Self-Publishing a Novel: 10 Best Practices Every Indie Author Should Know

Gone are the days when traditional publishing was the only path to literary success. Self-publishing has emerged as a powerful, flexible, and empowering option for authors who want creative control and direct access to readers. But with great freedom comes great responsibility. If you want your self-published novel to stand out in a crowded market, you’ll need more than just a great story—you’ll need a strategy.

Here are the 10 best practices for successfully self-publishing your novel and giving it the professional polish it deserves.

1. Don’t Just Finish Your Novel—Refine It Ruthlessly

Writing "The End" is only the beginning. Your first draft is just the raw material. Revise, rewrite, and edit until your story shines.

• Draft multiple versions to refine your structure, pacing, and dialogue.

• Recruit beta readers to give feedback on what’s working—and what’s not.

• Hire professional editors for:

  • Developmental editing (big picture: plot, characters, structure)

  • Copy editing (sentence-level clarity, grammar)

  • Proofreading (final polish)

Cut what doesn’t serve the story. Your readers will thank you.

2. Invest in a Cover That Sells

People do judge a book by its cover—especially online. Your cover should immediately convey your book’s genre, tone, and quality.

• Hire a professional designer with experience in your genre.

• Ensure the design works as a thumbnail for e-book stores.

• For print, don’t forget the back cover blurb and spine design.

Tip: Compare your design with top sellers in your category. It should blend in and stand out.

3. Format for Both E-Book and Print Like a Pro

A poorly formatted book can ruin a great reading experience. Don’t let formatting be the reason readers leave negative reviews.

• Use tools like Vellum, Scrivener, or Reedsy Book Editor.

• Know your trim sizes—common ones are 5”x8” or 6”x9”.

• Ensure clean layout: proper margins, line spacing, justified text, page numbers, and chapter headings.

Print books need bleed settings, gutter margins, and print-ready PDFs—don’t DIY unless you’re confident in the process.

4. Choose the Right Self-Publishing Platforms

Where you publish matters. Each platform offers unique pros and cons:

• Amazon KDP: The giant of self-publishing. Great visibility and royalties (especially with Kindle Unlimited).

• IngramSpark: Ideal for wide print distribution to bookstores and libraries.

• Draft2Digital and Smashwords: Simplify wide e-book distribution beyond Amazon.

Decide if you want to go exclusive (via Amazon’s KDP Select) or wide (publish everywhere). Each approach has different strategies and rewards.

5. Price Your Book Strategically

Pricing is both an art and a science. Too high, and you risk losing new readers. Too low, and you undervalue your work.

• Research similar titles in your genre.

• Use introductory pricing or free promotions to build your audience.

• Experiment and monitor results—many platforms allow easy price changes.

6. Build an Author Platform Before You Launch

Your book launch shouldn’t be the first time people hear your name. Start building your audience now.

• Set up a professional author website and start a newsletter.

• Be active where your readers are—whether that’s Instagram, TikTok, or Goodreads.

• Create lead magnets (like a free novella or chapter) to grow your email list.

Your platform is your long-term marketing engine.

7. Launch Your Book with a Bang

A successful launch can catapult your book into visibility and momentum.

• Assemble a launch team of early readers, fans, and reviewers.

• Plan a launch calendar with sneak peeks, giveaways, countdowns, and events.

• Use ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) platforms like BookFunnel or Booksprout to gather reviews pre-release.

Aim to hit your category’s top charts by coordinating early sales and reviews.

8. Keep Marketing Post-Launch

The launch isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting point for ongoing promotion.

• Run Amazon Ads, Facebook Ads, or BookBub Deals.

• Submit to promo newsletters like Freebooksy or Bargain Booksy.

• Keep connecting with readers through your newsletter and social media.

Consistency and experimentation are key. What worked once might not work again—keep refining.

9. Master Your Metadata

Metadata—your title, subtitle, categories, and keywords—affects discoverability. Don’t treat it as an afterthought.

• Choose categories where your book can stand out (even niche ones).

• Select relevant keywords that reflect how readers search for books like yours.

• Craft a compelling book description using persuasive copywriting.

If people can’t find your book, they can’t buy it.

10. Analyze and Adapt

The beauty of self-publishing? You’re in control—and that means you can tweak and test everything.

• Track your sales data, ad performance, and reader feedback.

• Update your cover, blurb, or pricing if needed.

• Keep learning from other authors, books, and marketing tools.

Successful self-publishing is part art, part business, and all about persistence.

Final Thoughts

Self-publishing isn’t just about skipping the gatekeepers—it’s about building a career on your terms. Yes, it takes work. Yes, there’s a learning curve. But with the right strategy and mindset, you can produce a novel that rivals traditionally published books in both quality and reach.

Whether you're publishing your debut or your tenth title, remember: you’re not just writing a book—you’re building your author brand. And that’s a story worth telling well.