Summary

The website content discusses the decision-making process for authors considering whether to self-publish their book or hire professionals, emphasizing the importance of setting clear goals and understanding the publishing process.

Abstract

Authors are advised to first define their goals and expectations for their book's success within specific time frames, using the S.M.A.R.T. goal framework. The content suggests that authors should outline a central theme and a strategic plan for their book, considering factors such as format, genre, and target audience. The decision to self-publish or outsource should be based on the resources available, including time, budget, and expertise. Resources like Reedsy are recommended for those opting for self-publishing, while outsourcing is presented as a viable option for those lacking the time to invest in the publishing process. The text also underscores the necessity of editing and the benefits of engaging with online writing communities for feedback. Ultimately, the message is that authors must take the initiative to learn and grow, regardless of the publishing path they choose.

Opinions

Authors should set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (S.M.A.R.T.) goals for their book's success.
It is crucial to have a clear vision of what one wants to achieve with their book in the short and medium term.
The process of writing and publishing a book is iterative and requires breaking down the overall goal into manageable stages.
The decision to self-publish or hire professionals depends on the author's available resources, including time, budget, and publishing knowledge.
Authors are encouraged to use online platforms and writing groups to refine their work and receive constructive feedback.
Professional editing, such as a 'line edit', is highly recommended to ensure the book's quality and reception.
The journey of publishing a book is personal and unique to each author, and they should be prepared to learn and adapt throughout the process.

Should I Hire Somebody to Edit Market Publish My Book or Do it Myself

First, ask yourself this question:

What do I want to happen for my book in three, six, and twelve months from now?

Because something authors sometimes forego is considering what successes their novel or novella may score…

By their setting a finite, yet achievable range of goals. Some people use the S.M.A.R.T. ‘goals’ (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound). And prior to publishing any work?

Set expectations.

I can’t tell you how often authors of many niches or professions (particularly in non-fiction) say they want to get to their books out into the world.

Then, whenever I’m with my peers who author and also ghostwrite? There are times I hear about those same creatives again. And how frequently they circle back to, ‘this (insert theme, idea, premise, the book itself) isn’t what I was thinking?)’ ideation.

When what it is actually, is an unwillingness to break down what they want to happen with those novels into specific areas.

Choose a central theme.

This will help you design a strategy that can make them easier to visualize and write, a section at a time.

Why does this relate to outsourcing your publishing or doing it alone?

The answer my colleagues share with creatives is to consider novel writing as a process.

If you think when to plot, write (if you haven’t) and publish, you’ll create an actionable way to get to each stage. Each time you complete one, you can check it off:

as part of a manageable stream of goals, and
of a larger piece of an overall and measurable book strategy.

What about the elements comprising your book itself?

Whether you outsource or self-publish your book depends on several choices:

How you your book (i.e. it’s format).
If it is divided into chapters or chapters with ‘subtitles’.
Your novel’s overall genre, Non-Fiction or Fiction.
The book’s sub-genre or niche (do you write contemporary fiction, B2B or B2C non fiction, etc.).
And the audience (your readers) to whom you are writing.

If this is your first time publishing? The process has many moveable parts like the editing and marketing you mention.

Resources

What publishing comes down to is whether you have resources to devote to seeing your book publish through to the day you launch.

If you do not have a budget to devote to hiring an editor, book cover designer, developmental editor, or what have you, but have the time to learn, then self-publishing can work well.

A publishing hub like Reedsy, which I have used, is an example.

Should you not have the days and weeks — that will equate in the time necessary time to publish, then outsourcing is a definite option.

Decide your “why” before you publish

This is more about where you feel most comfortable about achieving. While you decide on which publishing areas or online destinations are a best opportunity. You have an array or resources at your command, thankfully.

We all start from the ground level.

How you navigate it can depend on how the tools and/or any education you bring along the journey.

That’s what every novel is, a writer’s journey. (One your readers may never hear but something that will always be part of you. As it grows, each time you write.)

It is also a thought-out plan that follows certain processes to take you from a draft to publish…

Before you choose to publish or self-publish

Have a second plan (so to speak) and you can:

Decide your novel’s audience.
Whether your book is nonfiction or fiction, and
Its specific sub-genre (1,000 ways to bake chocolate, for example: means Cooking is the main readership. ‘Chocolate’ the sub genre they will read).

The more you niche your subject, or drill down, the greater specificity your novel should display within its pages (aka, your demonstration of your “knowledge” about it).

What expectations do you have for your novel?

It depends on how well you manage outsourcing it or DIY before you let the your creative genius out of its bottle.

Image: I Dream of Jeannie, Columbia Pictures TV

Another consideration

Once you’ve written your book, I strongly suggest you give it a first round of editing. Then after it, work with a book editor who can give it what is called a ‘line edit’.

This process checks for basic grammar and punctuation — and it can make the difference between a book that’s received with aplomb or panned from not being run through the most basic spell checks.

(Use an online writer-editor, such as Hemingway App or ProWritingAid, to help, if you decide the DIY route is right for you ).

Online groups

If you find online writing groups: some can help you hone your decisions and some are also wonderful places to receive feedback.

(Just read their rules for group member engagement. At times they are quite specific with what you can or cannot share.)

Mindset also plays a lot into how this works and for another lens on other ideas to fuse with your publishing. And especially, when it comes to your style of writing.

You will see your book for people to find

This is all to say, you have a wonderful book to share and people to reach who will enjoy it. Which direction you choose to publish is totally up to you.

But remember, you’re in the driver’s seat and just stay willing to learn and grow:

Your publishing your novel will happen!

The most important thing of all is just to start.