Navigating Self-Publication in Australia: Strategies for Indie Writers to Captivate Global Audiences
Taking the Self-Publishing Path for Aussie Authors and Beyond
Hey there! Let's dive into the world of self-publishing, a popular choice among authors keen on taking full control of their publishing process—and Australian authors are certainly no strangers to it.
According to the 2022 National Survey of Australian Book Authors - A summary by the Australia Council for the Arts:
"While the most common form of publishing is with a traditional publisher, self-publishing is increasingly prominent. At least one-third of authors have self-published a book during their career, and one-fifth of authors in the past year. Self-publishing is most popular among genre fiction authors, with almost two-fifths of genre fiction authors having utilized this model."
This blog post will walk you through the benefits of self-publishing, some top self-publishing companies in Australia, and how Aussie authors can publish their books to capture the attention of a global audience.
Reasons to Choose Self-Publishing
Self-publishing has emerged as a viable option for many authors, and here's why self-publishing in Australia can prove to be a terrific choice:
- Creative Control
- Faster Time to Market
- Higher Royalties
- Global Distribution
- Long-term Availability
- Niche Markets and Unique Content
Traditional publishers tend to focus on mass-market books. With self-publishing, authors can instead cater to unique audiences and explore specific subjects that traditional publishers might not find attractive.
How to Self-Publish Your Book in Australia
If you're ready to embark on your self-publishing journey or simply want to maximize your indie publishing career, here are the essential steps to follow:
- Edit & format your manuscript
- Design a book cover
- Choose the self-publishing platform
⚡Here are some helpful blog posts to guide you through each step:
- How to Format a Manuscript for eBook Conversion
- How to Design a Book Cover That Stands Out
- How to Create an Audiobook
- How Print-on-Demand Works: Reach Worldwide Readers with Your Printed Books
Australian Authors Who Ensure Success with Self-Publishing
Many celebrated Australian authors have embraced self-publishing, demonstrating its potential. Here are a few of them:
- C.J. Archer, who sold nearly 2 million copies of her books (on Amazon) after deciding to self-publish.
- Michael Winkler, whose self-published book Grimmish was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin, Australia's most prestigious literary prize, following rejections from traditional publishers.
- Melissa Pouliot, an Australian author who writes across various genres, including mystery, thriller, and memoir, and self-publishes her novels.
- R.W.R. McDonald, whose self-published novel The Nancys gained significant attention and was later picked up by a traditional publisher for broader distribution.
- Matthew Reilly, known for his adrenaline-pumping thrillers and adventure novels, including the Scarecrow and Jack West Jr. series, initially self-published some works and became a strong advocate for independent publishing.
If you're still uncertain about self-publishing companies in Australia or other countries, you could always opt for a traditional publishing house. Here are some Australian book publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts:
- Pan Macmillan Australia
- Allen & Unwin
- Simon & Schuster Australia
- Hachette Australia
- Text Publishing
Should you choose to self-publish, here's a handy guide to help you achieve success with our website:
How to self-publish with our website
- Register/sign in to your account.
- Go to My Books and click on Upload Book (here, you'll also find a Bulk Import option), then choose the format.
- Upload the necessary files (this depends on the type of book you're publishing).
- Add information about the author(s), metadata, categories, price, and rights (here, you can set a pre-order).
- Choose the book distribution by enabling the stores you want to sell in.
⚡For a more detailed guide on how to self-publish with our website, check out the process for each book format here.
Marketing Your Self-Published Book in Australia & Beyond
When promoting your self-published book, an essential aspect is making sure your book is published widely so you can maximize your reach and revenue streams. As a self-published author in Australia (or anywhere else), you'll need to step into the role of a marketer too.
Here are a few essential promotional strategies:
- Create an author website
- Set up an author brand
- Handle metadata optimization
- Write a compelling book description
- Establish an email strategy
- Gather book reviews
- Set up pre-orders
- Create a social media strategy
⚡For a comprehensive guide on these book promotion strategies and other options, check out our blog post: How to Create a Book Marketing Plan (+ Book Marketing Timeline Example)
Promotions on our website
Promoting your book has never been easier with our website. We've created a Promotions tab on our platform, which provides a variety of book promotion services, such as:
- Amazon Advertising
- Book promotion on sites from Written Word Media
- Freebooksy
- Bargain Booksy
- Red Feather Romance
- NewInBooks
- Price promotion
- Review copies (protected copies available for 28 days)
- Sales events
- Apply to various available sales events directly from the platform
- Book featuring in ebook retailer's selection
Ready to publish your first ebook at no cost? Or try out a paid plan and get your money back if you're not satisfied.
Start for free
Slide into the world of self-publishing and explore the endless opportunities that lie ahead. Happy reading and writing!
- Self-publishing can also extend beyond books, providing a platform for authors to share their unique ideas and perspectives in home-and-garden books, allowing them to cater to niche markets and showcase their creative control over their content.
- With the rise of self-publishing platforms, authors can even self-publish digital content such as home-and-garden guides, offering a convenient and efficient way to share practical tips and inspiration with a global audience.
