The number of authors has significantly increased in recent years, and many writers are now choosing self-publishing. This means that as a self-publisher, you can release your work and maintain complete control over every stage of production. Self-publishing also offers a competitive edge in the publishing industry, allowing authors to navigate the fierce competition and make informed decisions about their work.
You can choose between launching an e-book or producing printed copies, with digital formats also being a viable option. By leveraging online libraries, you can have copies printed on demand by experienced book services when someone places an order.
Self-Publishing: A Path to Success
Once you decide on self-publishing, your journey begins with choosing the right platform. You’re in charge of designing and publishing your book, free from external deadlines or marketing influences. To reach as many readers as possible, create social media profiles and build a dedicated readership.
Stay Creative – Self-Publish According to Your Preferences
Working with a publisher often involves following their guidelines regarding the book, cover, and deadlines. Although the publisher handles advertising and other tasks, this can limit your creative freedom.
If you prefer to take matters into your own hands, self-publishing offers several advantages. You have the freedom to make choices in writing, designing, and pricing.
Traditional publishers may dictate terms once they buy your manuscript and rights, leaving publication decisions out of your hands.
Publish Any Topic – Release Your Manuscript
New authors often struggle to find a publisher, especially as publishers need to invest upfront. They take care of the journey to publication, produce copies, and handle marketing. However, if you’ve written in a niche or are yet unknown, this can be disadvantageous. In the worst case, you might not find a publisher willing to collaborate.
Self-publishing doesn’t pose this issue, allowing all authors to publish their books regardless of their fame.
As a self-publisher, you’re responsible for marketing and the entire publication process. You choose the formats, decide on print formatting, and maintain control over all your works. There are no thematic restrictions, so all kinds of niches are viable. Consider conducting a market analysis beforehand to gauge your topic’s popularity. After all, you’ll want to enjoy successful marketing!
Self-Publishers – Service Providers Offer Numerous Services
Although the final decisions are yours, you can rely on professional support. Collaborate with external service providers for professional editing, book creation assistance, and more. You manage all your booked services and decide which ones you need. This means you can handle the steps of book publication yourself or delegate them to professionals.
Authors with Contractual Freedom – Retain Your Independence
The publishing world is complex, and as an author, you often face significant compromises. By selling your manuscripts and signing a contract, your work becomes part of a publisher’s brand. Publishers can alter your book without consulting you. If the editorial team decides to change parts of your book, you must accept these edits.
In contrast, self-publishing offers numerous advantages, even if you publish in a self-publishing library.
You commission services like editing or print-on-demand but ultimately decide, for example, if you agree with the editing. You only transfer the printing and distribution rights, which you can retract at any time. If a publisher shows interest in your book or wants to translate it, you alone decide whether to proceed!
No Complicated Contract with a Publisher – Start with an E-Book Immediately
Success hinges largely on the quality of the writing and the publisher’s choice. With publishers receiving new submissions daily, the number of authors they can accommodate is limited. If you’re unknown, it might take a long time to get a chance at publication.
Avoid this by choosing self-publishing. You can start as soon as your novel is ready. A self-publisher isn’t bound by a publication schedule and maintains full control over every step.
Determine Your Own Royalties – Publish and Earn
Royalties from publishers are often low. Few authors make enough from their first book to live on. This is why even successful writers continuously release new books. Although publishers cover marketing and preparation costs, your earnings from the publication aren’t substantial, and new authors have limited negotiation room. Established authors with several publications have more freedom. At this point, it’s possible to dispute payments with the publisher, who would likely want to retain a successful author.
When publishing through a self-publishing service, you alone decide how much to earn from e-books and printed copies. Consider the following:
- Competitor Prices: Check market prices for similar guides, novels, etc.
- Costs: Factor in the production costs of the book.
- Earnings: If you aim to live off writing, calculate your minimum earnings. Think carefully about covering your costs while setting a fair book price.
- Additional Costs: Include expenses from services like editing or layout creation in the sale price.
- Book Length: A shorter guide usually costs less than a lengthy text.
Avoiding Self-Publishing Pitfalls
Being on your own in publication can be challenging. If a publisher isn’t handling tasks, you need alternative support. Who will review your text? Who will design your cover? Who will assist with queries? Although you have high responsibility, there are resources available.
Self-publishing service providers can act as editors, cover designers, and printing services. This turns self-publishing into a manageable, step-by-step project.
Tip: If it’s your first time self-publishing, make the most of the available services. Books that have undergone professional editing and have appealing covers are easier and more successful to publish.
Community Feedback – Benefit from a Wide User Base at Coolibri
When you publish through self-publishing, initially you lack a readership. Change this by focusing on community engagement. Through Coolibri’s library, you reach numerous people interested in self-publishing, new authors, novels, and engaging content.
If someone discovers you and your novel, they can directly contact you. In self-publishing, you remain the point of contact.
Received more book orders than expected? You can easily print the required number of books and send them to your fans. Most self-publishers opt for a combination of e-books and print-on-demand.
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