If that's an option I haven't found it from a quick glance on the website. I just followed what was there without looking too deeply into it. Maybe if that's something you can do, there should be a clear process written up somewhere

Steemit is not aimed at advanced users. Most probably don't even know that it's powered by a blockchain other than on a buzzword level.

There are plenty of guides how to work with the Steem blockchain directly posted as blog posts on the blockchain itself. :)

Anon Steem makes it easier for you to create an account anonymously. https://anon.steem.network/

You can create an account through steem connect if you have a friend with steem https://steemit.com/news/@timcliff/new-tool-from-busy-org-cr...

For advanced users you can do the steem account creation transation yourself using the steem cli

I've only scanned the "how to build" documentation but from what I saw there is only information on producing a test network not joining the public blockchain? Is there a set of instructions for hosting your own "real" node?

(I've not read the white paper or other documentation so the info may be buried in there, I'm unlikely to find time for that in the near future though so asking out of "laziness" in case you have a quick answer to give)