As I finish writing this new non-fiction book to help new writers learn how to Write and Publish Your First Book: A Step-By-Step Blueprint to Write, Self-Publish and Market Your Fiction or Non-Fiction Book
I’m even more excited about self-publishing than before.
Things are so much better for writers today than they used to be simply because of the freedom we have to publish the books we want to without having to deal with traditional gatekeepers.
There are challenges to overcome like, needing to figure out the formatting for your book and absorbing the costs of editing and book cover design yourself, but these are dwarfed by the positives.
Nowadays, we can push a button and get worldwide distribution.
Indie publishing isn’t for everyone, but for some writers, it’s a match made in heaven.
So today, I thought I’d write about some benefits of self-publishing that are true, at least for the foreseeable future.
5 Benefits of Self-Publishing Your Book
There are many benefits to being an indie author. And despite the fact that you need to put up your own money for edits and book covers and that you might not get your book into as many stores as a traditional publisher, the benefits far outweigh the challenges.
1. You have full control over the entire process of your book. Your ideas, writing, your book cover design, and the timing of when you choose to publish is all up to you. A publisher isn’t going to come in and suggest changes. Even if you write something controversial, you can. You can price your work how you want to, and learn from other indie authors at which price points they’ve sold the most books. Sometimes it takes adjusting the price or even the title to appeal to the widest range of readers. It’s nice to have that freedom.
2. You can sell by any means you like. This includes digital, ebook, audio, print and rights to TV. You can even choose to be a hybrid author(self-publish and traditionally publish). There are no right or wrong paths.
3. You keep all the rights to your books or whatever format you publish in. If you choose to self publish, you have the rights and all the control over your book.
4. You can become an author whenever you want to without waiting for someone to choose you. This was partly why I waited so long. Sadly, I thought I needed someone like an agent or publisher to pick me in order for me to be good enough to write and publish a book. It took me a few years before I stopped believing that lie. If you’ve been putting off writing and publishing your book because you think your work might not be good enough, I want to encourage you to stop waiting. Choose Yourself. You are a Writer. And get your book written and published.
5. All your time and effort can go toward writing, publishing and marketing your own book instead of chasing after an agent and publisher. It is more work to do everything yourself as an indie author, but if you’re an entrepreneur at heart and can learn to be disciplined to wear all these hats, you’ll be a successful indie author.
I’ve watched indie authors who’ve been successful, in terms of personality, you need to develop some of the skills of a project manager in order to self-publish. I’ve discovered that it’s a learning curve. Everyone who chooses to self publish, needs to learn to coordinate a number of things at the same time and if you don’t keep to your plan you will not have a book at the end of it.
It’s a constant learning curve, and there have been many days when I’ve felt overwhelmed. Usually when I’m feeling like I have too many things going on at once, I try to figure out which project I need to do first and then do the other projects in the order they need to get done.
“Tie your books together in intelligent ways, create smart marketing funnels that drive your readers from one book directly into the next, and take control of the connection between you and your readers, rather than abdicating that task… In self-publishing, success comes from hard work and the accumulation of small numbers. Unlike yesterday, today’s prosperity can bloom from continuous intelligent production. For the first time in history, life as a full-time writer has become about simple math.” Johnny B. Truant Write. Publish. Repeat. (The No-Luck-Required Guide to Self-Publishing Success) (The Smarter Artist Book 1)
The good and bad news is that as an indie author, all the control is in your hands. You are responsible for your success.
So, if you’ve haven’t succeeded yet, don’t quit. Keep working. Keep producing more books.
Right now is the best time in history to be a self published author.
Keep writing.
Can you think of some other benefits to being a self-published author? I’d love to hear other benefits you think of – that I’m sure I missed – in the comments.
