Coffee With Cole: The Digital Writing Podcast

Q&A - How To Self-Publish Your First Book

Sep 4, 2024

38:44

Snipd AI

Dive into the world of self-publishing and discover why it's often the best choice for most writers. Learn about pitfalls in traditional publishing, like the chase for status and bookstore placements. Get practical tips on finding editors, balancing passion with market demand, and leveraging reader feedback. Explore strategies for consistent content production and smart book distribution. The secrets to successful self-publishing are unveiled, making it a must-listen for aspiring authors!

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Quick takeaways

Self-publishing provides creative freedom and financial rewards, enabling authors to retain ownership over their work unlike traditional publishing's limited benefits.

Engaging with audiences through online feedback helps writers refine their ideas and develop their projects based on real interest before full commitment.

Deep dives

The Case for Self-Publishing

Self-publishing offers greater financial reward and creative freedom for most writers compared to traditional publishing. Many authors believe a book deal guarantees success, but in reality, advances can be misleading, and royalties are considerably low, often leaving writers with minimal earnings. Traditional publishers mainly benefit a select few who successfully navigate the New York Times bestseller list game, while self-published authors can retain full ownership and control over their work. The risks and costs of seeking a traditional publishing deal generally outweigh the perceived benefits.

Understand Your Worth: The Author's Dilemma

01:16

Finding the Balance Between Writing Passion and Profit

02:41

Persist Through Volume and Experimentation

01:21

Intro

9min

Navigating the Self-Publishing Landscape: Editors, Market Feedback, and Genre Success

9min

Navigating Self-Publishing: Strategies for Success

10min

Navigating the Literary Fiction Landscape: Insights and Success Stories

5min

Navigating the Path of Literary Writing and Self-Publishing

7min

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Q&A on how to self-publish your first book

In this episode, I dive deep into the world of self-publishing, sharing why I believe it's a better path for 99% of writers compared to traditional publishing. With ten self-published books generating $10,000 a month on autopilot, I provide a clear argument against the allure of book deals, exposing the pitfalls of chasing traditional publishing for status, New York Times bestseller recognition, and bookstore placements. I also answer common questions on how to successfully self-publish, offering practical advice for leveraging, formatting, and publishing your work. This episode is packed with practical advice on leveraging your content, staying consistent, and understanding your market to succeed as a self-published author.

(00:00) Intro
(00:31) The Problem with Book Deals
(01:19) “A Publisher Will Help You Win The NYT Best-Seller Game”
(02:47) “A Publisher Will Help You Get Into Bookstores”
(01:19) “A Publisher Will Help You Win The NYT Best-Seller Game”
(02:47) “A Publisher Will Help You Get Into Bookstores”
(08:14) “Where is the bets place to find an editor?”
(11:49) “How do you balance writing what you love versus writing what sells?”
(16:38) “Is it worth trying to self-publish even if you haven’t established an audience and tested on social?”
(17:26) “Distribution: should you do a soft launch to your list or just post on all platforms and let it ride?”
(21:54) “How many books in a series should you do before doing another series or pivoting?”
(26:07) “What are the best practices for writers of literary and upmarket fiction? Any success stories?”
(32:50) “How do you handle the design side?”

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📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

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