#How to self publish

[nelehjr]

How To Publish Family Histories

            I have to admit, lately I have been seriously worried I have nothing left to teach you all, my dear followers. When one of you DMs me with a question, I more often than not can point you to a blog post! Which is great! But seriously, DM me more questions. I’m running out of them. As you know, I started writing for Goshen County Library (AKA “James Bond’s Library”) in 2017– maybe 2018,…

[jasminedragonart]

genuinely wondering how some people on here haven't started their own publishing company. It's not like we don't have the skills. The amount of bookbinders, proofreaders and artists on here could rule the publishing world if they had the right motivation.

[clonerightsagenda]

I've started noticing content warnings start popping up more frequently in the front of published books, and I'm curious as to people's thoughts on that. So, poll time!

[hayatheauthor]

As a teenager who has self published in the past and is doing it rn, I've learned a lot about how to write, edit, and self publish your book on a budget.

Traditional publishing is a great option but the reality is not everyone is going to get that 'yes' they're looking for. If you've decided to opt for self publishing but are scared of the financial demand, here are some free ways you can ensure you have a polished manuscript and great cover:

(kept the read more to prevent cluttering everyone's feed because this got a little long lol)

1. Cover design

First off, remember to always ask for a book jacket not a just a cover. A book jacket includes the cover, back cover, and spine. Having a pretty cover is useless if you don't have a back cover and spine to go with it.

Simple Covers

If your book is an 'easier' genre like non-fic, thriller, etc. and you're willing to pick up a few editing skills and watch a bunch of yt vids you could make your own cover on platforms like Canva or Pixlr. I made my first book's cover like that and sure it might not be the coolest but it was still pretty good.

Complex Covers

This is probably the hardest part of self publishing on a budget, but there's an easy solution for you too! Just like there are writers who post stories etc on certain sites for free, there are also graphic designers who make covers etc for free you just need to know where to look for them.

Writing Sites: Sites like Quotev and Webnovel are known for having a large community of cover designers. That's probably the easiest free way to find a good SFF cover. In fact, I made my WIP's book jacket by myself after picking u skills from Quotev.

Goodreads & Reedsy: While all of the designers on these sites aren't free, you'll likely find at least a couple designers willing to lend you a hand.

Hire Someone: Ik what you're thinking, hiring someone is exactly what you're trying not to do. But here's the thing: you can easily find a freelance graphic designer who meets your budget by looking for designers in other countries with a lower currency. If you're a UK/US author this can be REALLY easy and you'll find someone in about 20 USD

2. Editing

Editing is another big concern that you mentioned, and more specifically, getting that final polish.

You can make your editing process easier by using these resources:

AI: I know this might seem unconventional, but AI editing, with the right prompts, can actually help a ton! Now, what you need to remember is to only use the AI as an editor, not a writer. How can you prevent yourself from mixing up the two? Just make sure to add a quick line in your prompts like 'I don't want you to completely (re)write this section but only advise me on how to improve it.' Remember, only give AI a max of 1k words to review at a time.

Free Resources: Finding a good book editor for free online is actually much easier than you would think. There are a ton of websites you can use like Goodreads where you can find experienced editors willing to lend you a hand. Sure, they might not bring you the professionalism that other, pricier editors would, but they're still worth a try. Here are some other sites:

The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) ACES: The Society for Editing BetaBooks

Most of these focus on paid services but they are honestly pretty affordable when compared to other platforms.

College Students: Second-third year uni students pursuing a degree in some form of literature look for opportunities to build their portfolio, this is where you come in. Find a college in your city/state that provides Literature-esque degrees, then go on Linkedin and look for students of that program and send them a message talking about your requirements. Be professional and mention you'll give them a letter of recommendation, certificate, and any other such perks.

Remember, someone with a Literature degree is almost as knowledgeable as a professional editor, they just lack the experience, which is what you're giving them.

Connecting With Other Writers: other self-published writers will probably be willing to lend you a hand if you ask around. The Bookstagram and Booktok communities are especially helpful in this matter.

3. Book Formatting

Once you have the perfect book jacket and manuscript, it's time to put it all together into an actual book. This might seem like a daunting task, but honestly, it's the easiest aspect of self publishing. Here are some free ways you can get it done:

DIY Formatting: You can format your book yourself using software like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or specialized formatting tools like Vellum (which offers a one-time purchase option). Many authors find templates online or use guides provided by self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or IngramSpark.

Free Formatting Tools: Some online tools offer free book formatting services, although they may have limitations or offer basic formatting options. Examples include Pressbooks, Draft2Digital's free conversion tool, and Reedsy's book formatting tool.

Templates: Utilize free or affordable book formatting templates available online. These templates are designed to meet industry standards and can save you time and effort in formatting your book.

Community Resources: Join writing communities and forums where authors share tips and resources for book formatting. You may find members willing to share their formatting templates or offer guidance on DIY formatting.

Freelancers: Consider hiring freelancers for book formatting if your budget allows it. Websites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Reedsy have freelance professionals who offer book formatting services at various price points.

Final Notes

Overall, while this might seem like a scary venture, trust me when I say if you're willing to put in the effort and do a ton of research you can self publish a beautiful, polished book that people will love to read!

If you find yourself feeling lost I'm always willing to help out as a beta reader or editor.

Marketing itself is a whole other issue, but honestly, I have a ton of advice for that too so lmk if you're interested!

I think the main reason I'm conflicted on self publishing VS trad publishing is cause most self published authors [that I see at least] act like its the dumbest stupidest idea to publish w/o paying for a professional editor & cover designer.

Which like, I get why - people judge covers hard & it's easy to miss mistakes when you're editing your work.

But I can't afford either of those things & unless I magically come into a lot of money sometime soon, it'll be 5-10+ years before I will be able to afford either, let alone both.

It just stresses me out cause they act like unless you get these things its a guaranteed flop/1-star.

And I don't wanna do trad - at least RN or for this series, but that'd be the only way I'd not have to pay for an editor or cover design :/

[dimonds456]

Gonna say something controversial.

Ford Pines is a nuanced character who is neither good nor bad. Absolving him of his crimes is actively a detriment to his character and does a disservice to the storytelling of Gravity Falls, but defining him exclusively by his mistakes without taking the time to understand him is a purposefully bad faith take that actively makes your enjoyment of the show worse.

He is neither a good or bad person, because "good" people and "bad" people aren't real. There's just people. And people fuck up sometimes.

If no one fucked up and if no one held onto those fuckups sometimes out of sheer desperation, the world of fiction would be way more boring, unengaging, and dull.

Ford Pines is a mess and I don't want him to be sanitized or demonized. I just want him to be a mess.

Thank you

[rontra]

as the holder of extremely niche isako lore it's really important to me that you know i didn't make this whole writer thing up. the p3 club book brings up that she's a writer as a hobby, specifically so that it can then say she hasn't had any particular success with it. her whole profile is so hilarious but this bit really gets me. mean to her

[berntkat]

I’m available for freelance comic print work! I’ll do all the prepress for you and your project. If you or someone you know is looking for help self publishing, send me an email with details to berntkat(at)gmail(dot)com

And to view examples of my past work visit: Berntkat.com/design

I can help with consultations on running a Kickstarter, printing with your own manufacturer, cover design and more!

[lucky-slice]

low key i think to deny Riko's trauma is to deny his narrative importance in the story.

like Riko's trauma related to his father parallels neil's. His concept of brotherhood adds complexity to Andrew and Aaron's relationship. He acts not just as an antagonist but as a foil to other character's relationship to trauma and violence.

to solely view riko through the lense of his actions is to miss the point. He is a character in a story, not a real breathing human being.

[lynxiepancakes]

really fucking weirded out by how terfs purists hc sevika as lesbian but refuse to acknowledge how the term expanded with time to welcome non-binary people, transmascs etc. "she likes pussy!!!" wait until you discover that some men have it too then 🫣🫡

[peipakao]

that post about the lack of fic in opm fandom made me remember this fuckin. essay i wrote like a year ago for a reddit comment that i then shamefully deleted cos it was so entirely irrelevant to the original post. but i saved it so. here it is. a fanthropological analysis on the state of fic in opm fandom:

One Punch Man is not a small fandom by any means, but it definitely seems that most fans are of the 'dudebro who likes to powerscale' variety, and I'm continually surprised by how small the shipping and fanfic writing side of the fandom is in comparison. Like, this is one of the most popular well known anime series in the world, I'm pretty sure even the most casual of anime fans has to have at least heard of it. But it only has 5k fics on AO3, which isn't exactly small, but considering its popularity and in comparison to other popular battle action "shounen" manga (technically OPM is seinen but no one remembers that so), it is bafflingly tiny. I've thought about it a lot, and I think it comes down to multiple related reasons, both internal to the story that limit the likelihood of a fan to write fics for it, and external, lowering the number of ppl who would want to write fics for it that become/stay fans in the first place.

Let's start with internal reasons. The cast of characters is huge, made up of mostly men (a lot of whom are young + attractive). Which seems like it should be a definite boon to M/M shipping--the backbone of a large number of fandoms! But I think there's a difference in that with so many characters, screentime/focus is really spread out across them, and I'd find it hard to really tell you who counts as a "main character". On top of that, there's not a whole lot of interaction between them, they all seem much more isolated. I think this is especially the case in the biggest arc that took 7 years to complete. Even the biggest ship/pair had a ~3 year gap in the manga where they didn't appear together at all.

But there are definitely still lots of ships with potential and interactions to fuel shipping (although I still think less than comparable media), so that's not the whole story. Which brings me to my next point about external factors. Most of those ships are not in the early parts of OPM, and you're probably gonna have to read through the manga and also the webcomic to get to them. Most people have not done this, and have probably only watched season 1 of the anime, considering that was the peak of its popularity. And those early parts are much more comedic, so I think the impression most ppl have of OPM is that it's primarily a gag anime/manga. Which is still true, but the story has definitely gotten more complex and serious. So I think a lot of people who might want to write fic for OPM probably don’t get into it because they don't expect it to have much potential in that regard.

I think the release schedule of the anime also plays a huge role, with the anime taking 4 years to come out with a (widely considered) disappointing second season, and with a third season trailer having been released after like 5 years. It’s probably not an understatement that most anime/manga fandoms are much more focused on the anime side of things, and not everyone who enjoys an anime is going to then get into the manga.

And let's not forget the manga and webcomic release schedule, with the webcomic releasing basically solely according to ONE's whims, and the manga constantly going through redraws. Which I'm not necessarily complaining about since we get all this lovely content for free! But it does pose another hurdle for new potential fans, and I imagine there are quite a few who simply didn't want to put in that commitment over time, or honestly just got confused about what was going on.

OPM as a whole has lost a lot of relevance, it seems not many people are getting into it right now and many fans who did write fic for it at the peak of its popularity have probably left the fandom in search of greener pastures.

This is all just speculation though. I wasn't actually in the fandom when it was popular, only got into it a few years ago, so my theories on its decline aren't super backed up. I hope it gets popular again, having said all that I think there's so much fandom potential that isn't being tapped into. Like others have said, a lot of fandom/fic is based on filling in gaps and aspects that weren't explored, and there's plenty to explore in OPM.

[howdoyousleep3]

where do you read original work that isn’t published through kindle? a website? wattpad? patreon?

[misterghostfrog]

Alright I haven't been on here for a while but I'm a man on a mission. A week ago my sibling published their first poetry anthology! They've been working on the collection for years through a lot of different parts of their life and it covers a lot of their experiences as someone raised as a woman with a lot of neurodivergence and disability. And they've begun trying to do marketing work and so far it's going...

Very poorly

They've only gotten traction on tiktok... because a group of people started sharing the video around making fun of their voice (they have a speech impediment) and are mostly just getting harassed and made fun of for their disability. And since I'm not allowed to hunt people for sport I'm taking their book to the spite and gay people website in hopes of helping them find an audience

In their words

Little Girl is a book of poetry encompassing my personal journey from childhood to adulthood. The works speak on larger social issues, as well as a troubled home life, and the effects of being an adult diagnosed with neurodivergence. Melancholy and hopeful. Truthful, but never cynical.

The book itself has several years worth of work and has a cheerful rhythm reminiscent of Shel Silverstein to contrast the more serious topics. Such as child abuse, sexism, and disability. Its a long-term labor of love, and I hope it'll find the right folks on here

Only ten

Clean hair, nice clothes,

‘What will your father think of those?’

From the tender age of ten.

Taught how to dress for men.

The line between pretty and a whore.

‘Oh you cannot go out that door’  

While the boys grew out of their clothes.

Girls turned into short skirt shows. 

[artisticdivasworld]

Zines: A Creative Outlet for Everyone

Have you ever felt that itch to create something that’s entirely your own, something that captures your thoughts, passions, and creativity? If so, you’re going to love the world of zines. These little self-published gems are the perfect way to express yourself without any of the usual constraints.  So, what exactly are zines? Well, the name is short for magazines or fanzines, but they’re a whole…

[tychodorian]

Hey writers! 📚✨ Welcome back to Manuscript Monday, where I answer your burning questions about writing and self-publishing. Today’s question is one we’ve all faced: ‘Do you have any advice on writer’s block?’

Absolutely! Here are my personal tips to break through that block:

Set a Writing Schedule: Consistency is key. Even if it’s just 10 minutes a day, setting aside dedicated time can help you push through those tough spots.

Write with Friends (Body Double): Writing with someone else can boost your motivation. It’s like having a workout buddy—except you’re flexing your creative muscles!

Listen to Your Characters: If you’re stuck, focus on your characters. Ask yourself, ‘What would my characters do in this situation?’ Character-driven stories often work best, so let your characters guide the plot.

Character Generata/Questionnaires: These tools can help flesh out your characters and give you new insights, which might just be the key to pushing through writer’s block.

So, if you’re feeling stuck, give these tips a try and see if they help you find your flow again!

Happy writing, and remember—your story is worth telling! ✨📝

[genius-content0]

Your Words Deserve to Be Read and Paid For.

If you write, people should read and appreciate your work, but what if you could also be rewarded for it?

Would you like a free consultation to explore the best way to monetize your writing?