Common Self-Publishing Mistakes (and how to avoid them!)

[@ilolatmyself12]

I edit self-published books, and I can safely say, NEVER SKIP THE PROFESSIONAL EDIT. You think you’re the exception to the rule? You’re not. Don’t risk it. I guarantee that no editor has ever received a manuscript and said, “Yup, this is perfect as it is, and I have zero suggestions.” Even the best books I’ve edited still needed considerable work. It’s just the nature of the process. Also, I think another misconception is thinking that you have to try to traditionally publish or self-publish your book at all. Just because you’ve achieved your goal of finishing a manuscript doesn’t mean that you need to share it with the world. It’s ok to treat it simply as improving your craft without sticking it on Amazon afterwards. I’ve seen a lot of people self-publish their first ever manuscripts, which is a brave choice, but then some of them go back and rewrite it years later because they now realise it wasn’t necessarily the best representation of their true ability. It’s ok to take the extra time to make sure you’re truly happy with it.

[@dizzydancin]

Love your videos!! Reedsy rocks

[@ziridafranchi]

Well articulated points.

[@lauralai9694]

Thank you for pointing the mistakes to avoid when self-publishing. You're right about the full freedom and control the writer has over the entire process. You're also right about self-publishing being a complex field. Personally, I'm writing and still learning about this process. Although, I still need to look into the metadata, the pre-order process and other marketing useful skills (that are different from writing), with the right advice and coaching, I'm starting to see the forest from the trees. Let's hope for the best. My very best wishes to everybody! :-)

[@dr.padmas-pearlsofwisdom1476]

hi there ! i recently published a book called A simple guide for mental wellbeing as a psychiatrist and I did not specifically focus just on corona related stress,

[@tariqsaeed2056]

Shaylene,Thank u v much for the colossal guidelines.

[@mikerand1980]

If you're self-publishing you may not have all the money in the world for all of this. This video is assuming the self-publisher can spend all types of money on editing, proofing, art, marketing, and so forth. I wish there was a video about how to do all this as economically as possible.

[@aaronjanusch6090]

I know how you feel! I'm fortunate enough to have a cousin that IS an editor. Art, for me, is the real bitch. I saved for months to afford it.

[@juliakirst]

I agree - Reedsy rocks! :) Couldn't do it with you guys.

[@prasenjitmitra-p2n]

Hey, Sheyly. Your suggestion is undeniably perfect . 💖🇮🇳

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Very interesting video, thanks.

[@terrypatterson1481]

Great advice- thank you Shaylene.

[@glorialist7196]

i would of liked to have a better understanding of KDP and the do's and don't.

[@antoniodossantos5960]

I can't afford to pay the Editing...l have to do it myself

[@vladleiva4055]

I know editing is essential but I don't have $4000 to spend on editing which is basically what every editor has quoted me. I can afford an editor only to search for grammatical mistakes and syntaxis coherence but other than that, I can't afford to pay for content editing or proofreading sadly. They are extremely expensive.

[@artwithjam3304]

I don't have any money to spend on this book. I'm kinda hoping that doing an absurd amount of research on all the different kinds of editing jobs (didn't even know there was more than one before this video lol) and editing it myself. Than asking my family members and friends who know a lot about books to help me with editing will be enough.

[@ulkeshkosh6164]

$4000 sounds very expensive. If the book is perhaps a million words then yeah I'd understand, otherwise I think that's way too much. Reedsy and ALLi have validated editor lists as far as I'm aware. You could also try Fiver or Upwork. Although be cautious and check reviews etc. Always ask for a sample edit to see what their skills are like.

[@sarahherbison5419]

@@artwithjam3304 check Author Level Up. If you can only afford one edit, go with a copy edit. The rest will fall into place as you sell more books.

[@artwithjam3304]

@@sarahherbison5419 I can afford one edit assuming one edit costs $20 or less. That's literally all the money I have I'm a kid with no allowance.

[@LGTV1626-i2m]

@@artwithjam3304 How old are you?

[@jdmoncada8205]

Watching this with hopes that it's not going to skewer me, but I think I'm guilty of a long book and a high-priced book.

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Very good tips...The venezuelan Immigrant writer 🌎

[@brycesonflowers8758]

Amen

[@billyalarie929]

Ugh fr*cc

[@ljwolf.jamie.8716]

Hi

[@artwithjam3304]

But what if you're really good at art and you have a bunch of different book cover ideas in your head and are really good at getting an extreme amount of people to vote on something you've made in a shockingly short amount of time? So you're able to find out quickly which cover is the most atantion grabbing?

[@rionislander9878]

girl Fredrick Knudsen

[@billyalarie929]

First!

[@dr.r.gopalan9077]

Useful information; however , irritatingly spoken fast.

[@acmccants_songwriter]

You can adjust the playback speed by clicking the three dots in the top left-hand corner. It will give you a drop down menu with that option

[@blackwolfskywalker]

Your haircut is a MISTAKE