<Insights to Consider Before Self-Publishing Your First Book>
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It’s amusing how I transitioned into becoming an author.
While still in graduate school, I released my debut book, Stolen Reflections: Some Stories Are Told in Verse.
I was joking with a friend to refer to me as a writer, and he replied, “If you only publish blogs online, you should call yourself a blogger, not a writer.”
Though his remark may not have been entirely accurate, it resonated with me.
Why did I label myself a writer without a published work? That motivated me to take control and change that narrative.
In April 2018, my first book, Stolen Reflections, was released. This event initiated a series of changes that have defined my life since. As a full-time author, I often reflect on the innocence I had as a first-time writer.
In this article, I will share five key insights I wish I had prior to self-publishing my poetry book. This guide aims to help new authors set realistic expectations for their publishing journey.
If you're preparing for your debut book or aspire to publish one eventually, continue reading for some invaluable lessons drawn from my experiences.
# 1. Amazon KDP Doesn't Handle Paperback Publishing
When you visit the KDP homepage, you are greeted with a user-friendly interface claiming how simple it is to publish a paperback for free via Amazon.
Sounds enchanting, doesn’t it?
Not quite. The availability of paperback printing is limited to certain regions, including the USA, UK, and various European nations.
For many other countries, such as my native India, paperback options are sadly absent.
This is a common misconception among Indian authors once they finalize their manuscript. They often assume that completing their book means they can simply access Amazon KDP and click a few buttons to print copies across India.
Unfortunately, that is not the reality.
What Are Your Options?
If you reside in a country where Amazon KDP doesn’t provide paperback printing, consider purchasing your own ISBN and collaborating with a Print-On-Demand (POD) service to list your book on Amazon/IN.
While this can be relatively costly—since no POD service can match traditional publishing prices—I was willing to invest in it while living in India.
I published my poetry book through a Canada-based POD company called Ukiyoto Publishing House. I launched the eBook using Amazon KDP and later combined both the paperback and eBook versions on my Amazon author page.
# 2. Social Media Support Doesn’t Guarantee Sales
When I first revealed the upcoming release of my poetry book, I received overwhelming encouragement from friends on Facebook, amassing over 250 likes and nearly 150 comments expressing excitement and support.
The inexperienced author in me assumed that 280 likes equated to 280 book sales.
How mistaken I was!
It’s a harsh truth that many acquaintances will happily engage with your social media posts but often won’t follow through with a purchase.
On the night my book launched, I recorded just 8 sales.
I was heartbroken. For someone expecting over 200 sales, this was a major disappointment.
However, after five years in the writing industry, I’ve learned that social media engagement doesn’t translate into actual sales. Likes and comments are merely vanity metrics, and you cannot rely on friends to support your work financially.
What Are Your Options?
Develop a marketing strategy for your book. Don’t depend on the goodwill of people you already know. Optimize your social media content to reach new audiences, and tailor your campaigns to target ideal buyer demographics.
# 3. Marketing Campaigns Must Be Gradual
As a novice author, I imagined that I would sell hundreds of copies of my book within the first month of its release, leading to a position atop bestseller charts without looking back.
Reality, however, proved to be quite different.
The initial 8 sales left me disheartened and questioning my abilities. I wondered whether my book was insufficient or if anyone was even interested in it. Perhaps it would have been wiser to avoid publishing and stick to writing blogs online?
It was a conversation with Jordan Gross that shifted my perspective. In an interview, he noted that books possess significant longevity. Unlike blog posts and social media content—which often have a lifespan of merely 24 hours—books can endure long after their authors.
In our digital age, once a book is listed on Goodreads, it remains there indefinitely. Shouldn't marketing campaigns reflect this potential longevity?
Consequently, once I moved past the initial disappointment of low sales, I crafted my own staggered marketing campaign:
- Pre-release: Distribute 100 review copies to friends and family, requesting them to post reviews on Amazon or Goodreads on release day.
- Post-release: Keep the eBook available for free on Amazon for a limited time to increase readership. Encourage everyone who purchases a copy to leave a review.
- Ongoing: Contact book marketing firms to secure paid reviews for my book on various platforms like Facebook, Tumblr, and Instagram.
- Mindset Shift: Initially, I felt uncomfortable promoting my book publicly. I’ve since realized that if I don’t advocate for my work, it will remain lost in obscurity. To avoid this, I must seize every opportunity to mention my book.
# 4. Recognizing and Avoiding Spam Is Essential
Once you publish a book, one of the most noticeable changes is the influx of emails and messages from individuals soliciting:
- Paid book reviews
- Author interviews
- Marketing campaigns promising a specific number of reviews
While there are numerous variations of these requests, the central theme remains the same: someone requesting payment for either reviewing or promoting your book.
As an author, it is crucial to remain discerning and not be swayed by these solicitations. Research potential promoters before agreeing to any offers.
Examine their website to assess legitimacy. Request metrics to gauge the potential sales impact of their promotional efforts. Review their previous book reviews to understand audience reactions to new authors.
Numerous upcoming book reviewers are willing to review your book for free. I initially sought free reviews before transitioning to paid marketing, and it worked for me. You might consider this approach before committing to any paid marketing initiatives.
Here’s an example of a spam message I recently received on LinkedIn, clearly a generic template that made little sense. As a seasoned author, I recognized it as spam, but during my early publishing days, I likely would have been excited and responded.
# 5. Relying Solely on Book Sales Isn’t Sustainable
According to a 2022 study by Wordsrated, more than half of American adults don’t read a complete book in over a year. Given the declining interest in reading, depending solely on book sales as a source of income may not be the most viable career path.
A 2022 income study conducted by Authors Guild revealed that many authors struggle to earn a living from their writing. Among the 5,699 published authors surveyed, the median gross pre-tax income from book sales was only $2,000.
While this paints a grim picture, there is a silver lining.
Personally, I view my books as passion projects.
I write when inspiration strikes and publish to build a portfolio rather than to generate income. My books serve to enhance my credibility and add authenticity to my body of work.
As a full-time writer, I've cultivated several viable income streams:
- My blog on Medium
- Revenue from ads and sponsorships on my website
- My YouTube channel
- Freelance writing projects
Initially, I thought it was disheartening not to earn from book sales.
Now, I recognize this as a blessing in disguise. By relieving the pressure to earn from my books, I can explore any genre or pace that inspires me.
If you can establish income from your primary job or other writing-related activities, you’ll free yourself from the burden of pressuring your creativity to become your livelihood.
# Final Thoughts on Self-Publishing Insights
Writing a book is a challenging endeavor, but the real work begins after you click “Publish.” You must actively ensure your book reaches its intended audience. As a self-published author, the responsibility of marketing falls entirely on you.
Based on my experiences from self-publishing my first book in 2018 and working as a full-time writer for the past 2.5 years, here are five lessons I wish I had known at the outset of my publishing journey:
- Publishing paperbacks in countries like India requires more than just a click on the Amazon KDP platform.
- Social media engagement from friends and family does not directly correlate with book sales.
- It’s essential to create gradual marketing campaigns that extend over months or even years.
- Developing the ability to identify spam communications is one of the crucial skills for published authors.
- Focus on building diverse income streams as a writer; relying solely on book sales may not be sustainable in a world where interest in reading is waning.