How to Become a Published Author

There probably has never been a better time to become a published author. Just 15 years ago, your best chance of getting published meant submitting to traditional publishers and keeping your fingers crossed while you wait months for them to respond with whether they’re interested.

Nowadays, there’s another option: self-publishing. Instead of waiting around for gatekeepers to approve your story, you can take control of your writing career and publish the book of your heart yourself.

But before you plot your story or write your first sentence, there are basic questions that you must answer as an aspiring author. We’ll explore these questions so that you’re prepared before you dive into publishing.

Self-Publishing or Traditional Publishing?

The first decision you must make is whether you want to start with self-publishing or go the traditional route. Authors who do both are called hybrid authors, but you have to start somewhere, and the following should help you evaluate which path you want to go down first.

Publish Traditionally

Traditional publishing means the possibility of reaching a wider audience through greater distribution, such as having your novel in bookstores and libraries. There are no upfront costs, and many traditional publishers offer an advance against future royalties.

Publish on Your Own

Self-publishing means more creative control because you make all the final decisions. Your book will be published much faster, instead of having to wait a year or two in the traditional queue. Royalties are higher, and you retain all rights to your work, which means you can explore film, audiobook, and foreign language opportunities.

Read more: 6 Ways You Can Benefit from Self-Publishing.

Who Are You Writing For?

Trying to write for everyone is a recipe for disaster. Before you start, you should decide who you’re writing for, and you do this by defining your audience. For example, will your readers be male or female? What age range do they fall into – middle grade, 20s, 40s, 60s? Understanding who your audience is will help you determine the plot, themes, and language to use in your stories.

What Genre Will You Write In?

Understanding the genre you plan to write in is crucial to success. Genre determines the type of story that you’ll tell and establishes expectations for your readers.

If you write romance like I do, you know that readers want a story that ends happily with the main couple together, no matter what conflicts arise during the story. If you plan to write thrillers, know that readers expect fast-paced stories, high stakes, and a satisfying ending where the good guy wins and the catastrophe is averted.

Can You Afford to Publish Your Book?

The financial investment of self-publishing cannot be denied. Publishing your book on your own can be expensive, which is why you should plan ahead, to ensure it looks professional and your launch is successful.

Traditional publishers cover the expenses of editing, cover design, and formatting and therefore take a larger cut of the revenue while giving you a smaller split. That’s fair, since they’re assuming the risks.

However, when self-publishing, you’re responsible for those costs. As a result, you’ll receive the majority of the revenue, typically 70 percent of ebook sales from the online retailers.

Here’s how your costs break down, based on a 50,000-word book.

First, Professional Editing Is a Must

Even if you’re an engaging storyteller, a good editor will polish your manuscript and ensure there are as few errors as possible. There are several types of editing. A developmental editor looks at the structure of your story, a line editor checks grammar, typos, and word choice, and proofreaders check for typos and grammar. You might not need all three, but it’s important to know what each offers to determine which editor(s) you should hire. Cost: $250-$1250.

Second, Make Sure You Have a Knock-Out Cover

The cover design should be visually appealing and align with the genre you’re writing in. If you’re good at design, this is an area where you can save some money. If not, hire a professional who’ll create a cover that captures potential buyers’ attention.

Contrary to popular belief, readers do judge a book by its cover. An unattractive exterior means getting skipped for the next book. Further, if the cover doesn’t match the genre, that will also cause it to be overlooked. Cost: $100-$500. (Note: Illustrated covers can cost significantly more.)

Third, Set Your Budget for Marketing and Promotions

Unless you’re a big name, traditional publishers typically don’t have a marketing budget for your book.

Of course, as a self-published author, you’re responsible for your own marketing and promotion. That could mean paid ads, virtual book tours, in-person tours, setting up your author website, and establishing a presence on social media. Cost: varies.

Finally, Plan to Format Your Book

You have to convert your Word or Google Docs document into an epub file that can be read by e-readers such as the Kindle and Nook. Print books files need to be converted to PDF.

There are contractors who will format your manuscript for you, but if you’re planning to publish multiple books, my advice is to invest in converting software. You can use a free program like Calibre, but software such as Vellum and Atticus pay for themselves after you’ve formatted two or three books, and their robust features make them quickly indispensable. Cost: $0-$250.

Conclusion

Becoming a published author does not have to be daunting. Through careful planning, it can be enjoyable – a way to generate additional income or fulfill your dream of writing the book of your heart.

Read more: How to Write a Compelling Story Readers Can’t Put Down.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What’s your experience with book publishing? Have you tried a traditional publisher? Have you gone the self-publishing route?