Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

#194. Self-Publishing Your Novel: A 10 Step Guide for First-Time Authors


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Congratulations! You've finished writing your novel, and you've set your sights on self-publishing. But now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering, "Where do I start?" If you're feeling overwhelmed by the self-publishing process, you're not alone. 

Most first-time authors don't realize just how many decisions the self-publishing process involves. From choosing file formats and pricing strategies to designing covers and optimizing metadata—every choice you make directly impacts your book's success in the marketplace.

This is exactly why having a roadmap to follow before diving into self-publishing is so crucial. Just as you wouldn't build a house without blueprints, you shouldn't publish your novel without a clear plan of action. 

That's exactly what I'm providing in this episode—a comprehensive 10-step guide that will transform your manuscript into a professionally published book readers will discover and enjoy.

You’ll hear me talk about things like:

  • [02:42] The critical mindset shift most first-time authors fail to make—and why adopting a publisher’s mindset is key to your self-publishing success
  • [06:04] How to build out your publishing team (including why skimping on professional editing is the costliest mistake you can make)
  • [11:51] Why you should start building your author platform and growing your email list now—even if your book isn’t entirely ready to publish just yet
  • [21:19] How to decide which distribution channel is best for you and your book (and why this choice impacts everything from your marketing to sales)
  • [25:49] How to develop a flexible pricing strategy that positions your novel correctly in the market while maximizing your revenue and/or reach

Whether you’ve already set your sights on self-publishing or if you’ve been researching self-publishing only to feel more confused than ever, this episode will give you the clear, strategic roadmap you need to confidently self-publish your novel like a pro!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

  • Your Self-Publishing Roadmap: 10 Steps To Self-Publishing a Novel (Free Guide)
  • Ep. #83 - What Kind of Editor Do You Need For Your Book?
  • Ep. #106 - 5 Steps To Building Your Author Platform
  • Ep. #107 - Email List Building Essentials For Authors
  • Ep. 163 - How To Find & Work With A Book Cover Designer

⭐ Follow & Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!

NOTES TO NOVEL IS OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT! 🎉 No more false starts. No more guesswork. In just 8 weeks, you’ll have the clarity, confidence, and system to finally write your novel—and keep going. Enrollment closes August 28th! Join Notes to Novel now →

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Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing TipsBy Savannah Gilbo

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