Happy 1st Wednesday in October. It’s Insecure Writers
Support Group Day. A big THANKS to Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh for starting this group and
keeping it going. And thanks to this month's awesome hosts Kristin Smith, Elsie,
Suzanne Furness, and Fundy Blue! Some of us are doing something different today. We’re
submitting our posts to be used in an anthology, The IWSG Guide to Publishing
and Beyond. Here’s my article.
Self-Publishing
Three years ago, a friend suggested I self-publish an
out-of-print book to which I’d regained my rights. I had nothing to lose. The
book had already been professionally edited. It needed a little updating and a
new cover. Eight years after my last payment from my publisher, Switched began earning money again. So I
thought, why not do it again? I’ll be self-publishing my sixth novel this month.
The best part? Instead of a publisher keeping sixty to seventy percent of the
proceeds, I get to keep that
percentage.
Self-publishing is not easy or cheap. You need an
eye-catching cover. Your manuscript must be formatted properly and
professionally edited. You can almost everything yourself. If you have artistic
talent, you can design your own cover. I don’t, so I hire that out. Formatting
your manuscript can be difficult. If you have more money than time, you can
hire that out, too. I have more time and I’m a DIY girl from youth, so I did it
myself. One area a writer cannot do successfully is edit his/her own work. It’s
worth the money to have it professionally edited.
Once your manuscript has been edited, formatted properly,
and you have a cover, you’re ready to upload the manuscript to a
self-publishing venue. Read all the directions first. Then follow them. Step by
Step. Once your book is loaded and you receive notice that it’s up for sale,
celebrate. Enjoy the fact that you controlled every step of the journey.
These days writers have options. Explore all of them. Self-publishing
isn’t for everyone. Do what you think is best for your career. And good luck.
This is my entry for the IWSG Guide to Publishing and
Beyond. I give permission for this entry to be included in the anthology. Here's
my bio:
Diane Burton writes science
fiction romance and romantic suspense and blogs at http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/
Click here to find others on the Insecure
Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook
to see who’s blogging today.
Congrats on self-publishing six novels! We just completed self-publishing an anthology in early September. I was fortunate to be working with a wonderful partner who patiently guided me through it. I couldn't agree more about the importance of editing. It's always helpful to see things from another set of eyes.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to following you.
Julie
Thanks, Julie. You know when editing is important when there's a mistake on the 1st page of the printed book. Yikes!
DeleteCongrats on finding an avenue that worked for you. I'd ideally like to be published as a hybrid author, with books traditionally published, electronically published, and self-published. It's an ongoing journey.
ReplyDeleteIt's always great to hear about another writer's experience. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Holli. I'm a hybrid, too. I really love the options.
DeleteYou're self-publishing your 6th novel this month? Wow! Way to go, Diane!
ReplyDeleteGood entry for the anthology. I've emailed mine. I've written another piece for my IWSG post.
Thanks, Sittie. I debated emailing mine then time ran out. LOL I'll be over to read your post.
DeleteWell done Diane on forging a self-publication path. This is great encouragement for those hovering on the edge... or should that be teetering on the edge?
ReplyDeleteLOL, Roland. Teetering is right. I teetered for a year before actually doing it. Talk about insecure. :)
DeleteGood information, Diane. I now have 5 of my previously published romances and romantic suspense novels up as e-books. It's great to see those stories once again reaching readers' hands (or e-readers). I guess it's time for me to start formatting another one...or actually self-publish a story. Hmm.
ReplyDeleteHi, Maris. Did you recognize yourself in my post? You're the one who told me to self-publish since Switched was sitting around doing nothing. Thanks again for giving me that push.
DeleteThanks for sharing your story! I do plan on self-publishing in the future, so this was very helpful. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it was, Chrys. Good luck.
DeleteI love the doors self publishing has opened. The whole formatting aspect might kill me--which is why I'm glad I have a small publisher, but it's nice to have so much power back in the author's hands.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice but scary, too, to have all that power. If anything goes wrong, I only have myself to blame. :)
DeleteWow, talk about writing straight to the point! I've been on a soap box for a few years about needing and editor because I feel that as a "community" of Indy-Published authors, we should all promote each other by writing to the best of our ability, and to then polish it and make it shine. We do a disservice to "our" "name" (Self published or Indy published) if we don't because no one likes to read a book where the mistakes pull you out of the story, no matter how good it is... Thanks for sharing this! I'm interested in "Switched."
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, Lisa, esp. about mistakes (common grammar in particular) that pull me out of the story.
DeleteGreat advice, Diane. Great idea to start with the book you already had edited and ready to go.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Hein - Scribbling in the Storage Room
Thanks, Elizabeth. Love the title of your blog. :)
DeleteGreat tips on self-publishing. I like how you emphasize hiring an editor - so important. Good for you!!!
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
Thanks, Mary. The mistakes my editor finds make me blush. I know better and still there they are. So glad she catches them.
DeleteGreat post on self-publishing! I don't know much about the formatting process, but it sounds grueling! If I ever do decide to self-publish, I think I'll be one of those who hire someone to do all that "dirty work." :)
ReplyDeleteGreat to meet you through the IWSG!
http://swordsandstilettos.blogspot.com
Thanks, Kristen. The formatting was grueling the first time. After that, I won't say it was a piece of cake, but I didn't have to start from scratch. Great meeting you, too.
DeleteForgot to say, thanks for co-hosting this month!
DeleteThanks for the advice. You make it sound much easier than I thought it was. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette
I'm glad I didn't scare you off, Anna. Each book was easier to do than the previous one. Practice makes perfect--or not so hard.
DeleteHi, Diane,
ReplyDeleteSo good advice here. Many authors make the mistake of not having their work professionally edited/formatted/book cover. These are VERY important to have a successful run on your novel.
All the best with your latest work!
Thanks, Michael. If we want to be treated as professionals,we have to put out a quality product. Hiring what I can't do myself works for me.
DeleteI have gone down this road, still hoping an agent or 'real' publisher will want to take over future publishing of my finished manuscripts. I do pay for editors before publishing. One found I was dyslectic which explains a lot about my personal connections (I forget faces easily) as well as my problems with learning a new language.
ReplyDeleteIf Florence Price wasn't walking this earth, I don't know what I would have done to self-publish on Amazon. Thanks for your blog.
I'm glad you have Florence to help you out. She's a gem.
DeleteIt's definitely scary but exciting to have all that control, and not have to be on the publishing timescale of large houses. But very important that it needs to be every bit as professional.
ReplyDeleteExcellent points, Nick. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteCongratulations on your 6 novels. I love self publishing and am glad I chose it as the option for me.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Patricia I'm so glad we have so many options.
DeleteCongratulations on your success! I agree with you full heartedly on the necessity of hiring a professional editor. It's very difficult to edit our own work so it's best left to someone with an impartial view!
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Donna McDine
Award-winning Children’s Author
Ignite Curiosity in your child through reading!
Write What Inspires You Blog
Thanks, Donna. Unedited books give all of us indies a bad name.
DeleteExcellent advice. And to think, if you'd not gotten your rights back and chosen to self-publish that first one, you wouldn't have so many successful books now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for contributing to the book!
Thanks for stopping by, Alex. I forgot to say Happy Anniversary when I posted on your blog. This is a terrific group you started. Thanks.
DeleteGreat advice and I'm glad you gave it a try! I've done it too! I'm a hybrid and love both sides of the equation!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa. Both indie and trad publishing have their pros & cons.
DeleteCongratulations on your self-publishing journey. I think the cover is so important to catch the reader's eye on Amazon. The biggest disappointment when I read many e-books, is the lack of editing. If you can't afford an editor you can't afford to publish. It's like listening to a singer hitting the wrong notes at a concert.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting/following my blog Diane.
Denise:)
Thanks, Denise. It's been a real journey! I agree about the cover. I have been so pleased with mine. Wish I had the talent my designers do. They are awesome.
DeleteThis will make a great addition to the book!
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally agree that we shouldn't skimp on the editing!
Thanks, Lynda. The old saying about it takes money to make money applies here. I always feel great when a book earns more than I paid for professional services. :)
DeleteThis was exactly what I needed to read. Thank you! I plan on self-publishing. It's the self-promoting that I dread. ;P
ReplyDeleteElsie
co-host IWSG
Glad I could help, Elsie. We all have to promote--whether we self- or traditional publish.Look at James Patterson on TV. The more you do it the easier (sort of) it gets. Best wishes.
DeleteWonderful advice, Diane. It's terrific there are so many options open to writers these days. I've talked about self-publishing for a year and even though I sense it's not really for me—I intend to take the plunge. The only way I'll know for sure is to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteVR Barkowski
That's the spirit, VR. You can do it.
DeleteExcellent post! You're so right that it puts it all in your own hands--for better and for worse! Let's hope for mostly better, though.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Samantha.
DeleteWow congrats on your self publishing journey and thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and advice with us. The ebook is going to be a fantastic resource.
ReplyDeleteGreat to visit as a co-host of IWSG this month.
Thanks, Suzanne. I think the book will be fabulous.
DeleteI agree that self-publishing isn't for everyone, but I am so glad that we now have that option. Amazon has made it so easy and affordable. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding to the discussion, Elena. For too long, we've been at publishers' mercy. It's great to have options
DeleteThanks for this informative post, Diane! When I'm ready to publish this is an option I will certainly research. Good luck with your books and writing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you mentioned research. So important no matter how you decide to publish.
DeleteGreat information, especially about editing being worth the cost. It's nice to see other DIY people. And six books? That's incredible!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loni. Good luck to you.
DeleteGood advice, Diane. I've taken that road too with books I had with publishers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing to self pub your published book again. What's old is new again.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice for self-publishing. If I ever go this route, I am definitely going to hire out these important jobs.
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