danthamccoy:
Nice one NSG. I'm embarrassed I haven't copped your book considering how hyped I was for it. Got to change that soonest.

Naijasinglegirl:
Thanks everyone for the encouragement when I posted this.

www.nairaland.com/2999407/self-published-book-thank-nairaland

Everything worked out fine. Book is now available on okadabooks

Naijasinglegirl:

You can get it on okadabooks or kindle. The hard copies are out of stock

Olajhidey22:
That was a success indeed!

Few and precise bullet points but worth holding onto.

Thanks for sharing this, greener pasture lies ahead of you

Naijasinglegirl:
Thanks everyone for the encouragement when I posted this.

www.nairaland.com/2999407/self-published-book-thank-nairaland

Everything worked out fine. Book is now available on okadabooks

[/font=georgia]How much is this book,and how can I get the hard copy,I find it stressful reading a novel/story etc from a gadget,it's not the same as chating [/font]

Naijasinglegirl:
I published my first novel eight months ago. It seems like yesterday I made the announcement. How time flies!
I was not an English major and I had no creative writing training whatsoever. Bottom line, I was starting from scratch and I had those what-the-hell-am-I-doing moments. And when you don’t have the knowledge base to gauge your place and progress in the authoring world, it can cause a bit of anxiety. I hope I can help you in some way by listing some lessons I learnt on my journey.


1 On Editing
Remember, everyone who is critiquing you as you prepare your manuscript is on your side. Sometimes it might not feel that way, and often, it’s tough to hear the truth. But its far better to hear it from an editor early than a reviewer later!


2. Don't be in a hurry
Many authors are in a rush to get their story out there. They hit “upload” and bam. Published book.
When I finished my first draft, I read it five times and I thought I had penned a masterpiece. But when I peeked at this manuscript two months later, I winced at all at errors and realised it needed a lot of polishing.
All I am saying is "Do not publish for
expediency’s sake." What you present to the public hastily might not be your best work and once the book is out there, it’s out.


3. Knock on every door, you never know which might open
The first one month, I kept messaging notable people to give me a shoutouts. I had a personal target of mailing 10 people a day. On the 10th day I was ready to give up because all my messages were unresponded. A certain celebrity responded to me on the 10th night and from that singular shoutout, I sold a reasonable number of books.



4 Timing is everything
From publishing, release date, marketing strategies to contacting book stores. Everything should be clearly written out with reasonable deadlines. I didn't have a detailed plan and this almost messed things up for me. I guess I was just lucky.


5 You are your biggest fan
I gave out 34 copies of my novel for free because I thought I would never sell all the copies I published but today, I have only five copies left which has all been paid for.
People will tell you your work is trash, you will get criticisms that are not constructive, your book will be undervalued, book stores will reject them but don't let these things deter you. So long as you've written a story that appeals to a certain audience, keep pushing. One day they'll find you.



6 Don't underestimate Instagram
Of all my social media pages, my Instagram page has the least number of followers but 40% of my stock was sold on that platform. Most of them were bought by people who have never heard of me. Use the right hashtags, ask friends for shoutouts, encourage readers to post reviews there. Do giveaways if need be.


7 Your book will not make you rich
If you are writing for the sole purpose of making money, forget it.
Those 10% - 35% royalties won't make you rich and as a self published author, it gets harder to market if you are on a tight budget. But on the bright side, being an author opens doors for other opportunities like speaking, consulting, awards and endorsements. Plus, you'll make your mother proud.



8 Watch out for promotion envy.
Someone always does it bigger and better. Larger book launches, finer wine, more blogs posted, ads placed, unsolicited reviews, book tours, interviews, TV shows graced, celebrity shoutouts etc
Do what you can—sanely for inspiration, good judgment, and gentle stretching of your comfort boundaries. You are not in a race with anyone.i have a complete manuscript that I intend to publish next year- it will be my debut book and it's a non-fiction work. I will like to get more tips from you about how I can effectively market my work; I will be self publishing just as you did so I believe I can use some help.

Gentlebabs:
I am proud of you my fellow Self -Published Author. You are so on-point. Reading this from you inspire me for I passed through all these too. Mine I can say is a business book and I have sold 94percent with all the strategies mentioned above.

I have 3 notable awards this year and speaking engagements that goes with white envelopes. My parents are deceased now, but they are so proud of me from the Heavenlies.

Plus the joy of being a Published Author, so soothing.

Babs.
Author: PLANNING YOUR RETIREMENT
www.babatunderaimi.com

Naijasinglegirl:
Thanks everyone for the encouragement when I posted this.

www.nairaland.com/2999407/self-published-book-thank-nairaland

Everything worked out fine. Book is now available on okadabooks

Pchizy:
Welldone. You'll do greater.

"Writer's Block" caught up with me, but as God may have it, am overcoming all

Berbierklaus:

[/font=georgia]How much is this book,and how can I get the hard copy,I find it stressful reading a novel/story etc from a gadget,it's not the same as chating [/font]

Naijasinglegirl:

You can get it on okadabooks or kindle. The hard copies are out of stock