Self-Publishing 101
Indie publishing is a full-time job, requiring research, planning, and dedication. Is it the right choice for you?
For new authors, the idea of being represented by one of the Big 5 publishers seems like the only way to true authordom. They want their books in stores, the big marketing campaign, and the publicity. But in recent years, many writers have come forward to explain with full transparency how little promotional support they received during the publishing process, and how few copies they actually sold.
After finding an agent, authors can expect to go through a long process that involves editing, revising, and proofreading their work. Once the manuscript is deemed ready for publication, the agent will submit it to publishers and negotiate a book deal on behalf of the author. The soon-to-be author then works closely with an editor to refine the book even further, and the book will go through additional rounds of revisions before it is finally published. Throughout this process, the author may also be responsible for promoting the book through events, interviews, and social media.
Traditionally published books may give writers the credibility of being a “real” author. But it’s important to understand what you’re getting into when you pursue that path.
Publishing your book through a traditional house like Harper Collins means:
Querying dozens of agents to find one who will fight for you.
Altering your book to fit the publisher’s formula.
Waiting years to actually see your book in print and (hopefully) on shelves.
Minimal control over the marketing and packaging process.
An upfront payment of around $2,000, and meager royalties (usually 1-5%).
Being forgotten once the newest hit book comes out.
Unless you’re lucky enough to sign a series contract, all of the long-term marketing will be up to you, but for low return on your investment.
Self-publishing is a great option for authors who want control over their work and the publishing process. Writers retain all of the rights to their book and make all the decisions about the editing, design, and marketing. If done economically, it can be just as affordable as traditional publishing. You can spend as much or as little as your budget allows.
These days, there are also tons of resources out there to help with your process.
Some of the big ones include:
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): Amazon's self-publishing platform allows authors to publish and distribute their books in digital and print-on-demand formats. It provides an easy-to-use interface for uploading manuscripts, designing covers, setting prices, and managing international distribution. Authors can also view their royalties and set up paid advertising.
Kindlepreneur.com: A website dedicated to helping authors navigate Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform. It provides strategies on book publishing, marketing, keyword research, cover design, and branding to help authors increase their visibility and sales.
Publisher Rocket: A software tool that gives authors real-time insights into the most popular keywords and phrases readers search for on Amazon. The tool presents multiple data-points to help authors choose the best keywords for their books, such as the number of times people search for a given keyword per month and how high books in that category are typically priced.
IngramSpark: This self-publishing platform is operated by Ingram Content Group, one of the largest book distributors and wholesalers in the world. It enables authors to produce professional-quality books for sale through various distribution channels.
Draft2Digital: A third option for self-publishing. While their print service is still in beta, D2D will distribute your e-book to many platforms, including KDP, Barnes and Noble, Google Books, Kobo, and others. They also provide a free digital format tool that is perfect for writers on a budget.
Reedsy: An online marketplace that connects authors with professional freelancers in the publishing industry. They provide a wide range of services, from editing and proofreading to cover design, formatting, and marketing. Authors can browse a curated selection of experienced freelancers, compare quotes, and hire them for their specific needs.
Atticus: A software program that simplifies the process of formatting manuscripts for digital and print publication. Authors can import their manuscripts, choose a pre-designed template, and customize the formatting elements such as font, spacing, headers, and footers. You can use Atticus as a word processor as well, and even set word count goals to measure productivity.
Although the marketplace may be saturated, with hundreds of thousands of books published every day, it’s still exciting to live in an age where publishing isn’t limited to the corporate scrutiny of mega publishing houses. This freedom has yielded incredibly creative works by genre-bending authors, many of whom have gone on to secure publishing contracts.
Hopeful writers can approach traditional publishers and literary agents or self-publish their books through various online platforms today. Both are valid pathways, each with their own challenges. Before deciding on a strategy, it’s important to thoroughly research the advantages and obstacles. Traditional publishing may offer greater distribution and marketing support, but it involves a competitive submission process and the expectation that authors will conform to current high-selling trends and tropes.
Self-publishing allows for greater control and faster publication, but requires the author to handle all aspects of the process, including editing and marketing. Ultimately, the choice depends on your goals and priorities as an author.
It may seem counterintuitive, but before any of what we’ve discussed is possible, you must think of yourself as an author. If you don’t take your work seriously, whether you’re just starting out or have already published a book, your author career will never become sustainable. Writing is a life-long pursuit and publishing is a job in itself, especially if you’re managing your author business independently. Contrary to what many people (and publishers) believe, there is a massive demand for independently published works that don’t conform to traditional formulas or themes. Readers are hungry for new ideas, or creatively re-constructed old ones. They want better representation, characters who are relatable, and writing that breaks the stereotypes and tired plotlines we’ve seen for years in traditional books.
If you can find your voice and stick to your path, writing may become a long-lasting career for you.
Everyone has a story to tell. What’s yours?
