By Danielle M. Orsino
As an author, you learn through outside sources such as reviews, reader feedback,and, of course, editors. However, it’s your own missteps that leave a lasting impression and are the biggest lessons in my opinion. As an author with nine published books in the mythic and paranormal fantasy genres I have some experience. Having navigated traditional, hybrid, and now self-publishing, I've experienced exactly which self-publishing mistakes to avoid when launching a book. I have often said, “If you want to know what not to do when you first jump into writing, come sit next to me!” I really should just make a t-shirt that says that. With all that I have had made, here are my top three.
Number 1: Trusting too much...
I trusted everyone was as invested in my success as I was. WRONG. My first “publisher” was not. Let’s just say there's virtually no editing. The book PR agency I paid tons of money to, which was one of the best in the biz, put the ending to Locked Out of Heaven on Goodreads as my bio by ‘accident’ a month before launch. They said, “In twenty years this has never happened.”
How did I find out? I went on to check my author picture because I had the idea to switch it to a cosplay image of myself as Queen Aurora (one of my characters) and that’s how I discovered it. It took them twodays to take it down. The first person they choose to review the book? A romance influencer, my book has no romance, which I clearly stated in several meetings, and it was filled out on the intake form. Newsflash, she hated it. So, my very first review for my debut novel was a bad one. They also promised to read it my manuscript which they did not, then they brought the editing issue to my attention after the reviewer did (grammar stuff) and asked if I sent it to Kirkus (I big reviewing and editing company) we were weeks away from launch. Huh? They had been with me since match It was now May, and you are just getting around to bringing this up? Partly my fault; I should have read the book. But I trusted my publisher that they had read it when they said, once again, they had not.
Moral of the story: No one will care the way you do about your books, regardless of industry reputation or how much you pay them.
Number 2: Not understanding the editing process or the types of editors...
I initially followed all the wrong advice about editing. When an editor claimed they “did it all,” I believed them. Proofreading, developmental editing, line editing, copy editing. Ummm…no one does that for one price.
I also told them I was dyslexic, and they took advantage of it by not really editing. I found tons of misspellings, like the spelling there as “teh,” not once but ten times. I was mortified.
I had asked my publisher to proofread the book; they said they did, but did not. It went to print, and I started receiving emails from readers asking if they could help me, so embarrassing. Furthermore, every re-upload of my manuscript to fix the mistakes cost me 40 dollars. Bythen, I just didn’t care anymore.
Here is another piece of the puzzle, and this was completely on me. My husband offered to proofread it; I said no. I was so determined to show him I could do this on my own that I refused his help. I should not have been so stubborn and accepted his kind offer. This was to have saved me the headache.
However, I've since learned the difference between a copy editor and a developmental editor. Can someone handle both roles? Yes, but be sure to do your research and confirm that they are familiar with your genre.
Number 3: Knowing when to stick to my guns...
I loved my original cover for *Locked Out of Heaven* and the concept behind the series covers. They were supposed to be typography with symbols correlating to each book and be different shades of blue, going from dark to lighter shades as the series continued. However, when I transitioned to my second publisher, they discarded those designs and proposed featuring me on the covers in cosplay. Although I reluctantly agreed, I now realize I shouldn't have. Ultimately, just as the last book of Volume I was released, they reverted to a text-only cover after I had appeared on the Tamron Hall show, where all my cosplay covers had been showcased. It was a disaster;marketing experts advised not to make the switch at least until after the summer, once the show had run in course in syndication. They did not listen. They made the change and my episodes aired three more times (that I know of) after the cover change
I was never reimbursed for my cover shoots or the time and money I had invested in creating my costumes. The burden was on me to finance all of it even when it had not been my idea and yes, I still had to pay cover creation fees with the publisher just like every other author who was creating covers from scratch even though I had been providing the images and full concept.
Additionally, I developed an undeserved reputation for being vain because of my appearance on the covers, as the rumor circulated that I insisted on the cosplay concept, when in reality, it was their idea, not mine. I made some enemies in the community, and yet some copied my idea of doing more cosplay, but I was never given any credit, just a bad rap.
In the end, I am okay with where I am. I think this all was necessary. I am very content with being self-published and having my own imprint. If I want to take on other authors, I will know how to treat them. Indie authors want transparency and a chance to be heard. If you are looking for self-publishing advice, it comes down to this...you are the only one who is invested in your success. Know this industry and trust yourself.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With a string of literary and martial arts awards under her belt, Orsino is a celebrated fantasy novelist who dreams of crafting immersive realms for her audience to lose themselves in. Her compelling word-weaving pays homage to a multitude of personal muses, from Jim Steranko, Stephanie Williams and Mike Deodato, Jr. to Anne Rice, Jim Henson, and Wonder Woman. She currently resides in the Veil with her pups—Carlos, and Penelope. She spends her time writing, cosplaying, ignoring the real world, watching the NY Giants, and practicing martial arts.
Check out all of Danielle’s books on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
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