Pitfalls and Lessons of Self Publishing 1/3

Self publishing: Avoid the pitfalls 1/3

Based on Kate Pool's Society of Authors meeting. If we can learn from the mistakes that others have made our lives will be made easier- no?

Publishing is having an identity crisis. Publishers don't know what's happening, agents don't know what's happening.  You may choose self publishing because it's the only way.  

Pitfall 1. ebooks don't translate easily into tree-books.  Publishing an ebook can be relatively easy but don't imagine you can translate your ebook seamlessly into a paperback.  Clashing formats demand numerous micro-editing changes.  The result is liable to look self-published unless the paper, the size and the font are correctly chosen.   Finish the text completely before considering e-publishing.

Pitfall 2.  Choosing a cover for a self published novel is tricky.  It's hard to know what would appeal to your target audience.  Remember artistic is not necessarily commercial.  Invite art college students to illustrate for a fee,  some authors call on family members.

Pitfall 3. Getting an ebook reviewed is tricky.  Sending out free ebooks runs the risk of being pirated or ignored.  Sending a large PDF is difficult and may also be pirated.  The best answer may be a small print run of tree books to send out free of charge.

Pitfall 4.  Asking Amazon to fulfil your orders may lead to the message "Temporarily Out of Stock' even though you have sent a consignment of books to their warehouse or arranged for print on demand. The explanation seems to lie with delays at the printers for example.  Some orders seem to get through.  Amazon has a sliding scale of charges based on the price you choose.  Amazon own ABE Books, The Book Depository and GoodReads.

Pitfall 5.  Beware the small print.  Never give away your rights to an intermediary.  Facilitators such as Lightningsource Antony Rowe and fast-print  prepare the book for publication and may offer various services in marketing and distribution or a client person who helps you through the publishing process.  All should offer a fee-based service.  These packages cost up to £5,000.

Similar services are on offer from authorhouse,

There's plenty of good advice on these websites.  Many authors are already promoting their books in multiple ways.  Make sure you get value for money.

More on marketing and self publishing next installment.