Timing Is Everything: When You SHOULDN’T Self-Publish ∣ Self-Publishing Relief

One of the many perks of self-publishing is that writers can publish their books on their own schedules. Instead of waiting for a traditional publishing house’s time frame that could take years, self-publishing allows authors to publish in a few short months—sometimes even weeks! However, the experts at Self-Publishing Relief know that there are actually certain times when you shouldn’t self-publish your book. Here are the situations where you should hold off on starting the self-publishing process.

5 Times When You Shouldn’t Self-Publish Your Book

You JUST finished writing your book. Congratulations, your book is completed! You may be eager to rush your manuscript to the presses, but take a breath and step back. Put your book aside for a few weeks, then look at it again with fresh eyes. Discrepancies or loose ends you didn’t notice while in the thick of writing might become more obvious when you’ve given your mind time to clear. You may also notice characters or storylines that are unnecessary or could be tightened up for a more streamlined, reader-friendly plot. It’s better to take your time than to jump into publishing and regret it later.

The manuscript hasn’t been edited or proofread. Bad reviews can kill your book sales, and one of the top reasons for bad reviews is when readers find pages filled with grammar mistakes and typos. An unedited, sloppy book will ping as subpar and not worth reading (even if the story is great), so make sure your manuscript is edited and proofread by professionals or grammar-savvy friends who know what they’re doing. This step is crucial and can make the difference between your book being one readers will love—or one nobody wants to buy.

You’re already very busy. Self-publishing requires research, making decisions about the cover art, formatting the manuscript, handling all the technical steps in the publishing process, and then putting in the time and effort to market your book. Before you commit to a project this involved, be sure you’ll be able to carve out the time to work on it. Self-publishing is not a one- or two-day adventure!

Fame and fortune are your main goals. Sure, some self-published books make it big and even go on to be traditionally published and get lucrative movie deals—but that’s the exception, not the rule. Most writers know that getting published is a labor of love, and they should keep their day jobs. If your only motivations for self-publishing a book are money and fame, you may want to reconsider before you’re disappointed. Here’s why most self-published authors make less than $1,000 a year.

The idea of self-publishing seems intimidating. If you’re not tech savvy, self-publishing may seem scary and complicated. In truth, it involves a lot more than pressing a few buttons. Before you decide to self-publish, talk to other authors who have self-published to learn from their experiences. Compare the various self-publishing platforms (but watch out for hard-sell, pie-in-the-sky promises!), and read some articles about the self-publishing process.

It’s always the right time to let the experts at Self-Publishing Relief do it all for you! We’ll guide you through every step and handle all the technical aspects. The end result? You’ll have a published book you’ll be proud to put your name on. Just take a look at what our many happy clients have to say!

If you think you’re ready to get started but still feel a little wary…or know you won’t have the time to tackle a project of this size on your own…or you would just like guidance from experts, Self-Publishing Relief is here to help! Schedule a free consultation with our team today.