And what I would do differently if I self-published again.
I have no problem discussing the biggest mistakes I made when publishing Back to You, because I know 20-year-old me did the best she could. However, let’s try to save you some trouble and slightly emotional turmoil, okay? So let’s get into it.
*Disclaimer: These mistakes relate mostly to the publishing side of Back to You’s creation. I’m sure I made mistakes in the writing process. These focus more on marketing/prep and on navigating the self-publishing process.
Now let’s get into it.
Mistake #1: Not giving myself enough time before the release date
I was sitting in one of my college’s recreation rooms on a stiff red couch with my fiancé (now husband), surfing Google Calendar for the perfect release date.
With the various tips and knowledge I gathered from my previous research of picking a release date, I knew I was looking for a Tuesday, preferably an ‘even’ number date that I would like the ring of. (That was probably mistake #1.5 – choosing a date based off my aesthetic preferences.)
“How about August first?” I asked him, sliding the laptop towards him so he could see.
“Hmm,” he replied, nodding.
It hit all the qualifications. A Tuesday. Beginning of the month. And, bonus:
“Hey, that’s exactly six months from now.” I remember chuckling. “I kinda like that.”
And that’s how I decided to give myself exactly six months to get the formatting sorted and let the world know the book was coming out.
Not a good idea. And here’s why:
I didn’t have enough of a following for people to already be excited. I had a much longer journey to build hype around my book. Combine that with my lack of knowledge about social media strategy, and I was in way too deep. There was no chance to catch up on the online scale, it took to get people excited.
What would I do differently next time?
First, I’d give myself more than six months. Maybe eight to twelve, depending on the place I would be starting from this time. Or, if I wanted a shorter time for whatever reason, I’d go into that stage with more preparation. I’d take time to learn about social media strategy across the different platforms. I’d pick a date knowing that no matter how long I was giving myself, I at the very least knew what I would be posting. That way, I’d be at a better starting point for marketing and building hype.
Here’s the catalyst, though: this plan needs to support your goals. Is it a certain number of sales Pages read?
Again, this article isn’t me beating up 20-year-old Hannah. I can’t blame her for what she didn’t know. Her goal for BTY was to publish it. That’s it. So I’m sure that was part of why I didn’t care as much about the marketing. However, looking back, I wish I’d given it a little more thought.
Mistake #2: I went through it alone (in the social media world)
This is another wing of mistake #1. I also didn’t do a good job reaching out to other writers or people across social media. I didn’t have any support. I didn’t even know people in the same career path as me to ask for help. This also did me a disservice with the marketing: people weren’t mean; they purely didn’t know I existed. They didn’t know BTY existed. I was woefully unprepared for something like ARCs or Beta Readers beyond my friends and family, so those strategies were also out of the question. I wish I had been brave enough to start engaging with the accounts I was already watching. Not for some loaded, advantageous friendship. Purely to not feel so alone in this pursuit. For friendships, period.
What would I do differently next time?
I should have started engaging with people much sooner than I did. (Do you see a theme emerging about not a lot of preparedness?) This time, I’d reach out to influencers I already follow who like similar books and either send them a copy or ask about a collaboration. Lots of bookish creators like engaging with smaller authors. And remember, the goal isn’t to go “viral” or catch your break. It’s to build an actual community. I promise that it is going to serve you better in the long run.
Mistake #3: Major formatting issue
This one haunts me the most.
A few days after BTY was published, I was soaking in the sweet messages from readers and liking the pictures of people getting their copies in the mail when my best friend texted me about the book. The text read something like, “Hey friend, just wanted to let you know this is what I’m seeing in Chapter 24. Hopefully it’s only my copy, but I thought I’d let you know anyway.”
Accompanied by a picture of this:
The end of Chapter 24 was completely cut off (mid-sentence, too), and Chapter 25 started on the same page.
Not only was this extremely embarrassing, but it was also surprising, since at least five people had already finished the book and texted me about their experiences. (I guess I should thank them for their unconditional belief in my… artistic decisions.) The mistake happened between my author copy and the final release, so I had no idea this was handed out to my readers.
I still don’t know how I missed this. I must not have checked every single page in that last review from my cover designer (I hired an artist who also formatted books, so she handled the formatting as well as the cover).
I quickly let people know through an Instagram post, took the book off KDP, and re-released it when she fixed it.
In case you’re wondering, yes, I cried when I found out. That moment was the most unprofessional I’ve ever felt. Thankfully, I have an amazing community of readers who had ample grace for my mistakes and went on to read the book and even rate it highly.
What would I do differently next time?
On top of obviously being almost anal about my next release and making sure everything is okay, next time I want to better organize my files and take my time with the last tiny edits, so that I can be sure I’m uploading the proper document.
My advice to other writers is to confirm your final results long before you need to have them done.
Mistake #4: Not properly celebrating the accomplishment
I have a wonderful family and incredible friends. The regret I feel of not properly celebrating the accomplishment of publishing a book does not lie with them—it lies with me.
The night of July 31st, going into August 1st, was casual and fun. My best friend came over and helped me make a cake, and we danced to Taylor Swift until midnight, when my family and I gathered with sparkling cider to celebrate the book’s release. I posted on Instagram around midnight, and I jumped around and danced for fun.
You can watch a cute video from release night on my Instagram.
But I didn’t care about what I was wearing. I didn’t do my hair. I didn’t do any makeup. And not because I didn’t care about those things. I’m not saying you need those details to celebrate.
I didn’t do those things because I thought I’d be silly for celebrating the book like that.
In a way, I didn’t think it was a big enough deal.
Which is so incredibly stupid. I know now.
But if you’re reading this, doubting your own path of becoming a writer, or you feel like you’re the only one taking it seriously, here is your sign to celebrate anyway. I’ll celebrate with you, right now!
Picture me saying this next part as I jump around you:
YOU PUBLISHED A BOOK! YOU TOOK A STORY THAT LITERALLY DIDN’T EXIST AND ARE BRAVE ENOUGH TO SHARE THAT WITH THE WORLD! THAT IS INCREDIBLE!!!!
Get the coffee. Go to that dinner. Wear that outfit. This is your one life, and you deserve to take a moment for the big things like this. I wish I could go back and tell my twenty-year-old self that it’s okay to ask people to do something with you. It’s okay to be celebrated. They want to celebrate with you. You’re the only one stopping this.
💗 This is your one life, and you deserve to take a moment for the big things like this 💗
What would I do differently next time?
If I publish a book again, whether myself or through a publisher, I’m putting on a dang cute outfit. I’m doing my hair, I’m grabbing a drink or something. I’m choosing an activity that will allow me a moment to pause and live in the accomplishment, because that’s what is important to me.
What does celebrating look like to you? Write it down. Write your wishlist in a way that is for publication day. What do you want to do? Then, when the time comes, do it.
To conclude…
I hope my rehashing the worst mistakes of my first bout of publishing inspires you to take as long as you need, go over everything with a fine-tooth comb, and soak in every moment of the crazy ride that publishing is. I don’t know you, but I know you deserve it.
Unfortunately, you will probably make some mistakes on your first try. And second. And maybe even third. That’s okay—that’s learning. I just hope my mistakes can stop even one of you from making these same ones. If I can do that, my bumpy journey was especially worth it.
Hope this helps.
