Presentation by Sarah Nicolas of sarahnicolas.com at #FLBlogcon 2019.

1. By author Aria Kane
aka Sarah Nicolas
The Basics of Self-Publishing

2. What We Will Cover
 Each step in the process so that you can decide if self-
publishing is the path for you.
 Resources you can use to learn more details about each step
in the process.
 How to avoid scams and unqualified service providers

3. About Me
 Sarah Nicolas:YA, traditionally published
 Aria Kane: Romance, hybrid
 Publishing Industry Experience
 FormerAuthor'sAssistant & Freelance Publicist
 Managing Director of PitchWars
 Book Riot Contributor
 Library Event Planner

4. What We Will Cover
 CoverArt
 Editing
 Formatting
 Copyright
 ISBN
 Ebook Distribution
 Print Books
 Marketing

5. Why should you self-publish
 Control over the process
 Genre
 Romance
 Sci-fi
 Nonfiction
 Thriller/Mystery
 Higher royalty per book
 Prolific

6. Why should you not self-publish?
 Not a business-minded person
 Time
 Genre
 Literary fiction
 Children’s
 Risk
 Distribution

7. Cover Design
 Consider:
 Thumbnail
 Size
 Pre-mades vs custom
 Stock photography vs original art
 Do not slack on cover design – it is your#1 marketing tool!

8. Editing
 Developmental Editing
 Line Edits
 Copy Edits
 Finding an impartial editor is the key to your book’s success
 How to find an editor:
 Find out who edited self-published books you liked
 Ask authors for recommendations – they are always willing to
recommend people they love working with
 Search websites like bibliocrunch, not craigslist
 Always get references, samples, and possibly a sample edit

9. Ebook Formatting
 You will need .mobi for Amazon and .epub for everywhere
else.
 pdf is great for reviews.
 Best: hand-code in html, then convert
 Conversion programs like Sigil & Calibre
 Smashwords “meatgrinder”
 Always include active links to your other books
 DIY or hire someone?

10. Print Book
 POD vs Print Run
 POD Companies
 Kindle Direct
 IngramSpark
 Lulu
 Printers
 Always get a proof before ordering/publishing
 Distribution

11. Print Formatting
 Can be done in MicrosoftWord,Adobe inDesign, many other
programs.
 Pick your printer/POD service first, then make the
document according to their specifications.

12. Copyright
 To register or not to register?
 Notice of copyright: ©2015,Aria Kane, all rights reserved

13. ISBN
 An ISBN is required when you want your books to be sold in
bookstores.
 Some review sites/publications also require one
 Some self-publishing companies will provide one for you
 Each format has its own ISBN (.epub, paperback, hardcover)
 Buy your own: $125 for one, $295 for 10, $575 for 100,
$1500 for 1000

14. Ebook Distribution
 Distributors
 Smashwords (percentage)
 IngramSpark (fee)
 BookBaby (fee)
 Lulu (percentage)
 Direct to Retailers
 Kindle Direct Publishing (also print)
 KDP Select
 Barnes & Noble Press (also print)
 Kobo’sWriting Life

15. Marketing
 Have a marketing plan in place before your book is published
 BlogTours
 Traditional media interviews
 Social Media
 Paid advertisements
 Facebook,Twitter, Goodreads, Google, Blogs, Mailing Lists
 Reviews

16. Assisted Self-Publishing
 Individual contractors who perform or coordinate the entire
process for you.
 These are usually people who have been author assistants or
publishing professionals for a while and have picked up many
of the skills required to self-publish.
 Some literary agents offer this service to their current clients
(i.e. you will not be signed on for an assisted self-publishing
project)

17. Vanity Presses
 Vanity presses market themselves as traditional or subsidy
publishers, but charge high fees and do very little or no
marketing/distribution for you.
 Not selective – pay to play
 Turn-key solutions will often cost more than hiring the
individual contractors
 Do your research, proceed with caution

18. Avoiding Scams & Unqualified
 READTHE CONTRACT
 How are royaltyies calculated?
 What are the fees?
 Deadlines
 Avoid transfer of rights
 Exclusivity
 Do you control the price?
 Get references, ask in-depth questions
 Check qualifications, experience

19. Advice from the pros

20. Advice from the pros

21. Advice from the pros