The 7 Biggest Publishing Mistakes by First Authors

Publication is a thrilling but intimidating process, especially when writing a book for the first time. The market is evolving rapidly, and when you are new, making the simple mistake of falling into usual traps is easy and can cost you time, energy, and money. Here we discuss the most common pitfalls, why they occur, and how they can be avoided in practice.
Bonus: You will receive a brief overview of the Indian book market and how self-publishing with the assistance of ghostwriters is evening the playing field.

Not Taking into Account the Force of Professional Editing

Why it Happens

• Overconfidence: “I have written 200 pages. It is a good story, and editing is not a necessity.”
• Budget anxiety: “I am not able to pay a professional editor.”

The Reality

Professional writing is the source of trustworthiness. Bad grammar, inconsistent scenes, or a shambling pace can make a passionate reader a critic — a particularly valuable asset in platforms where reviews are important.

How to Avoid It

• Spend 10–20 % of your budget on a good editor (copyeditor for language, developmental editor for structure, and a final proofreader).
• Preliminary feedback: Use a writing group or peer-review panel, but do not neglect the final professional polish.

Avoiding Reflective Cover Design

Why it Happens

• “I can simply use a free Canva template and be done with it.”
• “The cover is not a big deal; the content of the book is.”

The Reality

First impressions matter — particularly online. Even the best book can look cheap with a poorly designed cover, minimizing click-through rates on Amazon, Flipkart, and other e-book stores.

How to Avoid It

• Spend money on a genre-conforming design (mystery, romance, thriller, etc.) that appeals to your intended audience.
• Hire a freelance designer with a portfolio or use services such as 99designs, Cover Design India, or other similar providers.

Underestimating Metadata and Keywords

Why it Happens

• “I’ll just stick up a couple of tags and hope.”
• “SEO is not applicable to books; it’s only for websites.”

The Reality

Metadata — including title, subtitle, author bio, keywords, and categories — guides search engines and platform algorithms. Poor metadata will sink your book in a sea of irrelevant titles.

How to Avoid It

• Learn keyword research using tools such as Helium 10, KDSpy, or Amazon’s own keyword tool.
• Compose an interesting, keyword-rich synopsis and author bio that underline your unique selling points.
• Categorize the book according to its genre and sub-genre so the algorithm can match it with interested readers.

Misplaced Pricing Strategy

Why it Happens

• “The more expensive, the more profit.”
• “I’d like to price it like a traditionally published book.”

The Reality

Price is a signal of value. Too high will scare first-time buyers away; too low will undervalue your work or harm your print-copy royalties.

How to Avoid It

• Find similar titles in your genre and check their price range.
• Start low, evaluate sales, and adjust.
• Test Kindle Unlimited or subscription-based options to add revenue streams.

Failing to Build a Sound Marketing Strategy

Why it Happens

• “I will publish and wait to get reviews.”
• “Marketing is a full-time occupation; I cannot do it at the same time.”

The Reality

A great book can squander itself unseen. Marketing helps make sales, build your author base, and get reviews.

How to Avoid It

• Develop a pre-launch schedule: social media previews, email marketing, press conferences, author interviews.
• Use Amazon Marketing Services (AMS) or Google Ads for targeting.
• Reach out to book bloggers, podcasters, and book clubs — including regional language markets like Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, etc.

Neglecting Rights Management and Contracts

Why it Happens

• “I’m only publishing digitally; I don’t need any contracts.”
• “I don’t know the language of law.”

The Reality

Without explicit rights contracts, you lose the ability to control translations, adaptations, or even the original copy. This is particularly important when working with a ghostwriter or co-author.

How to Avoid It

• Get a well-written rights and royalty agreement — even a one-page contract can protect both parties.
• Consider hiring a literary lawyer for large or foreign deals, or use services such as Khazana Contractor.

Thinking Ghostwriting is a Money-Saving Shortcut

Why it Happens

• “I’ll get a ghostwriter at a fraction of what an agent would cost me.”
• “They will write the entire book for me.”

The Reality

A ghostwriter should develop, not usurp, your voice. Otherwise, the final book will feel fragmented or unnatural. A good ghostwriter’s price can match that of a professional editor and designer.

How to Avoid It

• Cooperate, don’t delegate: map out chapters, give key points, and read drafts carefully.
• Hire vetted ghostwriters through Upwork, Reedsy, or AuthorHouse, specializing in your genre.
• Set clear milestones, deliverables, and a feedback loop — make the ghostwriter a partner, not a replacement.

The Indian Book Market: A Quick Overview

• Size & Growth: The publishing market in India is set to reach USD 2.5–3.0 bn by 2025, with a CAGR of ~10 % over the last decade.
• Digital Surge: E-books account for one-third of sales. Publishing has been democratized by Kindle, Google Play Books, and local platforms such as Pratilipi and Mirabai Books.
• Self-Publishing Boom: Over 5,000 self-published books reached Amazon India in 2023 as authors bypassed traditional gatekeepers.
• Language Diversity: English dominates, but regional languages (Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Bengali) are rising rapidly, especially in the e-book space.

Why Self-Publishing Works in India

• Easy Entry: No upfront printing costs; low royalty percentages.
• Fast Time-to-Market: Manuscripts can go live in days or weeks.
• Personal Interaction: Writers can build communities through social media, book clubs, and newsletters.
• Flexibility: Authors can test formats, prices, and marketing strategies on the fly.

How Ghostwriters Fit In

• Skill Augmentation: Non-native writers can collaborate with native ghostwriters.
• Time Management: Busy individuals can outsource research or drafting.
• Professional Touch: Genre experts ensure the book meets market expectations.

Final Takeaway

Publishing is a science and a craft. By avoiding the 7 most common errors, you are more likely to:

• Design an exceptional product (editing and cover design)
• Reach the right readers (metadata + pricing)
• Build sustainable sales (marketing + rights management)
• Retain creative control (smart use of ghostwriters)

The Indian book market is dynamic and growing, and self-publishing lets you enter it on your own terms. Consider these best practices as your stepping stone, not a checklist to forget. Create, improve, and keep going — your audience will reward you.
Ready to launch? Begin writing a bare-bones editorial plan today and you’ll be on your way to transforming your manuscript into a market-ready masterpiece. Happy publishing!