The Best Self-Publishing Services (for you) in 2020?

 If you’re thinking of publishing a Kindle ebook or paperback on Amazon KDP, and you’re overwhelmed by all the self-publishing options available, don’t go any further.

Because today I’d like to share with you what to consider if you want the best kind of self-publishing service in 2020 that suits YOUR needs. 

Let me begin by explaining the 7 ways I support my first-time authors through the publication process.

Publishing your book on Amazon has a clearly defined, step-by-step process. But making it personal, enjoyable and exciting along the way is important too. You’re not a robot. Your book isn’t a deadline slot in an ambitious schedule. And if you’re researching the best self-publishing solutions in 2020, then you’ll need to bear a few things in mind.

You’ll need to decide whether:

1. you want a publishing company to tick the boxes, send you updates, make decisions for you and see the result (and hope for the best) OR
2. you want to be an integral part of the publishing journey and be proud of your book.

Why hire me to publish your book on Kindle?

Because you’ll get the full personal publishing experience. No smoke and mirrors. No assigning you a ‘dedicated publishing project manager’ to handle the publication process. No conveyor belt. Just me, my 25-year publishing experience and expertise, and a pretty impressive track record. (Click here to see my authors’ hall of fame.)

Here’s the deal.

Self-Publishing Solutions for Overwhelmed, First-Time Authors

As you may already know, I offer an all-inclusive self-publishing solution for authors who want to publish on Amazon KDP.

My Whole Shebang (the full self-publishing and book launch marketing) package offers:

• top-notch proofreading and copy-editing (no one likes reading the first draft of a book)
• professional interior book design for Kindle and paperback/print (so it looks as gorgeous as it does professional)
• book cover design (for Kindle and print – back, cover and spine)
• blurb and Amazon description writing (to compel those readers to press the buy now button)
• keyword, category and pricing research (so your book doesn’t get lost in the competition)
• setting up your publishing account on your behalf
• uploading everything to your publishing account and dealing with any tweaks that KDP ask for
• submitting the Kindle ebook and paperbacks to KDP so they can consider them for publication
• book launch marketing (to kickstart your author adventure).

*Check out The Whole Shebang package here* 

But do you know that when I work with an author, we go way more in-depth than just the practicalities of creating and publishing a first-class, professional-looking book on Amazon?

Here are seven other ways I help my first-time authors during their exciting self-publishing adventure.

#1 My authors ask as many publishing-related questions as they like during the book production process.

As with anything new, there are always questions. That’s why I ensure my authors know they can always ask questions throughout the process and build up their knowledge for the future. Not only do they enjoy the painless way everything is taken care of for them, but they also learn along the way, without having to make their own mistakes.

#2 Unlimited Writing, Book Creating and Self-Publishing Advice.

I’ve helped hundreds of authors to self-publish on Amazon and so have built up a bank of knowledge and understanding about the self-publishing process. So when an author asks for advice about, say, the sizing of the book, or if it’s worth adding other sections, images or external links to optimise the book’s sales potential, for example, I’ll share my thoughts.

# 3 Instil them with confidence.

Very often, I am the first person who reads their book. Now while this is exciting for me, it’s often nerve-wracking for my authors. As writers, their furtive imaginations will always conjure up the worst-case scenario, and they assume I’m going to tell them their book’s rubbish and not worth publishing. So when I tell them that I’ll work my editing magic on tightening the words, fixing the typos, cutting out surplus words and changing one clunky sentence into three pithy ones, their shoulders soon drop and I know we’ve turned a corner.

*Want to publish on Kindle? Check out my Kindle Only package here.*

#4 I offer encouragement and a friendly ear to keep my authors going.

The publication process comes with plenty of highs and occasional lows, where my authors need some extra encouragement that it’s all perfectly normal and part of the journey. For example, if they receive the tracked version of the edited manuscript and become overwhelmed by the red lines (many of which are merely formatting changes, by the way), they may need a reassuring chat over the phone. And that offer is always an option.

# 5 Flexibility 

Although we try to stick to a production schedule during the publication process, I am aware that life can and does get in the way. That’s why I never force a deadline on my authors. It’s great if they can check over the edited version of their manuscript within a couple of days, or look over the PDF typeset copy of their paperback so they can sign it off asap, but it’s not imperative. And if they are busy with their day job or a family emergency comes up, I know they will need some breathing space. Trying to rush the publication process does not work.

Let me explain:

I spoke to a gentleman recently who signed up with a publisher a few years ago. 

The company pressurised him into committing to an unrealistic deadline so they could release his book for Christmas – which they didn’t deliver on, anyway. He ended up signing off a mediocre book cover (to put it politely) which didn’t reflect the genre (or any genre, in fact) and hadn’t been edited (despite this being part of the expensive deal). 

Consequently, he’s left with a book he doesn’t like, that he isn’t proud to promote, and is currently trying to sever ties with them so he can publish the book himself on Amazon. How different the outcome would have been if he’d had some flexibility and breathing space to make better decisions as opposed to feeling pressure to sign everything off to fit in with ‘the company’s’ deadlines.

#6 Full Creative Control.

Many of my authors have jacket design ideas or can picture how they would like the interior of their book to look, and I will do my best to make them a reality. Some authors want to add self-penned illustrations to their books, flourishes as section breaks, drop caps at the start of each chapter. And their wish is my command. When my authors work with me, it’s THEIR dream I’m supporting. So why shouldn’t they have THEIR book created just as they choose?

#7 The start of a long-term book/author/business relationship.

Ah, the post-publication honeymoon period. Brimming with confidence, excitement and a new self-belief, my authors see their writing in a new light once their book’s on the Amazon bookshelf. They prioritise their unfinished projects and scope out realistic schedules to get them published in a much shorter timescale than their debut books. And that’s fantastic. After all, an author with a whole series of books has way more chance of becoming successful.

I’m working with an author on his fifth and sixth books right now and it’s so beneficial for him. You see, every time he publishes a new book, we update his covers (he has images of previous books on the back). Then I update his book interiors to add the new title to the ‘More Books by Mario’ page. I update his blurbs/Amazon descriptions and make sure his most recent book is showing up on his Amazon Author Central page (which I also set up for him when his first book launched). (You can check out Mario Panayi’s books – fascinating collections of poetry and prose.)

You just can’t get this kind of in-depth 1-2-1 support if you’re using a conveyor belt company to publish your book. 

If you’re looking for the best self-publishing solution to bring your book to life, then choose a company where you’re making the decisions, keeping creative control, having some breathing space to make decisions and ultimately enjoying the process! 

I know how much your book means to you (I’ve published my own books too, so I understand the rollercoaster of emotions involved) and that’s why I offer so much more than an off-the-shelf self-publishing solution.

If you want a cookie-cutter option, there are many, if you prefer the personal touch, just message me.

*Want to self-publish a Kindle ebook on Amazon within just four weeks? Find out more here*

If you’d like to chat about publishing your book on Amazon, then feel free to message me at [email protected]

Or if you’d prefer to find out more about my authors and me, you could take a look at My Authors’ Books here and my testimonials here. That way you’ll see the colourful and eclectic range of books I’ve helped to publish on Amazon, get a genuine feel for what it’s like working with me and the results you can expect.

Related articles: 

13 Surprising Benefits of Publishing on Kindle

Why Self-Publishing on Amazon is Great if You Need Flexibility

Rookie Self-Publishing Mistakes 

Keep writing!

Michelle

Self-Publishing Services UK