We launched the book “By The End of Your Teens” a year ago, on the 14th of September, 2018!
I have been high on adrenaline since, and I still have yet to fully process that I am a published author.
About By The End of your Teens
By The End Of Your Teens book is an account of the knowledge wish I had as a teenager. It is a psychological self-help handbook; which has a lot of my personal experiences, which are laced with psychology theories.
I started writing this book when I was 20, while discovering there were certain things I wish I had known in my teen years. It is a memoir, that has a lot of lessons. I wrote By The End of Your Teens with hopes that the book will assist the youth in the Malawi and beyond as they journey through self-discovery.
The Publishing Journey
Publishing a book is a transformative journey, filled with moments of creativity, introspection, and perseverance. When I embarked on the path to publish “By The End of Your Teens,” I underestimated just how intricate and rewarding the process would be. Here, I reflect on the steps and lessons that defined this incredible experience.
Storytelling
I will start by clarifying that this is not a masterclass for writing, but felt the need to share these necessary tips, when thinking of putting your story out there. I consider myself a natural storyteller. I love telling stories, and I enjoy having them told.
I consider storytelling a natural talent, one I would hope I possess, because I have met some rather terrible storytellers – and I sincerely hope that I am not one.
When it comes to storytelling, I have a few questions I ask myself:
What story do I wish to tell?
Why am I telling this story?
When I am clear, and convinced about my story, I go further with a rule of thumb to be sure this story is necessary, and impactful:
Must this (story) be said (read told)?
Must this be said now?
Must this be said by me?
Is there anyone who can say it better?
If your answer to all the above, besides the latter, is yes, then you are quite set to tell your story.
The next thing most would worry about is what the story would be called.
Title
I like to believe that stories choose their own titles. I am only writing one book, which I can say that the title came before the story. Rather, I linked the title to an already existent story.
I, otherwise, let my stories choose their names, as they develop. I find they make sense that way – and By the end of your teens was one of those. I knew what I wanted to write, but the title only came to me months into the writing process.
Writing the Manuscript
The foundation of any book lies in the writing process. “By The End of Your Teens” began as a personal project – a psychological self-help handbook interwoven with my personal experiences and grounded in psychological theory. I started writing at 20, driven by the realization of how much I wished I had known during my teenage years.
The writing process spanned over 1000 days, resulting in a manuscript of 70,000 words. I experienced periods of intense productivity, writing thousands of words in a single day, followed by stretches of writer’s block that lasted months. I learned not to force creativity, allowing the process to unfold naturally. Writing, I discovered, is not just about producing content but about allowing space for ideas to mature.
Structuring the Book
To ensure the book had a clear and logical flow, I divided it into four key segments: The Self, The Surrounding, The Dream, and The Discipline. Each segment consisted of five chapters, creating a total of 20 chapters. This segmentation helped streamline the writing process and allowed for a cohesive narrative.
Chapters were further broken down with subheadings, ensuring each chapter maintained a distinct focus and contributed to the overall theme. This structured approach not only made the content more digestible but also provided readers with a clear roadmap for their journey through the book.
Research and Refinement
No book is complete without thorough research. In crafting “By The End of Your Teens,” I dedicated significant time to studying psychological theories, case studies, and personal development literature. This research helped validate my perspectives and enriched the content with evidence-based insights. Writing, I realized, is as much about learning as it is about teaching.
Editing and Proofreading
Upon completing the initial manuscript, the next crucial step was editing. I engaged a professional editor to refine the text, correct grammatical errors, and ensure clarity and coherence. While proofreading was an essential step I initially overlooked due to budget constraints, I am currently revisiting the process to enhance the overall quality of the book. I highly recommend investing in thorough proofreading to avoid common pitfalls.
Book Design and Cover Art
A book’s design is its first impression. I collaborated with my close friend and designer, Tawanda, to create a cover that reflected the essence of the book. Inspired by Barack Obama’s “The Audacity of Hope,” the cover was brought to life through a photoshoot by Bensam Photography. The design process was one of the more enjoyable aspects of publishing – an opportunity to visually encapsulate the spirit of the book.
Printing and Production
While many advised me to print the book abroad, I was committed to supporting local industry. After extensive research, I partnered with IPPL Printing and Packaging in Malawi. Their work exceeded my expectations and reinforced the value of investing in local talent.
Marketing and Distribution
A successful launch is driven by strategic marketing. Recognizing this, I focused on creating visibility through social media, local events, and partnerships. The first 25 copies of the book were auctioned at MK1 million during the launch event, underscoring the importance of community support.
Distribution channels included collaborations with Grey Matter Bookshop in Lilongwe and Central Bookshop in Blantyre. Additionally, I initiated a campaign to distribute copies to secondary schools and colleges across Malawi, supported by contributions from Malawians in the diaspora.
Lessons Learned
Publishing “By The End of Your Teens” was not just about producing a book – it was a journey of growth, resilience, and self-discovery. For aspiring authors, I offer this advice: trust the process, invest in quality editing and design, and embrace the creative journey without rushing it. Your story deserves the time and care required to bring it to life.
As I continue to refine and distribute the book, I remain grateful for the experiences and insights gained through this endeavor. I look forward to sharing more stories and supporting others on their publishing journeys.
I hope you will find this helpful as you publish and launch your work of art.
All my love,
Ntha
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