5 Publishing Mistakes You Should Avoid and How to Avoid Them by Guest Blogger, Desiree

5 Publishing Mistakes You Should Avoid and How to Avoid Them

by Desiree Villena 

Whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer on the self-publishing scene, if you’ve decided to forgo the fight to find a literary agent and self-publish your book instead, the journey ahead will be full of ups and downs. But don’t worry: learn how to avoid these publishing pitfalls and you’ll have a much smoother ride!

1. Selling to everyone

When I ask an author who their book is for, it’s promising to hear something like, “It’s for teenagers into epic fantasy.” On the other hand, the occasional “it’s for everyone” is pretty concerning.

 

No matter how you market your book, if you don’t know who you’re selling to, it won’t sell! That’s because marketing is all about putting your book in front of the right people — you can’t expect a book to appeal to all demographics, or for everyone to fill out “Loved it!” on a feedback form.

 

Reconsider your target market after you’ve finished the first draft and make sure your book is a fit. If not, decide whether to focus revisions on speaking to your intended audience or moving towards a new market.

2. Neglecting to self-edit

If you want to compete with books produced by the “Big 5” you can’t skimp on a professional edit. But — and it’s a big “but” — do not hire an editor until you’ve gone through your manuscript with a fine-tooth comb. By resolving simpler issues, like unfinished plot lines and purple prose, you’ll leave your editor with more time to work on areas where you can really benefit from professional insight.

3. Designing your own cover

No matter what we’re told, we’re all guilty of judging a book by its cover. We use them to get a flavor of a book’s content and as an indication of quality. Settle for an amateurish design and readers will assume you’ve cut corners in your writing. A well-executed cover, created by a professional designer, suggests a well-executed book, written by a skilled author. If you insist on creating your cover yourself, make sure you’ve researched book cover design.

4. Not taking categories and keywords seriously

Uploading your manuscript to Amazon and preparing to click “publish” is probably the most exciting part of the publishing process. However, in the midst of all that excitement, it’s really important that you don’t neglect categories and keywords. If you want to conquer the Amazon book market and drive traffic to your book, take care choosing perfectly tailored keywords and categories that are neither too broad nor too specific. Research successful titles similar to yours to see how it’s done.

5. Failing to prepare for launch day

A lot hinges on a book’s first few weeks on the market. Accumulate a healthy dose of sales soon after launch day — or even before, using pre-orders — to create the right momentum for your book. Interact with your followers on social media. Market at libraries. A strong start will lay the groundwork for steady sales.

 

One way to prepare in advance is to get book reviews. Pitch your book to relevant blogs, and if they’re interested, send them an ARC. Drumming up hype with positive reviews will ensure your launch goes off with a bang!

 

About Desiree Villena:

Desiree Villena is a writer with Reedsy, a marketplace that connects self-publishing authors with the world's best editors, designers, and marketers. In her spare time, Desiree enjoys writing short stories and reading everything from cosmic horror to contemporary romance.

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Donna M. McDine

Multi Award-winning Children's Author

Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!

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