Writing a book is an exhilarating, and often cathartic experience, but the publishing world can feel like a maze for newcomers. If you’re a new author with a story burning inside you, congratulations! To help you stay on the path to success, let’s chat about three of the most common mistakes I see new authors make—and most importantly, how you can steer clear of them.
1. Thinking You Can Edit Your Book ALL By Yourself
It’s tempting, I know! After spending months (or years!) crafting your manuscript, you figure you’re the best person to see its flaws and polish it up. The truth? Put your ego aside because you aren’t. In fact, you’re probably the last person who should look at your manuscript once it’s finished. Even experienced writers need outside eyes! Even when it seems like every word is perfect, professional copyeditor, line editor, or proofreader can spot things that will cause you to say, “How in the world did I miss THAT?” When you edit yourself, it’s easy to miss typos, awkward phrasing, or grammatical and spelling errors because your brain fills in gaps. I call it “copy blindness.” A professional editor can catch what you can’t, even if you’ve looked at your manuscript a hundred trillion times. I tell my book & publishing clients that my proofreader will make everyone look brilliant. DO NOT skip this step; your readers will thank you for it!
2. Skimping on a Professional Cover Designer
People really do judge a book by its cover. Sure, you might think you can DIY something in Canva, but your book’s cover is your first impression—online and in stores. You might not want to hear this, but AI will not cut it when it comes to a full design of your cover—it may be able to come up with initial cover design ideas but it doesn’t do well with font types or final layout in KDP and Ingram-Spark full cover spreads. Professional cover designers understand genre expectations, color schemes, layout, font styles that complement your book’s theme. In other words, they can create covers that attract your ideal readers. Again, do your homework! I have a former client from a few years ago whose cover designer had no clue about how to layout a book cover spread and amazingly had no idea of how to use the KDP and Ingram templates. My cover designer had to step in and save the day. Remember, the cover SELLS the book! Investing in a legit, professional cover designer means your book gets noticed for all the right reasons, and you’ll stand out in a crowded marketplace.
3. Not Researching Publishers Enough (and Getting Ripped Off)
The final big pitfall? Not doing your homework on prospective publishers. Some so-called “publishers” prey on new authors by charging a low intro fee, then upselling, upselling, upselling. Scammy publishers specialize in drawing you in with lots of promises and then deliver poor results and ultimately ghosting you or switching reps on you halfway through the project. Before you sign anything, dig deep: read reviews, ask for references, and compare other authors’ experiences. A reputable publisher will be transparent, communicative, and genuinely invested in your success. Oh, the stories I could tell! Like the Christian pastor/author from down under who thought he was talking to agents representing the famed Thomas Nelson Publishers, only to find out that the two men basically stole this sweet couple’s life savings. Other first-time authors I’ve heard from have shared their experiences of being looped in with low prices and attentiveness—at the beginning—only to be hung out to dry a quarter of the way through their book project.
Bottom Line:
Give your book the best chance to succeed by seeking professionals in the industry. Invest in a professional editor, cover designer, and choose your publisher wisely. Yes, enlisting the help of professionals costs money, but aren’t you, your brand, and your book worth the time and investment to show up right in the marketplace?
Being a first-time author is an act of bravery—publishing should position you, not poison you.
So go ahead, make those words count! You’ve got this—and the right team can help you every step of the way.