COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY INDIE AUTHORS
When self-publishing you will have to face errors and mistakes from time to time, this will at first always seem bad and you’ll kick yourself for missing an opportunity or making a poor decision, but it is from these mistakes that you can learn (failure is only failure when we learn nothing from it).
So here are some of the most common mistakes indie authors can run into and what to do to ensure you avoid them in the first place.
Not having a plan –
This covers not only the plot of your book (and all of those deeper details) but also a plan for yourself as to how you’re going to make the book come into existence. The book will need to be plotted out with a clear idea as to the characters, location, genre, time, relationships, dynamic and structure. You will also need to have established how, when and where you’re actually going to be able to write it, have you set aside a time each day to write, do you know how many words per day will be your target and have you a place which is free from distractions to write in? Before you put pen to paper, design a plan to cover these elements and when you start to write you’ll do so with a clear picture.
So here are some of the most common mistakes indie authors can run into and what to do to ensure you avoid them in the first place.
Not having a plan –
This covers not only the plot of your book (and all of those deeper details) but also a plan for yourself as to how you’re going to make the book come into existence. The book will need to be plotted out with a clear idea as to the characters, location, genre, time, relationships, dynamic and structure. You will also need to have established how, when and where you’re actually going to be able to write it, have you set aside a time each day to write, do you know how many words per day will be your target and have you a place which is free from distractions to write in? Before you put pen to paper, design a plan to cover these elements and when you start to write you’ll do so with a clear picture.
Not proofing or editing your book –
With the vast numbers of books which are launched each year it pays to ensure that your work has been properly and professionally edited. A professional editing service will be able to ensure there are no errors and most importantly suggest ways in which the book can be improved. A book which has undergone this process will stand a better chance with publishers and also your readership.
DIY or badly made book covers -
If you take a look at the bottom few pages of any online book store you will find that they are littered with books displaying bad covers. The book cover is your advertising and way of making an impact upon the potential reader, get it wrong and people will just skip past your book and on to the next. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a book cover design but it is worth considering getting a professional to do the job for you.
Have a budget –
Being aware of the services you may need and plan for them from the beginning, an editing service, book cover design, website , additional advertising and so on. With a little research you can plan how much you will be able to spend and ensure then you get value for your money. With a book launch you will want to consider printing copies of your book to give away or sell, but how many of them will you need, too little and you’ll run out too many and you waste money? Again, planning your budget from the beginning and keeping a close eye on it will help to control how much you invest in the project.
Looking no further than book one –
Have a plan for the future, it is easier to make it as an author with several good titles behind you than simply relying upon one book alone. Whilst you are promoting one book you should be focusing upon the next, you’ll also find that with the experience gained in completing your first book you’ll go into the next like a pro.
Advertising –
You can get carried away with advertising as there are many services who will convince you that they are the only ones who will be able to ensure the success of your book, be careful, some advertisers (not all) will tell you what you want to hear to ensure you spend with them – do your research before committing. Having a website and social network feeds will help and you’ll not have to pay for some of them to set up, but do consider a paid-for-website option, if you portray a cheap looking and badly designed website (either as an author or specifically for your book) that’s the impression you’ll give of the quality of your book, again it needs to look professional to work for you.
Have a plan for the future, it is easier to make it as an author with several good titles behind you than simply relying upon one book alone. Whilst you are promoting one book you should be focusing upon the next, you’ll also find that with the experience gained in completing your first book you’ll go into the next like a pro.
Advertising –
You can get carried away with advertising as there are many services who will convince you that they are the only ones who will be able to ensure the success of your book, be careful, some advertisers (not all) will tell you what you want to hear to ensure you spend with them – do your research before committing. Having a website and social network feeds will help and you’ll not have to pay for some of them to set up, but do consider a paid-for-website option, if you portray a cheap looking and badly designed website (either as an author or specifically for your book) that’s the impression you’ll give of the quality of your book, again it needs to look professional to work for you.
