Jun
9th
2019
Looking for Self-Publishing Help · 4:10am Jun 9th, 2019
Hey folks,
So I'm finally getting ready to start publishing my completed manuscript for my proper original fiction book, but there's a problem: I'm super poor.
With that in mind, I'm reaching out to anyone who still pays attention to this blog. If you or anyone you know has experience in the following categories on a professional level and would like to help me out, please drop me a line in DMs:
- Editing
- Proofreading
- Cover design
- Marketing new books
I already know someone who can do formatting and layout, so that's covered, but if you or anyone you know is a professional at any of the above, please let me know!
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Ether Echoes · 318 views
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Lordy, lordy, lordy.
As an unpublished author, I don't have much first-hand experience. However, Sarah Hoyt does. Check out her blogging at According To Hoyt and try searching the site for 'Publishing' for starters. (It's a box right there on her website, and has some of the best blog posts I've seen on the subject.)
Also Brandon Sanderson has one of his 318R lectures on the subject. Hit Youtube and seach for 'Brandon Sanderson 318R'
I don't have experience myself, but I know that bookplayer published a novel in 2016 entitled Pierside.
can I be the proof reader??
I work at a book printing company. I'll ask around on Monday to see what I can dig up.
I suppose sending the manuscript around to different publishers would be a place to start. Finding an agent to represent you would help with that.
5071648
Again your post here isn't very reassuring.
5071657
ok, i was just tossing my hat in the ring....
5071656
Wouldn't an agent preclude self-publishing? The print publishers usually want first-publish rights after all.
The cheapest way to get professional looking covers for very cheap is to go for a pre-made. Here are a few sites:
Book Cover Zone
Rocking Book Covers
Book Cover Designer
5071677
Industry secret: If you sell more than 5000 copies of a self-published book, you will very likely get an offer from a traditional publisher.
5072267
Awesome, thanks
Just gonna drop a link to the ebook discord server I'm in, has a bunch of helpful people and channels dedicated to editing and typesetting. A lot of the people in the brony community who have done limited runs are in there, though the fact that so many bronies are in it is kind of a happy accident, but you'll probably find great advice on pretty professional typesetting. From what I've heard Amazon has a print-on-demand service as well as ebook sales, though I know nothing of the revenue split or their licensing terms (watch out for shady stuff that says they own your work forever or something). As a book lover I'm sure it can turn out amazing, good luck!
A small note on my limited experience with covers: Don't underestimate simple things, books such as the original Twilight probably would not have become bestsellers if not for that striking minimalist cover. I might not like the book at all, but I can't deny how eye-catching the cover is.