When I published my first book, I was unaware of the common pitfalls that could cost me hundreds of dollars and months of my time. Today, I want to share these mistakes with you, so you can avoid them and streamline your publishing process.
Mistake #1: Choosing a Bad Title
Your book’s title is its first impression. My book was an epic fantasy based on Indian history, featuring a badass warrior princess. Yet, I chose the title “Born to be King.” It didn’t convey the essence of my story or its unique elements. Always ensure your title reflects the genre, characters, and setting of your book. Test it with people who haven’t read your book, and seek resources like Kindlepreneur’s guide on Book Titles to get it right.
Mistake #2: Neglecting the Blurb
The blurb is the next thing readers look at after the title. It should capture the essence of your story without giving away the plot, and it should be specific enough to spark the reader’s imagination. Despite spending two years writing my book, I spent less than an hour on my blurb. Don’t repeat my mistake. Research blurbs from niche books in your genre and keep your blurb concise and engaging.
Mistake #3: Outsourcing Interior Layout
I spent hundreds of dollars and faced delays because I outsourced the interior layout of my book. However, tools like Vellum can make this process easy and give you the flexibility to make changes whenever needed. Save time and money by handling the interior layout yourself.
Mistake #4: Having One-File Cover Art and Text
For my first book, the cover art and text were in a single file, which limited my ability to update the cover for different versions or make text changes. Instead, get the art and layout done separately. This allows for more flexibility and enables you to use just the art for advertising and promotion. You can find specialized graphic designers on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
My go to cover artist is Hazem Ameen aka Canine Brush and my layout designer is Sinisa.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these mistakes can save you time, money, and frustration on your publishing journey. Remember, the success of your book also hinges on the content inside your book. Luckily for me, one thing I did well in the first book was the editing.
Check out my blog on how to edit.
