I’m getting close to finishing the first draft of my book, and I’ve been researching self-publishing options because I want to have full control. But the more I read, the more overwhelmed I feel. It seems like there are so many little things—ISBNs, formatting, pricing, keywords—and I’m scared I’ll mess something up. I just want to do it right.
If you’ve been through it already, what’s something you really wish someone had told you before you self-published? Something that would’ve saved you a lot of stress or frustration?
That it’s not just about the book—it’s about the business of the book.
When I first self-published, I thought writing the manuscript was the hard part. Turns out, that was just the beginning. I wish someone had told me to start thinking like a small publisher from day one.
Here’s what caught me off guard:
- Metadata matters. Your title, subtitle, keywords, and description are how readers find you. I didn’t even know what “metadata” was at first.
- Launches need lead time. I assumed I could upload my book, hit publish, and boom—sales. Instead, I learned that building interest beforehand (via newsletters, ARC readers, social content) makes all the difference.
- Reviews don’t magically appear. I waited for reviews to “roll in”… they didn’t. I had to ask—professionally, respectfully, and consistently.
Lessons learned:
- Set up your email list before launch, even if it’s small.
- Have a cover that matches your genre—no matter how much you love the “artsy” one.
- Don’t just celebrate publishing—celebrate every learning curve you conquer.
Publishing is exciting, but it’s also humbling. Knowing that ahead of time would’ve saved me a lot of frustration—and helped me feel more proud of what I accomplished.