Self Publishing Common Errors Authors Must Avoid

Self Publishing authors face multiple challenges. A review was conducted to identify common pitfalls encountered by emerging self-published authors. Here are the top 8 that stand out based on insights drawn from engaging successful and less successful authors.

Authors Not Having A Profession Attitude Towards Writing

Often, the desire to write is borne out of passion, hobby, or innate talent. Most successful authors are not a product of a structured training or academic program. Coupled with the zero-barrier entry into self-publishing, many authors bypass any form of professional development or skill acquisition before becoming self-published authors. This reality creates significant risks to budding authors’ appreciation of the importance of treating their writing as a profession.

The required discipline and rigour needed to develop beyond the initial sets of manuscripts that they have written are often missing. Having a professional attitude towards writing forces authors to understand the entire value chain associated with commercial writing. Without adopting a professional mindset, authors may fail to bridge critical skill gaps or cultivate the proper attitude, thereby jeopardizing their long-term success and ability to navigate industry challenges.

Not Preparing for Failure

Driven by passion, belief, and perhaps a growing following, authors naturally anticipate success for their published work and look forward to the rewards of commercial acclaim. However, the likelihood of facing setbacks is significantly greater than the likelihood of achieving immediate success—a reality many authors ignore before their first publication. This lack of foresight complicates dealing with failure, as neither mental preparation nor strategic plans are in place to navigate these challenges. Acknowledging and planning for the long journey to success, including potential obstacles, is crucial in the early stages of an author’s career.

Short Term Planning

Starting a writing career is like preparing for a lifelong marathon, not a short sprint. Writers need to strategically plan for decades of literary involvement, taking inspiration from successful predecessors. In addition to initial passion and message, achieving success in this enduring journey requires building a comprehensive support network, including a dedicated team, access to vital information, effective platforms, and an enthusiastic audience.

It is essential to master or collaborate with professionals in areas like graphic design and marketing. Acquiring these skills and connections takes time, and they should be actively planned and pursued. An author’s ability to plan for long timeframes is crucial for their level of success.

Self Publishing Solo Effort Planning

Being a self-published author misconstrues the notion of a solitary journey, where you have to do everything by yourself. This widespread myth among indie writers is false –  You need a team. Far from a one-person endeavour, success in self-publishing demands a collaborative effort. Building a robust support system is essential.

This includes engaging with individuals who can offer constructive feedback, early reviews, and editing assistance. Additionally, the expertise of graphic designers, digital marketers, and website administrators is indispensable. Beyond professional support, emotional encouragement and staying informed about the latest trends are crucial. Recognizing the necessity of a team is a pivotal step towards a successful self-publishing journey, whether it’s with friends or professional collaborators.

Neglecting the Small Details

In the competitive self-publishing landscape, the brief window to captivate an audience demands impeccable attention to detail. The quality of formatting, the allure of the cover design, the clarity of the book blurbs, and the intrigue of an author’s bio can make or break a reader’s purchase decision. After dedicating months, or even years, to crafting a manuscript, avoidable errors like typos or lacklustre bios diminish its value.

Excellence in these nuances extends to contractual agreements and is pivotal in distinguishing an author’s work. Ultimately, the quality of an author’s writing will not only draw readers in but keep them engaged. So sweat the small details to get differentiated from the crowd.

Not Building a Brand

Self-published authors need significant images or brand projection to become discoverable. An emerging author is in fierce competition with world-class writing talent backed by decades of experience, and powerful and efficient publishing houses.  The competition from other indie authors who have built their niches is just as intense. Due to the absence of any barriers to entry, authors must put in a lot of work to rise above the competition.

Building a brand is an invaluable long-term investment authors must make today to be successful in the long run. Authors must consciously grow their following, develop communities, project their brands, establish a niche and strive to become leading voices in their areas of focus. An author’s brand must position the author in ways that make it easy for the author to be discovered. An investment in this area is non-negotiable for long-term success.

Not Continuously Improving

Refining your writing technique is essential to progressing in your literary career. Delving into the fundamentals, enhancing your ability to communicate effectively, and expanding your writing repertoire are crucial steps. While passion and natural talent provide a strong foundation, ongoing development and learning from established authors are key to sustained growth. Embrace a professional mindset towards writing, regularly seek to upgrade your skills, and commit to a lifelong journey of improvement and adaptation in your craft.

Professionals routinely upskill and re-skill. Writers should do the same. Having a development plan to continuously improve is highly encouraged. Good writers are great readers. In the process of reading, a good writer will be able to pick up better approaches to present their content and narratives without compromising their styles. Commit to a life of continuous deployment.

Not Deepening Your Knowledge Base

For both fiction and non-fiction writers, the breadth and depth of one’s knowledge fundamentally shape the quality of their work. By engaging in continuous learning, exploring diverse cultures, embracing new perspectives, and delving into research, authors can significantly enrich their narratives. The most compelling writers draw from a vast wealth of experience and understanding, making even a single sentence resonate deeply.

This commitment to perpetual growth and exploration not only enhances the writer’s skill but also elevates the literary experience for their readers, underscoring the invaluable role of lifelong learning in the craft of writing. Writers must study widely, read and enrich their experiences. Any writer who is not a lifelong learner and lifelong “experiencer” is not worth reading.