, every post tagging Moonlit Awakening means more than you know. You are the reason I keep going.

If you’re an author, let me just say: you’ve got this. Whether you go the traditional or self-published route, it’s your journey.

But remember, no publishing house can replace your passion. Self-publishing gives you the chance to own your story completely, from cover to content to the way it’s shared with the world.

And About Book Two...

Yes, there will be a Book Two!

I’ve started writing it, and I’m so excited for where the story is heading. The world in the Moonlit Chronicle series is expanding, with new characters, deeper plot twists, more emotion, and definitely more surprises.

I don’t want to spoil anything yet, but if you loved the first book, I think you’ll really enjoy what’s coming next.

So stay tuned. There’s so much more to come.

You can buy Moonlit Awakening right now from my official shop or through major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Saxo.dk, Waterstones, Plusbog.dk, Patogupirkti.lt, and many more.

Every purchase supports my independent author journey and helps me keep creating.

Thank you for being part of this adventure.

Until next time,

Emile Sodyte

Author of Moonlit Awakening