Why Every Author Should Consider
Both Self and Traditional Publishing
SELF-PUBLISHING
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Control over text,
layout, and cover
design
Control over release
dates
Control over offerings
More royalties
TRADITIONAL
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A full team of experts
Exposure
Credibility
Support
SELF-PUBLISHING
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Self-Funding
Self-Promotion
Less Credibility
Self-Guidance
TRADITIONAL
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Little to no control over
cover design
Little to no control over
release dates (slow)
Less control over
offerings
Dependent upon
securing an agent (long
query process)
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Read books about the craft of writing
Attend writing classes and conferences
Write more than one book (practice, practice,
practice and no one-book wonder)
Outline ideas for many books
Join a critique group
Find beta readers
Decide on your brand
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Choose a genre
Choose an icon, color, theme, or concept that
people will identify with you and your books
Exploit all concepts related to your brand
Use your brand consistently
These colors and icons consistently appear on my
business cards, bookmarks, banner, website, and
other promotional materials.
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Decide which series you want to self-publish
and which you want to publish traditionally
While you query agents (long process), you can
begin to get your brand out there, develop a
fan base, solicit reviews, and create a strong
online presence, which will further attract an
agent’s attention
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Be sure to target agents who are looking for
clients and are interested in your genre
Publishersmarketplace, Agentquery, and
Querytracker provide helpful databases
You can also find and follow agents on Twitter
and read their blogs
Query 10-12 agents at a time and tweak the
query (if you receive no requests) before
sending again
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You don’t need to use a company that requires
money upfront
Use Amazon/Createspace for paperback
edition (but you might want to pay the extra
$10 so your ISBN belongs to you)
Use Amazon and Smashwords for ebook
Use ACX for audiobook
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Invest in an editor or proofreader to make sure
your text looks professional ($200-$1000)
Invest in a graphic artist for the cover ($200$300)
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Facebook (Groups and Events)
Twitter (Followers, Hashtags, and Links)
Goodreads (Author Profile, Discussion Groups,
Events, Reviews, Giveaways, Self-Serve
Advertising)
Website and/or Blog
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https://www.facebook.com/events/43557409
9859637/437344103015970/?notif_t=plan_mall
_activity
Create Facebook events for cover reveal and
release-day parties.
Create groups, like book clubs or discussion
groups related to your genre.
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Find followers by going to well-known authors
in your genre and following their followers
Use hashtags to allow others with similar
interests to find you #YAlit
Use links to direct people to your website and
blog
Use Hootsuite, Manageflitter, or other Twitter
helpers to upload photos, schedule tweets, and
clean up your following
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Create an author profile and add your books to
the database (must have ISBN)
Join discussion groups to interact and sign up
for ARR’s
Create giveaways a month before release day
Use self-serve advertising
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Attract a following with a blog that provides a
useful service to your fan base
Use the website to make announcements
Use the website to interact with fans
Use the website to help readers find your
books
Use the website to collect email addresses
Link all social media venues to your website
Month 1: ∙ Cover Reveal (Book #1) (YATeenReaders Will do this for free. U pay 4 swag)
(Free) ∙ Promote Upcoming Giveaway (Twitter, Facebook, Press Release, Website/Blog)
(or $50) ∙ Promote Upcoming Release-Day Event
∙ Sign up for Goodreads ARR (Author Review Request) in First Discussion Group
Month 2: ∙ Goodreads Giveaway (Book #1) All Month (10-15 Signed Paperback Editions)
($100- ∙ Goodreads Self-Serve Advertising
$150) ∙ Use FB $50 Credit
∙ Sign up for Goodreads ARR in Second Discussion Group
Month 3: ∙ Release-Day Event on Facebook
($200) ∙ Mail Books and Swag to Giveaway and Release-Day Winners
Month 4: ∙ Virtual Book Tour with Reviews All Month
($80)
Month 5: ∙ Goodreads ARR in First Discussion Group
(Free) ∙ Audio Book Release Using ACX (Book #1) and Promotion
Month 6: ∙ Goodreads ARR in Second Discussion Group
(Free)
Month 7: ∙ Cover Reveal (Book #2)
(Free)
∙ Promote Upcoming Giveaway
∙ Promote Upcoming Release-Day Event
∙ Sign up for Goodreads ARR in First Discussion Group
Month 8: ∙ Goodreads Giveaway (Book #2) All Month (10-15 Signed Paperback Editions)
($100- ∙ Goodreads Self-Serve Advertising
$150) ∙ Sign Up for Goodreads ARR in Second Discussion Group
Month 9: ∙ Release-Day Event on Facebook
($200) ∙ Mail Books and Swag to Giveaway and Release-Day Winners
Month 10: ∙ Virtual Book Tour
($80)
Month 11: ∙ Goodreads ARR in First Discussion Group
(Free) ∙ Audio Book Release Using ACX (Book #2) and Promotion
Month 12: ∙ Goodreads ARR in Second Discussion Group
(Free)
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Find conferences related to your genre
Choose ones close to home to save money
Make your exhibit count/promote brand
Use your exhibit to collect email addresses
Make a lasting impression by being friendly
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Offer to speak at seminars, workshops,
conferences, classrooms, libraries, etc. in
exchange for the opportunity to promote your
books.
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Do NOT reply to book reviewers
You can’t please all readers
Even bestselling authors have bad reviews
See if there’s room to improve
Upload improved versions of your books
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Try to write almost every day
Try to read almost every day
Keep notes and outlines for future projects
Continue to seek an agent
Stay optimistic