Self-Publishing Resources

(Note: This was originally posted on June 27, 2022 on my old blog, JessLynBabblin.')

Howdy! Given the snail's pace of traditional publishing, more authors are choosing to self publish, including previously traditionally published authors. As the major publishing houses continue to consolidate, so too does the range of fiction being acquired, narrow. That's not to say traditional publishing isn't a worthy goal. Just, it might not be practical for everyone. If you write three books a year, but the contract with your publisher dictates you only publish through them and only once a year, then that's income lost.

However, self publishing is a business. Running a business effectively does not come without cost. Before investing in one's business, it's best to be well informed and to have a plan. Below are resources authors planning to self publish, might benefit from utilizing.

Websites/Articles:

• How to Start a Publishing Company: 7-Step Beginner’s Guide: Free https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-start-a-publishing-company#quiz-0

• Self Publishing Checklist: Step by step guide on how to self publish a book and get sales: Free https://selfpublishingchecklist.com/

• Download the World's Most Essential Self-Publishing Checklist: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/self-publishing-checklist/

• How to Self-Publish a Book in 2022: A Guide for Savvy Authors: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/how-to-self-publish-a-book/

• Indie Publishing: How to Get Started With Indie Publishing: Free https://www.masterclass.com/articles/indie-publishing#quiz-0

• The Ultimate Guide to Publish your Book: Free https://www.zorbabooks.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-publish-your-book/

• What kinds of editing can you get? And what do you actually need?: Free https://www.nefhousepublishing.com/news/what-kinds-of-editing-can-you-get-and-what-do-you-actually-need

• The most common editing errors: Free https://www.nefhousepublishing.com/news/the-most-common-editing-errors

• Sensitivity Readers: Who Are They and Should Authors Use Them?: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/sensitivity-readers/

• What are Beta Readers — and How to Find Them: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/beta-readers/

• HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE BLURB: Free http://www.stuartthamanbooks.com/blog/2015/9/10/how-to-write-an-effective-blurb

• BLURB FORMATTING AND ORGANIZATION: Free http://www.stuartthamanbooks.com/blog/2018/9/3/blurb-formatting-and-organization

• Why it’s essential for authors to own your ISBNs: Free https://selfpubbootcamp.com/why-its-essential-to-buy-your-own-isbns/

• Marketing Principles: Part 1- The Fundamentals: Free https://www.chrisfoxwrites.com/for-writers/marketing-principles-part-1-the-fundamentals/

• Marketing Principles: Part 2- Passive Marketing: Free https://www.chrisfoxwrites.com/for-writers/marketing-principles-part-2-passive-marketing/

• Marketing Principles: Part 3- Paid Advertising: Free https://www.chrisfoxwrites.com/for-writers/marketing-principles-part-3-paid-advertising/

• 70+ Book Marketing Ideas to Rocket-Boost Your Sales: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/book-marketing-ideas/

• How to Promote Your Book: 8 Budget-Friendly Steps to Boost Sales: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-promote-your-book/

• How to Set up and Grow Your Author Mailing List: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/learning/courses/marketing/author-mailing-list/

• What Is a Media Kit? How to Make a Media Kit: Free https://www.masterclass.com/articles/media-kit#quiz-0

• Tips for Writers Networking in Person or Virtually: Free https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writers-networking#quiz-0

• Social Media for Authors: Free http://www.stuartthamanbooks.com/blog/2016/2/9/social-media-for-authors

• Social Media for Writers: The Complete Guide: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/social-media-for-writers/

• How to Write a Press Release: 5 Types of Press Releases: Free https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-press-release#quiz-0

• 3 Book Launch Event Benefits: How to Plan a Book Release: Free https://www.masterclass.com/articles/book-launch#quiz-0

• LAUNCHING BOOKS THE EASY WAY: Free http://www.stuartthamanbooks.com/blog/2015/8/3/launching-books-the-easy-way

• Creating an Effective and Timely Book Publicity Plan: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/book-publicity-plan/

• Want to master your Amazon ads?: Free http://www.stuartthamanbooks.com/blog/2018/1/11/understanding-ams-ads

• BUILDING THE BEST AD STACK: Free http://www.stuartthamanbooks.com/blog/2018/7/7/building-the-best-ad-stack

• How to Publish a Children’s Book: A Guide for New Authors: Free https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-publish-a-childrens-book#publishing-pathways

• Author Websites: How to Make Your Author Website Stand Out: Free https://www.masterclass.com/articles/author-websites-explained#quiz-0

• How to sell more books: part 1: Free http://www.stuartthamanbooks.com/blog/2015/2/23/marketing-marketing-marketing

• How to sell more books: part 2: Free http://www.stuartthamanbooks.com/blog/2015/6/2/so-you-booked-your-first-live-event-now-what

• How to Get Reviews for Your Novel: One Author’s Experiment: Free https://danielpswenson.wordpress.com/2016/09/16/how-to-get-reviews-for-your-novel-one-authors-experiment/

Informative Social Media Posts:

• Very detailed list of Self Publishing Resources: https://www.reddit.com/r/selfpublish/wiki/index

• Self Published Redditors list their process: https://www.reddit.com/r/selfpublish/comments/51md40/meta_whats_your_book_production_process_getting/

• Top Comment lists an effective self publishing process: https://www.reddit.com/r/selfpublish/comments/6ryt7w/publishing_my_first_book_need_advice_plz/

• Detailed self publishing process that has proven effective and profitable: https://www.reddit.com/r/selfpublish/comments/1400v5/my_first_year_of_selfpublishing/

• Detailed breakdown of one self published author's effective & profitable process: https://www.reddit.com/r/selfpublish/comments/k5aubk/my_selfpublishing_journey_how_i_sold_my_first/

• Do's & Don't list based off experience: https://www.reddit.com/r/selfpublish/comments/8rbxho/24_things_i_learned_publishing_3_books_in_only_6/

Web Courses:

• Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/learning/courses/editing/novel-revision-practical-tips-rewrites/

• How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript Like a Pro: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/learning/courses/editing/self-edit-like-a-pro/

• Facebook Ads for Authors: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/learning/courses/marketing/facebook-ads-authors/

• Amazon Ads for Authors: Free https://blog.reedsy.com/amazon-ads-for-authors-case-studies/

Video Lectures:

• How to Find a Quality Editor: Free https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVypLv13BJ4

• A VIDEO ON EBOOK MARKETING. LEARN YOUR BASICS: Free http://www.stuartthamanbooks.com/blog/2017/8/4/a-video-on-ebook-marketing-learn-your-basics

• How To Market Your Book: Free https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n8yxdFfIkU

• How to Make Social Media Ads: Free https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3iQuieYuw0

Books:

• Indie and Small Press Book Marketing Cheatsheet: Free Downloadable Ebook http://www.williamhertling.com/2012/12/indie-and-small-press-book-marketing-cheatsheet/

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you found this useful! Toodles!