Required Reading: The Basics of Self Publishing
This is the start of a new series I’m calling “Required Reading”. Not so much of me, but over the past few years I have collected links and books on various topics. In a nutshell, these are the core elements of the topic, and after reading, you should have a pretty good idea of how to get started.
Think of it like the reading for a college course. Once you get a basic idea, you can jump off on tangents and go deeper into the subject.
Getting Started in Self Publishing
When I met people and tell them I’m a self published author, and that I do pretty well at it, some tell me they have written a book or plan to write one. Usually the question comes up, “Isn’t self publishing hard? How do you do that instead of finding an agent and a publisher?”
I don’t think self publishing well is easy. However, I don’t think the traditional route is easy either. They’re both very difficult. An agent and a publisher will not do most of your work for you. If you want to be a writer in any capacity, be ready to research the field and then work like crazy. Whether self or trade published, you will be responsible for turning out near perfect final drafts, and you will be doing most of your own social media.
Self publishing suits me because I like being in control of the whole process. I have a lot of graphic design experience, and I believe that anything I can’t do, I can hire someone to do for me. But I’ve still done a lot of purposeful reading to acquire as many skills as possible, so even if I hire someone, I know what to expect and what I want out of that process.
These are resources for the person curious about self publishing, but unsure of which route to take. I’ll dive into some different aspects of self publishing later.
Required Reading for Self Publishing
There’s a few books that are essential for getting a start in self publishing. I reread them regularly.
Let’s Get Digital: How To Self-Publish, And Why You Should (Let’s Get Publishing Book 1)
Write. Publish. Repeat. (The No-Luck-Required Guide to Self-Publishing Success)
Helpful Articles on Self Publishing
I also have a collection of websites and articles on the basics of self publishing. Generally, these are listed in reading order, since some build on the knowledge of the others.
Investing in Your Writing Career, or Why I Decided to Self-Publish Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn
(Self Publishing) Basics by David Gaughran
How Self-Published Books Are Made: Start To Finish (PART I) by Catherine Ryan Howard
Self-Publishing Basics: Where to Publish by Susan Kaye Quinn
Getting Ready to Publish by The Book Designer (Joel Friedlander)
Does Book Design Really Matter by The Book Designer
Other Resources for Self Publishing
Writer Beware – Every author should be familiar with and check Writer Beware before buying author services from any company. Many authors get scammed, even by subsidy vanity publishers owned by well-known trade publishing houses. Don’t get scammed just to get a book in your hands. Many of the promises of these companies will not pan out for you (ie. they’ll control your books, make them unavailable, or you won’t ever get paid).
Author Earnings – Statistics on the top books and authors on various platforms.
kboards Writers’ Cafe – Sort of the self publishing gathering place on the net. Keep in mind that there are many ways to do things, and many opinions that can conflict or get heated. Still, it’s a good place to get recommendations and read
Self Publishing Reddit – Another discussion place is Reddit’s Self Publishing board. Tends a little more toward articles, but sometimes has heated discussion.
Related Posts:
10 Things I Learned Self Publishing… That You Might Not Have Heard Before
Brainstorming – Coming Up With Useable Ideas, pt. 4
Fight The Biggest Monster – Coming Up With Useable Ideas, pt. 3
Original article: Required Reading: The Basics of Self Publishing.
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