Querying and trad-pub journeys aren’t for everyone, especially in genre fiction. Sarah Elliott is here with some tips to get you through the self-publishing journey.
You didn’t wait to be chosen this time. You took destiny into your own hands and decided to self-publish your book. No addictive checking of your emails to see if the response you have been waiting for, praying for or manifesting has finally swooped into your inbox like a stork carrying a precious baby. No, not for you, brave adventurer. You’ve made up your mind, and you’re going for this.
I’ve been on this journey, and I have to say at times it was like trying to conquer Mount Doom. I started off all happy and enthusiastic, unaware of what lay before me. A LOT of learning, irritating fiddly setbacks (which weren’t major setbacks, but I couldn’t calm the perfectionist dragon inside me), and many moments of doubt. I made it though. Two self-published books behind me; the second time around was way easier but still not without challenges at times.
It took me six months from the decision to self-publish until I was actually holding my book in my hands. Major life moment. I’d paid a lot of money for a self-publishing course that wasn’t really that useful because it was teaching you specifically how to publish a type of book that I was just not interested in publishing. It wasn’t me. I spent way less money on another course, which shared practical tips and kept me on track because I hadn’t finished writing the book. I’d say that’s my number one tip. Finish writing the book first, even if it’s a first draft. You do not want to be trying to navigate self-publishing and complete a book at the same time.
Self-publishing your book is a life quest. Not many people tackle life alone. We all need some help. Even the great Fellowship of the Ring needed a few handy tools and resources to support them on their journey. Here are five you may want to consider.
(Photo by William Daigneault on Unsplash)
Lembas Bread
It’s a long road, so consider what you will need to nourish you. Plan. This quest is going to take up more time than you imagine so what can you put in place beforehand? Consider the basics of sustenance. You’ll need energy so make sure you eat and hydrate. Sounds obvious and basic but I’ve been stuck to a screen, shovelling sweets down my gullet to keep that sugar high that will get me through trying to wrestle with uploading a simple PDF. If I’d done the meal planning thing or ordered takeout in advance, it would be one less thing to think about. And I need my brain for other thinky things.
- Have you considered what constitutes self-care for you, and how you will include it in this process?
- Is there anyone who can help you with the basics of food and water? Maybe you can go to a friend’s once a week for dinner (and take containers for leftovers to freeze).
- How will you prioritise sleep? You absolutely will need to!
Elven Cloaks
These worked well to shield Sam and Frodo from danger. What can you put in place to shield you from distractions? You know what they are: TV, phone, socials, itchy jumper—whatever your poison is. I’m not saying don’t take a break, but how you decide to take breaks is up to you. Maybe scheduled breaks work for you. Maybe you’re really good at knowing when you need a break and can honour that. Not me; I would just carry on until I physically couldn’t anymore (but I’ve got much better at this). Just because you can work through the night doesn’t mean you should (and certainly not regularly).
(Photo by Ron McClenny on Unsplash)
Identify those distractions. What are the activities that, once you engage in them, you spend lifetimes there and then drown in the guilt that follows because you could have been doing something else? What will protect you from their siren-like call? Phone in another room? Working in a space with no TV? Using a pared-down device with fewer distractions? Timers (visual/audio)? Pomodoro technique? If you have time blindness, maybe you just need someone to give you a gentle nudge so you can get back to the work at hand.
A Box of Elven Soil
You’re growing something here. You’re birthing your book baby, and the world is waiting for it. You’ve already got good soil—you’re the person doing this and there’s no better start than that. But what will nourish this process? What resources do you have or need?
- Do you have access to a copy editor or proofreader?
- Do you need someone to design your book cover, or can you do this yourself?
- Will you need help with marketing and promoting yourself?
- Are you using the best platform for your needs?
- Have you considered your finances?
The Light of Earendil’s Star
It might get real dark on your journey. External barriers, delays and general frustrations may slow your progress and drag you down. Or, as was the case for me, it could be the internal darkness. The rocket-fuelled thoughts of imposter syndrome, failure, perfectionism and lack of belief might have you retreating to a place so dark it would make Gollum’s cave look like The Palace of Versailles.
It’s going to take resilience, straight-up stubbornness, and your eye on the prize to get you to keep showing up for this quest. Who or what is going to be your light? Do you have a cheerleader? Have you told anyone about this book quest and do you in fact, have a whole team of people waving pom-poms and doing impossible gymnastic stunts for you? Identify what that light will be for you. It may be the thought of the end goal, so hold that visual clear in your mind.
Three Strands of Galadriel’s Hair
These three things are what you will hold dear to your heart throughout this journey. Believe me, they are more precious than any gold ring. They are your what, your why, and your when.
- What is your intention for this book? What do you want it to do for you and for all those who read it? What is its purpose?
- Why did you write it, and why do you want to share it? What was your initial inspiration? Why do you so much want to hold it in your hands?
- When do you see this happening? What’s your timeline? When will this baby be published?
Prepare for the Journey
I wish you well on your journey. You’ll learn a lot and from unexpected places too. I know that when I undertook my quest, it grew me. It made me realise I am wildly capable of so much more than I think I am. I still really want to go back to my schoolteachers, show them the book and say, ‘look what I did’. Oh, the pure satisfaction!
I’ll warn you though: It’s like getting a black belt in martial arts. Self-publishing a book isn’t the end of the game. It’s the start of a whole new world and I’m so here for it. So are you. And you shall pass.
Sarah Elliott will run a workshop on self-publishing as part of the UK Ghost Story Festival in Derby next week; get the details here.
