TopShelf Magazine June 2023

WHAT IS AN INDIE PUBLISHING TEAM AND WHY HAVING ONE IS IMPORTANT

Having an indie publishing team can be highly beneficial for independent authors who are selfpublishing their work. Here are some reasons why having an indie publishing team is important:

Professionalism: An indie publishing team brings a level of professionalism to the publishing process. They have expertise in editing, design, marketing, and distribution, which can help ensure that your book meets industry standards and is competitive in the market.

Quality Assurance: The team members, such as editors and proof-readers, can help refine your manuscript, ensuring that it is polished and error-free. This enhances the overall quality of your book and improves the reader's experience.

Expertise in Different Areas: Each member of the team specializes in a particular aspect of publishing, such as editing, cover

by Deena Rae

design, or marketing. Their expertise allows them to provide valuable insights and guidance in their respective fields, helping you make informed decisions and achieve better results.

Time and Efficiency: Self-publishing can be time-consuming and overwhelming, particularly if you're trying to handle every aspect on your own. With a team, you can delegate tasks and share the workload, allowing you to focus on your strengths as a writer while the team takes care of the publishing process more efficiently.

Professional Design and Presentation: A skilled cover designer and interior formatter can create a visually appealing and marketable book. This enhances the overall presentation and helps attract potential readers and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Marketing and Promotion: A dedicated marketing and promotions specialist can develop and execute effective strategies to

promote your book, increase its visibility, and reach the target audience. They can handle social media campaigns, book launch events, media outreach, and other promotional efforts to generate interest and sales.

Support and Guidance: An indie publishing team can provide valuable support and guidance throughout the publishing journey. They can offer advice, answer your questions, and help you navigate the complexities of the publishing industry, ensuring a smoother and more successful publishing experience.

While it's possible to self-publish without a team, having a dedicated indie publishing team can significantly enhance your chances of success by providing professional expertise, saving time and effort, and elevating the overall quality and presentation of your book.

As a "Team Member" I can state unequivocally, authors and their team members can become very close and develop a true friendship that goes well beyond freelancer-client relationship. When I was diagnosed with stage III cancer, I had clients as well as other freelancers that I worked with, come to town to visit, bring me food and give unwavering support. Likewise, when one of my authors found herself unexpectedly pregnant, her team members through her a virtual baby shower and bought

her everything on her baby registry. What I am trying to explain is an author's support team offers more than just professional support, they offer lifelong friendship and encouragement.

WHO IS PART OF AN INDIE PUBLISHING TEAM

An indie publishing team for independent or selfpublishing authors typically consists of a smaller group of individuals or freelancers who collaborate to bring a book or written work to publication. While the team composition can vary depending on the author's specific needs and resources, here are some common roles that might be included:

Editor: Provides professional editing services, which may include developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading, to improve the quality and clarity of the manuscript.

Cover Designer: Creates an eye-catching and visually appealing cover design that represents the book's content and attracts potential readers.

Interior Designer/Formatter: Develops the layout and formatting of the book's interior pages, ensuring readability and a professional presentation.

Proofreader: Conducts a final review of the edited manuscript to catch any remaining errors or inconsistencies before publication.

Marketing and Promotions Specialist: Develops marketing strategies, plans book launch events, manages social media platforms, and implements promotional efforts to increase visibility and attract readers.

Publicist: Handles media relations, press releases, and outreach to generate publicity and secure media coverage for the book.

Website Designer: Creates an author website or landing page to showcase the book, provide information, and engage with readers.

Distribution and Sales Coordinator: Organizes the distribution process, manages relationships with online retailers or platforms, and handles sales logistics.

Beta Readers/Reviewers: Individuals who read an early version of the manuscript and provide feedback on the book's content, structure, and overall appeal.

If you are a "newbie" author, early in your publishing journey spend some time building up your team. If you only have a cover designer, editor, or any other team member already in place but have no clue where to find the others, do not be afraid to ask the team member you have in place for a recommendation. Many times people in the industry know of other freelancers and all the behind the scenes scuttlebutt. They can help you build a team that is both professional and trustworthy.

Please know that while you as an author can learn how to do any one of the jobs that a freelancer will do for you, as an author, your main job is to write. Yes, you can edit yourself, but other sets of eyes can find mistakes and errors you could miss. Unless you know all the tips and tricks for graphic design do not take on the added job of cover design. Some genre covers are complicated and intricate with layers, filters, styling that not everyone can design a cover and do it justice. The same thing goes for the book design and ebook adaptation. There are loads of how-to articles and books available, but unless you can do it perfectly and professionally you risk having a book or ebook that is huge or riddled with styling errors.

Aside from the job that your team member

does, many of them know tips and tricks for the industry or can give you advice and pointers to make your publishing journey smooth sailing. When you are ready to assemble your team, ask around, get prices for different services with different providers. Then make a budget for your book and find the person that you fit with the best who is within your price range. Many providers will offer discounts, coupons, and payment plans.

It's important to note that in indie publishing, many authors take on multiple roles themselves or hire freelancers to perform specific tasks based on their budget and needs. The indie publishing team can be flexible and tailored to fit the author's goals and resources.

ABOUT DEENA RAE

Deena Rae was born and raised in Texas – home of bluebonnets, boots, beef and big hair – into a family that was in the printing and publishing industries.

With a total of 20+ years in publishing, in 2010 she decided to branch out as eBookBuilders helping established & new authors, designing books, ebooks and websites.