Publishing your book is one of the most exciting steps in your author journey — but it can also be one of the most expensive and stressful if you’re not careful.

As a Christian author, I know how easy it is to rush the process, overspend, or lose confidence when things don’t go to plan. The good news? Most publishing problems can be avoided if you know what to look out for ahead of time.

Here are five of the most common publishing mistakes — and exactly how to avoid them — so you can launch your book with peace and professionalism.

1️⃣ Skipping Professional Editing

The Mistake:
Publishing without proper editing — or relying only on spellcheck.

Why It Matters:
Readers notice typos and poor flow — and it can hurt your credibility.

How to Avoid It:
✅ Budget for editing early (developmental, copyedit, or proofread as needed).
✅ At minimum, get a professional proofread before going to print.
✅ Use beta readers to catch early issues, but don’t skip professional eyes.

2️⃣ Using a DIY Cover Design

The Mistake:
Creating a cover in Canva or using a free template without design experience.

Why It Matters:
Your cover is your book’s first impression — if it looks amateur, people will assume the content is too.

How to Avoid It:
✅ Hire a professional cover designer (it’s one of the best investments you can make).
✅ Make sure your cover fits your genre and works as a thumbnail on Amazon.

3️⃣ Not Understanding the Publishing Platforms

The Mistake:
Clicking “publish” on Amazon KDP without understanding how royalties, ISBNs, or categories work.

Why It Matters:
You might price your book wrong, choose poor categories, or lose rights unnecessarily.

How to Avoid It:
✅ Research KDP, IngramSpark, and other options — or follow a trusted guide.
✅ Choose your categories and keywords strategically for visibility.
✅ Decide if you want an ISBN from KDP or purchase your own (if you want more control).

4️⃣ Launching Without a Plan

The Mistake:
Publishing your book, announcing it once on Facebook, and hoping it sells.

Why It Matters:
Without a plan, you miss opportunities for reviews, buzz, and sustained sales.

How to Avoid It:
✅ Build a simple launch plan (pre-launch, launch day, post-launch).
✅ Gather a small launch team to help spread the word.
✅ Write your launch emails and posts ahead of time so you’re not scrambling.

5️⃣ Overspending on Vanity Services

The Mistake:
Paying thousands for “done-for-you” packages that promise bestseller status.

Why It Matters:
These services often take control of your files, your royalties, and leave you with little say over pricing or distribution.

How to Avoid It:
✅ Learn the process yourself (or follow a proven roadmap) so you stay in control.
✅ Hire freelancers individually (editor, designer, formatter) — it’s usually cheaper and you own everything.
✅ Be wary of companies that guarantee sales or bestseller status.

Mistakes can happen to any author — but now you know how to avoid the most costly ones.

Publishing your book is not just about getting it out there — it’s about stewarding your message well, protecting your rights, and setting yourself up for long-term success.

💡 Want a step-by-step roadmap that walks you through the publishing process — from first draft to launch day — without the overwhelm?