Self Publishing, help and advice

I know you asked for help with the best way to publish it and promote it, but before I dive into that I'd like to ask what you've done with your baby since you finished the draft?

You see, I've seen too many people finish their first draft and say now what? Too many not put the time into making sure that novel has the best possible chance when it does go to market. When you decide to publish something as an indie author you have to make sure you give yourself the best possible outcome you can when you hit that publish button.

What I'm getting at is, publishing is a process. If this is your first draft or even sixth of this piece and you haven't had a peer reviewer look at it, start there. You need to make sure you have eyes on it looking for continuity errors, grammar errors, and a lot more. If you aren't sure how to start this process, start by taking a chapter to a writers group. If you've already done this, great! Then it's time to get the manuscript before a professional editor. I know this seems like a lot of overkill, but in indie publishing, you can really tell the difference between people who want to be professional writers and ones who've written something and just thrown it up on Amazon. Don't be the latter.

Also, most pro editors charge by the word, or by page. But I can't stress how important editing your baby is. During this time approach it with a thick skin. It's your baby, but remember the goal is to put the best version of it into the world that you can.

While you're working on the editing, it's time to gear up for promotion. I've been told promoting a book should start months before your release date. Especially if you don't have an author's platform. If you're looking for more info on that I have several blog posts up about my writing journey, editing, and even building confidence in your writing as well as building a platform.

Make a business plan. This will help you outline your publishing goals, and marketing goals, as well as outline expenses for your publishing. Yes anyone can write a book, but if you want to put it out there and really have it read, it's time to step up and think about how much your willing to put into this process. Indie publishing takes time, resources, and patience. Most Indie authors don't make it rich quick.

Your book will also need to be formatted for distribution. If you plan on offering printed versions of your book the formatting is different than for an electronic version. You'll also need to get ISBN's if you plan on cross-selling to multiple places.

Once you have your book as polished as it can be, then you pick a release date and your cover art. Cover art can be something you've made yourself, but I'd recommend getting someone to do it for you. It all goes back to putting the best book out you can. If you have a graphic design background sure, go for it.

Throughout this whole process, it's important to build your author platform. These are the people you'll be marketing yourself, and your book to. Make no mistake, marketing or promoting a book is also doing the same for yourself.

I could go on and on and get more in-depth on the topic, but the point is I wanted you to really know what you're getting yourself into. You need to be honest with yourself and your book about where it's really at in this process. It may be ready, it may not. If it hasn't been picked apart or read by anyone, it's not ready and neither are you.