What Are Some Common Mistakes New Writers Make Self-Publishing

Publishing a book is a very popular subject, and there are hundreds of types of ways to publish a book now-- although the two general categories are the same: traditional and self-publishing. It is the means in which you can self-publish that has changed: e-books, short stories and self-publishing articles on hubpages, e-articles, and many other online writing sites, writing blogs and using CreateSpace or Lulu to publish paperbacks. There really isn't this all out war between them, but more along the lines of how well you as a write are in promotion and knowledge and willingness to learn.

What do you mean by self-publishing a book?

Self-publishing a book is a complex business since many people do not think that they have to do much after they have written and hit the "publish" button on the computer screen, if they blog or not. However, if you are writing online then you are a self-publisher, or an internet marketer- there is little difference when it come to writing. Or, they do not know that they will make profits only after spending money on the marketing aspect of their work. This is a hard business, and it takes time. Especially if you make some common mistakes that many writers new to self-publishing make.

The key to having success in this demanding industry is that you need to think of a professional looking book design, and how the layout of your book is produced and also what you say in terms of the back of the book is as important as finding the right editor.

"You Know, I've always wanted to be a writer, so that's what I'll do... I don't need to know anything else." Sorry but, no, you do need to know more than just writing, in the publishing industry you need to know a bit of everything, because, when it comes down to money, a small name won't earn as much income as a big name, and until you're proven you aren't a big name. It's not a bad thing to think your a big name, but that takes time and energy to become on. Maybe some money, but if that sort of success is what you are after in this business means promotion and editing, you'll be working harder and not smarter.

I mentioned you'll need to drop the ego, now by this I mean the ego of "I know it better" you might and then again you might not. It is always good to have a second pair of eyes in how you write and how you market and publicize your book- an editor or someone who is familiar with marketing. This is why we call it the publishing industry. In my mind I think of the publishing industry as a lot of people doing a lot to publish books.

If your publishing house doesn't have the money for your then it is out of your pocket, and out of your experiences from books with online promotion. If you self-publish you need to market and promote and inventory your books. Either way congratulate yourself you are a published author.

You need to know contracts, the basics and how to get what you can, but you also need to know what is not negotiable. You need to understand copyrights, and what that can do for your profits. If your work is Copied money is a huge thing that is lost.

It's not just writing that is important, it is everything else in this publishing business. Publishing is tough, but don't make it harder on yourself.

Self Publishing is Better than Traditional Publishing and Vice Versa Because I can Have...: Do you want the best market do you want the best audience for your book? Do you want to shout about it on your blog? Do you want decent reviews of your book on amazon?

You Do???

Great to hear it, because this is a hard one, I have success in self-publishing and as a published author (of several small short stories... which by the way didn't sell all that well, and i believe the magazine is out of business.) If you want control then you'd better be able to face some reviews of the variety of " I didn't like the editing..." or the design wasn't good" or many things which you can take personally.

On the other hand yes it is your book, and you wrote it and that is an accomplishment, but sometimes you gotta give a little. Don't accept everything but don't be hard on your design team or designer or anyone else. They have a job, same as you and that is to sell your book.

It is a bit of give and take to produce the best manuscript possible. Publishing a book is hard, but it can also be rewarding and fun. This is team work at its finest. Produce the best blogs you can produce the best hubs and other articles you can and you'll find success.

The most common mistake most new self-publisher will make is going to a vanity press-- of which AuthorHouse, Xlibris, and IUniverse are a part of. They are by far the three big sub-companies of the parent company Author Solutions that receive the most complaints about either book quality or service for money.

In other words, if you want to make money with your work, self-publish with places such as: CreateSpace, Lulu or better still, Lightening Source. Do your research and know and understand what works for you.

What sort of Marketing are you Doing?: If you don't want to market a book, don't expect too many in the publishing industry to want to help you... except maybe the true vanity presses. I suggest to people who are new in the publishing business to look at how they can promote both themselves and their book.

Look in the writers market, don't have one get one! It is available in most bookstores and in libraries in their writing sections. This will give you an idea of who is who in the industry. It also gives some basics on query letters to marketing to freelance work. Freelance work in vital to any author because you then have a presence in other areas.

Yes, it does make you think about the publishing industry but it is a good way to begin understanding publishing and its workings better.

Use the power of the Internet. Google searches are great. They can give you an idea of who is looking for what and where. Does you book do better in google? Can you find competing websites? Should you get an online presence now? ( the answer is yes you should)

Market yourself to your audience and network. Don't push yourself on people, but do tell them what you are writing about when they ask. it helps a lot in having a book published, you have cultivate both yourself and your book to potential buyers.

Editors and Query Letters and Literary Agents and Publicists: Think you don't need any of them? think again! you do. of all of them before you publish your book, get an editor, a good one, one who will tell you that content isn't working so well, and that this doesn't sound good. The one who will tell you what can be fixed with on each and every sentence.

Editors are the best. Tonymac04 is a great one to contact, he sees all my mistakes on my hubs and I've improved because of him... I hope! I have an editor, and I've also used the online editing places, but have a person who understands your style of writing. It is worth the price.

What about Query Letters? Well you can't get published in the publishing industry without one... unless you self-publish then you don't need one. But make it your best writing of all. Distill who you are and what your are writing about in twenty-five words or less. One page, make it good.

Literary Agents and Publicists are also a real help and you can find them through Writer's Market and online. Do your homework, ask questions, they should at least give to straight forward statement and if you are still worried, a sample contract. Most if not all will. Go to writers beware to make sure these people are legitimate. If they are, they should help you. Read the Contract. Oh and read the contract. Did I mention Read the Contract?

Know Your Audience and Write For them, they will more likely be smarter then you so don't dumb it down!: Write your best. Write for someone in mind, other than yourself. Yes it is your book or poem or whatever, but you aren't going to be the only who will read it?

I go with the idea that the audience is smarter than you the writer is. Sorry, but there will always be someone who will know more than you on a particular subject. They are the ones you need to impress, So know this now. They can also check into fact sin both fiction and non-fiction possibility as easy as you can. hence the name fans.

Write your best and also double check before you publish your book. Triple check if possible before sending it out. Go to google and type in questions that relate to your book. You will be glad you did. Write your book and have fun, but don't just write it for money or for you.

In the end, have fun and enjoy writing your book. Just remember: Presence, market and audience and less ego will help you in the end.  Succes is your in this publishing business.