Self-Publishing Tool Kit: Strategies For Creative Writers

Even though the face of publishing is changing, creative writers can still stay ahead of the game by trying different strategies. Both independent authors and published authors can build a significant following for themselves with enough diligence and thinking outside the box.

Adhering to specific step-by-step instructions doesn’t always work for writers, especially since there are so many variations in best practices depending on genre. The overall market for your work can vary further based on the target demographic and the length of each of your books.

You have plenty of room to innovate and be creative in your approach to writing. The Internet makes it even easier to explore and collaborate. Check out these fresh ideas for writers to try no matter what route you’re trying to take with your career.

Write Short Stories

Epic novel series and decades-long comic book storylines are no longer the norm. Readers are interested in  short stories as well, especially if they can tell a powerful story that ties up the main plot but leaves questions unanswered and open to interpretation. Short stories are great for building your portfolio and broader name recognition in a given genre, primarily if you publish them as a collection.

Short stories are an art form, and they require even more practice than more extended writing because you can’t waste even a single word or page. Hone your craft by writing, rewriting, and publishing your best work.

Many publishing companies also create anthologies in a particular genre on an annual basis, and monthly magazines sometimes look for short stories too. Since these stories don’t pay particularly well and reach a limited audience, they shouldn’t be your only outlet. Independently publishing your work is essential if you want to maintain creative control and keep your work in print for long periods.

Try New Genres

Just because you enjoy a particular genre doesn’t mean you can or should write it forever. Branching out into related genres or sub-genres can breathe fresh life into your writing, especially if you’re already a seasoned veteran. Even significant jumps between genres like romance and horror can work if you take the time to read up on the conventions of the genre.

Illustrated books and comic books are also a great way to expand your horizons. Learning to draw cartoon-style art doesn’t happen overnight, but you can improve your skills with some basic classes and art books if you are already artistically-inclined. From there, make sure to practice a lot, especially if you launch into creating an entire comic series.

You might lose a few readers if you make a major switch between genres or age levels. However, most readers will be willing to try your new works if they like your older ones. Plus, your readers will be able to tell if you are running out of ideas to write about in your current genre.

Collaborate with Artists and Writers

Although writing is traditionally a solitary task, online writing platforms and file-sharing have made it easier than ever for authors to collaborate. Once you’ve made some trusted friends in the creative arts, try collaborating with them to create a new work. Self-publishing makes it easy to team up for short stories and longer novels.

One approach to take is to have writers alternate chapters in a story and then revise the resulting work to make the voice more cohesive. You could also write interconnected short stories or an entire anthology of separate stories.

Comic books are a great way to tell stories that are difficult to convey with just words. Superhero comics are the most prominent examples of this, but with the right artist, you can create horror, drama, and even romance stories. Since drawing takes more time and technical skill than comic book scriptwriting, though, you may need to get creative to balance monetary and workload considerations.

Promote Frequently

Generating buzz around your upcoming work is the best way to secure pre-orders and get people excited. Send copies to bloggers and other reviewers with large platforms if they express interest in your book. Small  pre-order rewards like bookmarks can be a great way to keep your work in the front of your readers’ minds.

You should also continue to promote your published books even if they have been out for a few years. Sometimes interest in a subgenre will spike if a popular bestseller comes out with a similar setting or premise. Keep an eye on what’s popular, and don’t be afraid to put out a fresh round of social media posts about an older work in your portfolio.

Many independent publishing services can help promote your work on social media for a fee. However, most of these services won’t provide a consistent return on your investment. The best route is to take your own time and energy to promote on social media, connect with fans, and build your brand and reputation organically.

Sketch and Doodle

A small sketchbook is great for jotting down ideas and rough sketches. This is especially helpful for fantasy and sci-fi authors but is useful for anyone working with complex scenes and settings. You can sketch room layouts, outfits, and even ideas for your next book’s cover as soon as they pop into your mind.

Keeping a sketchbook gives you easy visuals to share with your readers while working on a new project. You can put together a quick teaser post with iconography, diagrams, or even character sketches from whatever you’re writing.

Your sketchbook will also double as a space for bullet journaling and jotting down bits of dialogue that come to mind wherever you’re at. Try a small 6” x 9” sketchbook for easy portability, but consider sizing up if you need to for diagrams and more detailed character sketches.

Read More

The art of writing is not just accomplished through practice. Like with any art form, you should also study how other creatives do their craft. Instead of looking for ideas to take from them, though, you should examine how they use words, phrases, imagery, setting, and other details. Also, make sure to read outside of your usual genre, which may allow you to discover new ideas.

Creative writing classes are great for building your basic skills, but continuing to read will reinforce everything you’ve learned. Even comic books and picture books can positively impact how you use pacing, plot development, and dialogue to create the best story possible. Keep your horizons broad as you look for your next relaxing weekend read.

Always Keep Publishing

The best way to sell more books is to write more books. Even if you’re proud of your latest work, you’ll eventually run out of interested readers to market it to. Continuing to write gives your readers more to enjoy and recommend to their friends.

You can print square bound booklets with as few as 60 pages, so self-publishing novellas and short story collections is easier than ever. Don’t throw away your ideas just because you can’t make a full-length story out of them. Your collection of work needs to stay relevant to keep attracting readers, and even one-off stories can amass a surprising fan following if they’re thoughtful and creative.

Of course, quality is critical to your publishing success. Cutting corners in the publishing process will only disappoint your readers, especially if you’re well-established. Even indie authors should always enlist editors and proofreaders to get a fresh set of eyes on their work.

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No matter what you’re publishing, just send us your formatted interior pages and your cover design, and we’ll get right to work bringing your dream to life. We offer 14-day standard production time and offer rush options for both production and shipping. Contact us with any questions about how our templates can work for you.