How to Self-Publish Your First Book - Ritu Kapur Shares Key Tips for Female Writers
“The key advantage of self-publishing is being able to create the book exactly as you want it. You have the final say on the book cover, the message that you want to convey and how you want to convey it.” Have you ever dreamed of publishing a book? Today’s woman dreamer, Ritu Kapur, shares her exciting journey in getting her first book, Teach Yoga Touch Hearts published. A passionate writer and yoga teacher, Ritu was inspired to step out of her comfort zone and put her knowledge to paper. A must read for budding female authors, check out Ritu’s actionable tips to writing, publishing, and marketing your first book!
1. You are quite the multi-faceted woman - yoga, a published author and more. What inspired you to write your first book?
If I had to answer this question in one word, it would be the word "inspiration" that inspired me to write this book. Yoga is a deeply philosophical practice but is often seen as and offered as just a physical practice. When I became a yoga teacher over 12 years ago, I was amazed at the vast knowledge of yoga sutra that is not taught to us in a standard school system growing up in India. I was eager to share parts of that knowledge with my students. I was always searching for quotes, passages, articles that would allow me to share that knowledge in a practical way. After years of collections, my diary was becoming full as I compiled messages from the Zen calendars, textbooks, yoga journals and many other places. I started looking for a book that would give all this to me in one place but couldn't find any. A few years ago, as I was searching for such a book at a Yoga Retreat, I blurted out loud that I couldn't find a book for inspirational yoga anywhere. A stranger standing next to me looked up to me and said, "because you are going to write it"! And that was the seed---- the power of few words that made someone like me even think that I could write a book. I never thought I could write, and I am sharing this for some of you who may have put this self-inflicted mental reservation on yourself. Allow yourself to open up to this possibility that you can write and express your thoughts and passions and ideas.
2. What were some challenges and/or obstacles you faced in publishing your book, and how did you overcome them?
In the traditional publishing world, one has to walk the tight rope of finding an agent a publisher and then work with them in a way that makes them happy. The new world of self-publishing allows you to tap into your creative freedom and express yourself the way you want to.
The first biggest obstacle could be not believing yourself. Once you overcome that, start writing whatever you are passionate about.
The second challenge is editing, so if you can't pay for a professional editor, find a friend who understands the subject matter and is willing to help you with editing.
The third and fourth challenge is editing as well 😊
3. Publishing is daunting - distribution costs, editor costs, writing etc. What is your advice to budding female authors who are intimidated? What are the key steps they should take?
Traditional publishing does involve a lot of costs. Self-publishing is free. Once you have your book ready, you can upload it on platforms like Lulu, Amazon, Kindle, etc., and that's it. The easy-to-navigate templates are great for even non-techy people like myself.
4. What is the key advantage of self-publishing vs. working with a publishing house? How long did it take for you to self-publish?
Once your book is ready to be presented to the world, self-publishing is quick and easy. Let's talk about the word "presentable". Any book needs multiple (and I really mean it) rounds of editing, and not just for grammar but for style as well. You will need a name for the book that is self-explanatory and perhaps catchy. You will need a book cover and it can be designed by you or an artistic friend or a professional person. You need to look at your book as a third person with a critical eye (which is challenging) and make changes until it looks and feels just right.
The key advantage of self-publishing is being able to create the book exactly as you want it. You have the final say on the book cover, the message that you want to convey and how you want to convey it.
The journey of beginning to write and to create the end-product will vary for every single person. For me, it took five months of dedicated time and energy and many late nights. Before that, the idea itself had been simmering in my mind for almost four years, and something must be said about that birthing time.
5. Many authors want publish their books internationally. Can you share about your experience publishing the book in India for example?
Thank you for asking since you will need to address the book publishing in India separately. The biggest reason for that is the pricing. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the books are sold at a much lower price in India. A typical book sold in US for about $15-20 will be priced at $3-5 for the Indian market. If you don't work with a publisher there, then it's possible that your book will not even be seen on Amazon India, and if it is, it will not be bought by anyone. The cost of printing and publishing is lower there, but perhaps there are some other reasons that the books have been kept at more affordable prices for the general public there, and I am so happy about that.
I had to work with a publisher in India who could re-do my book and help me price it just right. I could have chosen not to publish my book in India, but it was very important for me to share my work on yoga in my Motherland. The publisher also edited the book for the kindle version, which was a huge help for me. I got to work with young people at the publishing company and found them to be very professional and efficient. They could get my book out in just about 20 days for the New Year's. I would be happy to refer your readers to my editor in India if they are interested in working with them.
6. Once the book is published, what are some of your top tips for marketing it, getting it on Amazon, and growing reach?
AH, the world of marketing is a totally different beast than publishing. If you are on social media, it's a great place to create the buzz. Create a team of friends who are willing to be your supporters and cheerleaders. Share a pdf of your book with this inner circle so they can write a review for your book as soon as it is published. Reach out to your friends and family in person and ask them to buy your book and write a review. This will be the first round of sales. Getting to the second round of sales which is reaching out to strangers, will be more challenging in a self-publication world. Find local and distant online platforms where you can talk. Write, interview/ podcast/ journal about your book, or talk about your work. Reaching out to the masses will be a constant work in progress. Some books take a few years to come to light.
Bio: Ritu wrote her first book, Teach Yoga Touch Hearts in 2021. She has a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She pursued her first yoga teacher training in 2009 and has been sharing her love of yoga with people of all ages and abilities ever since. In 2014, encouraged by her husband, a long-time meditator himself, she opened her yoga and meditation studio, SOHUM, in Westborough, MA. Teaching yoga was rewarding and fulfilling, and she eventually left her job as a Rehab Director to manage the studio. Ritu is currently teaching yoga classes online, planning local and international retreats, and working on her next book. She finds much joy in her ongoing studies in Indian philosophy, Vedic chanting, and Hindustani classical music. She hopes that the messages from her book, “Teach Yoga Touch Hearts” manifest as inspiration, guidance, and empowerment to many. You can purchase her book on Amazon or get a signed copy directly from her. Connect with Ritu at www.SOHUM.org Email: Ritu.Kapur@Sohum.org