9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Self-Publishing My Book

Self-publishing a book is exciting, empowering, and, let’s be honest—overwhelming. When I first ventured into the world of self-publishing, I thought it was as simple as writing a great book, uploading it to Amazon, and waiting for sales to roll in. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

Looking back, there are so many things I wish I had known before diving headfirst into this journey. If you’re an aspiring or first-time self-published author, here are 9 things I wish I knew before self-publishing my book and trust me, these lessons will save you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration.

1. Editing Is More Important Than You Think (No, Seriously!)

You know that feeling when you find a typo in a published book? Now imagine your readers finding multiple typos in yours. Cringe-worthy, right?

Editing is not optional—it’s essential. Your book needs several rounds of editing, including:

Developmental editing: Big-picture storytelling, structure, and plot development.
Copyediting: Fixing grammar, sentence structure, and flow.
Proofreading: The final polish to catch any lingering errors.

Actionable Tip:

If you can’t afford a professional editor, use a combination of beta readers, Grammarly, and ProWritingAid to refine your manuscript. But seriously, if you have the budget—hire an editor!

2. A Good Book Cover Sells Books (A Bad One Kills Sales)

I once thought, I’ll just make my own book cover. How hard can it be? Let’s just say, my DIY disaster taught me a painful lesson: people absolutely judge a book by its cover.

A professionally designed cover makes your book look legitimate and competitive. Your cover should:

Be genre-appropriate (a fantasy book shouldn’t look like a business guide).
Be professionally designed—avoid generic fonts and clip art.
Stand out even when displayed as a tiny thumbnail on Amazon.

Actionable Tip:

Use 99designs, Fiverr, or Reedsy to find professional book cover designers who understand the market.

3. Formatting Matters More Than You Think

Your book might be beautifully written, but if the formatting is off, it becomes painful to read. Readers will NOT struggle through awkward spacing, inconsistent fonts, or jumbled Kindle formatting.

Your book needs proper formatting for both eBook publishing and print. Here’s what you should focus on:

eBook formatting: Ensure clean formatting for Kindle by getting Book Formatting Services or using tools like Vellum, Scrivener, or Kindle Create.
Print formatting: Use InDesign or hire a professional to make sure your paperback doesn’t look like a school project.

Actionable Tip:

Test your formatted book by previewing it on multiple devices (Kindle, iPad, phone) before publishing.

4. Marketing Starts BEFORE You Publish

I made the mistake of hitting “publish” and then thinking about marketing. Big mistake. Marketing should start months before launch.

Here’s what you should be doing before publishing:

Build an email list (use MailerLite or ConvertKit).
Start engaging on social media (TikTok, Instagram, Twitter for authors).
Offer free sample chapters to potential readers.
Set up a pre-order campaign to build excitement.

Actionable Tip:

Create a simple book launch plan that includes a countdown, teaser posts, and an early review strategy.

5. Amazon KDP Isn’t the Only Option

Amazon KDP is amazing, but it’s not the only way to self-publish. I wish I had explored other platforms sooner to maximize my book’s reach.

Alternatives include:

IngramSpark (for getting into bookstores and libraries)
Draft2Digital (distributes to Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble)
Google Play Books (growing audience)

Actionable Tip:

Consider going wide instead of Amazon-exclusive (KDP Select) if you want to reach more readers.

6. Getting Reviews Is Harder Than You Think

Early reviews can make or break your book’s success. But here’s the catch—getting people to review your book is tough.

Why? Because most readers don’t leave reviews, even if they loved your book.

Here’s how to increase your chances:

Create an ARC team (Advanced Reader Copies for early reviews).
Reach out to book bloggers in your niche.
Include a review request at the end of your book (make it easy!).

Actionable Tip:

Use Booksprout or NetGalley to get early reviewers before launch.

7. Pricing Your Book Is Tricky

Price your book too high, and no one buys it. Price it too low, and readers assume it’s low quality.

Test different pricing strategies:

Start with a launch price of $0.99 – $2.99 to encourage downloads.
Use Kindle Countdown Deals for limited-time sales.
Consider free promotions for increased visibility (if part of KDP Select).

Actionable Tip:

Research competitor pricing before setting your price.

8. Self-Publishing Is a Long-Term Game

I used to think self-publishing success was instant. Wrong. It takes time, consistency, and multiple books to build momentum.

Here’s what helps:

Publishing multiple books (series sell better than standalones).
Regular marketing efforts (not just launch day!).
Networking with other authors (for cross-promotions and support).

Actionable Tip:

Treat self-publishing like a marathon, not a sprint. Keep writing, keep learning, keep marketing.

9. Self-Publishing Is a Business (Not Just a Creative Hobby)

I started self-publishing as a passion project. I wish I had treated it like a business sooner.

Track expenses and income (taxes matter!).
Invest in advertising (Amazon Ads, Facebook Ads).
Reinvest book profits into better covers, editing, and promotions.

Actionable Tip:

Set up an author business plan to track sales, marketing, and future books.

Final Thoughts: The Journey Is Worth It

Self-publishing is challenging, frustrating, and full of unexpected twists—but it’s also incredibly rewarding. If I had known these nine things before publishing my first book, I would have saved so much time and money.