Hello, everyone!
Welcome back! This is Part Two of my previous blog post, Things I Wish I Knew Before Writing My Book. If you haven’t read Part One yet, I’d recommend checking it out—but if you’re ready to dive in, let’s get straight to it!
Watch Out for Hidden Costs
Publishing isn’t just about printing your book. There are lots of extras:
– ISBN numbers: you can get these free from Amazon or you can buy unique ISBN yourself and this enables you to have more rights over your book, in case an agent wanted to buy to turn into a movie
– Copyright registration: there’s a standard copyright and there’s a more enhanced version, that prevents anyone from copying or using any part of your work without your consent.
– Cover design
– Formatting for print and eBook
– Marketing
– A website, including domains, hosting, maintenance, subscriptions
Some of these things caught me by surprise. So budget wisely, and try to get a full picture of the cost before you commit to any publishing service.
You Need a Website and Online Presence
One thing I didn’t realise early on—but quickly learned—is how crucial it is to have a website. Your website becomes your digital home. It gives readers a place to find you, connect with your work, and learn more about your journey. It also adds credibility, making you appear more professional to potential reviewers, media outlets, and even publishers.
Even if it’s just a simple, one-page site it’s so much better than nothing. And here’s another important lesson: start building your social media presence early. Don’t wait until the last minute like I did. One of the biggest mistakes I made was jumping onto social media just a few weeks before publishing my book to announce, “New book, coming soon!” Unfortunately, by then, it was too late to build genuine engagement.
You need to bring your readers along from the very beginning of your writing process. Share your highs and lows, your thoughts, your progress. This way, by the time you’re ready to launch, they’re already emotionally invested in your book and eager to support it.
Another vital step is preparing ARC (Advanced Reader Copies). Choose a handful of trusted readers to review your manuscript, provide honest feedback, and even be involved in things like cover design or early promo. Not only does this give you fresh insight, but it also creates a supportive community around your book before it hits the shelves.
Marketing Is Mostly Your Responsibility
Unless you’re with a major traditional publisher, marketing your book will fall largely on you. That means:
– Creating content (videos, blog posts, etc.)
– Building a launch team
– Asking for reviews
– Reaching out to book clubs, influencers, or podcasts
Yes, it can feel overwhelming—but it’s also incredibly empowering. No one knows your book better than you do, and no one will advocate for it with the same passion and conviction. That’s something I’ve had to remind myself along the way.
The truth is, I’m still figuring out my own marketing strategy. There’s so much information out there, and it can quickly become chaotic and confusing. If you’re anything like me—juggling a full-time job, family responsibilities, and other commitments—you have to find a marketing rhythm that works for you. Something realistic and sustainable.
It’s not easy, but then again, anything truly worth having requires sacrifice. And if you do have the financial means, I highly recommend investing in a professional marketing company. It can lift a huge weight off your shoulders and give your book the visibility it deserves.
Be Patient with Feedback and Sales
We all dream of selling hundreds—even thousands—of copies overnight. But the reality is, success in publishing often comes slowly and steadily. Reviews start to trickle in, word of mouth begins to spread, and your book gradually finds its way into the right hands. So don’t be discouraged if your book doesn’t take off right away.
Stay consistent. Keep showing up. Keep sharing your message. Trust that the right readers will come—in their time, not yours.
As it stands, I’ve sold over a hundred copies of my book—and I’m incredibly grateful for that. Especially when you consider that, statistically, many self-published authors sell between 0–50 copies over the lifetime of their book. So to already surpass that milestone is a blessing and a testament to persistence, faith, and purpose.
Final Thoughts
Publishing Unequally Yoked has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life—but it’s also come with a steep learning curve. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve learned valuable lessons, and truthfully, I’m still learning as I go. But I’m growing—and I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.
If you’re carrying a book inside you, don’t let fear or confusion hold you back. Equip yourself with knowledge, seek support when you need it, and most importantly—keep going. Your voice matters, and your story deserves to be told.
If you have any questions, or if there’s anything in this post you’d like me to dive deeper into, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to me on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.
Stay tuned—because in my next blog, I’ll be sharing more about how I’m currently marketing my book and what’s working for me.
See you soon!
With love,
Ginna Andrew