Self-Publishing: Being The General Contractor For Your Book

Becoming a self-published author does not mean going it alone. The team a self published author forms will vary depending on the experience and individual skills of each author and what they need assistance accomplishing. Many authors in the traditional publishing world find that they do a lot more work than just writing their book and for some going the self published route can mean greater control and greater profits. While for others self-publishing may be their ownly way of getting their works to print.

To begin, an author needs to determine which tasks they can complete themselves and which they will need help accomplishing. These tasks may include profreading, layout, proffreading, illustrations/art, proofreding, cover art, prooffreading, marketing, proofreeding, distribution, and proofreading. I think you get the hint. One of the biggest regrets are the simple mistakes that take away from a book like spelling errors, grammar errors, and unintentional confusing plot lines. An author’s team can include family, friends, students, writers’ groups (local and beyond) and paid professionals (local resources or online resources like Upwork). Some of the professional writers associations have incredible resources available with membership to help guide an aspiring author. SCBWI: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is one such organization that has some amazing free downloads available for their membership to help members through the publishing process: traditional and self-publishing.

In the modern age a self-published author does not need to drain their bank account and fill their basement with a large order of books for distribution. With modern print on demand resources (POD) through many online providers (Createspace, Lulu, etc…) a book can be up for sale with little to no upfront cost to the author. For example an author can create a free Createspace account, upload their files for free, and approve files for distribution (Amazon and expanded distribution network which reaches bookstores, libraries, etc…) without spending a dime depending on how much of the work they can do themselves and with fee free team members. (Be mindful of your use of fee free team members and make sure to reward them!)

Proofreading is important! As many eyes and ears as possible, the better the outcome. Start with your free willing proofreaders to catch mistakes. Put on readings. Sometimes items that slip through the eyes can be more easily caught by the ears when you read your writings out loud. If paying a proofreader you want to make sure you are giving them as polished a work as possible so they can focus on the items that are harder to catch and not caught up in a million common mistakes. Not only will it save them time and focus, it will probably also save you money.

Pricing can be fluid, so having the price on the cover is not necessary. Price can vary depending on what types of distribution an author is wanting, brick and mortar stores, online stores, e-book. There is a huge variant in price between a book you want to sell through Amazon and one you aspire to have sitting on the store shelves due to the need to provide a substantial discount to retailers (40-60%). As exciting as the prospect of being available in stores can be, the reality of those stores carrying your book is a different story. Pricing a book at a rate that is appealing to readers may mean you want to stick with the Amazon/online sales route. Value your work, but also value the reach of an appropriately priced book. The difference can be between a customer buying a book when they come across it or hesitating and not buying.

Marketing is such an expansive opportunity. It is another area that used to be all about money, but has now become more about networking and free resources. Though money and especially status (celebrity, popular blogs, etc...) helps. Reaching out to popular blogs/pages with a free copy to review can pay off heavily in their reach to a specific audience (though not always). Writing articles and submitting to relevant magazines for publication is another way. The interesting thing about marketing is the ability to branch out and write about different topics but list your name in the piece as author of your work title that you have released and have available for sale. (ex. Ann P Vernon, author of Mama’s Milk Is All Gone) Though you are trying to promote your specific work for sale, you are trying to promote your name and work as a whole, which can allow for a sense of freedom to follow your writing passions that may take you outside your published topic.

There is no shortage of companies that will target self-published authors and offer packages that may sound appealing to some for items such as proofreading, layout and marketing, however the quality of these services is not guaranteed. That is one of the benefits of being a general contractor for your book, you get to choose your specific team members and have more direct control of the quality of work. Get references, ask questions, negotiate services and a timeline that fits your needs as an author.

Self publishing can be a daunting but worthwhile task. So figure out your strengths, work on your weaknesses and gather a team to make your dream a reality.