Self-Publishing a Book – What Are the Pros and Cons?
I’m considering self publishing a book, but I keep hearing mixed opinions about it. Some say it gives you full control and better royalties, while others warn about marketing struggles and upfront costs. I want to make sure I make the right decision for my book.
For those who have self-published, was it worth it? What challenges did you face, and what platforms do you recommend? I’d love to hear success stories or lessons learned from the self-publishing journey.
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Hey fellow mystery writers! I'm about to launch the third book in my detective series next month and I'm looking to step up my promotion game. My first two books were moderately successful (around 2,000 copies each), but I mainly relied on newsletter mentions and some basic Amazon ads.
I'm considering investing in professional book marketing services this time around. My budget is around $1,200, and I'm specifically looking for marketers who understand the mystery/thriller market. What's worked for other mystery authors here?
I'm particularly interested in:
Promotional sites that specialize in mystery/thriller readers
Targeted advertising strategies beyond the basics
Email marketing services that reach crime fiction fans
BookBub alternatives that don't require winning the lottery to get featured
I've researched a few options but feel overwhelmed by the different packages and promises. Some claim guaranteed bestseller status (which seems suspicious), while others offer more modest but realistic outcomes.
Has anyone worked with book marketing professionals who genuinely understood how to position a mystery series? I'd love to hear about your experiences—both good and bad. I'm especially interested in marketing approaches that build long-term readership rather than just a launch spike.
Thanks in advance for any insights you can share! I'm determined to give this book a stronger start than my previous ones.