I began building www.doreenkhamalabooks.ke at the start of 2025 and officially launched it in August of the same year, exactly now 87 days of learning, unlearning, and relearning! Some might ask, “What challenges can you face in just 87 days?”  “A lot!” The truth is, this business started long before the website — back in my “dear diary” days in high school. 

But in this article, I share 6 key challenges that truly tested my determination after launching this venture in the Kenyan market:

1. Grow a Thick Skin

After self-publishing my first book in 2017 & second book in 2018, I can confidently say, it felt much easier back then. Today, the landscape has changed; it’s far more competitive and demanding. I went on to write more novels in 2022, 2023, and 2024, all of which were self-published in 2025. From those early days, I learned an important truth: not everyone will love your work and that’s perfectly okay. Some will connect deeply with your writing, while others simply won’t. Negative comments often arrive faster than the positive ones, and when that first harsh critique comes, the temptation to stop selling and hide your books at home can be strong.

Don’t. Take a deep breath, find your calm, and move on. Some people won’t like your writing, but many others will. Remember, you can’t please everyone. Develop a thick skin, accept feedback, and keep going.

2. Navigating the Genre Barrier in Kenya

My books focus on young adult and contemporary adult readers, especially in the erotic and sensual romance genre. One of the most common questions I get is, “Are your books Christian?” And every time, I stammer. “Umm… it’s more of a relatable reflection book,” I say. (Can’t you just read the blurb? 😅). Some people buy the books, other’s don’t. And that’s okay. This niche poses unique challenges in Kenya. Even some Kenyan bookstores decline shelf space, saying the genre doesn’t align with their “brand image.” Others don’t really care about the content as long as you’re doing your own marketing and driving customers to their store. And when your book finally makes it to a shelf, most retailers take about 30% of the retail price.

I’ve now realized that while self-publishing gives you creative freedom, traditional retail still has gatekeepers. It’s not easy, but if you’re passionate, you’ll find your audience. No matter the genre: Romance, Mystery, Fantasy, Contemporary. Take time to understand what these words mean deeply, and then buckle down for the process.

3. Facing Social Media: The Demanding Boss

Writing a book is thrilling, but sustaining a career requires ongoing effort. The hardest part? Social media. The platforms that were once fun suddenly become your demanding boss. You must constantly post, create content, and stay visible, or risk being buried by the algorithm. It’s so unpredictable. You can spend hours crafting a beautiful post that gets ignored while a random selfie goes viral.😩

Then comes the comparison trap, endlessly scrolling through other authors’ successes, can be discouraging. I combat this by taking “therapy sessions”; immersing myself in other authors’ books to rekindle my passion and stay grounded.

4. Mastering the Technical and Financial Side of Self-Publishing

Self-publishing means becoming a small business owner. The hardest part isn’t writing your manuscript—it’s producing a polished, professional book. Budgeting for website design (if you need it), printing, editing, and cover creation is essential. I managed some tasks myself but recognize the value of investing in paid ads and publicists for growth. (God help! 🙏)

On the technical side, I had to learn harder SEO, keywords, and metadata; how to make my website discoverable online. It’s still a work in progress, but every step counts.

5. Building a Paying Community Beyond Friends and Family

One tough truth is that your biggest cheerleaders, friends and family, aren’t always your customers. Emotional support is invaluable, but business success hinges on connecting with strangers who love your work. I had to build a new audience from scratch: new Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn pages, a newsletter, and even a WhatsApp group. From these, plus a few face-to-face sales in malls and events, I found my loyal readers — strangers who turned into supporters and reviewers.

Lesson learned: Recognizing that your market often lies beyond your personal circle is crucial to entrepreneurial success.

6. Dealing with Silence and Client Ghosting

You’ll get those exciting first emails from potential clients. You reply eagerly, and then… silence. You follow up — still nothing. And you start wondering: Was my price too high? Too low? Did I say too much? It will happen. Now I know that not every inquiry turns into a sale. Sometimes people just want free consultations.

Accepting that not every lead converts is essential. Despite the hope that lingers, you learn to move on quickly and keep seeking new opportunities.

Looking Ahead

Five years from now, I’ll reread this article and whisper, “God did.”  Those days are coming. 🙏

If you’re curious, here’s what you’ll find on www.doreenkhamalabooks.ke

• My books.
• The Novel Nook program to help writers overcome their mental blocks and finish their novels.
• A space for other Kenyan authors to showcase their work.
• Bookish accessories (coming soon)

Final thoughts

If you’ve reached this far, thank you.
If you’re inspired, start something. Write that blog. Publish that book. And if you ever need help connecting the two, email me at info@doreenkhamalabooks.ke.

Self-publishing is about community and collaboration.
Let’s grow together, coffee’s on me! ☕

With love,