3 Things People Get Wrong About Self-Publishing (They Might Surprise You)
Reddit forums, Facebook, Instagram accounts, and TikTok … there are countless online resources and communities for writers. These resources are great places to find fellow authors, learn writing tips, and act as a sounding board for some of the unique frustrations of being a writer.
While these online spaces are necessary for writers—and I highly recommend being a part of them—unfortunately, sometimes inexperienced or misguided individuals use their platform to spread misinformation about the publishing industry. Many “scammy” self-publishing companies intentionally work to make the traditional publishing industry look like the big bad wolf to prospective authors.
I recently attended a seminar on how to help indie authors navigate self-publishing, so I thought I’d help debunk some of the rumors.
One: If you don’t have control over everything, you’ll sacrifice the integrity of your work.
Control is an appealing term for artists with a vision, but it might not be as beneficial as you think. Indie authors have the final say in every part of the publishing process, but having industry experts in your corner makes success easier.
Sure, you could become an expert in developmental editing and copyediting, formatting, cover design, and publicity and marketing on your own and be successful. It’s been done before, and it’ll be done again. However, it takes months of trial and error. Thankfully, freelance industry experts are available to help.
According to one survey, about 60% of self-publishing authors hire professional editors.
Freelance editors help guide authors to publishing success all the time, and they have an insider’s look at the process. We regularly attend seminars, read books, and consult with each other on how to best assist authors and what’s trending in the industry. We’ll be in your corner, cheering you on and providing words of wisdom whenever necessary.
Two: Self-publishing is low-cost, and you can do everything yourself.
Don’t let social media authors fool you—it’s a lot of work to self-publish a book. Another common misconception about self-publishing is that the hard part is writing the book. And if it’s good enough, the rest will fall into place. It’s not true. Successful indie authors are the minority, and they are successful because they put in the work behind the scenes and invest in their writing.
Editing is a worthwhile investment in your career because a good editor also coaches you to become a better writer.
Most authors are on a budget, understandably, but be strategic about what you spend money on. You can save costs by doing some tasks yourself. I’ve seen successful indie authors do their publicity and marketing, design their covers, and even self-edit. But know your weaknesses and that cutting corners will affect your profit return. Surveys have shown that authors who work with professionals earn more on average. If you can’t spend the money to invest in your work, then be willing to invest the time and energy instead.
Three: Self-publishing is faster.
Sometimes, it feels like a race to the finish line. The faster you get published, the sooner you start making money. Well, don’t get ahead of yourself. It can take years and multiple books published to start making a regular income as an indie author.
Publishing houses have the advantages of experience, professional networks, and expert-level professionals on demand. They often have insider information about market trends and can expedite certain books to meet demands. Indie authors don’t have the luxury of acceleration without sacrificing quality.
It can take multiple years to launch a book successfully. Editing is usually a multi-month process. Design can take weeks. And it takes time to develop an audience on social media (essential to successful book marketing).
I know it can be overwhelming. But there’s no need to do this alone. Don’t forget to book a consultation with me to discuss your editing needs and to get insight into where you are in the process. I’m here to help!
