For those new to self-publishing, you might be forgiven for thinking that once your book has been written, the hard work is over. After all, we're authors, writers, and wordsmiths - we aren't responsible for all of that "publishing" stuff - are we?
Let's have a closer look at the skills required to get a self-published book published (Note that many of the points mentioned here might also apply to those looking for an agent or seeking traditional/hybrid publishing).
The initial hard work is complete. You've used your creative skills and produced a manuscript, a story, a work of art. But what now?
Let's assume that you've written MANY drafts of your book. Let's assume that you've self-edited it MANY times (I edited my books at least 6 times before passing it to a professional). Are you sure that your plot is tight? Could you have missed something? The best way to find out is to employ people to let you know what they think from a reader's perspective. These are called Beta-Readers and come in many forms. Could you use family or friends (for free)? The simple answer is, yes, but will they give an honest critique? Are they biased? Will they try not to upset you?
If this doesn't work for you, how about employing a FREE professional Beta-Reader? There are many advertised on social media. But, are they actually qualified? Will they tell you what you want to hear? Or will they give an honest opinion?
The ultimate, is to employ a professional PAID Beta-Reader. Yes, it's another expense, but you get what you pay for (generally). Most, like ProofwriteUK, will provide an opinion from both a reader's and an editor's perspective. Most will give feedback on writing style, common repeated flaws, plot holes, and often they'll include a free sample edit (to drum up business for the next stage in the publishing process). If you want detail, something to work with, help to improve your writing skills as well as your book, then this might be the way to go. (As with most things, there are cheaper options available. You just need to do some research).
Assuming that you're happy with the plot and writing style, what comes next?
You now enter the world of editing and proofreading. There are editors and there are editors. Not all are the same. Developmental editors come during the writing stage. They develop your story and look at the bigger picture and plot. Copy editors and line editors come next (once the story is finalised), and they look in detail at the grammar, writing style, and numerous other aspects of your writing (from paragraph, sentence, and word level). This is where your text becomes polished. Finally, after all of this is complete, just before publishing, you have the proofreader. They check for final inconsistencies before publishing.
This is just an overview of the editor's role. For more information, check my website.
"Couldn't I edit it myself?" Technically, yes you could. But would you catch every error? You are already familiar with the writing, and the human brain has a habit of seeing what it "expects" to see, thus you might gloss over certain mistakes without noticing. More on this matter can be seen in this blog post.
Editing costs money. As to how much will depend on what you are willing to pay. The ciep has suggested price ranges, but you'll find many editors advertising lower than this (due to competition). The adage about getting what you pay for doesn't always apply, either. I offer professional services at reduced rates, but I also advertise on Fiverr and Upwork for set package deals. I also offer regular "special offers," so the best advice is to shop around, do research, check out various editors, and talk to us (We are human. We are often fellow authors. We want to help. If you still can't afford a particular editor, make them an offer - you might be surprised by the answer).
Now your book is written and edited. It's been proofread too. It's ready to publish, right?
Well, not exactly. What type of publishing do you intend? What format of book will you produce? If you want an ebook format, there are many FREE resources out there that can automatically produce a book ready for publication (I've used Draft2Digital and KDP in the past, but others exist). But, before that, have you formatted your book correctly? Have you added "front matter" (contents page, title page, copyright statement, ISBN, etc)? How about "end matter" (about the author page, acknowledgements, links to other books, etc)? All of this needs writing, editing, and formatting.
What if you want to add a paperback version? You just put it on the website and it automatically does it for you, right? Maybe. In the past, you had to format a paperback separately from its ebook equivalent. It was complex and drawn out, and easily messed up. I've seen some sites nowadays that offer to adapt the ebook to paperback format. I've not used them, but it is something to explore. Yet again, it is another skill that needs to be developed by the self-publisher.
Next comes the cover design. Are you a graphic artist? Should you use AI to generate a cover? Or should you use an artist to design something bespoke? Options, options, options. There is nothing right or wrong. Again, it depends on your budget. An option I've used is to try a specialist on Fiverr. It worked for me, although you do also hear horror stories (research, as usual). I've also used pre-made covers. Yes, they are a little more expensive, but you can see what you'll get before you buy, they're customisable, and are a compromise between cheap and expensive alternatives. The choice is yours.
Now your book is written, edited, proofread, and it has a cover. It is downloaded to your publisher of choice (of which there are many - research). What's missing? Have you written a blub for your back cover and advertising? Have you decided who to sell your book through? Have you calculated how much money you'll receive per sale? Have you researched the correct sale price? Questions, questions, questions.
Assuming all of the above are complete, you press the "Publish" button and take a deep breath. It's done. Your baby has been released on the world. Sit back and relax, right?
Well, no. Have you forgotten advertising? It's all well and good publishing the book, but if nobody knows where it is, or how to buy it, your sales will be terrible.
Another skill to acquire is website building (or pay someone to do it), social media marketing, and any other form of marketing that fits with you (the more the merrier). Many will offer "expert" advice. Many will charge you for their services. Many will make false claims of sales. Do your research. Have realistic expectations. Be patient (it's a marathon, not a sprint). A publisher once told me that my first book would be lucky to sell 50 copies over its lifetime. I self-published, and it's selling in the thousands. Take advice (even mine) with a pinch of salt).
Now can I relax and rake in the royalties?
Er, no! It's an ongoing thing. Advertise every day (even if it's only on social media), collect (and plead for) reviews (the more you get, the more your seller - Amazon - will make your work visible to others). And work on more books (the more you have, the better your sales. People prefer series to standalones - apparently).
So, lots to consider.
Writing is the FUN part of creating a book. Few enjoy the other aspects of publishing. However, you might surprise yourself. In my writing/publishing journey, I discovered a love of editing. I got qualified, gained experience, and now I earn from those skills, in addition to my books.
ProofWriteUK offers a full range of editing and proofreading services to authors, businesses, and individuals.
We offer a friendly, professional service, including FREE sample edits, special offers, Beta-reading, and advice.
Check out our website here.
Also available on Fiverr.