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5 Mistakes I Swore Off Forever As An Independent Publisher

After a decade plus years of publishing, there are some lessons I had to buckle down and correct

If I Ain't Readin'
4 min readNov 4, 2024
Image designed by author

The moment I first held my book, it felt like cradling my own creation. Each page represented countless hours poured into crafting poetry, perfecting formatting, and maneuvering through the complexities of platforms like KDP (formerly CreateSpace).

Since that day, I’ve brought to life one fiction title and three poetry collections. Yet, with every new project, I discover fresh lessons in the ever-evolving journey of self-publishing. Here, I share a candid reflection on 5 things I’ll never do again as an independent publisher, hoping to illuminate the path for others navigating this rewarding field.

I’ll never compare myself to other writers

It’s natural to admire and draw inspiration from other writers, and I certainly do.

However, I question my writing prowess when I hear that another “Under 20 something” author hit the bestseller list. Like, how Sway? I’ve been writing for decades!

I ended up quickly finishing the manuscript.

In my haste, I released my book without a proper marketing strategy, not because…

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If I Ain't Readin'
If I Ain't Readin'

Written by If I Ain't Readin'

Erica is an essayist and poet who enjoys reading, creating content, and helping others find their purpose too. Above all, she loves to read🖤

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