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Success as a self-published author will require being equipped with self-publishing tips because you are handling everything yourself and cannot afford to fail. 

With traditional publishing, you have the publishing company handling the details for you. And you can fall back on them if anything happens. 

But with self-publishing, you really just have yourself and the professionals you hire. 

That’s why I’d always advise authors to make sure they fully understand the process even before they start. 

Trust me, you don’t want to spend so much money and time on this long process just to miss it on something you could have gotten right the first time if you’ve just done your homework. 

So, to help you, I will take you through the self-publishing process and tips to increase your chances of success after you hit publish – or print, as the case may be. 

Effective Self-Publishing Tips to Know as a Writer

1. Write a Quality Piece

So, the first thing — and I really can’t stress this enough — is that you’ve got to have something great. 

I know it sounds obvious, but it needs to be said. 

Like I mentioned earlier, when you’re self-publishing, you are the CEO, marketer and everything else all at once. 

There’s no fancy editor at a big publishing house to save you from a messy plot or a character that just doesn’t make sense.

You need to handle that yourself. 

And readers are not going to forgive you just because you’re an indie author. 

If the writing is clunky or the story drags, they will leave a one-star review faster than you can say “best seller.” 

And once that happens, it’s a bit of a nightmare to win them back. 

So, you want to make sure your book can stand next to the big names on the shelf and look like it totally belongs there. 

Plus, quality is your best marketing tool, anyway.

A good product has a higher chance of selling itself. I mean, you still have to market it. But quality will help push it further. 

But how do you actually make sure the writing is up to standard? Here are a few things you can do:

• Read outside your usual genre. I know it sounds a little weird, but it helps you pick up different rhythms and ways of describing stuff that you wouldn’t find in your usual bubble.
• Find a writing routine that isn’t soul-crushing. Even if it’s just 20 minutes a day while you’re drinking your coffee. Consistency is usually better than waiting for the big idea to show up.
• Get some beta readers. And no, your mom or your best friend doesn’t count because they’ll probably tell you it’s nice regardless. You need people who will tell you the truth, even if it hurts a little bit. Except, of course, you’re sure both of them can give you tough love. 
• Freewrite and don’t distract yourself by editing the first draft. Just get the words down and fix the mess later. Trust me when I say I’ve wasted so many hours trying to perfect a sentence in a chapter I ended up cutting anyway.
• Read it out loud. It’s amazing how many clumsy sentences you’ll catch when you actually hear yourself saying them.

Also Read: 12 Must-Have Tools for Self-Published Authors

2. Have a Community

This is one aspect of the business that a lot of writers — myself included — would rather do without. 

We like to stay in our little writing bubble and wish every other thing away. 

But the truth is, you can’t just drop a book into the void and hope someone finds it. 

You need a crowd of people who are already excited to hear what you have to say. 

Because, at the end of the day, these are the people who are actually going to buy the book, leave those first crucial reviews, and tell their friends about it.

And this community must be built as soon as you get your notepad out or maybe, even before.

The biggest mistake I see is writers waiting until the book is finished to start marketing. 

But by then, you’re already behind. You want to start building your tribe from the very beginning. 

It makes the book launch a lot easier when you’ve already succeeded in building anticipation within your community. 

So, how do you actually start building this thing from scratch?

• Pick one or two social media platforms and stick to them. Don’t try to be everywhere at once or you’ll burn out in a week. Go to the platform that’s more of your vibe. If you love aesthetics, go for Instagram or Pinterest. But if you like quick chats, Twitter (X) or Threads is better.
• Start an email list right now. Don’t stop at social media because the algorithms are fickle, but an email inbox is personal. You can use it to offer a free short story or a “deleted scene” to get people to sign up.
• Set up a simple author blog. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just a place where you can share your thoughts on writing or books you’re reading. It helps people find you through Google when they’re searching for stuff in your genre.
• Join writing groups. Other writers are often your first and most supportive community members. You can find them on Discord, Facebook, or even local meet ups. 

And I know what you’re thinking; what do I even talk about if the book isn’t even done yet?

• Share those “ugly” first-draft snippets. People love seeing the raw process. It makes them feel like they’re part of the inner circle.
• Run polls for the little details. Stuck on a character’s name or what colour their car should be? Ask your followers. It makes them feel invested in the story before it’s out.
• Show off your workspace. Work tables are relatable, so share it. Don’t worry if it’s a messy or obsessively tidy desk or even a chaotic pile of notebooks on a coffee shop table. You’ll always find people who relate. And even for others who don’t, it sparks a conversation. 
• Talk about your “why.” Why are you writing this story? Sharing your passion is way more infectious than just posting a “buy my book” link later on.

3. Edit Your Work Thoroughly

I don’t know if I should say fortunately or unfortunately, but editing a book is not just fixing a few typos here and there. 

Editing is actually a vital part of the process as it is what turns a rough draft into a real book. 

Even if you have a good enough draft, you still need it to pass through the eye of an independent editor for many errors you may miss. 

For instance, a good editor will make sure the pacing doesn’t sag in the middle and that your main character doesn’t suddenly change eye colour halfway through chapter five.

Now, I know you’re an amazing writer and you may be deceived into thinking you can edit yourself. 

But here’s the thing, while you may be able to edit someone else’s work, you shouldn’t edit yours. 

The reason is simple: your brain is kind of a traitor when it comes to your own writing. 

Because you know what you meant to say, your eyes will literally skip over mistakes because they’re just filling in the blanks. 

That’s why you absolutely need a third eye. 

You need someone who hasn’t been staring at these pages for months to come in and tell you what’s actually working and what’s just confusing.

Here are some tips to make this happen:

• Look for a free professional first. If you have a sibling who’s a total grammar nerd or a friend who works in communications, leverage your relationship. If they’re willing to tear your manuscript apart for the price of a pizza or a “thank you” in the acknowledgments, jump on it. 
• Be prepared to invest if you have to. If you don’t have a pro in your inner circle, hiring an editor is probably the best money you’ll spend on the whole project. It’s an investment in your reputation. A clean, well-edited book tells the reader you take them — and your craft — seriously.
• Try to do a self-edit pass first. Before you give it to anyone else, let it sit for a week or two. When you come back to it with fresh eyes, you’ll be shocked at how many silly mistakes you can catch on your own.
• Focus on the big picture before the minor typos. There’s no point in perfecting the punctuation in a scene that you might end up deleting because it doesn’t move the plot forward. Fix the story first, then the typos later. 

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4. Hire Professionals for Publishing Intricacies

And then there’s all the technical stuff. 

You know, the bits and pieces that have nothing to do with writing but everything to do with actually making it look like a real book. 

I’m talking about cover design, interior formatting, and getting all those files to upload correctly.

Now, look, I get that we live in the age of YouTube and DIY. 

So, I understand that you could spend three weeks learning how to use professional design software or trying to figure out why your margins are blowing up every time you export to a PDF. 

But how about saving yourself the stress of trial and error and hiring professionals?

Because places like Amazon (KDP) and IngramSpark are incredibly picky. 

One tiny mistake with your “bleed” or “gutter” (yeah, those are real terms, unfortunately) and they’ll reject your file immediately. 

It’s a total headache to deal with that back-and-forth, especially when you’re just trying to get your book out into the world. 

So, hiring a pro to handle these intricacies is often the best way to save your sanity.

That said;

• Your cover is your first impression. People do judge a book by its cover — every single time. So, get a professional designer, as they know how to make your book look like a bestseller in your specific genre, which is something a Canva template usually can’t do.
• Formatting is harder than it looks. Getting the font right, the page numbers in the right spot, and making sure it looks good on both a Kindle and a physical paperback is a massive chore. A pro can do in an hour what might take you three days.
• It saves you from the rejection loop. There is nothing more frustrating than getting an automated email saying your file is unprintable for the fifth time in a row. Thankfully, a professional formatter knows exactly what those sites want.
• Think of it as buying back your time. Instead of wrestling with software you’ll only use once, you could be spending that time writing your next book or hanging out with that community we talked about earlier.

Also Read: 10 Effective Social Media Marketing Tips for Writers

5. Judiciously Go Through the Full Publishing Process

After you’ve done all of the above, you still need to deal with all the behind the scenes stuff before you can officially call yourself a published author. 

And while I totally understand that you may want to skip it, you can’t afford to. 

Because if you don’t handle all the legal and technical side of things properly, they may rear their ugly heads later — when you should be relaxing and enjoying the fruit of your labour.

So, you need to make sure you handle the part that proves the book actually belongs to you and can be tracked by libraries and bookstores across the world. 

Believe me, trying to fix a copyright issue or an ISBN mistake after the book is already live is a massive headache you don’t want.

So, here’s how to handle the paperwork bits:

• Get your ISBN sorted. This is basically your book’s social security number. While some sites like Amazon will give you a free one, just remember that if you use theirs, you usually can’t use that same number to sell your book elsewhere. If you want full control, it’s usually better to buy your own from the agency that handles it in your country. A quick Google search should lead you to the right place or you could ask fellow writers. 
• Don’t forget the Copyright registration. Technically, the moment you write something, it’s yours. But officially registering it with the government gives you a lot more legal standing if someone ever tries to steal your work. It costs a bit of money and takes a while to process, but the peace of mind is worth it.
• Fill out your metadata like your life depends on it. Make sure to use the proper keywords and select the right categories. If you pick the wrong ones, your epic fantasy novel might end up showing up in the cooking section, and no one will ever find it.
• Set up your tax and banking info early. Sites like KDP or IngramSpark need to know where to send your royalties. So, make sure you have your tax ID and bank details ready to go so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute when you’re trying to launch.
• Check if you need a Legal Deposit. In some places, you’re actually legally required to send a copy of your book to the national library. It sounds a bit formal, but it’s actually kind of cool to know your book is officially in the national archives forever.

6. Research the Market

I’ve seen writers spend years on a book only to realize there’s either nobody reading that specific niche or — worse — they’ve priced themselves totally out of the game. 

So, you want to look at what’s actually selling right now and why. 

I’m not saying you should copy people, but it’s good to know the rules of the game, so you know where to come in.

• Stalk the Bestseller lists. Go to the Amazon Top 100 for your specific sub-genre. Look at the covers, the blurb styles, and especially the pricing. If every top-selling book in your category is $4.99, and you’re planning to charge $12.99 for an ebook, you’re gonna have a hard time convincing people to take a chance on you.
• Find the obtainable price range. For most indie authors, the best range is between $2.99 and $9.99. “Why?” you may ask. Because that’s where Amazon gives you the 70% royalty. If you go lower or higher, they usually take a way bigger cut, which just feels like leaving money on the table.
• Read the reviews of books like yours. Not just the good ones, but the 3-star ones too. Those are the “honest” reviews that tell you what readers in your genre are craving or what they’re totally sick of seeing.
• Don’t ignore the “Comp Titles.” You should have a list of 3-5 books that are like yours. This helps you when you’re setting up your ads later or even just describing your book to a stranger. “It’s like Harry Potter meets Die Hard” gives people an instant vibe.

7. Launching Your Book

Now, the launch—this is the big moment! But before you hit that “publish” button, you’ve got some big decisions to make about how your book actually reaches the reader. It’s not just about throwing it on a website; it’s about choosing the right “vessel” for your story and making sure the pipes are connected so people can actually buy the thing. This is where you decide if you’re going to be an Amazon-only author or if you want your book available everywhere from Apple Books to your local indie bookstore.

• Choose your formats wisely. Most indie authors start with an Ebook because it’s the easiest and cheapest to produce. But don’t sleep on Paperbacks! A lot of people still want that “new book smell” and a physical thing to hold. If you’re feeling extra, you can look into Hardcovers or Audiobooks later, but get the Ebook and Print-on-Demand (POD) versions sorted first.
• Decide on your distribution strategy. You’ve got two main paths: “Going Exclusive” with Amazon (KDP Select) or “Going Wide.”

• KDP Select: You give Amazon the exclusive rights to your ebook for 90 days, and in return, you get into the Kindle Unlimited (KU) program where people “borrow” your book. It’s great for getting lots of eyes on your work quickly.
• Going Wide: This means putting your book on Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Google Play. You use a distributor like Draft2Digital or IngramSpark to help get your book into those stores and even libraries. It takes longer to build momentum, but you aren’t putting all your eggs in one basket.

• Plan a “soft launch” vs. a “hard launch.” Some people like to put the book up quietly for a few days to make sure the files look okay (the soft launch), and then they do the big social media push (the hard launch) once they know everything is working perfectly.
• Coordinate your “Launch Week” hype. Don’t just announce your book launch once and disappear, you need to make it a whole event leading to the actual launch day. Here are some things to do: 

• Get those ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) out early. You want to give copies to people a few weeks before the launch so they can have reviews ready to post on day one. A book with zero reviews looks a little lonely.
• Build a “Launch Team.” These are your super-fans from that community we talked about. Give them special behind-the-scenes access or a shout-out in exchange for them sharing the news on their own social media.
• Coordinate your “Big Day.” Don’t just post once. You want to have a plan for the whole week—emails, social media posts, maybe even a little “live” Q&A. You want it to feel like an event.
• Check the calendar. Don’t launch your beach read in the middle of December or your horror novel on Christmas. Look for “National Days” or seasons that fit your theme to get a little extra organic boost.
• Optimize your “Metadata.” This sounds fancy, but it just means using the right keywords and categories so the Amazon algorithm knows who to show your book to. If you’re writing “Romance” but you’re categorised in “Fantasy”, it could affect your sales. 

Tell people when the pre-order is live and when it’s “Launch Day,” and then keep the energy up for a few days after.

8. Market Your Book Effectively

Now, this is one step we can skip when it comes to self-publishing tips, because you can write the most life-changing masterpiece in the history of literature, but if you don’t market it, the only person reading it will be your friends. 

And while your friends might have great taste, they aren’t exactly going to help you pay the bills. 

Because I assume you don’t have a thousand friends. 

So, to make sure a thousand people find out you have a book for sale, you need marketing to tell the right people that your book exists. 

This is not the easiest thing for a writer – at least, I know, I would rather not do it. 

So, the best way is to think of it as a service. There are people out there looking for exactly what you wrote; you’re just helping them find it.

And luckily, you don’t need a million-dollar budget to market in the self-publishing world; you just need to be smart and consistent. 

Focus, especially, on building momentum and keeping that fire burning long after the launch day excitement has faded away.

Here are some practical ways to get the word out:

• Try out some Amazon or Meta Ads, but start tiny. I mean really tiny, like $5 a day. It’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you figure out which keywords or interests actually get people to click, you can invest more or see better ROI. 
• Do some newsletter swaps. This is a huge secret in the indie world that could really put you out there. All you have to do is find another author in your genre and offer to tell your readers about their book while they do the same (hence, why you need the community I spoke about earlier). This marketing tactic is free, and it introduces you to a whole new group of readers who already love your type of story.
• Get on BookTok or Bookstagram. And no, you don’t have to do a silly dance. Just share a video of your book with some moody music or talk about the tropes in your story. The book community on social media is surprisingly huge and they love supporting indie authors.
• Run a limited-time discount. Every now and then, drop the price to $0.99 or even free for a weekend. It sounds counterintuitive to give it away, but the spike in downloads can push you up the Amazon rankings and lead to more full price sales later on.
• Don’t forget local opportunities. Check with your local library or a small indie bookstore to see if they’ll let you do a reading or a signing. It’s a great way to build a home base of fans who feel more personal.
• Keep your back matter updated. At the end of your book, always include a link to your newsletter or a teaser for your next project. The best time to market to a reader is right after they’ve finished your book and they’re still high on the story.

Also Read: 9 Tips to Market Your Book as a Self-Published Author

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9. Consider Self-Publishing Companies

And honestly, if you’ve been reading through all these steps and thinking, “Wow, that is a whole lot of work,” you aren’t wrong. 

It is a lot. 

Between getting the plot right, the ISBN paperwork, and trying to figure out why your book cover looks blurry on a Kindle screen, it’s enough to make anyone want to pull their hair out. 

And unfortunately, many writers just want to write because that’s what we do. But all these other vital nitty-gritties have absolutely nothing to do with the writing itself or we wouldn’t have a problem. 

Thankfully, you don’t have to do it all solo if you don’t want to; there are self-publishing companies out there who are ready to take all this work off your plate. 

Many times, all you have to do is write the first draft and they will handle everything else. 

But some like Nnika Publishing (this is not sponsored, I promise) even offer Ghostwriting services. So, if you have the idea but can’t find the time to fully write it; they can write it in your place and then publish it. 

And the best part is that you’ll still have 100% control. 

They don’t require royalties or rights to it. In fact, nobody has to know your work was ghostwritten if you don’t want it known. 

Of course, that’s for those who want that. If you want to write your book yourself and just need help with the other details, consider hiring a self-publishing brand to take the boring parts off your hands while you focus on the fun stuff.

Here’s how these companies can actually help you cross the finish line:

• They offer package deals. Instead of hunting down a separate editor, designer, and formatter, these companies let you buy a bundle. And I’ve heard that it’s usually way easier on the brain to have one point of contact.
• They help you with distribution. Instead of you personally fighting with Amazon’s upload portal at 2 AM, they handle the formatting and the metadata to make sure your book gets accepted on the first try.
• Some of them act like hybrid publishers. If you want a bit more prestige, companies like She Writes Press offer the professional polish of a traditional house but you still get to keep the control (and the higher royalties) of being indie.
• They can help with the boring legal stuff. A lot of these services will actually go out and get your ISBN and handle the copyright registration for you. And trust me, that alone is worth it to avoid the paperwork.
• They provide a sense of accountability. When you’re working with a professional team, you have a timeline. So, it’s a lot harder to procrastinate on that final rewrite when you know a real person is waiting on you to hit your deadlines.
• But do your homework. Just a heads-up; not every company is a good company. Always check reviews on sites like Reedsy or the ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors) to make sure you aren’t getting into a vanity press situation where they charge you thousands for stuff you don’t actually need.

Conclusion

So, after reading this self publishing checklist, I can imagine that it feels like a massive mountain to climb when you’re just starting. But honestly, every author you see on the bestseller list started exactly where you are. 

What you need to know is that self-publishing is a wild, sometimes frustrating, but incredibly rewarding ride. When you are done, you get to keep the control, the royalties, and the satisfaction of knowing you did it your way. 

So, just take it one step at a time, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and remember that your story deserves to be heard. You’ve got this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I actually sell books as a self-published author? 

Oh, absolutely! In fact, some of the most successful authors these days are indies. But I’ll be real with you, it’s not a “build it and they will come” kind of situation. You really have to lean into those self-publishing tips we talked about, like building a community and marketing. If you treat it like a business and stay consistent, there’s no reason you can’t make decent sales (and maybe even a full-time living).

How do I find the best distribution channels for my book? 

It really depends on your goals. If you want things to be super simple, staying exclusive to Amazon through KDP Select is a great way to start. But if you want your book in every library and bookstore from here to Timbuktu, you’ll want to go wide using a distributor like Draft2Digital or IngramSpark. Most authors I know try Amazon first and then expand later once they’ve found their feet.

How do I set pricing for major marketplaces? 

For ebooks, a good rate on Amazon is usually between $2.99 and $9.99 because that’s where you get the 70% royalty. If you’re a new author, starting at $2.99 or $3.99 is a safe bet to get people to take a chance on you. For paperbacks, you have to factor in the cost of printing, so you’ll usually see those priced between $12.99 and $17.99 depending on how thick the book is.

Do I need an agent to self-publish? 

Nope! That’s the beauty of it. You are the boss, so you don’t need anyone’s permission to put your work out there. As a self-publishing author, you can go straight to the readers. You only really need an agent if you’re looking for a traditional publishing deal or help with film rights later on.

How long does the whole process usually take? 

Well, how fast can you write? Just kidding. Once the manuscript is finished, I’d say give yourself at least 3 to 6 months for editing, cover design, and building up a bit of hype. If you rush it, you might miss some of those intricacies we talked about, and nobody wants a messy launch.