• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • about
  • design by insight
  • the growly books
  • self-publishing
  • connect

erin ulrich

writer. #genesiswp recommended developer. works best with coffee in hand.

31 days of self-publishing

September 30, 2012

31-days-of-self-publishing-erin-ulrich

Welcome! I’m glad you’re here! For the next 31 days, we’re going to chat about everything self-publishing—design, branding, marketing, formats—you name it! Pulling questions from Design by Insight clients, Re:Write Conference attendees, and you, we’ll take a look at what can often be a confusing and potentially overwhelming subject.

Scroll down to the bottom for links to each individual post.

____________________

5 reasons self-publishing might be the best move you could make

1. There has never been a better time to self-publish. The doors are wide open for anyone who wants to take the leap. Self-publishing is no longer just a “plan B” for those who are not able to get a traditional publishing deal. In fact, for many writers, self-publishing may be a better fit than going the traditional route.

2. The e-book market is exploding with growth. Online stores such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many more make selling your e-book online a doable reality.

3. Print on demand has become a viable option for writers who want to make a print version of their book available. CreateSpace and Lightning Source offer printed books for extremely reasonable prices, allowing authors to see higher profits with little or no initial cost.

4. Traditional publishers are generally looking for authors with an established platform. If you aren’t quite there yet, self-publishing can be the perfect opportunity to make your books available while you continue to grow your online presence.

5. You may have a book that just isn’t exactly the best fit for traditional publishing. If so, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t share it with the world! Self-publishing might be the perfect fit for your book.

Maybe you’ve already decided to self-publish your book. Perhaps you’re just testing the waters to see if it’s the right fit for you. Or maybe you just have an idea for a book and don’t have a clue how to proceed. Wherever you are in the process, my goal is that during the month of October you will gain insight and clarity to help you move forward!

Do you have a question you would like me to answer? Leave it in the comments!

____________________

Links to the posts:

day 1: will anyone want to buy what I write?

day 2: can I still traditionally publish someday?

day 3: self-publishing doesn’t have to be plan B

day 4: should I turn my blog series into a book?

day 5: start building your tribe now

day 6: do I need an author website?

day 7: let’s talk social media

day 8: how do I get that big breakthrough in followers?

day 9: can I really self-publish?

day 10: what are your self-publishing goals?

day 11: become familiar with e-reader devices (Kindle, Nook, iPad, and more)

day 12: can the kindle and nook handle books with worksheets?

day 13: how do I sell my Kindle book at Amazon?

day 14: what is KDP select?

day 15: self-publish giveaway!

day 16: how do I sell my book in the iBookstore?

day 17: what is an ISBN?

day 18 in 5 minutes: look

day 19: should I hire an editor?

day 20: how do I give my e-book away to subscribers?

day 21: use your book to build your newsletter list

day 22: what is the best pdf converter for my book?

day 23: how long should an e-book be?

day 24: what is a kindle single?

day 25: what about barnes & noble’s nook store?

day 26: is print on demand right for my book?

day 27: choosing a print on demand publisher

day 28: build a launch team

day 29: preparing for your book launch

day 30: if I could only tell you one thing about self-publishing . . .

day 31: for when you want to quit

For more 31 Days posts, visit The Nester.

 

Filed Under: e-books, self-publishing, writing

Want to receive blog posts via email?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jillian Kay says

    September 30, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    Great 31 Days topic! I can’t wait to read this!

  2. the domestic fringe says

    September 30, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    I look forward to reading your series!

    ~FringeGirl
    thedomesticfringe.com

  3. Melanie says

    September 30, 2012 at 10:02 pm

    LOVE it, sweet friend!!!!! 🙂 I’m definitely in for this series!
    My question/hesitation with self-publishing is how do I know anyone will be interested in buying what I write? With traditional publishing, the agent gives the author feedback on the market, etc, so I’m not sure if my idea is good or not for self-publishing…..

    Hugs!
    Melanie

    • Erin says

      October 1, 2012 at 6:38 am

      Oooh, Melanie, that’s a great question! I will definitely add that one to my list! I’m so glad you’re here…can’t wait to meet you in person in just a few weeks!! 🙂

  4. Megan @Love Letters 7.10 says

    September 30, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    Looking forward to following this series!

    Love Letters 7.10
    http://loveletters710.blogspot.com

  5. Positively Alene says

    September 30, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    I love this!!! I’ve been looking at different self-publishing avenues. Yeah I’ll just have to come back here for the inside scoop! I’m writing about 31 Days of Anonymity where I give others an opportunity to write anonymous letters to those they feel they need to. It’s going to be a great month ahead.

    • Erin says

      October 1, 2012 at 6:39 am

      There are so many possibilities! I hope the series is helpful to you!! 🙂

  6. Meredith says

    September 30, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    Hi…dropping by from the 31Day challeng! I am excited to learn from your challenge.
    Thank you,
    Meredith at http://www.p31wife.com

  7. Melanie says

    September 30, 2012 at 11:40 pm

    So excited for this series. And had fun visiting your site for the first time. This realm is something I don’t know much (at all about) and would love to learn more.
    My greatest challenge in my 31 days post was figuring out how to make a button! (Well and then realizing I didn’t have to, but that others are gifted at that!)

    • Erin says

      October 3, 2012 at 6:51 am

      It’s fun to see how we can all work together with our different giftings! Thanks for stopping by!

  8. Anna says

    October 1, 2012 at 12:59 am

    I SO need this. Can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

    Anna
    askannamoseley.com

  9. Mary Ellen says

    October 1, 2012 at 9:38 am

    How do you promote your book once it is published? The entire idea of this freaks me out.

    • Erin says

      October 3, 2012 at 6:52 am

      That’s an excellent question, Mary Ellen! I will definitely be covering this topic later in the series.

  10. wanda says

    October 1, 2012 at 10:59 am

    I’m so interested in self-publishing….can’t wait to read your 31 days!!

  11. Cary says

    October 1, 2012 at 11:58 am

    This will be awesome!!!

  12. Pamela says

    October 1, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    I’m eager to follow you the next 31 days. I’ve gone the traditional route with publishing, but am reading so much about self-publishing.

    • Erin says

      October 3, 2012 at 6:53 am

      There are a lot of traditionally published authors who also take the self-publishing route for certain projects. I hope this series will be very helpful.

  13. Priscilla Fowler says

    October 1, 2012 at 2:15 pm

    Can’t wait to read this! 🙂

  14. Pam says

    October 1, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    So glad you are writing about this! My question is what about the Children’s Literature Institute offers that come in the mail and are found in most parenting magazines? What is truly involved and is there success in that route?

    • Erin says

      October 3, 2012 at 6:55 am

      Pam, I don’t have any firsthand experience with them, but I’ve heard good things from a friend of a friend. It’s a course that would likely be helpful for improving writing technique and skills. That in turn could help you create better quality book content, but it wouldn’t be directly related to the self-publishing process.

  15. Mary says

    October 1, 2012 at 8:29 pm

    I’m looking forward to reading your series (just subscribed so I won’t miss anything!)…. thanks so much!

  16. Trixi says

    October 2, 2012 at 1:47 am

    What an interesting series! Cannot wait to read more!

    • Glenda Mills says

      October 2, 2012 at 4:48 pm

      Melanie,
      I just signed up for your post for the next 31 days. Looking forward to your motivating suggestions. Feel alone most of the time when it comes to self-publishing. This will be a good site to keep up with!

      • Erin says

        October 3, 2012 at 6:56 am

        Glenda, more and more people are self-publishing and many are online, so hopefully you can connect with some. The online community can be very supportive and helpful, particularly if you don’t have people locally who are self-publishing as well.

  17. Rosann says

    October 3, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    Oooh… I’m subscribing to follow this one. I’ve already self-published one book, but it was a painful process as I didn’t know what on earth I was doing. I’d love to self-publish more so I’m very interested in gleaning any tips, tricks, and suggestions you have. Particularly related to the marketing side of things. 🙂

    • Erin says

      October 6, 2012 at 9:53 am

      Rosann, I hope the series is helpful for your future endeavors! We will definitely be discussing marketing as we go along!

  18. Sara says

    October 4, 2012 at 1:55 am

    Out of all the blocks in all the Nesters in all the world, I’m glad I found yours. I love this theme! I have examined the self-published-outlet (albeit very surface-y) and I’m looking forward to following your posts.

    • Erin says

      October 6, 2012 at 9:54 am

      I love your comment! Makes me want to watch Casablanca again. . .it’s been a while! I hope you find the series helpful. 🙂

  19. Lisa Shaw says

    August 27, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    Hi,

    Firs time popping in and saw this series from last year. I’m a year late but going to go through it and read. I self-published in 2011 and about to again. 🙂

    Blessings.

    • Erin says

      September 19, 2013 at 8:33 am

      Thanks for stopping by! I hope you find the series helpful as you begin your new self-publishing endeavor!

Trackbacks

  1. 31 Days…Not This Year | accordingtocarey.com says:
    October 1, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    […] Self Publishing from Erin Ulrich.  Why?  Why […]

  2. 31 Days of Randomness- Personal Inspiration 3 | rfljenksy – Practicing Simplicity says:
    October 3, 2012 at 6:13 am

    […]  32. Erin Ulrich  […]

  3. self-publishing and platform-building says:
    October 5, 2012 at 6:06 am

    […] of course, Erin has her 31 Days of Self-Publishing series happening this month at https://www.erinulrich.com.  You can find the index to those posts here on Design […]

  4. #MustRead 31 Days Series 31 Days of Self-Publishing - Fresh Perspective says:
    October 16, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    […] But, I also suggest you check out Erin’s series […]

  5. great 31 days series for writers and bloggers says:
    October 19, 2012 at 6:05 am

    […] Erin is doing 31 Days of Self-Publishing {@ErinUlrich} […]

  6. Are you a Big Dream Idea or Nitty-Gritty Details Type Thinker? says:
    October 19, 2012 at 10:43 am

    […] have considered writing an eBook especially after reading Erin’s great series on how to go from idea to eBook, but honestly I have been paralyzed. The original “big […]

  7. Why Traditional Publishing Should Be Kissing Self-ePublishing’s Feet! | Chad R. Allen says:
    October 22, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    […] Want to know more about the ins and outs of self-epublishing? Erin Ulrich wrote a great book on the topic, and she’s currently blogging a series titled 31 Days of Self Publishing. […]

  8. nanowrimo resources says:
    November 5, 2012 at 7:20 am

    […] 1200 people spent October joining The Nester’s 31 Days challenge, including both Erin and me.   But November is for fiction writers.  That’s right, it’s National Novel […]

  9. 31 tips for a great 31 days series says:
    September 6, 2013 at 6:09 am

    […] ideas, and whatever else you can think of for the 31 days of October. Last year, Erin offered her wisdom on self-publishing and I shared 31 of my favorite 31 days series.  I’m still waffling between a few ideas […]

Footer

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

© copyright 2009-2021 erin ulrich • site by design by insight (that's me!)