Help for Self-Publishing Authors and Illustrators

How to write an effective and helpful article about self-publishing when you have never self-published – now that’s a big ask! The main reason I don’t do it myself is because I don’t have the distribution resources at my disposal that commercial publishers have. There’s also the tremendous amount of marketing and publicity that a self-published author and/or illustrator needs to generate, not to mention the numerous expenses, none of which I want to expend. So, what I’ve done instead of writing about self-publishing, is to collect – and make available here -- online resources by experts which ought to help you if you decide to go down the road of self-publishing.

What I can suggest from experience as a book reader and reviewer of self-published books is that if you want to give yourself the best chance of success, you would be wise to invest in employing freelance professionals – an editor, a book designer, a proof-reader, an illustrator, and of course, a decent printer. You might even want to employ the services of a good publicist (such as Scott Eathborne who’s been interviewed in Buzz Words and who is one of the best -- in my opinion. His website is http://www.quikmarkmedia.com.au

So here are the websites which I hope you find helpful in your new venture. Good luck! (And don’t forget to get your finished book reviewed in Buzz Words www.buzzwordsmagazine.com !)

This article is for authors thinking about self-publishing http://authormarketinginstitute.com/part-1-the-top-30-websites-for-authors-to-learn-about-self-publishing

A word-counter and a cliché finder: these are some tools you need if you are going to publish an online book. Check out these and more here http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2015/01/40-questions-to-ask-when-you-get-call.html

Advice on budgeting for your self-published book http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/06/self-publishing-budget-advice-bbchat/?utm_campaign=BB1529&utm_source=BBeNews&utm_medium=Email&spMailingID=49094736&spUserID=MTIzOTMxNTMxMDgzS0&spJobID=721753403&spReportId=NzIxNzUzNDAzS0

Book Baby Blog often has some great articles. Here’s one about how write a killer book blurb. http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/07/5-tips-crafting-memorable-book-description/?

How to write a great author bio http://blog.bookbaby.com/2014/03/how-to-write-a-great-author-bio/?

What not to do re book promotion http://blog.bookbaby.com/2014/07/seven-deadly-sins-of-book-promotion/?

A book cover checklist http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/02/judging-book-cover-book-publicists-media-want-see-outside-book/?

In this 30 minute video interview you’ll hear how to build your platform as an author http://janefriedman.com/2015/01/05/platform-building-authors-30-minute-video-interview

Here is help with marketing your book http://jamigold.com/2015/03/marketing-101-creating-a-strategy-guest-jennifer-fusco

Want to Crowdfund your next book? Here are some great ideas http://janefriedman.com/2015/03/31/crowdfunded-publishing

More help here on marketing your book http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2015/04/your-author-and-book-marketing-formula-starts-with-you

If  you found this article helpful, you will be amazed by the wealth of practical and helpful information in the twice monthly magazine, Buzz Words, which is for those of  us in the Australian children's book industry. For details of how to subscribe (only $48 for 24 issues), go to right hand side of www.buzzwordsmagazine.com  

© Dianne Bates