What It Takes to Measure Up: A Self-Publishing Guide for Authors

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

That’s why you need to seek guidance beyond the digital videos trying to sell you something. When I first decided to become a self-published author, I knew one thing for sure—I didn’t want a cheap-looking book. I wanted a book that could stand on the shelves next to traditionally published titles and hold its own. I wanted a book that looked and felt professional, a book that readers would be proud to own. And I knew that if I wanted that level of quality, I had to invest in professional help.

The Mistake of Going It Alone

Many new authors make the mistake of thinking they can handle everything themselves, and as a result, they produce what Luvvie Ajayi calls a “janky” book—books with bad illustrations, no editing, poor formatting, or an unclear target audience. A book that doesn’t flow, doesn’t fit its genre, or doesn’t connect with readers will struggle to find success.

Publishing a book is more than just writing words; it’s about crafting an experience, an artistic product that will be consumed by readers worldwide. It’s about taking a story and transforming it into a high-quality, market-ready book.

Writing the words—that’s the easy part. The hard part is turning those words into a polished, professional work of art.

Professional Editing is Non-Negotiable

Your book needs a professional editor—period. And no, Grammarly does not count.

A trained editor does more than fix typos. They analyze sentence structure, catch inconsistencies, and ensure that your book is cohesive. When you’ve been staring at the same words for months (sometimes years), your brain starts filling in the blanks, making it impossible to spot errors. A fresh, professional set of eyes will catch the things you miss.

DIY Design Won’t Cut It

Your book also needs professional design—and no, Canva doesn’t count.

Many self-published authors rely on print-on-demand (POD) services and basic design tools, thinking they can cut corners and still produce a professional book. But readers can tell the difference between a well-designed book and one that was rushed together.

You might sell a lot of copies upfront, but once those bad reviews roll in about the poor layout, pixelated illustrations, or confusing formatting, your book’s reputation will suffer. If you want a book with longevity—a book that people will still buy 50 years from now—you need to invest in the right professionals from the start. Yes, you can make updates in future print runs, but you can’t erase a flood of negative reviews.

Printing Matters: POD vs. Offset Printing

Choosing the right printer is crucial, especially for children’s books.

Print-on-demand (POD) services are a great starting point, but they shouldn’t be your only option. POD is expensive, offers limited control over quality, and has restricted distribution options. If you’re serious about competing with major publishers, you need to use the same tools they do—which means working with real printers.

Traditional printers allow for better quality control, premium paper and ink options, and special book features like embossing, foil stamping, and dust jackets. For example, when I publish my first novel, I want a stamp on the hardcover. If you don’t know what that is, that’s exactly why you need a professional book designer to guide you. Amazon POD could never offer that level of customization.