One of the many things you need to consider when self-publishing a book is whether you are going to go for the DIY approach, or get someone in to help. There are merits to both options, but ultimately it all comes down to quality. What is the best way to ensure that your book is as professional as it needs to be?
For many people, this will mean sourcing at least some outside help. After all, self-publishing a book is a lot of work and involves a lot of different processes – and it is unlikely that you will have a good understanding of all of them. Editing, for instance, is one area where it is generally worth hiring a professional to go over your work.
However, what should you do if you are just starting out in independent publishing and can’t afford much in the way of outside assistance? It’s important to get the most out of your available resources, so I’d suggest targeting your resources where they’ll do the most good. For example, you might be able to get your writing group or helpfully critical friend to assist with stuff like editing and proofreading, but decide to invest in a professional designer to do your book cover.
It’s also worth seeing if there is any way you can get some professional support without a financial commitment – for instance, you might be great at formatting while another author is savvy when it comes to cover design; swapping skills can be a good way of bringing the DIY and professional support options together.
Overall, both options have their merits, and you need to weigh up what will work best for you. Think about your own knowledge, the book you’re looking to publish, and the resources available (including time, skills and financial resources). Whatever you decide, with self-publishing now so popular and competitive, it’s vital that the novel you end up with is as good as it can possibly be.
What do you think? When it comes to self-publishing, do you do it yourself or make use of professional services?