Top 5 Self Publishing Mistakes New Authors Make | Self-Publishing
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2024
- Today I'm chatting about the Top 5 Self Publishing Mistakes New Authors Make, or at least what I've seen over the years! I could probably add 15+ more to this list...lol.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to post them below!
Looking forward to chatting with you in the comments section.
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//A B O U T M E//
Hi! I'm Courtney also known as the Courtney Project!
I write under these pen names: Lyra Parish & Kennedy Fox (we're an author duo!)
I've been in the indie scene since 2011. I published my first romance novel in 2014 (Weak for Him). Under Kennedy Fox, we've made USA Today 4 times since 2017. With Lyra Parish, I've made top 100 several times on Amazon. I unpublished my Lyra Parish backlist in 2020 with zero regrets.
You can watch that video here: bit.ly/3k8P6pa
I'm currently a co-host for the monthly youtube show Publishable (Self-publishing versus Traditional Publishing)
You can watch our videos on this playlist:
bit.ly/2ZvKNwq
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//J O I N T H E 1 0 K G R O U P //
I have a writing group on facebook where you can earn stickers each month if you write 10K in a day. You can choose your own today. It's a supportive community, that's also fun. If you're international, feel free to join! I've sent stickers to people all around the world since July 2019!
groups/write10kinaday
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//2020 R E L E A S E S C H E D U L E//
Always Mine - January 2020 - Released
Always Yours - February 2020 - Released
Catching the Cowboy - April 2020 - Released
The Two of Us - May 2020 - Released
Keeping You Away - July 2020 - Released
Needing You Close - August 2020 - Released
Wrangling the Cowboy - October 2020
The Best of Us - December 2020
//2 0 2 0 U P C O M I N G S I G N I N G S & T R A V E L//
Talkbooks Author Event - April 18, 2020 - Boston, MA - CANCELLED
Wild & Windy in the City - May 9, 2020 - Chicago, IL - CANCELLED
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//S O C I A L M E D I A//
→ instagram:
lyraparish
kennedyfoxbooks
→facebook:
/ lyraparishauthor
/ kennedyfoxbooks
→ twitter:
lyraparish
kennedyfoxbooks
→ email: lyraparish@gmail.com
#authortube #selfpublishing #indieauthor
Quitting too soon is huge with like EVERYTHING. I feel like everyone thinks stuff is all overnight success, and that's never the case. Consistency is always the key, and you have to know why you're doing what you're doing even if you aren't getting the external validation you want.
Marisa Mohi absolutely! Totally agree! ❤️
love the different angle
Kimberly Mullins thank you!!!
Courtney: "I am upping the video count, that's right, me. You're going to see a lot of me!"
Me: "That's cool, you bring my anxiety back down to chill, so I look forward to it."
Tammy Kavanaugh aww yay! ❤️❤️❤️
Personally I am so shy that while I have published numerous books my primary goal was to have the project done. After a while I had the extra cash to attend writers conferences and I was grateful to have things published that I could discuss with fellow authors. My goal is to write full time but I’m not ashamed of my original work not making tons of cash. I’m able to use my experience and have learned what works for me. I always read tons of books on the craft of writing, and avoided as many problems as I could. I can say the stuff is likely solid. My current works are branching off now because I want to write fantasy, as I’ve always done, but also contemporary romances and mysteries. So now I have a new pseudonym and I’ll be launching a new series on a new platform soon.
I don't know many people who made tons with their first release! Seems like you're right on track to me! Good luck!
I remember a LONG time ago I saw ads for people hiring ghostwriters and it all sounded too scammy. It blows my mind that people want to write books only for money and not for the fun of it. Also, I love this angle to see your computer and wall collage! Another also, are you able to do a video in the future about ads?? Thanks for the tips, chica :)
bytheBrooke thank you! Oh yeah, this woman made well over 6 figures teaching people how to scam and fill the kindle store with crappy books. I could probably ad that to my list, but a full walk through would be crazyyyyy. 🤣🤣🤣
The Courtney Project Oh, a full on walk through would be hard to do! I meant something more like how-to’s or things that worked for you or things that didn’t pan out with ads. But that’s just a request. No pressure to do it 🙂
I'm guilty of a few of those lol
The thing is we all believe we're going to be the unicorn writer and so we set unrealistic high expectations, not knowing that instead we're setting ourselves up for failure. And then when reality hits it's pretty ugly, there might even be some crying involved hahaha
Another thing for me was that I was so anxious to get the book out there that I didn't take my time with marketing plan and any of that. But I'm learning, rebranding, doing the work.
On that note, could you make a video on how to create a business plan? I find it a little overwhelming, but I know it's pretty important to have a longterm career mapped out.
Love the new angle, btw!
Paula Vivian you’re not alone! I’m guilty of a few of these things too. You get better with time and experience!
Perfect timing as my debut comes out in a few weeks. I am worried I will be too slow of a writer to keep up with reader expectations but I’m working on it!
Karri Allen you’re in control! 🙌
You do have some good points. Couple of thoughts to add. Multiple pen names also have some downsides. Like multiple websites. Multiple Facebook pages. Overall more media sites to keep up with. It's a lot more time and money. I've also seen authors who have multiple pen names that say they regret it for some of these reasons. I think it will depend on the person and if their different genres are likely to be read by similar readers. As a reader I know I don't read in just one genre. I do understand what you're saying, and they are valid points. I just think it will be a different story for each person's situation.
It’s difficult running two pen names, but it’s beneficial when you’re writing things that aren’t related like Young Adult Fantasy and Erotica. You’d not want young readers to dip into books that aren’t for them. It also affects your “Also Boughts” on Amazon. We were writing under our personal names and our pen name at the same time and it was intense and not worth it. But, we wrote the same type of books so it made no sense.
I think once you’re established, it’s easier to give your audience something different. In the beginning, you’re confusing your audience before you have a solid foundation and it can stifle growth. My advice is to grow your brand in one genre, then try other things once established.
It also depends on what people’s goals are too.
@@TheCourtneyProject yes very true. I do have a pen name for erotica. But I write two other genres. Having three is... a lot lol
I love you, Courtney. Your vids make me so excited to write.
Anthea Wald aww thank you! Happy writing!
Agree. I’m guilty with some of these. Great video
❤️❤️❤️
Your stuff is gold, Courtney. Thank you for sitting us down to give us a piece of reality.
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
I agree with every point. Especially point 5, you should do a whole video on the "get rich quick" lies. Like the ones that post up HUGE royalty reports but don't admit that their costs were much much higher. UGH.
Nikki Haverstock OMG, RIGHT! So frustrating when people don’t reveal the FULL picture.
I like the changes you are doing with the channel.... the icons that appear at the bottom, the "ring that bell", the titles with the information.... good work. You are trying to set your channel higher... best wishes.
KIRTI OM thanks so much! ❤️
Me too!
Playfully Connected Games thank you!
When I made the decision to self-publish I had a romance manuscript and a supernatural one. I was originally going to publish them back to back, starting with the romance one. I've now decided to focus on romance for the next year or so, while I build up my readership and backlist and publishing schedule. Right now I'm only doing one book a year, hopefully 3 next year, and 3-4 the year after next. I want to wait until I'm doing at least 3 books a year to release the supernatural one and try out a different genre, that way if it doesn't do well, it's not my whole year of publishing down the drain. Loved all of the advice in this video. I'm definitely guilty of not doing as much as I could to market my book, I still have so much to learn, so I've had to accept that I'm going to see success a little more slowly because I'm doing all of this while working a full time job and a part time job.
JeSuisJusteMoi absolutely! I think that’s a good decision. Just remember to be kind to yourself and it’s a marathon. You’ve got a lot on your plate and you’re doing the best you can. ❤️
This was great. It's also a good reminder that sometimes it's a slog and you need to keep at it if you want to do this long-term. Great vid.
Scarlett Kol absolutely! Thank you! ❤️
Oooh, I like this new angle!!
Mignon Mykel aww thanks!
Yay! Very excited about all of your videos coming our way! 😄😄😄
kelsyfish thank youuuu!!
All great tips, but I think the most important part was buried in the middle of tip #4: breaking even. I agree that it's a marathon, not a sprint...so knowing WHEN you'll break even is so so so so so important to being able to stick it out for the long haul. You referred to your benchmark of breaking even 1 month post release after having 10+ books out; I'd argue that the goal from Day 1 should be to break even on Book 1 (timeframe depending on format/genre/target audience).
To do this though, you have to really understand the numbers (in terms of what you can afford to spend, what you HAVE spent and what things will cost) and knowing how many sales you need to make in order to break even on your investment. Numbers can be scary and confusing, but understanding them (BEFORE you commit to spending your money) is going to be the difference between "omg I've spent $5000 on my book and I only sold 20 copies I can't repay my credit card debt" to "ok I can only afford to spend $1000" and KNOWING exactly how many books you have to sell to make that $1000 back. Once you've finished your manuscript, know how to create a title P&L (a budget) for your book and how to work out the breakeven point before you do anything else!!
I love your tone, tempo and voice. 😊
Thank you! ❤️
Yassss! Come through Fall ambiance! I love the sneak peak into different angles. Number 5 is precisely why alot of Ghostwriting clients approach me saying they want me to produce a novel a week that becomes the next bestseller, then losing them just as quickly when I explain to them that thats not how publishing works 99.9% of the time. Even worse are the ones who show up with premade outlines that are literally carbon cutouts of popular books I have personally read requesting I find a way to say the words in a different way SMH. I kid you not. But as I always say its a dangerous and depressing place to be in when you enter publishing solely for the money because unfortunately that quick money you are chasing often doesnt last in the rare event you even get it.
Author Deidre - Ann Anderson absolutely! These people who teach others how to scam the system should be ashamed of themselves, but then again, they’re the ones who don’t respect the industry (or ghostwriters) in the first place. I don’t mind authors who use ghostwriters, hello James Patterson! I don’t get hung up on all that, the intention is what’s most important to me. CZcams was FULL of this woman pushing this course and it made me sick to my stomach because she’d interview these people and they’d BRAG about undermining the process. Soooo frustrating!
@@TheCourtneyProject Oh theyre still at it. I constantly get clients opting nkt to work with me because I refuse to forget my morals. But writing offers such a huge escape I have no idea why you would skimp on the process.
Oh, I know they are. 🙄
A few things but one of my big ones is that I forget that I’m in control. I decide when and if I publish and what books I publish. I’m allowed to change my schedule and the series. I think I was looking at Kennedy Fox (You & Brooke) and other author friends (who are have been publishing for years and worked so hard to get where you all are) and how you ladies publish every other month. I wasn’t trying to do that but this first year of self-publishing, I learned I can’t even do every 3 months if I don’t start the process early enough. I learned that putting out subpar work is something I am not okay with or ever will be so I have to do whatever it is I need to do to make sure my books are as close to perfect as I can get them. If that takes me six months (& only 2 published books a year) then that’s how it has to be.
I’m still learning what works and trying to remember that. I don’t know everything and being a reader/friend on the outside doesn’t mean I know all the ins and outs of self-publishing. I don’t know much of anything yet but I’m trying to absorb what I can and put it into action.
This video was what I need. I worry about everything and that I’m doing this all wrong. I know I need to get better with marketing but I don’t even have money for it at the moment. My expectations were always low and I know it’s a marathon and I’m in this for the long run. I think the thing I need to do is figure out what to do about my first published book (YA fantasy) and the first cover of my series doesn’t fit with the other covers. The YA fantasy I think I want to do a pen name on it. I thought that was my genre but I quickly learned its not but I don’t want to I publish that book.
Thank you for posting this video!! It feels timely for me and is going to help me a lot! ♥️😘
You can’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle! ❤️ You’re in control and each time you publish, you had another jewel in your crown. None of us wake up knowing this stuff so you have to give yourself some grace. Sounds like you have a solid plan!
The Courtney Project Thank you! 😘 I’m just usually way too hard on myself. I know I can’t but somehow when you’re on the thick of it, you find yourself doing just that. Plus, what works for other authors may not work for me. I’m going to keep at it for sure. I love to write and I can’t not write so no matter what happens I’ll never stop. Your videos, advice, straightforward feedback, and encouragement really help me keep going and trying to make it in this publishing world ♥️
I’m approaching my one year publiversary and trudging forward. A major goal for year two is to have better ads. I haven’t done many because they confuse the hell out of me, but I have some great releases next year and they deserve eyes on them.
Persephone Autumn if you have any freebies you can run ads on, they’re a great place to learn!
The Courtney Project I don’t have any freebies at the moment 😕 Was considering a sale next month. I need to jump back in my courses to learn more.
All solid advice. Thanks.
Thank you!
I LOVE this camera angle!
Deep Sky Dude you like all my angles! 😂🙌🙆🏻♀️
@@TheCourtneyProject it's true!! 😘
I've made some of these but I'm moving past it and getting better at it everytime!
Joey Paul Ans that’s what matters most! ❤️
Love you, girl! Thank you for always keeping it real 😘😘
Thank you!
#5 is huge. I’ve been writing since I was 11. I have a great day job. I wouldn’t write if it wasn’t a passion. That being said, of course I have the fantasy of writing full time but for now I want to create, share it with readers, and set myself up for a nice side income to invest for retirement.
This was amazing advice! Thank you!
You’re welcome!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Fantastic video!
ILuvBooks thank you! ❤️❤️
I have been reviewing my indie publish list. Your videos have been so valuable for me. My quest is preorders-between ingram spark and kdp. I would love to hear how this works together. I understand some people have accidently published too early. Any tips and tricks for this?
I loved this video!
Victoria Wren thank you! ❤️
Thank you so much for this video. I write short stories in several genres and I was going to punish them under one name because I thought it was easier to market one name. I’m working on my other business right now but as soon as I’m done, I will start working on pen names and work on one genre at a time.
It’s a great plan!
#1. Oh my goodness, yes. (I feel like I'm going to agree with everything in this video, lmao).
Mignon Mykel 😂 it happens sooooo much!
What about sub-genres? Is it ok if it's related? I have a YA fantasy project I'm working on and then I have a paranormal serial project as well. I feel like paranormal is a sub-genre of fantasy, so is that ok or would that still be considered genre hopping? I thought of genre hopping more like going from fantasy to contemporary to romance to historical fiction, etc.
Vanessa Marie I think PNR and fantasy are close. But if you’re going from straight romance to fantasy then to PNR to dark romance, it’s wayyyy too confusing!
I've made every one of these mistakes!
Jessica Baldwin ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ It’s not too late to start fresh! You’re in control!
@@TheCourtneyProject That is true! Thank you!!!
I have a question, if someone else owns book one and book 2 in a series. Can the other books be self published through sites like Amazon and other sites. Or will it not work out since book 1 and 2 won't be found on that site. As I would prefer not to go to that publisher. Is that possible or will it flunk?
It will be hard to push a series without the rights to book 1 and 2. You use book 1 to hook people to the rest. It would ruin your ability to market it correctly. If it were me, I’d start writing something else and consider that series a loss if you weren’t going to continue to publish with them, or try to get the rights reverted to you.
Clicked on this so fast!! So looking at making sure my first books published can be clumped in the same genre and style. I think I’ve got it-but it’s really forcing me to look at genre. And branding is sooooo hard for me! I don’t have an eye for art 😂
Bethany Votaw 😊😊😊 If you’re bad at branding, you should try to find a cover designer who’s very experienced in the genre you’re writing. It comes with time, I think. Eventually, you’ll get it!
Please tell me site to sell my ebooks for free....
Yeah, publishing something for money is a bad idea. You should publish something for your own reasons, not for out of greed for money. For example, the Twilight series, the books and movies were just made for money.
Greed typically can turn a good thing bad. 🤷♀️