Sarah Cypher

Proofreading fail!

1.Typographical errors are more difficult to get rid of than cockroaches.

2. Never, never, never assume you can do it alone. “Indie publishing” means “not a Big Six publisher.” It does not mean, “I am an island of astounding writing, editorial, graphic design, technological, and business savvy.”

3. At first you will feel like you’ve just been given twenty dollars in change for a five, because you can put your book on Amazon whenever you want.

4. And when that feeling wears off, you realize, “Oh shit. It will be on Amazon whenever I put it there.” See #1.

5. When you publish yourself, it’s easier to remember that you are writing for readers, not for the approval of a system.

6. People will automatically assume your book sucks because it’s not from Random House. They could possibly be right. Therefore, do your best work and see #2 and #5. If they still assume your work sucks, thank them for their opinion, and then advise them under your breath to go to hell.

7. There are a lot of other indie-published writers. Yet indie publishing is an unknown phenomenon unless you are a writer or work in the publishing industry. We writers should work together to change that.

8. Put profiles on Twitter, Facebook, SPANnet.org, and the Association of Independent Publishers, and participate in a helpful way. Offer advice on subjects you understand, and ask questions about ones you don’t.

9. Start marketing your book early. Take advantage of all opportunities, but be careful not plug your work too often. Also remember that your threshold for “too often” is much higher than everyone else’s.

10. Get quality blurbs and reviews.

11. Never hesitate to ask people you trust for their opinion of the book before it goes to press. (See #2.) Those early readers are likely to tell you things you don’t want to hear, but at least they will be constructive about it, and you still have time to make changes.

12. Research your publishing options thoroughly. If you have a lazy streak, be honest with yourself about it, and check your work with an expert. (See #10). People are surprisingly helpful.