Menu Close

Notes from Conflux panel: Benefits of self-publishing vs other options

  1. Publishing has three stages:
    • Writing the manuscript
    • publishing and distributing the book
    • marketing the book
  2. How has the perception of self-published books shifted in recent times? 
    1. Very positive. I’ve never had anyone from the public show any hint of shying away from a self-published book.
    1. Many authors actually mention their books are self published at events as a positive thing.
  3. Resources, tools, and ways to find out more 
    1. Software / sites to help you self publish
      1. Layout and design: Vellum, Atticus
    1. Helpful websites
      1. Kindlepreneur / Reedsy
    2. Publishers and distributors: KDP / IngramSpark / Draft2Digital / Lulu
  4. Marketing
    1. Email marketing – Mailchimp / Tiny Letter / others
      1. BookFunnel / Story Origin / Prolific Works (share sites)
    1. Book promotion sites – BookBub, Written Word Media etc
  5. Editing your manuscript as an independent author
    1. DIY
    1. Pay
    1. Crowd sourced:
      1. Ask friends, your newsletter list, organisations like the CSFG (novel critique group)
  6. Best advice to a newbie
    1. Ask someone who’s done it to save you a heck of a lot of time.
  7. Book covers
    1. Pay an artist
    2. do your own
    3. pre-made sites.
  8. Things to be aware of:
    1. Watch out for hybrid publishers – some are totally legit, but they all make you take the financial risks, not them.
    2. Indie publishers take the risks anyway, but retain full control of their work and product.
    3. Traditional publishers take the financial risks, but also take control.

Related Posts