When Leslie Avila self-published her first book, Journey to Freedom, she didn’t just complete a personal milestone — she unlocked a blueprint.
After navigating the self-publishing process herself and securing a grant that covered everything from development to print, she began noticing something in her community. So many poets and writers had manuscripts tucked away — finished or nearly finished — but felt overwhelmed by the barriers. Funding. Editing. Formatting. Design. Distribution. The process felt inaccessible.
Leslie realized it didn’t have to be.
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