This article will share how to get a book published despite the self publishing misconceptions that are circulating. By knowing these two self publishing hurdles you may face, you’ll avoid being lumped into any self publishing stereotypes.

 

Self Publishing Hurdle #1

 

From a consumer perspective, the one complaint I hear consistently is book editing. I’ve heard it from book reviewers and from readers alike and quite frankly it is an issue in the self publishing community.

 

Book editing in my opinion is the most important part of the self publishing process, aside from writing a good book.

 

Choosing a book editor can make or break a reader’s perception of your book, so money should definitely be allotted for editing. I believe there is value in paying an editor to look over your manuscript as most of us aren’t trained for such a task. Once you’ve looked at your manuscript for hours on end, you definitely need an outside person to find gaps in your story and provide an unbiased opinion.

 

For my novel The Buzz, I had my book edited twice by a professional editor and I still had a few errors once it went to print. While perfection is favored, it’s likely you won’t get it for your first print run. So once you’ve received your proof copy, have your yellow marker on hand to catch any errors in the printed copy.

 

Choosing a book editor can be difficult but its a hurdle that can be overcome. It took me quite some time to find a good editor but believe me a good book editor will save you time and money!

 

Also, be aware that editing can be expensive but as with most things, you get what you pay for. Book editing should be taken seriously because reviewers include comments about poor editing in their reviews. Not only will this reflect poorly on the author but it can also hinder sales.

To be fair, major publishing houses deal with editing issues as well, however a self published author will be scrutinized more. I ran across this tweet from someone on Twitter:

 

 

I’m struck by the lack of quality control in contemporary book editing. Aren’t bestsellers proofread?

 

Self Publishing Hurdle #2

 

Book distribution can also be difficult when self publishing as some consumers still prefer purchasing from brick and mortar stores. When your book is not available in bigger chain bookstores you’re missing a large segment of readers. An online retailer like Amazon is great for capturing an online audience, however your book should at least be able to be ordered and returnable at local bookstores (especially if you plan on doing book signings).

 

So when you’re choosing your printer, their ability to make your book available to online retailers and stores is a plus. And if they aren’t able to do so, you will need distribution. Baker & Taylor is one of the largest distributors.

 

Self publishing is definitely not for everyone. It requires a certain level of dedication that not everyone is willing to devote. So for those not willing to invest countless hours on marketing, publicity, book editing, graphic design, typesetting, distribution and the like, then traditional publishing may be a better route to go.

 

However, it isn’t an impossible task either. With the proper team in place (book editor, graphic designer, printer, etc.), you can successfully publish your book and it will look as professional as any other book that sits on the shelf.

 

NEXT: Self Publishing Costs – How To Plan A Budget For Your Book