Indie authors, this one's for you! I recently went on a happy hunt for the best resources out there for self-published writers, and I came back with a list I'm excited to share.
The good news? There's a wealth of smart advice available to you. The fun part is finding the gems, and I've done some of that digging for you.
As an editor and a published author, I've spent a lot of time with books at every stage, and these are the resources I'd hand to any author I know.
All the items come from people who generously shared what they’ve learned to make your path easier. If you pass these along to other indie authors (and I hope you do!), be sure to credit the people behind the original posts.
1. Jane Friedman's Self-Publishing Checklist
Everything on JaneFriedman.com is worth reading. At a traditional publisher, an entire department of trained professionals gets books over the finish line. You can be proud; you're managing all those steps yourself. Here's a great way to keep it all straight, plot the order as carefully as you'd plot your book, and make sure to deliver on time.
2. John Fox on YouTube
BookFox, or John Fox on YouTube, brings a lively perspective and knows what he's talking about. He offers practical tips, little-known facts, and surprising revelations about your entire journey. Bring the popcorn and settle in.
3. Carla King's Guide to Book Keywords
Here's a behind-the-scenes detail that can make a real difference for your book's presence online. Carla King's guide for IngramSpark walks you through choosing specific, searchable terms and putting the best ones to work in your book description and author bio. Give it a read.
4. ALLi's Research on AI and Readers
ICYMI, the Alliance of Independent Authors just published its research and thinking on AI and writers. It's a surprising look at a topic we think we know, from news editor Dan Holloway.
5. The Library of Congress' Preassigned Control Number (PCN)
Do you have your Library of Congress PCN? It's free, and it makes a print book easier for libraries to catalog and order. It has to be done before publication, which is why it's easy to miss. Here's the Author/Self-Publisher Guide (PDF).
6. Getting Your Book into Libraries
Think beyond the bookstore. Libraries are an important part of the discovery journey for many readers, and indie authors have more opportunities to reach them than you might think. IngramSpark's 6 Strategies for Getting Your Self-Published Book into Libraries covers formats, metadata, local relationships, and patron requests, and explains how IngramSpark gets books to libraries through Ingram Library Services.
7. Reviews
I manage a new paid-review service, Open Shelf Reviews, so it’s not surprising that I love Raven Belasco (on YouTube) for saying how important reviews are, especially for books that don't fall into common genres. Librarians and booksellers tell us their number one way to find books is through reviews they trust. That's one reason we're excited about offering professional reviews for indie authors and small presses. As an IngramSpark author, you're eligible for exclusive discounts on Open Shelf and other review services.
8. SWFA's Writer Beware®
Writer Beware, from SFWA (the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association). I can't stress enough how valuable this resource is. If an offer from any service smells like swamp water, its thorough coverage of scams and potential fraud will probably bring you clarity. Jump to the self-publishing section here.
9. Jane Friedman's How to Develop a Marketing and Promotion Plan
Another one from Friedman's site. Do you realize how credible her information is? She's literally seen publishing from all sides.
10. ALLi's List of Famous Self-Published Authors
The Alliance of Independent Authors (see number 4) is a great site in general. Its oldie-but-goodie list of famous self-published authors is one we can all turn to for inspiration. Who else self-published? Margaret Atwood, Pat Conroy, Julia Cameron, Willa Cather, Beatrix Potter, and Alexandre Dumas. Are you inspired yet?
There are a lot of ways to shape your book's path to discovery, and the right resources and partners can help along the way. And when it's time to get a review for your book, we hope you'll turn to Open Shelf Reviews, from the team behind Library Journal and School Library Journal. We’d love to help your book find its way to librarians, booksellers, and readers.
