Thinking of self-publishing? That's valid.
Self-publishing gets a bad reputation for being poorly written, but really, it's a valid form of publishing.
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For whatever reason you're pursuing it for, if you've decided on it, I'd like to help. I've self-published many books and have some tips below.
Self-Pub Tips
The manuscript: Before hitting publish, make sure your work is polished. If you can't afford an editor, then get friends or other writers to read it and give their honest opinion. You'll need a blurb for the back and an author bio.
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Services: Amazon is a great tool for self-publishing. I find it easy to use. Some authors also use Ingram Spark. Draft2Digital is great for making you a professional looking manuscript.
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Cover Design: Amazon also offers a free cover design tool. Websites like Canva can help you make a cover for FREE. (I use Canva A LOT. I made my book covers there and I design all my info graphics for social media on it too.) If you want a professional and custom book cover, be prepared to pay a few hundred dollars. They aren't cheap. I haven't gone this route, but my best advice: ask for sample artwork and don't get scammed. Reedsy and Fiverr are good places to look.
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Marketing: This is tough. All the marketing falls on you if you go the indie route, and if you don't have money to promote your work like through Amazon or BookBub, it means you'll have to rely on social media. Twitter/X, Instagram, and TikTok are the best places to start. Be friendly, respectful, and support other authors as well.
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Additional: When listing your book, ensure you use the key words properly. So if you've written an adult mystery, use those hashtags to garner attention.
You can do this!