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The biggest myth about book publishing is that it does not matter what you write about, because people will buy anything you publish. They will not. There are a few more that cost new authors time and money, and I fell for some of them myself. Here they are, with what I found to be true. I am talking about self-publishing here, not traditional publishing. If the terms are new to you, start with what self-publishing means.
Does it matter what you write about?
Yes. When I started, I picked a topic I felt I knew something about and had no idea whether there was a market for it. Specializing in a niche was a new idea to me. I had learned the steps from a book, and it was a decent book, but it never told me to check that readers wanted mine. A book with no hungry market behind it can sit unsold for years. Read where a first-time author should publish once you know your topic.
Is self-publishing too complicated?
No. Some people sell a book or training by saying there are a thousand things you must get right or you will not sell a single copy. That puts people off before they start. The basics are a good topic, a clean manuscript, a cover that fits the genre, a clear description and a simple plan to get readers.
Is self-publishing so easy it is done for you?
No, and this is the opposite myth. It takes real work to finish the first book. Many people who expect it to be nearly done for them quit before the first book is finished.
Do you need $10,000 or more to publish a book?
No. Some companies tell you that you need a marketing agency and a publisher, and that a first book will cost $10,000 or $20,000. You can get a first book out for free. KDP, for example, gives you free tools to publish and a free ISBN for paperbacks and hardcovers that can only be used on KDP.
I would not go fully free, though. I think a first book should cost $50 to $100 so that it looks right. Some jobs are worth paying for, such as the cover. I can publish your book under my imprint with an ISBN for each format, and I turn a finished Kindle cover into a print cover: see my publishing services. If money is tight, the free route still gets you started. And be realistic about what comes back: how many books you need to sell to make a living.
Does a free ISBN make the publisher someone else?
On KDP, yes, in the listing. KDP says that with a free ISBN from KDP the imprint appears as “Independently published,” and that free ISBNs can only be used on KDP, not to publish elsewhere. If you use an ISBN you got yourself, you can list your own imprint, such as your business or brand name, and KDP checks that the imprint matches the ISBN agency’s records, or publishing is blocked (KDP: free ISBN). Free is a fine start. Just know it ties that ISBN to KDP.
Can you work out the best strategies by trial and error?
No. People say give it a bit of time and the right strategies will come. They mostly will not. When I first took several courses on self-publishing, I was shocked at how many things I was doing wrong. Following the right strategies can double, triple or even ten times your sales. You need someone who knows them, because you will not stumble onto them.
Do the old strategies still work?
Often not. Plenty of videos teach tactics that worked ten years ago, and the rules keep changing. Something that worked five years ago might get you banned from Amazon today. KDP, for example, now requires you to tell it when a book contains AI-generated text, images or translations, and it does not allow descriptions meant to mislead customers.
If your sales drop, change something and test it. Stay in a community and keep up with updates. The basics do stay the same: people respond to a good cover, a clear description and honest copywriting, because human psychology has not changed much. Each store has its own rules, for example Barnes & Noble.
Not sure what is current? Book a free 25-minute discovery call and I will tell you what works now and what is out of date.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest myth about book publishing?
That it does not matter what you write about because people will buy anything you publish. They will not, and a book with no hungry market behind it can sit unsold for years.
Do I need $10,000 to publish a book?
No. You can get a first book out for free, since KDP gives you free tools to publish and a free ISBN for paperbacks and hardcovers. The author thinks a first book should cost $50 to $100 so that it looks right.
Is self-publishing too complicated?
No. The basics are a good topic, a clean manuscript, a cover that fits the genre, a clear description and a simple plan to get readers.
Can I work out the best strategies by trial and error?
Mostly not. Following the right strategies can double, triple or even ten times your sales, and you need someone who knows them because you will not stumble onto them.
Do old self-publishing strategies still work?
Often not. The rules keep changing, and something that worked five years ago might get you banned from Amazon today. If your sales drop, change something and test it.
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