If you’ve ever dreamed of making money as an independent author, my story might inspire you. I earned my first $19.32 on Amazon through self-publishing, and while it wasn’t easy, it was the beginning of something bigger. In this article, I’ll share how I started writing, discovered self-publishing, and eventually built a passive income stream from my books.
Writing with Pen, Ink, and Paper
My journey started in 2002, long before I had access to a computer. Growing up in a rural village, I wrote everything by hand—using an exercise book, a pen, and my thoughts.
What I Wrote About
📖 Bible Study Notes – I transcribed lessons from my Bible to deepen my understanding.
📝 Personal Reflections – I shared opinions on morality, culture, and community issues.
💭 The Power of Thoughts – I explored how mindsets shape lives, influencing everything from personal decisions to social conflicts.
As I wrote, I realized the importance of storytelling and the impact words could have in transforming perspectives.
Discovering Computers & Digital Writing
Fast forward to 2010, when I encountered a computer for the first time while studying at South African Theological Seminary (SATS). I quickly learned how to type, edit, and organize my notes digitally.
That same year, I began writing my life story—documenting my experiences with war, famine, disease, and family struggles. I also wrote about my childhood, education, and the places I had visited. My writing was simple, raw, and direct, without fancy literary devices—just honest storytelling.
My Self-Publishing Journey
In 2012, I discovered CreateSpace, Amazon’s self-publishing platform for print books. At that time, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) was exclusively for eBooks. However, in 2016, Amazon merged the two, allowing authors to publish both Kindle and paperback books through KDP.
📖 My first book, The Scarification, was published in March 2012.
💰 On November 29, 2012, I received my first payment from Amazon—$19.32.
It wasn’t much, but it proved that self-publishing worked.
How I Got Paid as an Indie Author
Receiving international payments was a challenge until I discovered Payoneer, a global payment service that allowed me to collect my Amazon royalties easily.
How You Can Get Paid Too
✔️ Sign up for Payoneer and set up your account.
✔️ Activate your Payoneer card and link it to Amazon KDP.
✔️ Receive payments directly into your account every month.
If you’re interested in setting up your own author payment system, check out this simple guide to get started.
Steps to Earn Consistent Income as an Indie Author
Want to turn your writing passion into a full-time career? Follow these four essential steps:
1️⃣ Learn to Write Better
📚 Get The Writer’s Guide 101 to improve your storytelling, grammar, and structure.
2️⃣ Learn to Edit Your Work
✍️ Grab The Editor’s Guide 101 and master the art of self-editing.
3️⃣ Learn to Self-Publish
📖 Use The Publisher’s Guide 101 to navigate Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and other platforms.
4️⃣ Learn to Market Your Books
📢 Boost your book sales with The Marketing Guide 101—a must-have for independent authors.
Final Thoughts: Start Your Self-Publishing Journey Today
If you have a story to tell, self-publishing is one of the best ways to share it with the world. My journey started with $19.32, but over time, it became a sustainable source of income.
📌 Key Takeaways:
✅ Start writing, even if it’s just in a notebook.
✅ Learn how to edit, publish, and market your books.
✅ Use Payoneer or another service to receive payments globally.
✅ Never stop learning—writing is a lifelong journey.
🔗 Get started with self-publishing today!
If you found this helpful, share it with others who want to become indie authors! 🚀
