13 Things I've Learned About Self-Publishing in 2013!
Remember when you were a kid, and you had dreams of a job that was fulfilling and meaningful, but also made you plenty of money? This past year has kind of been like that for me... What I didn't expect on this journey, though, was to learn more about myself, the people I keep around me, and the self-publishing industry than I ever imagined.
I mean, truly, it's been a fan-freaking-tastic year! I've met so many AWESOME people, and I continue to meet them every day! It's humbling, to know that people are reading my books. I never believed I would be where I am right now. In fact, if you had told me I'd be here, just eight months ago, when I pressed publish on Broken Promises, I would have laughed in your face! So many amazing things have happened to me! Some not-so-awesome stuff has happened, too, but let's get into what I've learned!
1. Always pay an editor. This may seem like common sense to those of us who have been in the business for more than a day, but there are so many newbie authors putting their work for sale unedited. It's worrisome to me, because the indie world has so many opportunities, and one of those is the ability to find high-quality editors. They might not be cheap, and I highly recommend doing a sample chapter with any editor you consider, but when you find one who works for you, NEVER LET THAT PERSON GO! I would be lost without my editor, but I went through three of them before I found her, so don't be afraid to look around. 2. USE A PROFESSIONAL COVER ARTIST! I cannot scream it loud enough. You know how you'll play around with photoshop or some other photo editing software and make a "play" cover? Unless you've been to school for design, you aren't good enough. No matter how many of your friends love it, don't trust them. You're friends are guanteed to like anything you stick in front of them. You want an honest opinion? Ask a fellow author who you trust and tell them you want them to be brutally honest. And when they are, don't let your feelings get hurt. If someone tells you it's not good enough, BELIEVE THEM! Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment and believe that they are just being mean. Want further proof? Put your cover next to the covers of authors currently on the New York Times list in your genre. Do they compare? Chances are, they don't. Focus on your writing and leave the covers to the professionals. 3. Plan Ahead. This means thinking things through completely before making a decision about how many books you want to write. Chances are, you're going to fall behind at some point, so leave some wiggle room in your calendar for the unplanned things that might happen. What if you get sick and have to take a week off? What if someone dies (lets all hope that doesn't happen)? You still want to be able to get the things done you said you would get done. 4. Realize that things change. In the same light as #3, you have to accept that things will happen that completely eff-up your schedule. Kids and pets need attention, spouses pull you away - whatever it is, it's going to happen at some point or another. And that means you need to be willing to readjust your schedule. That does NOT mean you should try to cram in everything together in just a week or two. Quite the opposite. Be smart enough to give yourself enough time the second time. Readers will understand. Trust me. 5. Don't stretch yourself too thin. You have 100 book ideas. Great! But focus on one at a time so that your brain doesn't get overloaded. Someone wants your help? Perfect! But make sure they know you'll be working on more than just their stuff (like your own), and be honest with them if you aren't going to make a deadline. Honesty is 100% needed in this biz. 6. Don't 'trade services." Ever. You mean well. They mean well. But then something happens and someone doesn't deliver. And then feelings get hurt and friendships die. It's painful. Always sign a contract or use PayPal invoices. Document your agreement in SOME way so that neither of you can back out. Don't let yourself get screwed over. 7. Never use copyrighted images - unless you've purchased them through the proper channels. So many authors make this mistake! It's a big one to make, too. Bite the bullet and buy a membership to a stock photo company. There are SO many of them. 8. Network. There is no greater asset to an author than fellow author friends. But this goes further than that. Make friends with readers and bloggers, too. And don't always shove your book in their face! Be an actual person and have thoughts. I am more likely to share someone's links who doesn't even ask than I am the person who messages me 100 times. Don't be annoying. 9. Never put down another author. At the very least, never do it on paper (or in email or messages). That will ALWAYS come back to bite you. You're allowed to not like everyone. But always be respectful. 10. Never reply, comment, or like reviews. Negative reviews are hard, everyone knows that. But don't try to engage the reader in an argument about why they're wrong. It ends badly for YOU. Instead, ignore them. Pretend they don't exist. If you like or comment on a good review, though, some readers might get their feelings hurt because it seems like you only care about the people who liked your book. That's why I say ignore them all. If you read a particularly awesome review, try to contact that person directly, through email or Facebook, or Goodreads, and message them privately, thanking them for the review. 11. Give your book away to bloggers. Bloggers are, by far, your biggest asset in making your book big. They are the ones who are going to review your book and give you free promotion on their blog. I love bloggers! 12. Be friendly. Whether it's an online discussion about show vs tell or an event signing, you need to be friendly. Don't be the negative person constantly complaining about their sales rank, or didn't sell enough books at the event. It's a definite turn-off for those around you and soon, you won't have to worry because you'll be alone all the time. ha-ha 13. No matter how many books you sell, whether its a million or ten, don't let your head get too big. One of the joys of this profession is to watch our peers "make it" and for them to be humble while they do. Nothing will piss off your friends more than throwing it in their face that you made the NYT bestsellers list three times this year. Honestly.
And that's all, for now... Come back tomorrow for my end of the year resolutions post. I promise to be funny!
I mean, truly, it's been a fan-freaking-tastic year! I've met so many AWESOME people, and I continue to meet them every day! It's humbling, to know that people are reading my books. I never believed I would be where I am right now. In fact, if you had told me I'd be here, just eight months ago, when I pressed publish on Broken Promises, I would have laughed in your face! So many amazing things have happened to me! Some not-so-awesome stuff has happened, too, but let's get into what I've learned!
1. Always pay an editor. This may seem like common sense to those of us who have been in the business for more than a day, but there are so many newbie authors putting their work for sale unedited. It's worrisome to me, because the indie world has so many opportunities, and one of those is the ability to find high-quality editors. They might not be cheap, and I highly recommend doing a sample chapter with any editor you consider, but when you find one who works for you, NEVER LET THAT PERSON GO! I would be lost without my editor, but I went through three of them before I found her, so don't be afraid to look around. 2. USE A PROFESSIONAL COVER ARTIST! I cannot scream it loud enough. You know how you'll play around with photoshop or some other photo editing software and make a "play" cover? Unless you've been to school for design, you aren't good enough. No matter how many of your friends love it, don't trust them. You're friends are guanteed to like anything you stick in front of them. You want an honest opinion? Ask a fellow author who you trust and tell them you want them to be brutally honest. And when they are, don't let your feelings get hurt. If someone tells you it's not good enough, BELIEVE THEM! Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment and believe that they are just being mean. Want further proof? Put your cover next to the covers of authors currently on the New York Times list in your genre. Do they compare? Chances are, they don't. Focus on your writing and leave the covers to the professionals. 3. Plan Ahead. This means thinking things through completely before making a decision about how many books you want to write. Chances are, you're going to fall behind at some point, so leave some wiggle room in your calendar for the unplanned things that might happen. What if you get sick and have to take a week off? What if someone dies (lets all hope that doesn't happen)? You still want to be able to get the things done you said you would get done. 4. Realize that things change. In the same light as #3, you have to accept that things will happen that completely eff-up your schedule. Kids and pets need attention, spouses pull you away - whatever it is, it's going to happen at some point or another. And that means you need to be willing to readjust your schedule. That does NOT mean you should try to cram in everything together in just a week or two. Quite the opposite. Be smart enough to give yourself enough time the second time. Readers will understand. Trust me. 5. Don't stretch yourself too thin. You have 100 book ideas. Great! But focus on one at a time so that your brain doesn't get overloaded. Someone wants your help? Perfect! But make sure they know you'll be working on more than just their stuff (like your own), and be honest with them if you aren't going to make a deadline. Honesty is 100% needed in this biz. 6. Don't 'trade services." Ever. You mean well. They mean well. But then something happens and someone doesn't deliver. And then feelings get hurt and friendships die. It's painful. Always sign a contract or use PayPal invoices. Document your agreement in SOME way so that neither of you can back out. Don't let yourself get screwed over. 7. Never use copyrighted images - unless you've purchased them through the proper channels. So many authors make this mistake! It's a big one to make, too. Bite the bullet and buy a membership to a stock photo company. There are SO many of them. 8. Network. There is no greater asset to an author than fellow author friends. But this goes further than that. Make friends with readers and bloggers, too. And don't always shove your book in their face! Be an actual person and have thoughts. I am more likely to share someone's links who doesn't even ask than I am the person who messages me 100 times. Don't be annoying. 9. Never put down another author. At the very least, never do it on paper (or in email or messages). That will ALWAYS come back to bite you. You're allowed to not like everyone. But always be respectful. 10. Never reply, comment, or like reviews. Negative reviews are hard, everyone knows that. But don't try to engage the reader in an argument about why they're wrong. It ends badly for YOU. Instead, ignore them. Pretend they don't exist. If you like or comment on a good review, though, some readers might get their feelings hurt because it seems like you only care about the people who liked your book. That's why I say ignore them all. If you read a particularly awesome review, try to contact that person directly, through email or Facebook, or Goodreads, and message them privately, thanking them for the review. 11. Give your book away to bloggers. Bloggers are, by far, your biggest asset in making your book big. They are the ones who are going to review your book and give you free promotion on their blog. I love bloggers! 12. Be friendly. Whether it's an online discussion about show vs tell or an event signing, you need to be friendly. Don't be the negative person constantly complaining about their sales rank, or didn't sell enough books at the event. It's a definite turn-off for those around you and soon, you won't have to worry because you'll be alone all the time. ha-ha 13. No matter how many books you sell, whether its a million or ten, don't let your head get too big. One of the joys of this profession is to watch our peers "make it" and for them to be humble while they do. Nothing will piss off your friends more than throwing it in their face that you made the NYT bestsellers list three times this year. Honestly.
And that's all, for now... Come back tomorrow for my end of the year resolutions post. I promise to be funny!
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