Advice for Bristol authors and writers looking to publish

Here’s our list of essential advice for authors and writers looking to publish or self-publish their book.

Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing

Traditional Publishing:

Finding a publisher to publish your book isn’t easy. To start with you need to research the publishers and/or literary agents specific to your genre. In Bristol there are a limited number of publishers who may be suitable, depending upon the genre of your book.

A traditional publisher will usually pay an author a royalty fee per books sold and in some cases an advance fee. They provide you with access to a team of professionals (editors, cover designers, marketers, etc) and potentially wide distribution in bookshops nationwide.

Self-Publishing:

Self-publishing enables you to publish your book on your terms. You’ll have complete creative control, can publish within your own timeframe and have the potential to retain higher royalty fees per book sold.

The most popular platform is Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Other platforms include IngramSpark, Draft2Digital and Lulu.

The challenge with self-publishing is that you’re responsible for everything, from editing to marketing to cover design, which can be overwhelming. It’s also much harder for you to sell your books to your customers without investing heavily in marketing and sales promotion. Getting your books into physical bookshops is also difficult for self-publishers as most bookshops prefer to buy directly from a wholesaler or distributor.

If you decide to self-publish it’s best not to skimp on professional services for things like cover design, and proof-reading as they play a huge role in reader perception.

Polish your manuscript

Whether you go traditional or self-publish, editing is crucial. Consider hiring a professional editor and at the very least make sure your manuscript has had a good proof-read.

Before submitting to publishers or agents, or before self-publishing, gather feedback from beta readers—people who read your book before it’s released. They can spot inconsistencies, pacing issues, or areas that need improvement.

Don’t underestimate the importance of the cover and title

The cover is often the first thing that attracts readers to your book. Make sure your cover and the title of the book reflects the genre and tone of your story or content. A professional cover design will really help to sell your book. AI generated covers might be quick and cheap to produce but are often poorly executed and off-putting to readers.

Marketing your book

The success of a book is only as good as the marketing and promotion behind it. Here are some ideas to consider:

• In advance of publication consider sharing Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs). These can be sent out book relevant bloggers or influencers in your genre to get reviews.

• A launch event/s or talk is a great way to get a bookshop to stock your book.

• Pre-orders help to build momentum and audience appetite.

Create your author brand

Whether self-publishing or traditionally published, developing your author brand is essential. Consider engaging on the following platforms:

Website & Blog: Set up a website where readers can learn about you and your books. Having a blog can also help with visibility and SEO.

Social Media: Build a presence on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. Many readers love connecting with authors through social media.

Newsletter: Building an email list is a great way to maintain contact with your readers and keep them engaged with upcoming releases.

Join writing communities

Whether online or in person, writing communities can be incredibly helpful. They provide support, feedback, and opportunities for collaboration.

Use social media and consider joining Facebook groups, Reddit subreddits, or writing forums to network with other writers.

Writing conferences and workshops can also help you to connect with industry professionals and other authors.