6 Self-Publishing Tips
There are many exciting aspects to becoming a self-published author. I loved developing the characters in my head for my children’s book Pippin You Are Just ALL Right! There was the thrill of getting the words down on paper and producing a final draft. What was equally thrilling but a little frightening was the next steps. I found myself asking, "What now? Who can I trust to help get my book from idea to a sellable product? How do I find the best editor, illustrator, and layout designer for my book?" If you google self-publishing, you will find what seems to be an endless list of experts. I chose one of these experts, and it did not go well for me. Fortunately, I caught on at the beginning that I had saddled up to a vanity publisher. I learned a couple of lessons in making this mistake. I hope by sharing them with you and other aspiring authors I can help your self-publishing adventure stay on the right track.
Tip #1 - Check out the company’s Google Reviews
There may be positive testimonials from happy clients on the company's website, but you need to dig deeper. Check out Google reviews. Make sure you read the 1-star and the 5-star reviews. As an owner of a small business, Rustic & Main, I can tell you some 1-star reviews are just from people who are angry about everything or clearly do not want to take responsibility for their actions. Other reviews are legitimate and can point you to the weaknesses and strengths of the company you may work with. Take note of the legitimate complaints and where the company shines.
Tip #2 - Look for complaints against the company
Enter the name of the business and the word "scam" into your search engine. This is a quick way to find out what other authors think about a company. You can even visit the Better Business Bureau (https://www.bbb.org/) and look at the complaints against the company. Remember when you check the Better Business Bureau, make sure you have the right business name. The business that I found to be scammy was called Westbow per the website, but the actual company is registered as Author Solutions LLC. Do not just look at the letter but the actual complaints. Don’t just look at the letter grade as this can be deceiving. Check out the complaints listed and how the company resolved these complaints.
Tip #3 - Idenitify what book professionals work with the company
You should be able to answer these two questions with a yes. Does the business have a list of who your illustrator, editor, or layout artist may be? Can you find these people and their works on other websites? You can dig even more by looking into these professionals social media accounts? Just remember because someone is not self-promoting on social media does not mean they are a good fit. However, sometimes it can help assure you that they are the right fit.
Tip #4 - - Walk away if it feels like you are talking to a desperate used car salesman
A healthy business will have a rep who is honest when it comes to self-publishing and marketing. It is hard work and a slow process. There should be no pressure to sign up. Are they making promises that sound too good to be true? A healthy business wants your business but is not desperate for it. Are you receivng so many emials and phone calls that they are bothering you.
Tip #5 Dig into the potential illustrator’s published work
When picking an illustrator, ask for a list of books they have worked on. Ask them which works are they the most proud to be part of. You can see most of what they have illustrated by typing in the author's name on Amazon to find out what books they illustrated. Go through the books and use the inside preview options to see the illustrations inside the book.
MakTip #6 - Take plenty of time to go over your contract
You should always have a contract to make sure both parties' expectations are met. If you are looking for a whole package, you need to know who the illustrator, editor, and layout designer will be. Before you sign a contract, ask specifically what your money goes towards. Will this cover all your needs up to the publishing stage?
Look for important numbers such as:
How many book pages are covered?
How many illustrations and what type are included?
What is the word count covered in the editing?
How much will this cost you? How and when will payments be made?
How long will each stage take?
After my initial missteps, I discovered Stories Untold Services. Since I was previously burned, I went on the defensive and put Ethan through the ringer. He was patient with all my questions via phone calls and emails. This allowed me to become comfortable with hiring Stories Untold Services for editing, layout, and illustrations. You can find out more about the individuals who worked on Pippin You Are Just ALL Right! here.