Too many indie authors think of publishing as a one-and-done project. In reality, it’s a business. And if you want your publishing career to last, you need to think beyond launch week and build a strategy that protects your margin, serves readers, and positions you for the long haul.
Here’s what I covered in this week’s podcast episode:
The Long-Game Mindset
Wide distribution doesn’t guarantee instant success. What it really does is plant seeds in the marketplace. Those seeds may take months, or years, to grow. Bookstores might test your book with a copy or two. Libraries can take weeks to process requests. Some platforms only pay quarterly. It’s a slow build.
That’s okay. The longer your book stays available, the more opportunities readers have to discover it. And when your second or third book releases, those readers can still find your earlier titles. Wide distribution is foundation work — not the entire house.
Serving Bookstores Well
Bookstores say yes when you make it easy for them. That means:
Metadata that’s professional and searchable
Competitive pricing that matches your genre
Fair wholesale discounts so they can profit, too
Professional-quality design that respects their shelf space
It’s not just about getting stocked — it’s about building a partnership where both sides thrive.
Serving Readers Well
Going wide also means thinking about your readers’ experience:
Keep pricing consistent across platforms.
Deliver high-quality files with clean formatting and covers.
Offer accessible options like large print or multiple formats.
You may not be able to serve every market that big publishers can, but you can serve your readers with excellence. And that’s what builds trust and loyalty over time.
Protecting Your Profit Margin
Profit isn’t a dirty word — it’s what allows you to keep publishing. That means:
Know your break-even point so you understand exactly how many copies you need to sell to recover costs.
Set strategic prices that balance bookstore discounts, print costs, and reader expectations.
Think in terms of a catalog, not one book. Each release fuels the others.
Diversify formats strategically, choosing the ones your audience actually buys.
Monitor and adjust quarterly to protect your margins.
Publishing widely isn’t about being everywhere at once. It’s about building a sustainable system that lets you keep writing, keep publishing, and keep serving readers well. When you approach distribution with a long-range mindset, you’re building a career.
P.S.
Watch for a bonus in your inbox this week if you’re a paid subscriber! I’ll share why I have chosen to not make my books returnable on IngramSpark and how I landed on tha decision.
