8 Things Readers Want From Self-Published Authors
[image error]
My post last week, The
"Self-Pub Is Crap" Debate, has probably generated more comments than any other
post in 2011.
Reviewing the comments provides an excellent to-do list of how self-published authors
can be taken seriously by readers.
Hire professionals for editing, proofreading, and design.
Put most of your cost toward editing. That means, aside from development or
content editing, you must eliminate all proofreading errors and typos if you want
to be taken seriously. Evelyn Lafont also recommends using beta readers to put out
quality work.
Hire a conversion house for clean e-book formatting.
Understand the difference between vanity publishing and the BUSINESS of being an
author. Don't do it just for the rush of seeing your name on Amazon. (Evelyn Lafont)
Don't give 5-star reviews to friends' books that don't deserve it. Some people
give 5 stars to every friend's book. This is a problem with both traditional and self-published
books, but several readers complained that absurd and false high rankings tend to
be more widespread in the self-published arena.
Don't self-promote constantly. Self-published bloggers can be less fun to follow
because they promote constantly. Many blogs, Twitter, and Facebook posts have become
advertisements. (Theresa Milstein)
If there's no quality sample, readers won't buy. Most readers decide whether
to buy the book based on the quality of the sample, regardless of ratings/reviews.
(Ann Best)
Be patient. In an environment where NO ONE seems patient enough to put out
quality work, your book will stand out if you take the time to do it right. (Tony
McFadden)
As Fiona commented, "If you self-publish … you have to take responsibility for the
finished product."
[image error]
My post last week, The
"Self-Pub Is Crap" Debate, has probably generated more comments than any other
post in 2011.
Reviewing the comments provides an excellent to-do list of how self-published authors
can be taken seriously by readers.
Hire professionals for editing, proofreading, and design.
Put most of your cost toward editing. That means, aside from development or
content editing, you must eliminate all proofreading errors and typos if you want
to be taken seriously. Evelyn Lafont also recommends using beta readers to put out
quality work.
Hire a conversion house for clean e-book formatting.
Understand the difference between vanity publishing and the BUSINESS of being an
author. Don't do it just for the rush of seeing your name on Amazon. (Evelyn Lafont)
Don't give 5-star reviews to friends' books that don't deserve it. Some people
give 5 stars to every friend's book. This is a problem with both traditional and self-published
books, but several readers complained that absurd and false high rankings tend to
be more widespread in the self-published arena.
Don't self-promote constantly. Self-published bloggers can be less fun to follow
because they promote constantly. Many blogs, Twitter, and Facebook posts have become
advertisements. (Theresa Milstein)
If there's no quality sample, readers won't buy. Most readers decide whether
to buy the book based on the quality of the sample, regardless of ratings/reviews.
(Ann Best)
Be patient. In an environment where NO ONE seems patient enough to put out
quality work, your book will stand out if you take the time to do it right. (Tony
McFadden)
As Fiona commented, "If you self-publish … you have to take responsibility for the
finished product."
[image error]
date
newest »
newest »
I like this list a lot, editing is a huge factor in making the best book possible. Unfortunately, hiring and editor can cost thousands of dollars, and there is still no guarantee of the quality of work. If you can't afford an editor, joining a crit group or forum where you can critique and review for other authors is a big step. These are great places to find your common mistakes.
After that, edit and edit and edit. Once you're sure you've fixed everything, walk away for at least a month. Then read and edit again.
If you love the book you're working on, put the time into it to make it its best. You'll still have mistakes, I'm sure. But every effort you put in makes your work that much better.
Jane Friedman
The future of writing, publishing, and all media—as well as being human at electric speed.
- Jane Friedman's profile
- 1882 followers
Being able to listen to advice -- and not just listen, but follow -- and being willing to recognize one's own limitations are the keys to successful writing. That seems true of all writers, not just those of us who choose the self-pub route.