Self-Publishing Tips: It's OK to Re-Issue Your First Book (by Sheryl Steines)

What do you do when the first book you self-publish isn't a hit? Give it a new face and try again! (Long-time readers might remember that I've had a couple of versions of cover art for Emperor's Edge and Encrypted along the way.) Today, Sheryl Steines is guest posting and talking about her experience re-issuing her first book.

The Re-Issue Process

Always measure twice, cut once.  It's far less work if you do the job right in the first place.  I thought I had done that when I published my first book, The Day of First Sun.  After unsuccessfully trying to publish my book with a brick and mortar company, I chose the only other option to me, and self published it.

But the book didn't sell well.  Besides selling to friends and family, I didn't have much luck in the way of marketing.  I spent much time on the internet trying to figure it out.  I had book marks, business cards, and posters.  I sent letters to independent bookstores hoping for book signings.  I had a Twitter account, a Facebook author page and a blog.  So why wasn't I selling any books?

It came down to fully not understanding how to create an internet presence, how to get a book, that I felt was pretty good, out to the market.  At some point, I had to decide if I was going to keep selling my book or I was going to stop and get a real job.  So I hired marketing help.  Sometimes, it's far better to ask for help than think you can figure it out on your own.  I realize my limitations.

Her plan to sell my second book actually started with my first book and thankfully I put my trust in her when she suggested we re-issue the first book.  So you're thinking about all that hard work thrown away?  When you're an author it's about putting out the best product you can.  There was always something nagging at me about The Day of First Sun.  I thought about the typos we discovered after it was published, the idea that I should have made it Young Adult instead an adult book.  Now it was my chance to make those changes and find more confidence in the book that I worked so hard on.

In a way, I started the process a little sad; as if someone told me there was something wrong with my child.  But it was the right decision.  The book needed to be re-edited.  While my manuscript was at the editor, the next goal was to work on my new cover, something far more eye catching. I did like my cover, but it blended together, nothing stood out. But my artist was a genius, took what I liked about my first cover and improved it.  I couldn't stop looking at it, realizing that sometimes, it helps to have an extra set of eyes.  I was getting closer to something.

But there was more work to do.  As we worked on the physical book, I needed to work on my internet presence. Not just getting noticed, but being more professional.  Setting up accounts, making any author pages coordinate with each other.  I now would have a website with my blog, more author pages, and more twitter followers.  As I had help with the computer stuff, I realized just how computer illiterate I actually was.  But in the three months that I had the help, I gained far more than I had in the first year after publishing the book.  I relied on others to teach me what I had been unable to learn on my own.

I was amazed at the universe that includes other indie authors, the blogger universe that is so accepting and willing to let me tag along, let me write a guest blog or review my book.  The things that I was unaware of before I jumped in with both feet, it's daunting and overwhelming, but the process has been so worth it.  I started with a book that I was so proud of, one that I thought deserved to be read but I was tentative and unsure.  I ended up with something far better than I could have imagined.  It's now a book I feel confident with, a book that I'm excited to share with other readers.

My motto became measure twice, cut once and hopefully when it comes to my second book, I'll be able to avoid doing the work twice.  As fun as it's been that is.

Bio

Sheryl Steines is equal parts driven, passionate and inspired.  With a degree in English from Wright State University, Sheryl dedicates time everyday to her art.  Her love of books and a quality story drives her to share her talent with her readers as well as make the time to talk to book clubs and students about her process.

Sheryl has eclectic tastes and enjoys character driven novels.  In her own writing, the Annie Loves Cham series is driven by her love of the characters and her desire to place them in totally new situations. She enjoys testing their mettle.

Behind the wheel of her '66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise. Her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy.

 Sheryl can be found on Twitter, Facebook, or her blog. She also encourages her readers to email her and let her know what you think of Annie and Cham!

Her first book is available on Amazon.

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