Avoid These Self-Publishing Mistakes for a Successful Book

Avoid common self-publishing mistakes that can ruin your book’s success. Learn how professional ebook converting services can make your story shine everywhere.

After all those countless story ideas, the late-night plots that seemed brilliant at 2 a.m. but silly in the morning, and hours spent debating tiny details, even down to your character’s name, you’ve finally done it. You’ve written your book. Your piece of art.

And now, the only thing you want is for the world to read that part of you to connect with your words the way you do.

But before you rush to share it, let’s talk about something every new author should know: self-publishing mistakes.

Whether you’re planning to convert a book to an ebook or print physical copies, self-publishing can feel like a maze. You have full control, which is exciting, but that also means it’s easy to mess up a few important steps. So, here are ten common mistakes to watch out for and how to avoid them.

10 Self-Publishing Mistakes Authors Make While Publishing Their First Book

Skipping Proper Editing

This one’s pretty common. After spending months looking at the same pages, your brain starts filling in the blanks, and you stop noticing small mistakes. That’s why proper editing makes such a big difference.

Even authors who’ve published before get their work edited. It’s not just about fixing typos; a good editor helps your story read smoothly, keeps the pace steady, and points out parts that might confuse readers.

If hiring an editor isn’t in your budget, find someone you trust to give it a read. Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes can catch things you’ve completely missed.

No matter how strong your story is, clunky grammar or messy sentences can pull readers out of it fast.

Ignoring Book Formatting

Formatting isn’t exactly the fun part of writing a book, but it matters more than most people think. It’s what keeps your pages looking clean, easy to read, and professional.

It becomes especially important when you plan to convert your print book to an ebook or turn your physical book into an ebook. What looks fine in print can look weird on a screen. Lines break differently, images shift, and the layout can get messy.

If you’re not sure how to handle it, it’s worth getting help from professional e-book formatting services. They’ll make sure your ebook looks polished and works perfectly on phones, tablets, and e-readers.

Designing the Cover Yourself

We all like to think we can do it all: write, edit, and design. But when it comes to your book cover, it’s better not to DIY unless you actually know design. Readers really do judge a book by its cover, especially when they’re scrolling online.

A plain background or odd font choice can make your book disappear next to others. A professional designer, on the other hand, knows how to grab attention while matching your book’s vibe.

Think of your cover as your book’s handshake — it’s the first thing people see, so it needs to feel confident and inviting. Spending a bit more here is worth it.

Not Researching Your Target Audience

Writing a book for “everyone” often means writing for no one. You need to know who your story is meant for.

Understanding your audience helps you decide on the right tone, cover, and even price. Are you writing for teens who love fantasy? Adults who enjoy thrillers? Or readers looking for practical advice?

When you know who you’re talking to, your marketing feels more personal and effective. It’s one of those small steps that make a big difference later.

Rushing the Publishing Process

Finishing your book feels amazing, and it’s tempting to publish it right away. But while publishing authors make the biggest mistake of rushing the process.

Take your time. Review your manuscript, check your formatting, proofread your description, and double-check your title. 

Even tiny errors can make a professional book look rushed.

It might feel like you’re slowing down, but giving your book a little extra care now will save you from regrets later.

Forgetting About Marketing

A lot of authors finish their book, hit “publish,” and then wait for sales to roll in. Sadly, that’s not how it works. People can’t buy your book if they don’t know it exists.

Start small, post about your writing process, share quotes, or talk about what inspired your story. Readers love getting to know the person behind the book.

You don’t need to act like a salesperson; just be genuine. Word-of-mouth and honest reviews go a long way when people can feel your excitement about your work.

Overpricing or Underpricing Your Book

Pricing can feel like a guessing game. Set it too high, and readers might hesitate. Go too low, and it might look like your book isn’t worth much.

The best approach? Look at other books similar to yours and see where they’re priced. Find a middle ground that feels fair, one that reflects the effort you’ve put in without scaring readers away.

A price that feels “just right” helps people take your book seriously and makes them more likely to give it a chance.

Neglecting Ebook Conversion Quality

Turning your book into an ebook isn’t as simple as saving it in a new file format. Sometimes, things shift, spacing gets weird, images move, or text doesn’t line up properly.

When you convert your book to an ebook, you want it to look clean on every screen, from a phone to a Kindle. If you’re not tech-savvy, it’s okay to ask for help.

Getting support from professional e-book formatting services can save you a lot of headaches later. They’ll make sure everything looks sharp and easy to read, no matter where your readers are.

Ignoring Metadata and Keywords

Think of metadata as your book’s online identity; it's what helps readers find you. Your title, subtitle, description, and keywords all matter more than you’d think.

When authors skip this step, even a great book can disappear in search results. Use words that your readers might actually type when looking for a book like yours.

It’s a simple thing that can make a huge difference in visibility and sales.

Not Getting Feedback Before Publishing

Before you hit publish, get feedback. Let a few beta readers go through your book. They can tell you if something doesn’t make sense, feels slow, or needs more clarity.

You’re too close to your story to see it clearly; sometimes that’s normal. Feedback gives you a reader’s perspective and helps you improve without guessing.

Take their suggestions seriously, but don’t lose your voice. It’s your story, after all.

Get Your First Book Successfully Published With The Help Of Professional EBook Converting Services

Self-publishing gives you full creative freedom, and that’s the best part. But it also means every detail, from formatting to presentation, is on you. Avoiding these self-publishing mistakes can save you a lot of stress and help your book look truly professional.

Take your time, do your research, and don’t hesitate to get expert help, especially with editing, cover design, and ebook formatting. Working with professional ebook converting services ensures your story looks flawless on every screen, from tablets to Kindles.

You’ve already done the hard part by writing the book. Now, let the right support help you present it beautifully so readers can see it for what it really is: a story worth reading.