On March 23rd, 2025, I hit “publish” on Under Fire, Under Command.
Less than a month later, the book has sold over 50 copies and racked up more than 2,700 pages read on Kindle Unlimited. I’ve even been asked to sign a copy as a prize in a pub quiz before a Colchester United match—which was just a little bit embarrassing.
It’s been surreal, and if you’ve supported the book in any way, I can’t thank you enough. I thought I’d take a moment to share some reflections on this first month of self-publishing—what I’ve learned, what’s surprised me, and why I’m ultimately glad I did it my way.
Why I Chose the Self-Publishing Route
Before I launched the book, I received four offers from hybrid publishers. And yes, I was tempted. They offered packages with editing, cover design, and marketing—but the more I researched, the more cautious I became.
Some hybrid publishers offer real value. Others… not so much.
In the end, I chose to retain full control and publish independently. I knew I might miss out on polish in certain areas, especially editing, but I also knew I’d learn far more by doing it myself. And I have.
The Struggles (and the Surprises)
Formatting nearly broke me.
Fonts, indents, margins, line spacing—each time I fixed one thing, something else slipped out of place. I formatted the entire book myself, and yes, the results are a bit rough around the edges in places. But the amazing thing? Readers haven’t seemed to care.
Instead, the feedback has been humbling and uplifting:
“I’m impressed.”
“Wow! Where was that, Rich?”
Those messages mean more to me than any algorithm or sales chart.
The Pub Quiz Moment
A friend arranged a pub quiz before a Colchester United game and—much to everyone’s surprise—offered my book as the prize.
When the winner was handed a copy and I was asked to sign it, I froze for a moment.
It was surreal, a little embarrassing, and completely unexpected.
But that was the moment it really hit me: people are actually reading my story.
What’s Worked So Far
- Kindle Unlimited has been a game-changer—2,700+ pages read and counting.
- Facebook and Twitter have helped me get the word out, especially among friends and fellow history lovers.
- Amazon’s platform, while intimidating at first, has proven powerful once I figured out how to make it work.
International Reach
Another surprise? The book has found readers across the globe.
According to Amazon’s royalties dashboard, 55% of sales have come from the UK, 31% from the US, 12% from Australia, and a small (but mighty!) 2% from other countries. That kind of spread is incredible to see—especially for a book grounded in British military history. I never imagined the story would reach that far, that fast.
What I’d Do Differently
Without a doubt, I’d invest in professional editing next time. The rest—marketing, formatting, uploading—I was happy to figure out as I went. But editing? That’s where experience and a second (or third) set of eyes really matter.
If you’re an author thinking of going the indie route, I’d strongly recommend budgeting for a professional editor or proofreader. That said, the freedom of self-publishing is worth every learning curve.
Gratitude and What’s Next
I’m genuinely grateful to everyone who has supported the book so far—whether you’ve purchased a copy, borrowed it on KU, shared it with a friend, or simply messaged to say you’re reading it.
This has exceeded all my expectations, and your support means the world.
I’m already deep into the next book in the series—Under Fire and Fury, which follows 2nd Lieutenant Tom Archer and the British rearguard at Cassel. There’s much more to come.
Thank you for being part of this first incredible chapter.
👉 Haven’t read Under Fire, Under Command yet?
You can find it here: https://t.co/KkSgcb4qHa
If you’ve already read it, I’d love to hear what stayed with you—or even better, leave a review. Every comment means more than you know.
