Five Easy Tips for Self-Publishing

Maybe you’re at a point in your writing where you have an actual manuscript sitting on your desk. Congratulations! Now, how do you take that looming stack of finely turned phrases and well-placed plot points and convert them into a bound book? Today, NaNoWriMo participant Kyesubire delivers a step by step guide to support you on the journey to self-publication:

Self-publishing is the production of media (including books) by an author without the involvement of an established publisher. It is a growing alternative traditional book publishing, where a publisher buys the right to your books, sells them through bookshops, and pays the author royalties on sales they make. Over the years, the royalties have been in decline in some markets, creating the perfect conditions for self-publishing. 

Even through it’s gaining popularity, there are key elements that need to be in place to ensure the book is well done so that it will capture the interest of the readers and create impact and income for the author. Five key elements need to be in place for a well done book:

1. Be accountable.

Once the author decides to write a book, it is important to ensure it is written well. The work needs to be finished within a set time-frame, and adhere to a high standard. So, the author must focus to ensure that targets are set, communicated, and all effort is put towards making this happen. This can be achieved by committing to an accountability process with fellow writers and readers.

2. Have a good editorial team.

Self-publishing removes the usual support structure of editors, managers and staff associated with a publisher. It is important for the author to build a team who will read, assess critique and ensure it is well done. Your team will also help keep you accountable to the tasks and timelines of writing, reading, editing, and approval before the submission to print.

3. Have a good designer.

Despite what you may hear, a book is always judged by its cover—particularly, the front cover, layout, and back cover design. An interesting book with a bad cover won’t sell well, plain and simple. The author needs to be deliberate about design quality as it affects the quality of printing and readership. A good designer will bring out the main precepts of the book; add artistic value; and follow rules on size, layout and image clarity and appearance before print.

4. “Print On Demand” 

Conventional printing is quite expensive. There is often a need to print in larger quantities, but storing these large quantities—as well keeping stores’ shelved consistently stocked—can quickly become costly.  “Print On Demand” is a reasonably new print method that allows an author to print as few as two books at a time, with the option to steadily increase the numbers while keeping costs in check. This will ensure better resource management and allocation, no matter how limited the publishing budget may be. 

5. Have a marketing plan.

It is harder to market books as an individual because one cannot be in two places at once. It is important to develop partnerships with authors of complimentary books, and to book speaking engagements that will make room for sales. Combined with efficient use of social media to create awareness of the book and its availability, together these strategies produce a robust marketing plan.

My mother has always said that your book sales are as good as your ability to sell and showcase value. We have found that to be true in the sales of her books in Kenya. A self-published author is only as good as their ability to sell and entice satisfied readers to promote the books for them. Self-publishing may not be ideal for all markets, but if you are in a location that thrives on it, then take the idea and run with it.

Kyesubire is a visual scribe and storyteller using words and images to connect all aspects of life. She powers from faith to food to health to nature to fiction in ways that encourage viewers and readers to find joy and balance in life through its connectivity. She is telling HIStory of faith, hope, love and family. 

Top photo by Host Sorter on Unsplash.