Self-publishing is not for the timid.
While writing your own book and using platforms like Amazon to get your work out there is a wonderful alternative to mainstream publishing, let’s be clear: it’s not always easy. Today’s successful self-published authors didn’t only work hard to earn their audience, but they employed the same kind of persistence required to make it in traditional publishing as well.
The good news is that if you follow these self-publishers online, you’ll get a sense for why they’re successful—and learn how you can be, too. Here are a few notables in the world of self-publishing—as well as a sample of the fascinating real-life stories they have to tell:
Joel Friedlander
You may have trouble finding a website as useful to those blogging their books as Joel Friedlander‘s The Book Designer. Joel, a book designer and self-publisher, offers “practical advice to help build better books,” and his site is a great source of A-to-Z knowledge you’ll need for the entire process. That’s what makes his website an ideal follow for anyone who’s starting out the process cold.
You’ll find Joel’s blog archives have been split into numerous categories, which you can turn to if there’s any part of your own book publishing process that you find lagging. The categories range from Author Blogging 101 to Cover Design to Self-Publishing Basics—30 categories in all.
Joanna (J.F.) Penn
You have to admire someone capable of a nice pun like The Creative Penn, but Joanna’s insights into the world of self-publishing, writing, and the business side of creating your own books go far deeper. Coming from the perpective of someone who writes both fiction and nonficiton, her advice stretches across multiple platforms, offering a range of podcasts, blog articles, and even a list of tools:
- Penn’s podcast, the Creative Penn podcast, is a consistent voice for self-publishing and the world of marketing your own writing. In it, Penn explores both interviews and inspiration—this makes a great listen for anyone who needs to fill up the space of their morning commute.
- Her blog is worth checking out on a routine basis, as she frequently updates it with information and answers to common questions.
- Don’t forget to check out her recommended tools for writers, which range from publishing and checking your grammar to help with book marketing.
Jerry Jenkins
Readers who are new to the idea of self-publishing should check out Jenkins’ infamous “Warning: Before You Self-Publish” piece. This article takes readers through the concepts of self-publishing, what kinds of statistics they should expect to encounter, and the “predators” in self-publishing that may look to rip you off along the way. It’s a great hint at the negative side of self-publishing, which in turn provides its readers with a roadmap for navigating through these obstacles on the pathway to success.
Jerry, a New York Times bestsellering author, has become one of the most commercially successful writers of our time. It’s no wonder that his blog is filled with post after post of not-to-be-missed writing and publishing tips.
These three unique self-publishers and bloggers clearly demonstrate that not every writer or blogger needs to go the traditional publishing route to find their audience. But they’re also unique in their approach to sharing information, which is why it’s important to remember that even when blogging your own book, there rarely is one path to success.
What self-published authors do you follow online, and why? Tell me in a comment below (and include a link to their sites).
About the Author
Dan Kenitz is a freelance writer and ghostwriter from Wisconsin who helps individuals and companies build their brands through valuable content. www.empirewriter.com
Image copyrigh:Jonas Jacobsson on Unsplash
Excellent post.
One thing I have noticed about certain sites is that, even though they have tons of content, the site looks great and the headlines are eye catching is that the material is simply filler. It’s downright unreadable. You can forget it 6 seconds after you read it. Not the case with your post though, really enjoyed it reading it and it held my attention all the way through! Keep it up.