(Also, hopefully- God) And your laptop, and your notebook beside your bed... Write the book. You've got this. I failed miserably in my first few books, but now I have learned tremendously from that. So can you. Don't be afraid when you mess up. Just keep writing.
Once your book is done, it is time for editing!! I actually have proofread for several authors, and catch typos. I didn't go to college for editing, so I can't promise amazing results, but I can catch plot holes and the like. I also would do it for much cheaper than most editors, just for you. But if not me, then find someone close to you (like I did) who can do the honors, and if not them, then look on Fiverr.
I made the mistake of getting AI to create my book covers. They look terrible and very soon I am going to get them redone. However, if you can't afford a cover artist quite yet, it is still enough to get by until you get them re-covered. Then I made my own cover. (Let me say just this: If you need a cover artist, do not contact me. Please. For your sake.) Finally I found an author who does fabulous covers and contacted her. Soon enough, I had my book Chains of Silver in my hands, and never had I been more in love with a cover in my life. I will continue asking for her services, and she will be the one to fix my older books who so desperately need makeovers.
I use a UK based self-publishing platform called Bookvault. They are as cheap as IngramSpark and keep no royalties unless you sell on the Great British Bookstore. If Bookvault isn't your cup of tea (or coffee depending on what you prefer), then you of course have your option of KDP, Bookbaby, Lulu, or IngramSpark. But I love Bookvault and don't support any of the other options.
A website isn't necessary. If you have a nice platform on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or anything else, I'm sure you'll do fine. But in my case, if I find a new author, I go straight to their website to find out more about them and their personality. If an author doesn't have a website, I am less likely to purchase a book from them. And I have none of the popular social media platforms besides Pinterest, so I usually can't purchase from them anyway. I use Site 123, but you have tons of options. Wix, Woocommerce, GoDaddy... even if you need to hire web programmer.
Whether you have social media, a newsletter, or even if you go to bookstores and become your own salesman/woman, your readers are the most important of all. They will always be there, even when we are not. Mothers will pass down your books, and old friends to each other, and so on, until the world ends and we are no longer living trying to make money. So gain a following. Spread the word. Ask other authors to help. And don't be dismayed when some readers hate on you, because you will always have enemies in this world. We can't please everyone. You may love fantasy, you may hate it, but I write what I like, and you have the option to read it or not. So even when the trolls come, put your crown on (like Author Mary Mecham) and read them with laughter in your heart, because you know there are people out there who love your books. Usually the ones who support you will be the quietest, and the ones against you are the loudest. Just tune out the trolls and listen to the birds.
I don't believe all states require licenses for self-publishing authors, but make sure you're free from needing to register before just launching in and then getting fined.
Keeping track of what comes into your wallet so you can correctly file your taxes for next year. (I know, I know, all boring things. I'm sorry!)
In the U.K., Canada, and U.S.A we are protected automatically (I didn't research any other places, so if you do happen to be from anywhere else, be sure to check) but there are pirates everywhere and if you want to really make sure your work is protected, I would register your books with the Copyright Office.
What is an ISBN and why does everyone keep telling me I need one and do I really actually need one? When you set up a title with Bookvault you automatically get an ISBN number assigned to it. Same with KDP and I'm sure any of the other before-mentioned self-publishing places. But if you only sell ebooks, they are not necessary, and if you sell your books personally to close family members and the like, you won't need them. However, if you want your books to be distributed, an ISBN will be required. It's like a Social Security Number for a book. Each book's fingerprint, if you will. Titles of books and author's names will overlap at times, but never an ISBN.
As much as I wish I lived in the U.K., or Canada, or Mexico, I am a born and raised U.S. citizen. I have only looked into U.S. laws in my author journey and my state's laws. If you are smart, please do your own research for everything I said in this last section and be sure your laws align with your journey into the self-publishing world.