The Hows of Self-Publishing

Liz Hinds

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I never wanted to self-publish. I always dreamed – and still do – of being a best-selling author, wooed by the big publishing houses, and adored by critics and the public alike. But that wasn’t to be as you’ll know if you read yesterday’s article.

It is amazing how much the world of self-publishing has changed in my short writing career. When I began the process with my first novel I used Lulu, and that’s still an option today. I had no problems with it – tech problems that are common to all and that I’ll talk about later aside – but it was the easy availability of Amazon that led me there for my next novels. I can remember very little about the Lulu way so I’ll be concentrating on self-publishing with Amazon in this article.

At the bottom of every Amazon webpage there’s a link to the Self Publish Amazon KDP page, where you’ll find these words:

Publish print and digital formats in three simple steps, and see your book appear on Amazon stores around the world in 72 hours.

Sounds so simple, doesn’t it? And, I suppose, considering I’m trying to do the jobs that would in the real world be done by numerous people with advanced technology, it is simple. But it’s also had me tearing my hair out.

Each time I do it – and that’s four times now – I think it will be easier but I find I’ve forgotten everything I learned the previous time and it’s just like starting afresh. So if I have any advice for those of you thinking about self-publishing, it’s to record each stage of the journey. Exactly, in precise detail so you won’t have to go around the houses next time.

If you follow the link to the Create a Book page and read through it, it all makes sense; Amazon really does try to make it easy for the writer. It’s just the little things that can push me over the edge.

I design my own covers. I cannot justify spending any more than is absolutely essential on publishing my book. (Without a doubt professionally-designed covers, proper editors and beta readers all make your book more sellable.) And, I suppose, my biggest headaches came with the sizing of the image.

Now you’d think that 7.25” would be the same size in any software. Not so. Apparently it’s wiser to have an accurate pixel count but you’ve already lost me at pixel so the next best thing is perseverance.

But it’s finished, I’ve done it, and my books, my babies are out in the world. All they need now is effective promotion and marketing. But that’s another story, and one I’ve failed to write.

So if you have a book that’s been rejected or if you prefer not to go down that painful channel and you’re thinking about self-publishing, I’d say, “Do it.” It needn’t cost you anything and you get to hold your masterpiece in your hand, and can rightly feel pleased with yourself. Loads of people say they’d write a book if they had time; well, you’ve done it. So go for it.

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You can find a link to Liz's books here.

www.lizhinds.online