The self-publishing market has boomed in recent years, with more and more authors breaking away from traditional publishing routes and opting to do it themselves. There are more ways to get your work out there than ever and self-publishing is an increasingly popular choice, allowing writers full creative freedom and complete control over their works.
Understandably, an ambitious venture like this can seem both exciting and almost insurmountably daunting. There are both logistical and creative challenges that arise during the process, and wrapping your head around these can be a challenge.
However, author Sarah Cook – who has written books including Diary of Murders and its sequel Secrets Unbound – is here to help out. Her self-publishing tips guide you through everything from the benefits of finding a community to help make your book the best it can be, to the logistical aspects of publishing.
Start your community right now
The writing community is very vast and full of so many good souls that want to help. The minute you start conceiving an idea for a book, you'll want to wade into that goodness. Talk about your writing process on social media immediately. It helps garner interest with possible readers. But also, join writing focused groups and find fellow authors in your genre. Not only will they help develop your story but they will give you insight and unparalleled support.
It doesn't necessarily have to be in your genre, but definitely find people who believe in you and your work. Alpha and beta readers are absolutely essential. They help you navigate what is working and not in your manuscript.
I am in a writing group (shoutout to the Soups) that have become some of my dearest friends and whilst we write different things, we also champion one another constantly and that makes me feel like I can take over the world.
Read and learn the market
Maybe you don't have to read extensively to be a good writer, but reading in your desired genre will make you a brilliant writer and marketeer. You will learn about what is out there and what tropes are working for others. It will help you hone your craft and give you an understanding about what readers are looking for. You will also know steadfast rules such as romance having happily ever afters. You do not necessarily have to curtail your book idea but you can learn how to sell it better. Remember, there is an audience for every book out there so you need to find your niche group and speak to them with your work and marketing.
Sarah Cook is a self-published author who specialises in historical fiction
Invest in a good cover and editor
Some indie authors spend thousands on their books, which may seem daunting, but there are affordable ways to get your cover made. So many artists have cheaper options for cover artwork that is beautiful and striking – and, most importantly, in keeping with the market. Think cutesy illustrations for romantic comedies or period settings for historical. The cover should be able to immediately tell the reader what genre they are going into.
An editor is crucial. Indie books have this absurd stigma that they are riddled with mistakes, but so are traditionally published books. Most indie authors I know have an editor (or several) to tackle this. Editors are the lifeblood of any creative industry and whilst you may get frustrated about the amount of times you have to read your work – I have read Diary of Murders over a hundred times at this point – it will actually help polish your story to the best it can be.
On this point, there are plenty of print on demand services. Research them thoroughly before getting started. Buy ISBNs so you own your work. Amazon KDP holds a big monopoly but is most beneficial for writers.
Throw spaghetti at the wall
I've been marketing professionally for 10 years. Strategies are fine and dandy for paid advertisement but social media algorithms are a bag of feral cats – utterly unruly. So you should throw what you can out there and see what works. Don't be sad if your brilliant idea falls flat on its face. Just try again. The more you talk about your book, the more exposure your book has to potential readers. Try fun sounds, meet trends, and speak to your audience. The most unique thing about you is YOU and your story. So speak about it always. For me, I talk about the Victorians and work it into selling my books.
Be consistent, but don't forget about breaks. Book marketing is another job in itself, so schedule some posts and step away from time to time to get a breather.
Build your backlist
It is very rare that an indie author will make a liveable earning from just one book. The more you put out there, the more visibility you have as a writer. And when one book pops off, readers will invest in your entire bibliography.
It takes a long time for most indie authors, so stay steadfast. Believe in yourself, your books, and your talent and you will find your tribe of loyal readers. Have so much fun.
Find out more about Sarah Cook and her books by visiting her website. Or if you want to improve your language skills, find out about Trinity College's Integrated Skills in English qualification.
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