Self-publishing Tips for the Aspiring Author

by Olivia Shaw-Reel

Hey, you! I know you have been waiting for weeks, months, and possibly even YEARS for the moment you can finally write and publish your book, and see it manifested as a physical copy or ebook.

I know, because I was in your shoes. I was 24, unsure, and no one around me really understood the industry enough to guide me.

Just a little over six years ago, I took the first steps to get my work published and available to whomever wanted to read it. Since that frightening and stressful day, I’ve published over 25 books and counting.

It was a lot of work then and now, but it is so rewarding. As a creative, you may be looking for a little guidance. You’ve stumbled upon the right column.

Let’s figure out your initial steps, if self-publishing is the route you wish to take:

1. Do your research and decide what your genre is, for starters.

This is important because you don’t want to have a Christian fiction book, and present it as urban fiction. That will immediately confuse your audience and set you up for failure. Peruse Amazon, read books that are similar to yours, study the different genres, read the subsequent reviews, and in the process, this will help you understand your future audience(s) better. 2. Have a community of trusted beta readers and people who will be honest with your work.

In other words, a second and third set of eyes are necessary for a number of reasons. You want to have content that is engaging and that reads smoothly. You also want feedback on whether something works or does not work (i.e., the storyline is unrealistic, the plot is not clear, the characters need more developing, or there are major grammatical and technical errors, etc). Draw up a contract and send it, along with your manuscript, to that trusted circle of readers and wait for the feedback with an open mind. Constructive criticism is good, no matter how honest or unexpected it may be.

3. Decide why you’re even writing in the first place.

Are you in it for the money? Does writing complete you, or is it merely a hobby? Honestly, before you go any further, understand that, without a major publishing company backing you, it can be tough to build a huge fan base after your first book. Overnight success is almost unheard of in the self-publishing world, and if you’re in it simply for the money, you may be disappointed early on.

In next month’s issue, I’ll discuss more tips and tricks for your self-publishing journey.

Olivia Shaw-Reel is an Author, Editor, & Publisher for OSBR books. Visit osrbooks.com for more info.