Most authors who take the leap from serial reading platforms to self-publishing won’t admit the huge mistakes that come with it. Why? Because it’s a time we’d often rather forget. From the hard breakup with sketchy pay-to-read apps, to unpolished manuscripts, off-market covers, and just flat-out not knowing what we were doing—it was a slap in the face we weren’t expecting.
Sure, there are those lucky few who hit it out of the ballpark with their first published book. But for most of us in the trenches, that first, second, and even third book might leave you scratching your head, asking: What was I thinking? Ten years into being a full-time author, I’m still asking that question.
The fact is, I was not ready to self-publish when I started. I fully believe that serial platforms like Wattpad, Inkitt, fanfiction sites, and pay-to-read apps didn’t prepare me for what it truly meant to be an author in the publishing world. These platforms gave me a false sense of success that I didn’t deserve. I genuinely believed I could be the next E.L. James, going from pseudo-viral serial fiction to a household name.
On serial apps, you’re posting daily chapters and getting instant feedback. Readers are commenting, liking, and cheering you on. Your views climb, and you start to think: This is it—I’m making it. You might even win a writing contest and feel like the publishing door has swung wide open.
Nope. Not even close.
When I won a writing contest with my book Fighter and the Fae on an app called Chapters Interactive, I was thrilled. I was proud of the book, and readers loved it. But was it ready for the broader publishing market? Absolutely not. The grammar and punctuation were rough, and like many stories rushed for app daily release, it simply wasn’t up to par. That’s exactly why many books from serial platforms are frowned upon by seasoned authors and mainstream readers. The books there often read like unedited first drafts of a angsty teenager, and mine was no exception. I can fully admit it was a hot, blazing mess.
Keep in mind I was a magazine editor and writer prior, so it wasn’t like I didn’t have experience in publishing, just not in this area of work. Fiction writing from blogs and magazine articles were two very different beast.
Like many new fiction authors, I was still developing my craft and finding my voice. Though having some sold readership, I was too eager to get my work out into the larger book world. I made plenty of mistakes, ones I fully own. I knew nothing about marketing novels, hired an editor who turned out to be a scam, and rushed the process when I should have slowed down. Fighter and the Fae sold fairly well for a debut, unknown author but it could have been better. In hindsight, I realize it wasn’t ready, and I only had myself to blame. Since then it’s been reedited with a new cover that I’m happy with.
Then came my second publishing mistake: sending my next book, Dreamer, to a trade publisher. This time, the manuscript had been beautifully edited by a professional friend who believed in the story. I thought I was ready. Unfortunately, I didn’t understand how to work with her expert feedback and elevate the book because my experience had been in fashion and beauty blogging. I was so excited when it was picked up by a small press after only a week of querying, and ignored the fact that I still didn’t fully grasp the publishing process regarding novels.
While Dreamer did hit the bestseller list several times within the publishing house, it didn’t perform as I had hoped for the long term. I was disappointed, but mostly with myself. I hadn’t yet learned how to take creative control in a way that honored both the editor’s work and my own vision. I was still in the mindset of chapter writing that I had grown accustomed to over the prior few years.
When the rights to Dreamer reverted back to me, I made the revisions I should have made from the start. Many of which were exactly what my editor had suggested. With its rerelease, it’s finally much closer to the book I originally envisioned, and I’m proud it’s back in readers’ hands with a fresh new cover and lease on life.
Did I have some success with both books? Yes and I’m pleased with what I accomplished. It’s not often a new writer lands a publishing deal or wins contests early on, and for that, I’m thankful. But none of that changed the truth… I wasn’t ready.
If you’re an author coming from serial platforms, daily reader engagement, contest wins, and skyrocketing views don’t always translate to long-term publishing success when you move to places like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Serial platforms are designed to feed your confidence, but not necessarily your craft. Especially with pay-to-read apps who generally only care about money rather than quality control. They can create a bubble where fast writing is rewarded, editing is optional, and popularity is tied to the bestie system with unqualified management staff and lucky readership. That bubble pops fast when you step into the real publishing world where pacing, polish, and professionalism are everything.
It’s easy to feel like you’re already a seasoned author after racking up reads on an app but often those top authors who move to self-publishing soon discover that Amazon readers are a whole different ball game. The larger market readers won’t tolerate bad grammar and poorly fleshed out stories, and will have no problem saying so on reviews and social media. The expectations are higher, the competition is tougher, and the learning curve is steep. It’s quickly seen when you go from a fast 100k+ app reads to checking your Amazon KU reports and see big, fat zeros for days on end.
If you’re transitioning from a serial platform to self-publishing or traditional publishing, take a breather and a reality check, because you’re going to need it. Take your time, invest in learning editing, cover design correct for the genre, branding, and marketing. Get feedback from people who aren’t just fans, but professionals, and learn the business before you dive in. Ten years in, I’ve learned a lot, but I’m still learning every day.
The last thing you want to do is to look back and say, I wasn’t ready, when you had every chance to be.
Loretta Kendall 