We recently connected with Autumn Green and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Autumn, thanks for joining us today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

The journey to publishing Elemental Convergence and starting my self-publishing career has been such a learning experience. My first book, The Keepers of Aris, was published traditionally through Ooligan Press, which gave me a solid understanding of how the publishing world works. But for Elemental Convergence, I wanted to try self-publishing. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do—not just to have creative control, but to really learn the process for myself. It felt like the right time to take that leap.

Of course, being a total noob, I started with a ton of research. I spent hours reading articles, watching YouTube videos, and picking the brains of other indie authors to figure out how everything worked. But even after all that, I realized I couldn’t do it alone. That’s when I decided to work with a publishing coach, which turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. My coach walked me through setting up accounts with KDP and IngramSpark, making sure my files were formatted perfectly, and handling all the little details I didn’t even know I needed to think about—like making sure my cover dimensions matched the page count.

The process itself was a mix of excitement and chaos. Some days, I’d feel like I was on top of everything, and other days, I’d be overwhelmed. It was a lot of trial and error, but with every step, I got more confident.

By the time I finished Elemental Convergence, it wasn’t just about the book—it was about realizing I could do this. I could take control of my career, learn new skills, and create something I was proud of. I’m so glad I took that risk, and honestly, I’ve grown so much from it. Self-publishing isn’t easy, but it’s so worth it.

Autumn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m an author and storyteller who loves diving into worlds filled with magic, adventure, and complex characters. I’ve always been drawn to creating stories—whether through writing, art, or animation—but writing has been my biggest passion since I was a kid. It’s how I process the world and connect with others.

I started my publishing journey with The Keepers of Aris, which was released through Ooligan Press. That experience gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the traditional publishing world and taught me a lot about the creative process, collaboration, and the importance of audience connection. But when it came time to release my second book, Elemental Convergence, I decided to try self-publishing. I wanted to have full control over the process and learn what it takes to bring a book to life from start to finish.

Elemental Convergence is more than just a novel; it’s a piece of me. It’s a story that blends elemental magic, intense relationships, and a world on the brink of chaos—a mix of everything I love in storytelling. I wanted to create something readers could escape into, but that also resonates with their own struggles and triumphs.

What sets me apart, I think, is how much heart I pour into everything I create. I want to craft worlds that people can feel a part of. And whether I’m self-publishing or working with a traditional publisher, my goal is always to make my stories accessible, engaging, and full of depth.

I’m most proud of taking the leap into self-publishing with Elemental Convergence. It was a huge learning curve, but it proved to me that I can take creative risks and still find success. I also take pride in the connections I’ve built with readers. Hearing someone say that a character or story I created helped them through a tough time or inspired them to chase their own dreams is the most rewarding part of what I do.

For anyone getting to know me or my work for the first time, I’d want them to know that I’m not afraid to take risks and learn along the way. Whether it’s traditional publishing, self-publishing, or something in between, I’m constantly looking for ways to grow as a creator and bring my readers the best stories I can.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the people I meet and the connections I form along the way. There’s something incredibly special about meeting new readers and seeing how my work resonates with them. Whether it’s someone who’s found inspiration in my characters or just escaped into the worlds I’ve built, those moments of connection make everything worth it.

It’s also about getting to have fun doing what I love. Writing has always been a passion for me, and being able to share that passion with others—whether through my books or events—reminds me why I started in the first place. At the end of the day, it’s those human connections and the joy of storytelling that make this journey so fulfilling.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my audience on social media is definitely still a work in progress for me. It’s not something that comes naturally, especially since I’m not the kind of person who loves posting all the time. But I’ve learned that promoting my work and connecting with readers online is an important part of being an author today.

I started by looking at what other authors were doing—what kind of posts worked for them, how they interacted with their audience, and how they made their pages feel authentic. Then, I worked on putting my own spin on things. I wanted my social media presence to reflect who I am, not just what I’m trying to sell.

One thing that helped a lot was investing in an author’s marketing social media kit. It gave me a ton of ideas for the kinds of posts I should be creating and when to post them. Having that framework made the whole process feel less overwhelming and gave me inspiration when I wasn’t sure what to share.

That said, I’m still figuring it out. My biggest focus is finding a balance where I can have fun with it. Engagement is important, but so is staying true to myself. I think readers can tell when something feels forced, so I try to keep my posts authentic and in line with who I am.

For anyone just starting to build their social media presence, my advice would be to take it slow and don’t compare yourself too much to others. Look at what’s working for other creators, but make it your own. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment—you’ll learn what works for you over time. Most importantly, try to enjoy the process. Social media can feel like a chore sometimes, but it’s also an opportunity to connect with people who share your passion for stories.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.autumn-green.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aut_green
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@autumngreen_author?si=dWEAbCxkTmnzV1v7

Image Credits

Autumn Green