How to self-publish a book
If E. L. James, Hugh Howe, and Amanda Hawking can be successful publishers, then there’s no reason you can’t be that. In the end, how good you are as a writer matters the most. Although publishers aren’t willing to publish your book, your success as a self-publisher can change their perspectives and then play yours into the millions.
In 2013, Hugh Howie went to the Frankfurt Book Fair, where he found some tricks for successful self-published authors. According to Howie, there is a circle along the path of both sides. And many people and their books are lying on both these paths. Howie’s advice is that new writers should ignore these crowds, and instead concentrate on the task that is at their hands.
Essentially this means that the hardest part of self-publishing is actually writing the book. Once you’ve done it and you’re sure it’s worth leaving the market, start looking at alternatives.
Edit key
No book, which has not been edited many times, can succeed in the market. The editor’s task is to make your story flow, remove inconsistencies, and make its characters more powerful and more interesting. While the editor is working on your book, appoint a proofreader to correct grammar inaccuracies and syntax errors. Here’s another aspect of your book that needs to be worked out. Even if you only opt for an e-book, an attractive cover page holds significance.
Distribution
In the world of e-book distribution, the names of Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Barnes & Noble Nook Press and Apple iTunes hold significance. The first on this list is clearly the best distribution medium for any author. If you’re interested in publishing a printed edition of your book, Amazon CreatorSpace’s on-demand printing services and Penguin Random House’s Partridge Publishing are excellent.
Illumination
For e-book publishing, conversion to the right format is important. There are various software available to convert your MS-Word manuscript to Mobi or ePub formats. For printing versions, you are required to dedicate a PDF version of your MS-Word manuscript.
Selling
This element comes into the picture when your book is ready for publication. Many authors make the mistake of marketing their books when they have already been printed and left in the market. Your marketing plan, on the contrary, should go hand in hand with the creation of the book. Your books can be marketed in a variety of ways.
• Publish excerpts of your book in print and electronic media. Generate interest among your readers so that they are ready for the actual book.
• If you have chosen KDP, you can control the value of your book for a limited period. Give it free for two days and news should be broadcast about it.
• Spread the dialogue through social media and let your social contacts market for yourself.
