5 Overlooked Aspects of the Self-Publishing Process
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Self-publishing can feel like a whirlwind of excitement, deadlines, and checklists. It’s an exhilarating journey, but sometimes, in the rush to hit that final “Publish” button, crucial elements get overlooked. Savvy authors will know that paying attention to these less glamorous but essential details can make the difference between a book that sits ignored on the shelf and one that catches attention.
To ensure your book reaches its full potential, let’s explore five commonly missed yet essential aspects of the self-publishing process:
1. Offset Print Runs
While print-on-demand (POD) services are popular for their flexibility and low overhead, offset printing offers distinct advantages for self-published authors — especially when planning for special editions or large orders.
Offset print runs give you greater control over your book’s pricing and profits, enabling you to set competitive prices and keep more of your earnings. This is particularly advantageous for authors anticipating higher sales volumes through bookstores, events, or direct-to-reader marketing, as it significantly reduces the per-unit printing cost.
It is also ideal for creating special or limited editions, such as collector’s copies with custom covers or unique finishes like embossing and foil stamping. This level of quality and customization makes it perfect for targeting niche markets or dedicated fans who appreciate unique products.
Although it requires an upfront investment, it empowers you to meet your publishing goals with quality and control that POD can’t always match. If your marketing strategy involves selling in bulk or producing special editions, consider offset printing as a valuable option to elevate your self-publishing journey and maximize your book’s potential in a competitive market.
2. Book Returnability
Bookstores are hesitant to stock books they can’t return. If yours doesn’t sell, they’re stuck with it — and that’s a financial risk they’d rather avoid.
Brick & mortar bookstores have long required books to be returnable before adding them to store shelves. However, online booksellers are now following the lead of physical bookstores in requiring a Returnable status to list POD titles. Books without returnability may be inaccurately displayed, listed as unavailable, and experience long shipping delays.
Traditional publishers understand the importance of returnability and manage this for their authors. As a self-published author, you can, too! Many POD distributors allow authors to mark their books as returnable. However, the cost of processing POD book returns falls on the author; this can mean paying out of pocket for the disposal of books returned to retailers like Amazon. If you haven’t planned for it, managing returns can be an unwelcome distraction while you’re trying to sell your book.
Unless you have a robust personal sales funnel for direct or consignment sales, consider incorporating returnability into your publishing budget to significantly boost your book’s availability and sales potential. At FriesenPress, our Returns Management Program helps authors cover the financial risks of book returns with one yearly payment.
3. Professional Interior Design
We all know about the importance of cover design — but what about a book’s inner pages?
Professional interior design is often an overlooked step that can make or break a reader’s experience. A book with inconsistent fonts, poor margins, or odd line spacing can disrupt the reading flow, making your book look less polished and ultimately turning readers away.
Beyond aesthetics, proper book design ensures readability across different formats. Whether your book will be printed as a paperback, hardcover, or eBook, the interior layout must be tailored to that specific format. For example, eBooks need reflowable text, while print versions require perfect alignment of elements like chapters, headers, and pagination.
Many DIY authors try to handle the interior themselves, but even the savviest InDesign users can miss the nuances that give your book a professional edge. A designer experienced in book formatting will ensure industry standards are met and that your book is as easy on the eyes as it is engaging.
4. Complete Metadata
Even if you’ve written your book, edited it to perfection, and put it together in a beautiful book design, have you done everything to ensure potential readers can find it? Metadata is the unsung hero of book marketing that determines whether your book appears in search results or remains buried in the digital abyss.
Metadata includes your book’s title, subtitle, author name, keywords, BISAC categories (subject codes), and other descriptive information. These fields feed into online retail algorithms, helping potential readers discover your book. Thorough, detailed metadata can make a significant difference in your book’s visibility on online platforms like Amazon.
Take the time to thoroughly research your categories and keywords. Use tools like Amazon’s bestseller categories to see where similar books are ranked. Ensure that your metadata accurately reflects what your book is about and its intended audience. Don’t skip out on a compelling book description, either — it should include primary keywords to boost discoverability.
5. Competitive Book Price
Setting the right price for your book can be tricky, but it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a self-published author. Price it too high, and you might scare off potential buyers. If the price is too low, you could undervalue your work or struggle to turn a profit.
Your pricing strategy should consider factors like production costs, perceived value, and what your audience is willing to pay. Research similar books in your genre and see what they’re priced at to get a good range of potential prices. Be mindful of your page count to ensure you’re comparing relevant titles.
Keep in mind that different formats (paperback, hardcover, eBook) will require different pricing strategies. For example, eBooks are generally priced lower because there are no printing costs, while hardcovers can command a higher price due to their tangible value.
As you navigate the self-publishing landscape, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of seeing your book take shape. However, by paying close attention to these often-overlooked details, you’ll ensure your book stands out in a competitive marketplace and reaches its full potential.
Self-publishing offers unparalleled creative freedom, allowing you to bring your vision to life exactly as you imagine it. But with that freedom comes the responsibility to approach the process with professionalism and thorough preparation. By treating each step with the care it deserves, you set your book up for success and position yourself as a confident, capable author!
