When I first started out, I made a ton of mistakes, wasted time on things that didn’t matter, and overlooked strategies that could have saved me months of frustration. If you’re at the beginning of your writing and publishing journey, this post is for you. Here are some personal tips I want to share with you.
1. Be Smart About Your Genre and Tropes
When you’re starting out, consistency is your best friend. If you write 15 standalones across different genres with no shared tropes or connections, it becomes incredibly hard (and expensive) to market your books. Readers won’t naturally “hop” from one book to the next, which means every title has to find its own audience from scratch.
Instead, focus on one genre and stick with it. Even better? Write series, and ideally, set them in the same world or universe using similar tropes. This builds a loyal reader base, increases read-through, and makes marketing easier and more effective. You can always branch out later.
2. Write Several Books Before Publishing
If you want to build momentum and actually make money with your books, you need more than one. Releasing just a single novel and hoping for instant success rarely works, especially in the crowded selfpublishing world.
Aim to write several books before publishing the first one. Ideally, have a full trilogy (or more) ready to go, or at least well underway. This allows you to release books closer together, which helps you stay visible in Amazon’s new release algorithm. Frequent releases tell Amazon you’re active, which boosts your chances of being recommended to readers.
More importantly, it keeps readers engaged. If someone loves Book 1, they’ll want Book 2 right away. If it’s not available yet, they might forget you. Having multiple books lined up helps you build trust, keep readers on the hook, and promote smarter.
3. Choose KDP Select Instead of Going Wide
When you publish through Amazon KDP, you can either enroll in KDP Select or go wide and distribute your ebook across platforms like Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
KDP Select means your ebook is exclusive to Amazon for 90 days. In return, it gets added to Kindle Unlimited (KU), where readers can borrow books through a subscription. You get paid per page read, and KU has a huge reader base.
Going wide gives you full control and access to more retailers, but you lose access to KU and Amazon’s extra promo tools.
For beginners, KDP Select is usually the better starting point. Most ebook sales happen on Amazon, and KU readers are more willing to try unknown authors since they’re not paying per book. Going wide makes more sense later, when you’ve built a fanbase and are ready to diversify your income streams.
4. Focus on Selling the Ebook First
When you’re starting out, it’s tempting to get everything—a paperback, an audiobook, maybe even merch or a fancy PR campaign. But all of that takes time, money, and energy, and none of it matters if your ebook isn’t selling.
Your ebook is your core product. It’s the easiest and cheapest format to create, the most flexible when it comes to pricing and promotions, and the one you can test, tweak, and advertise most effectively. Start here. Learn how to write strong blurbs, experiment with pricing, and study what it takes to sell it.
Should you still publish a paperback? Sure, especially since it’s super easy through Amazon’s print-on-demand system (KDP Print). Some readers prefer physical books, and it adds credibility, but don’t expect to make most of your money there.
As for audiobooks, translations (yep, even though I offer them!) or hiring a PR agency—those things make sense once you’re more established, not right out of the gate.
5. Don’t Focus on the Details
When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to fall into the trap of “looking professional.” You want the perfect logo, the most aesthetic website, and a newsletter template that would make a graphic designer proud. But none of that actually sells books.
I spent countless hours tweaking tiny things on my website. Button animations, font pairings, email headers… This stuff doesn’t boost sales. It just drained my time and energy. Time I could’ve spent writing the next book.
If you’re an author, your story is your product. That’s what sells, what builds your brand, and what readers care about. Use simple templates, get the basics set up, and stop obsessing over tiny design choices. Your author logo won’t matter if you only have one book out. Your Instagram grid doesn’t need to be curated to perfection.
Focus on what really matters right now: writing good books and getting them into the hands of readers.
6. Learn to Write Faster Without Burning Out
Writing faster doesn’t mean rushing or sacrificing quality. It means building a system that helps you stay consistent and productive without losing your mind.
One technique that works for many authors is writing sprints. You set a timer for 15 or 20 minutes, remove all distractions, and write without stopping. No editing. No second-guessing. Just words on the page. Then you take a break and repeat. It’s simple, but surprisingly effective. Even two or three short sprints a day can add up to a full novel over time.
Another way to speed up your process is by planning ahead. Before you sit down to write, visualize your scene. Who’s in it? What’s happening? What emotions are involved? If you know where you’re going, the words come more easily.
And don’t forget: writing fast is personal. Not every method works for everyone. Some authors thrive on outlines, others discover the story as they go. Try different approaches until you find the one that keeps you motivated without draining you.
7. You Need Professional Support
Publishing isn’t something you should do entirely on your own, especially when it comes to covers and editing. Trying to handle everything yourself quickly becomes a time-management nightmare.
Your book only gets one first impression, and that impression is visual. A professional cover design attracts readers. A good edit keeps them hooked and leads to better reviews. Both directly affect your sales and your reputation.
Yes, professional services cost money, but cutting corners here will likely cost you more in the long run. A DIY cover can make your book look unprofessional, and skipping proper editing often results in bad reviews and lost readers.
You don’t need to hire the most expensive designer or editor. But you do need professionals who understand your genre, your audience, and the market.
8. Writing Isn’t Everything
When you dream about becoming an author, you probably picture yourself writing all day. But here’s the truth: writing is only part of the job. As a selfpublisher, you’re also your own marketer, project manager, content creator, and accountant.
You need to think about things like newsletters, social media, book launches, reader outreach, and keeping your author platform alive. These things don’t have to be overwhelming if you grow into them step by step, but it’s important to know from the beginning that they exist.
One of the smartest things you can do early on is to set up a professional author newsletter. It’s the only channel where you control the audience and can talk directly to your readers.
Also, get yourself a professional email domain. Don’t use Gmail for your author business. Emails from personal accounts often get flagged as spam by newsletter providers, which means fewer readers will see your content.
9. Learn the Basics of Facebook Ads
At some point, you’ll want to promote your books beyond your personal network, and Facebook ads are one of the best ways to do that. They allow you to reach new readers directly and target specific genres and interests.
You don’t need to become an ad expert right away, but it’s important to understand the basics. Learn how cost-per-click (CPC) works, how to test ad creatives, and how to track conversions. There are tons of free resources to get you started, but if you want something structured, I highly recommend Mark Dawson’s courses. They are designed specifically for authors.
Start small. Set a modest daily budget and run simple campaigns to test the waters. Don’t worry about Amazon ads just yet. Facebook gives you more control and faster feedback, which is ideal when you’re still figuring out what resonates with readers.
10. Be Ready to Invest
A selfpublishing career is a long game, and like any business, it comes with upfront costs. You’ll need to invest in editing, cover design, possibly courses or coaching, and eventually advertising if you want to scale. This is completely normal, and necessary if you want to see real results.
Many beginner authors hope to find instant success. While it’s possible to cut costs here and there, skipping the essential stuff will slow you down. Free covers and unedited manuscripts might save money now, but they can seriously hurt your credibility and long-term sales. And making money with books without investing in marketing rarely works.
Treat your writing like a professional job, not a hobby. Create a budget, even if it’s small. Save up for quality services. Know where to spend and where to wait. For example, you don’t need merchandise or a full PR campaign on day one—but you do need a solid book with a strong cover and blurb that sells.
11. Understand the Tax Rules in Your Country
When you start earning through Amazon KDP, you’ll be dealing with a U.S.-based company, which means international tax rules apply. The good news? It’s simpler than it sounds, and a bit of paperwork can save you a lot.
If you live outside the U.S., you’ll need to submit a W-8BEN form to let Amazon know you already pay taxes in your own country. This prevents them from withholding up to 30% of your royalties. Most countries, like Austria and Germany, have a tax treaty with the U.S. that reduces this rate to zero, if you submit the correct form.
Amazon walks you through the process during the account setup. You usually don’t need an accountant in the beginning, but it’s smart to consult one if you’re unsure. And don’t forget: you’ll still need to report your earnings in your own country, based on how your author business is registered.
Sort this out early so you don’t lose a big chunk of your income to unnecessary withholding.
12. Bonus Tip: Invest in Quality Education
Selfpublishing has a steep learning curve, and while trial and error can teach you a lot, it also costs time and sometimes money. One of the best ways to avoid beginner mistakes is by investing in education tailored to indie authors.
There are many courses out there, but one I can personally recommend is Rebecca Hamilton’s Publishing Mastermind Course. It covers everything from writing to marketing and is built for authors who want to take their career seriously.
If a course isn’t in your budget yet, that’s okay. Start small. Read publishing blogs, join author groups, watch YouTube tutorials, and stay curious. The more you learn about the business side, the more control you’ll have over your success.
Thinking Long-Term?
I know you’re just getting started, and translation might not be on your radar yet, but when the time comes to bring your books to new audiences, especially in the German book market, I’d love to help.
As a USA Today bestselling author and native German speaker, I offer high-quality English–German book translations tailored to indie authors like you. Just something to keep in mind for the future.
👉 When you’re ready for book translation, contact me here
