Are you thinking about self-publishing your book, but feeling overwhelmed by cover design, formatting, and finding the right team? 📚✨

In this episode of Rise & Tell with Sheekha, Michele DeFilippo (founder of 1106 Design with 50+ years in book publishing) shares insider secrets on how to self-publish like the pros and avoid costly mistakes that can sink your author career.

From self-publishing myths to book cover design psychology, Michele breaks down exactly what authors need to know before hitting publish. If you've ever wondered why readers judge books by their covers or how to make your self-published book look as polished as traditionally published ones, this conversation is packed with expert advice you can use today.

👉 What you'll learn in this episode:

✅ The 3 ways to publish a book—traditional, self-publishing, and hybrid, and why self-publishing gives you 6-8x more profit per book

✅ Self-publishing myths debunked: You DON'T need a publishing company to self-publish (this changes everything!)

✅ Book cover design secrets: Why it's NOT just picking a picture and adding text—the psychology behind covers that make readers stop and buy

✅ The costly mistake Michele sees authors make: Writing the book THEY love instead of solving a common problem their market needs

✅ Why you should NEVER micromanage your designer (Michele's story about 34 cover revisions will surprise you!)

✅ Where to find professional editors and designers (hint: skip Fiverr—here's why real pros aren't there)

✅ Book interior design matters: The hidden typesetting details that separate amateur self-published books from professional ones

✅ AI in publishing: When to use it, when to avoid it, and why human designers still create better book cover designs

✅ FREE 80-page guide: Download Publish Like the Pros at 1106design.com

Understanding your market before you even start writing is the secret sauce Michele emphasizes throughout this conversation. She reveals how self-publishing transformed the industry, starting in 2001 when Amazon changed everything; suddenly, authors could earn $6-8 per book instead of just $1 with traditional publishers. But with this freedom came confusion, misinformation, and companies trying to take advantage of authors.

Michele's company, 1106 Design, has helped over 4,000 authors publish like the pros by providing quality editorial services, professional book cover design, expert typesetting, and reliable publishing advice. Her philosophy? Hire experts, trust professionals, and stop micromanaging the creative process. She shares why attachment to your book can actually hurt its success and how letting go leads to better results.

Self-publishing isn't about cutting corners or doing everything yourself—it's about assembling the right team of experts who know how to make your book competitive in today's market. Michele explains why books formatted in Microsoft Word or using DIY software like Vellum simply can't match professional typesetting, and why your book cover design needs to fit its genre to borrow credibility from major publishers.

Whether you're writing your first book or have had disappointing experiences with self-publishing in the past, Michele's practical advice will help you navigate the process with confidence and create a book that stands out in a crowded marketplace.

🔔 Don't forget to subscribe for more powerful conversations with authors, leaders, and changemakers who share real strategies for publishing success.

📖 FREE RESOURCE: Download Michele's comprehensive 80-page guide, Publish Like the Pros at 1106design.com (includes all her pricing, educational articles, and insider tips!)

💬 Have questions about self-publishing or book cover design? Drop them in the comments below—Michele and I read every single one!✨

Connect with Michele DeFilippo:

Website: 1106design.com

Free Guide: Publish Like the Pros

Free Consultation: Available for all authors

#selfpublishing #micheledelippo #authorlife