Editing and Publishing Tips From Indie Authors

Writing a book is something that anyone can sit down and do and come out with a finished product. But as many ways as there are to write a book, there are an equal number of ways to edit and publish a book. This is especially true when taking the self-publishing route.

The best people to ask are those who have already done it. So, in my years of interviewing indie authors, I’ve liked to ask how they’ve done it. In Part 2 of my indie author advice series, I share quotes from indie authors about the editing and publishing process.

Check out these quotes, and share your own editing and publishing experiences in the comments. Also, click on the names of each author to view their full interview on Laura’s Books and Blogs and learn more about them and their work. Links will open in a new tab.

Editing experiences

I used to think that as long as I made enough passes on a manuscript, I would be able to edit my own book. But editing is more than just catching spelling mistakes. You need someone who can come at it from a fresh perspective and let you know what’s working and what’s not. Below are some authors who have been through the editing process and how it has worked out for them.

“I used a professional editor and beta readers before I published. In my own experience, it is crucial to have other people read your work and give you real feedback. Maybe that one part of the story doesn’t land the way you hoped it would, or that one character isn’t funny, he’s just annoying. Working that stuff out can be the difference in a 3-star or 5-star review.” – Jon Coffey

“If you put your heart and soul into something, it is hard. With my first published book, I had a struggle, because the stories are very “British” in character, whereas the editors were American. So there was a conflict of culture.  I hated some of my ideas being chipped away.” – Francis H. Powell

“My mom, who has three books published, has helped me edit my two books. I have been lucky enough to go on this author journey with her.

Every time there was a new addition to the story, I would hurry over to show her and then we would celebrate by going out to eat. Being able to share this journey with her has been a rewarding experience. One that I will forever cherish.” – Dan Granger

“The hardest part is editing, making sure that you haven’t missed something out or included a side character that later had little involvement or had a story point that didn’t quite blend with the rest of the book, time zone or setting.” – Jamie Adams

“The most fun part is when my heroes guide me to make decisions I have never thought them before and create a different path for them than the first one I had in my mind. The most difficult part is the editing process and I think that almost every writer should agree with me..” – Tonia Lalousi

Marketing and promotion

Once a book is published, it’s unlikely that bookstores and libraries are just going to grab them up for their shelves. In fact, self-published and independent authors have quite the hurdle to climb to get physical copies on shelves. Here are some experiences that authors have had with marketing and promotion.

“ I have books in a few book stores, but I understand why the online sales environment is so much more attractive for Indie authors. Physical bookstores will generally only take books on consignment (and with a substantial wholesale discount, of course), and my experience is that it is only practical to supply stores within easy physical reach i.e. a short car trip.

It rapidly becomes a significant investment in the cost of books and car wear and tear and time for fairly limited gain. The prestige of having paperback copies displayed in bricks and mortar bookstores can’t be overstated – it’s quite a rush to experience, but I have found that the practicalities rapidly overtake the sentiment.” – Frank Prem

“I think, as a self-published author, plenty of things don’t work. We’re just trying to get seen. There’s this book I wrote! You should read it! 

Depending on who a person is, that kind of appeal may work great, or readers may see it as desperate. I think the key thing to remember is this: The people who are meant to read your book will.” – Derek McFadden

“Although I’m a publicist myself and have generated press coverage and reviews for Summer of L.U.C.K. on my own, my expertise is in the arts, not books. I know my reach would be greater with a book publicity specialist.” – Laura Segal Stegman

“Most public appearances I make (while promoting my book), I am dressed as the character from my book, Charlene Stiletto and Her Search for a Fabulous Pair of Shoes. I made the costume myself, since that is what I do as a day job – build costumes for theatre and dance.

I make regular public appearances at the Stratford Festival Theatre. I set myself up at either of the two gift shops where the paperback version of my book is carried, Charlene Stiletto and Her Search for a Fabulous Pair of Shoes.” – Melanie Farrar

“I’m experimenting with anti-marketing. That means I’m trying to find ways to avoid actively promoting my own writing but helping other authors promote their work. It’s so hard for most of us to self-promote. So, I find sharing work by others that I enjoy and admire to be fun and gratifying.” – Deborah Zenha-Adams

“I do frequently promote my work on Facebook. Once upon a time, I published my first drafts on Facebook. It attracted a lot of attention until it attracted too much attention. Some people got the wrong idea and had my page shut down. I’ve since revived it, but I no longer publish short stories there.” – Richard Becker

“I had a strong book launch at one of Ottawa’s finest independent bookstores. Since then, I’ve been popping up everywhere at book signings.

Most shoppers ignore me, of course, but when I manage to engage, people often buy. It’s great fun to chat with people who want to read your novel.

I’ve had positive media coverage locally, and I continue to do events with other writers. And I do love book clubs.” – Don Butler

“The most fun part is the joyous flow of creativity when it comes.

The most difficult is the business of writing, especially since I don’t do social media and am new to marketing. I prefer to spend my time writing. But as an independent publisher I have to do both unless an agent comes to the rescue.” – Michael J. Polelle

Publishing expectations

A lot of authors start with a high expectation of success. Inevitably, that expectation gets lowered as they figure out the writing process. It’s hard to set goals for something that you ultimately can’t control, but here are a few authors who have learned how to stagger their expectations.

Writing the story is fun, but writer’s block, not so much! The hardest part, however, is selling the book. I assumed it would be much easier, but marketing your work takes a lot more than what I thought it would. So yes, my expectations have changed for sure.” – Dave J. Williams

“My goal is to sell 1,000 books and get good reviews. I wanted to give people a great book to read. They have not changed! The only thing is I found out there is a lot of learning (which I expected) in getting your book out there.” – Ryan Wiersma

Future goals for a book

What if fame and fortune were to hit? How much control would you give up to others to continue to increase sales or even hit it big in Hollywood? A few authors weigh in on that scenario.

“I wrote the book I needed to write. It’s forever. No one can change that. I truly believe the soul of the characters would shine through no matter what you did with the story. So, if someone, Amazon, Hulu, HBO, etc., ever made the movie or turned it into a series, I’m perfectly fine with letting it go to someone else’s vision.” – Bill See

“As part of publishing, I submitted for contests as well, and six months later, I got a round of feedback that basically said the book had tremendous potential but was too dense and needed another round of editing. It was a truth-packed blow to the head. I knew I had to unpublished it and try again, but at that time, I was not mentally prepared. I unpublished everything and set it aside, hopeful someday I’d pick it back up reinvigorated with fresh eyes.. “ – Marie A. Wishert

“I kind of had my dream audiobook narrator already. In 2008 I wrote a comedic book called Cutey and the Sofguard. As I was putting it down on paper (I actually wrote it all in a book first, then typed it up later), I imagined the main narrator having the voice of Rik Mayall. He was a famous comedian here in the UK, but he sadly died in 2014.

In 2010, though, I sent it to his agent, and Rik loved it. We recorded it as an audiobook that year and released it as a download. So that was literally a dream narrator that somehow came true. It still sells to this day and has a weird little cult following.” – Chris Wade

Buy it!

Buy a copy of Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer’s Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book by Courtney Maum here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.

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