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Self-Publishing

open laptop on desk illustrating an article on self-publishingSelf-publishing has given writers a whole host of new opportunities.

We no longer have to confine our work to the desk drawer if publishers are not interested.

Instead, we can bite the bullet and publish anyway.

Successful self-publication now means writers can receive the larger share of the profits rather than the smallest.

We are also able to control our own writing, editorial decisions, cover designs, publishing choices, marketing and just about everything else.

However, with all this control and opportunity comes added work and responsibility.

We either do all the work ourselves, or employ people to do it for us.

It takes time and it takes money.

At the end of the day we are now responsible for our own success or lack of it!

Personally I love this. I have experienced being published by a traditional company as well as commissioned for television and radio.

As much as I enjoyed that at the time this new way of working makes me happier.

I have now have far more outlets for my writing than I did before.

But, no-one said it was going to be easy.

It isn’t.

books stacked around a door illustrating an article on self-publishingThis expansion of the market means there are also far more books out there – the competition is tough.

However, we are not just competing with quality.

Many of the books self-published at the moment are not well written. They have been written quickly in the hope of making a fast buck.

Some of these books are written and published by masters of SEO and marketing.

They know how to drive their books up the rankings and they know how to sell.

I have read some of the books ranking well at the moment and believe me they are a testament to their publishers marketing skills.

As for the writing – well not so much.

So where does it leave real writers?

I mean those of us who want to write well and who spend more time writing than selling.

Let’s be frank, selling and marketing are not something most writers are good at.

If you are not sure whether you are ready to self-publish read this.

SELF-PUBLISHING THE SMART WAY

Writers who want get into self-publishing and who put their own genuine and original book out there need to work smart to differentiate themselves from the rubbish.

How?

Well first of all you need to do the obvious, that is, to write the best story you can write.

There will be a substantial amount of thought, work, rewriting and redrafting involved in the process.

When this is complete you will turn to the process of editing your eBook.

You will need to hire a professional editor.

There are also other tasks; covers, marketing etc.

The same processes that apply to conventional publishing also apply to self-publishing.

Like I said – it’s not easy.

However, if you are a begstained notebook with chocolate illustrating an article on self-publishinginning writer, I suggest that you focus your energy on one step at a time.

The first step is to write the story – focus on this above all else.

The story – the writing is what’s important.

Focusing on money, on marketing etc. does not produce good writing.

Put the writing first – always.

For some practical tips and information to get you going, read my post on how to be a writer.

If this all seems daunting, then don’t worry. Worry is a waste of valuable writing time.

I have self-published several books at this stage and yes, it is a lot of work but it is certainly worth it in the end.

The work that I have personally published to Amazon have already been conventionally published or broadcast prior to self-publishing.

After the contract period for these stories ended the rights reverted to me.

This means my writing has already had to pass a certain standard and was deemed worthy of publication and broadcasting.

My books have also been edited professionally.

This meant I felt confident self-publishing.

I wasn’t rushing out and throwing any old stuff at the Amazon wall in the hope that it ‘stuck.’

That doesn’t mean I have high expectations of success, but I know I have put the work into every story I wrote.

The rest will be down to my own efforts at targeting my books to an audience who like them.

Finding that audience is another task.

There will always be those who don’t like your work and that is as it should be.

But they shouldn’t dislike it because there are obvious holes in the story that an editor would have spotted.

Nor should they dislike it because there are mistakes and typos all over the text.

To just throw a book up on Amazon and hope for the best is a waste of time.

Your time is better spent writing and improving.

You will find much help with that on this site and if you are a beginner I suggest you start here.

If you want to know more about self-publishing click any of the following links:

Should you self-publish

Online book publishing

Choosing a title for your story

Book cover design

Finding an editor

All the best of luck with your writing.

Grace

P.S. All the creative writing tips and information are provided here free for you. All I ask is that you leave a comment in the box and like, or share so that others may learn too.

To see my books on Amazon click here.

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