Tips for Self Publishers:
 

Self-publishing is a viable option for writers who want to maintain creative control over their work and profit more from book sales.  One major challenge that self-published authors face is marketing.  Self published authors need to extend their reach to gain sales.  

 

Here are a few tips to help you on your self publishing journey.

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1. Write and Edit Thoroughly

• If you'd like a library to purchase your book, it is essential to ensure that you produce a quality product.  You want to mimic the big fish (major publishing houses) here. 

• Editing: Hire a professional editor if possible. Self-editing and beta readers can also be helpful.

2. Cover Design

• Invest in an eye catching cover design.  If you are writing for children, consider working with an illustrator who can bring your work to life. Young readers need visuals to help them understand and engage with texts.  

• Spend time looking at the cover art and design of best selling authors. If your book ends up next to a NY Times best-selling author, you need it to be appealing.  People do judge books by covers. 

• Resources: if you can't afford a designer, use tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to create a polished cover.  You may also want to consider using a company like Upwork, where you can hire a freelance designer at an affordable cost.  

3. Formatting

• eBook Formatting: Consider the platform you will use to publish your book, and make sure to format your book according to the platform's specifications. (Kindle, Apple Books, etc.). You may consider using Scrivener, Vellum, or Calibre for assistance. 

• Print Formatting: Format your print book correctly. Services like IngramSpark and KDP Print have specific guidelines.

• IngramSpark may be a good platform for self-publishing, given its presence at major library conferences. 

4. Choosing a Publishing Platform

• Amazon KDP: The most popular platform for self-publishers. Offers both eBook and print-on-demand options.

• Others: Consider platforms like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Press, and Kobo for additional reach.

5. Pricing and Royalties

• Don't overprice your book—research similar books to determine a competitive price. Librarians have limited budgets and are often looking to purchase the most books at an affordable cost.  

• Consider publishing a paperback version of your book as well. 

• Royalties: Understand the royalty structures of different platforms. Amazon KDP offers 35% or 70% royalties, depending on your pricing and distribution choices.

6. Marketing and Promotion

• Author Platform: Build your author platform through a website, blog, and social media.

• Book Launch: Plan a book launch strategy. This strategy can include pre-orders, promotional pricing, and reaching out to book bloggers for reviews. It might be helpful to place your book on tour through a site like Reedsy  (affiliate link) or IReadsBooks.

• Connecting with sites like (RITC) can also help.  Here, you can amplify your work and the work of other authors.  Use this platform to network and build a social media presence. 

• Advertising: Use Amazon, Facebook, and other advertising platforms to reach a wider audience. It's essential to target your audience. 

• Promotional Sites: Submit your book to promotional sites like BookBub, Freebooksy, and others for increased visibility.

• Attend book conferences and literary fairs to discuss and talk about your work. 

7. Getting Reviews

• ARC (Advance Review Copy): Send ARCs to bloggers, reviewers, and beta readers to gather early reviews.

• Review Sites: Utilize review sites and services to get more reviews. Be sure to follow their guidelines.

8. Building a Mailing List

• Newsletter: Start a newsletter to connect with readers and keep them updated on new releases and promotions.

• Lead Magnets: Offer free content (e.g., a short story, a chapter) to entice readers to join your mailing list.

9. Legal and Financial Considerations

• ISBNs: Determine if you need your own ISBNs or if you'll use the free ones provided by platforms like Amazon.

• Taxes: Understand your tax obligations. Platforms like Amazon provide tax guidance for self-publishers.

• Copyright: Consider registering your copyright to protect your work legally.

10. Continuous Learning

• Resources: Read books, follow blogs, and join communities focused on self-publishing (e.g., KBoards, 20Booksto50K Facebook group).

• Workshops and Webinars: Attend workshops and webinars to stay updated on industry trends and best practices.

• Lastly consider connecting with Literacy Nation. They are a grassroots organization for indie authors and an affiliate of the American Library Association.