Navigating Self-Publishing: Which Companies Offer the Best Support?

In the world of self-publishing, the success of a book largely depends on the efforts of the author themselves. From writing to marketing, the journey is a demanding one, but it's crucial to understand which resources and companies can provide the necessary support.

Understanding the Landscape of Self-Publishing

At its core, self-publishing is about the author taking the lead. A publisher in this context is merely a printshop that specializes in creating the physical or digital product for you. Therefore, the services you require should be in place before approaching such vendors.

The Exploitation of Self-Publishing Authors

Unfortunately, many self-publishing companies take advantage of their authors. Names like Xlibris and Lulu come to mind as examples. These companies are not primarily set up to help authors but rather to exploit them for financial gain. There is little money to be made by selling self-published books unless they reach wider audiences.

Platforms like Amazon and Lightning Source, however, offer more reasonable pricing for self-published books, but even with these services, you are largely on your own when it comes to marketing and selling your book. Beware of fake services promising free advertising; they often lack guarantees of sales and even fail to provide evidence of successful results.

Effective Self-Publishing with KDP

For Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), you need to leverage the numerous free promotional days available. To maximize these, you should focus on building a mailing list or creating a 'tribe' around your book that can help spread the word, post reviews, and drive sales once the book is no longer in 'free mode.'

Author Support from Major Platforms

The big players like Amazon, Barnes Noble (BN), and Kobo are quite helpful for self-publishers. If you need assistance, these platforms offer efficient support through email and phone calls. Amazon is the quickest, providing immediate callback services within KDP Publishing. This feature is highly beneficial for many authors.

Barnes Noble has improved significantly over the past year and usually offers a quick response within a day. Kobo, while still evolving, now ensures that your queries are addressed promptly. Apple, on the other hand, requires the use of Smashwords, an aggregator. Smashwords had communication issues in the past but has shown improvement in recent times. If you encounter problems, don't hesitate to seek help, as it often comes within a couple of days.

For those using Draft2Digital, the experience can vary. Although more interactive, responses can sometimes take a few days. This aggregator does help with document formatting, but ultimately, you need to learn the process yourself and rely on direct help minimally.

Google Play and Other Platforms

Google Play offers an online chat feature, while other platforms like Apple require aggregators or direct interactions with their support teams. Regardless of the platform, it's essential to have registered as a publisher and be actively working on your book before seeking support.

Conclusion

The key to effective self-publishing lies in the author's proactive engagement and the smart utilization of available resources. Whether through major platforms or specific aggregators, there are plenty of support options available. However, the ultimate success depends on the author's skills in both creating and promoting their work.