Self-Publishing Myths Debunked: What Every Author Needs to Know Before Publishing

Self-publishing has transformed the publishing world, opening doors for millions of authors. But with its rise has come a flood of misinformation. If you’ve been told self-publishing is easier, more profitable, or a guaranteed way to get your book into bookstores—you’ve likely been sold a myth.

In a recent episode of Alexa’s Publishing Chat, I interviewed Joel Pitney, founder of Launch My Book. With experience on both the traditional and indie sides of the publishing world, Joel offered a candid breakdown of the most harmful self-publishing myths—and what authors should actually focus on if they want long-term success.

Whether you’re just starting your publishing journey or considering your next launch, this post will help you separate fact from fiction.

Myth #1: You’ll Make More Money if You Self-Publish

The Truth: You might, but only if you’re strategic and willing to invest.

Many authors are drawn to self-publishing for its higher royalty rates. But what often goes unspoken is that those royalties only apply after you’ve covered the cost of production. When you self-publish, you’re financially responsible for everything—editing, design, formatting, distribution, and marketing.

What to do instead:
Before publishing, create a clear budget. Know your production and promotional costs and be realistic about how many books you’ll need to sell to break even. Prioritize professional editing and cover design—they’re the foundation of your book’s success.

Myth #2: Your Book Will Be in Bookstores

The Truth: Bookstore placement is rare for self-published authors and requires active effort.

Self-publishing platforms like IngramSpark make your book available to retailers, but availability does not equal visibility. Most bookstores don’t open accounts with individual authors. Many automatically filter out self-published titles due to quality concerns or logistical hurdles.

What to do instead:
Focus on building relationships with local bookstores and libraries. Consider consignment models, live events, or book clubs. And don’t overlook tools like Bookshop.org that let you sell online while supporting independent stores.

Myth #3: Self-Publishing Is Easier Than Traditional Publishing

The Truth: It’s not easier—it’s just different.

When you self-publish, you take on the responsibilities of an entire publishing team. From project management to quality assurance and marketing, every decision is yours. That can be empowering, but it also means more work and complexity than most authors anticipate.

What to do instead:
Use project management tools (like a Gantt chart or timeline) to stay organized. Plan your production and marketing schedule in advance. And don’t hesitate to hire help where needed—especially for editing and formatting.

Myth #4: Readers Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

The Truth: They do—and so do bookstores, librarians, and reviewers.

Cover design is one of the most important factors in a reader’s decision to click, browse, or buy. A cover that looks unprofessional can tank your credibility, no matter how great your writing is.

What to do instead:
Hire a professional cover designer, ideally one who understands your genre. Avoid stock templates and Canva covers unless you have strong design skills. Consider services like 99designs or work with a full-service publishing team that offers cover design as part of the package.

Myth #5: Amazon Metadata Hacks Will Make You a Bestseller

The Truth: Keywords and categories help—but only if you already have traffic.

Authors often believe that mastering Amazon’s algorithm will unlock sales. But Amazon is a retail engine, not a discovery engine. You still need to send readers to your book page, and Amazon rewards sales and reviews—not clever keyword choices.

What to do instead:
Use solid metadata, but don’t obsess over it. Put your energy into building an email list, guesting on podcasts, using reader magnets, and creating real buzz around your book. Get reviews and drive sales from external channels.

Myth #6: Pre-Orders Are a Must-Have Strategy

The Truth: Pre-orders have value in some cases—but for most indie authors, they can backfire.

Unless you’re running a traditional bestseller campaign or have a large pre-existing audience, pre-orders can waste valuable attention. If a potential buyer visits your Amazon page and the print book isn’t available—or if the book isn’t shipping yet—you may lose the sale.

What to do instead:
Use a soft launch strategy. Quietly publish your book early so you can:

• Gather early reviews

• Test your formatting and metadata

• Claim your Author Central and Goodreads pages
  Then focus your marketing push once all formats are available for purchase.

Bonus Insight: Your Book Is a Business

Publishing a book isn’t just a creative endeavor—it’s launching a product. That means planning, budgeting, investing, and building infrastructure around your work. Success doesn’t come from shortcuts or viral hacks. It comes from treating your book like the business asset it is.

Joel’s advice to authors:

• Don’t skip professional editing and design.

• Don’t rely on Amazon to do your marketing.

• Learn from people with real experience—not just authors with one or two books.

• Use tools like AI to streamline processes, but don’t expect them to replace strategy.

• Focus on long-term results, not launch-day fireworks.

Final Thoughts

Self-publishing offers incredible freedom—but with that freedom comes responsibility. Falling for popular self-publishing myths can waste your time, energy, and money. Take the time to understand what’s truly required to publish and promote your book successfully.

If you want help publishing a professional book under your own name, check out Launch My Book. Their author-first model supports you through both production and promotion—and their blog is full of helpful articles to deepen your publishing knowledge.

Want to hear Joel’s full breakdown of these myths?
Listen to his episode on Alexa’s Publishing Chat for even more actionable advice.