Here Is A Simple Guide On How To Become A Self-Published Author

Do you want to publish your own book? Are you muddled about how to go around it? 

If that is what was bothering you then we have got you covered.

Here is a simple guide on how to become a self-published author. 

1. Get started with writing

You need to ‘write a book’ if you want to become a self-published author.

Before you embark on your journey to writing, you need to decide on the genre and then the storyline. It might take a while to figure out where you want to begin. So make patience your virtue and begin. 

Whether you want to write fiction, non-fiction or memoir, you will need one thing in common – a disciplined routine. Build a very strong and non-negotiable writing routine. Do not give in to procrastination. 

Get started and create the first cut of your manuscript. How much does one take to finish a book? Well, that differs from person to person. Remember, there is no competition and yet you need to give your best. 

Your first draft will lay the foundation of your entire project. So, you do not want to mess it up. 

2. Edit and polish your first draft

The process of editing your first draft can be divided into two parts: 

Self-edit: At first, you want to start with self-editing. Weed out the grammatical and other basic errors. Iron out the storyline with a clear focus on the characters and your story. Avoid any verbiage and make your story crisp with an added element of emotions. 

Editing requires money. So, if you want to become a self-published author you might want to learn this skill. 

Editors usually charge based on the number of hours they put in. So, you do not want to hand over your first draft to editors who will charge a hefty amount just to streamline it. 

Once you are content with your draft and have gone over it at least 3 – 4 times, then only hire an editor.

Taking experts help: It is time you bring in fresh eyes to review your work – hire an editor. 

The process of finding an apt editor has become very easy. You can shortlist a few of the editors who are known to edit the genre of your book – write to them – get their quotes and then finalise them.

Once your book is read through, polished, proofread and error-free – it is time to give it a charming look. 

3. Designing the Look and Feel of your book

To become a self-published author you need to know to design as well. 

The cover of your book is going to be your selling point. Ensure, you give enough time and thought in designing it. 

Also, the format of your text must be reader-friendly. You need to get into the shoes of the reader and see what pleases your eyes. 

Once you have frozen the cover and the font format you are very close to publishing your book. 

4. Deciding the price of your book

This question haunts many authors, especially beginners. You need to fix the price of your book so that it becomes affordable to a larger audience. 

You can list your book in the price range of $2 – $3. You can also provide early discounts to those who order the book before the launch date. Once you have an idea about the demand for your book, you can then resort to a price hike. Ensure that it is not too pricey. 

5. Publish your e-book

If you want to become a self-published author then an ebook is your best bet. 

We live in a digital world and ebooks are the game changer for self-published authors. 

You can publish your book using Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. It is God’s given platform for all authors. You can publish your book on this platform for free. Interested readers can then pay and buy your book from this platform. 

This has made the life of the author’s so much easier. 

Suggested Read – 8 Amazing Tips On Writing A Novel That Novelists Swear By

6. Grand Launch Plan

The first few weeks from the launch date shall decide the course of your book. To have a grand opening, you must have a launch plan that starts 2 weeks prior to the actual launch date. This will help you create a buzz for your book. 

7. Marketing techniques are the real game-changers

You can write a great book but it is also crucial to know how to sell it. Learning marketing techniques is a very essential quality to become a self-published author. 

You can use various marketing techniques like an online ad, promoting it through blogger, automated mailer’s list, etc. 

You can also tie-up with various book stores and do interviews for them. If the law permits then you can also arrange for a ‘meet and greet’ with your readers. Developing a personal connection with the readers makes a lot of difference. 

Conclusion

There are the primary steps one can refer to while thinking about how to become a self-published author. 

You can write to us if you find these steps helpful.