Each Saturday, we ask our founder, Namrata, one thoughtful question, on books, writing, cinema, marketing in India or publishing. One question. One insight. Every week.
Question of the Week: What are the biggest misconceptions about publishing writers have ?
Writers in India walk into publishing with a heart full of dreams, a folder full of Word docs… and often, a head full of fictional ideas about how this industry works.
Let’s set the record straight and talk about the top 5 misconceptions about publishing:
Top 5 Misconceptions About Publishing Writers Have:
“If my book is good, it’ll sell itself.”
Books don’t walk off shelves. Visibility = strategy + effort.
“Getting published means I’ve made it.”
Nope! It’s just the starting line, not the finish.
“I’ll get rich from book sales.”
Unless you’re selling lakhs of copies, royalties won’t pay rent. Sorry!
“Traditional publishing is always better than self-publishing.”
Not true. Each has pros and cons — know your goals first.
“The publisher will handle all the marketing.”
Think again — most of the heavy lifting will be yours.
Champagne marketing dreams, chai-biscuit budgets? We feel you, but let’s get real for a second.
Here’s the truth most authors don’t want to hear:
If your book marketing budget is low, your ideas and execution have to match that.
You can’t expect high-end campaigns, influencer shoutouts, national media coverage, and a magical bestseller tag… when your budget barely covers the basics.
Book marketing isn’t about how much you spend, but how realistic your goals are for what you’re spending.
So if your budget is limited:
✨ Focus on consistent, grassroots efforts
✨ Set achievable goals
✨ Leverage organic channels smartly
✨ Understand that reach and impact take time
And no, this isn’t to say you always need a big budget. But it is to say—if you’re dreaming big, your investment (in time, money, or both) needs to reflect that.
🧠 Strategy ≠ fantasy.
Recommended Read: Changes in Book Marketing
Podcast on Misconceptions About Publishing and Book Marketing in India
At Bookbots India, we’re a dedicated team of book marketers committed to simplifying the complex world of book marketing for you and clear the misconceptions about publishing.
Our mission is simple: We make your books sell!
What Do We Do?
- Free Advice: Through our podcast, The Bookbot Theory, we offer free, expert advice on book marketing in South Asia. Tune in to learn strategies and tips that can help you reach your target audience.
- Goal Setting for Authors: We run a comprehensive course designed to guide authors through the crucial steps after finishing their manuscript. Learn how to set achievable goals and the best ways to reach them.
- Marketing Services: Through Keemiya Creatives, we provide personalized marketing services tailored to the unique needs of authors. Let us help you create a marketing plan that drives success.
To know more check out our website and listen to our podcast.
About Namrata, Founder- Keemiya Creatives
Namrata is the founder of Keemiya Creatives, a literary consultancy based in Mumbai, and Bookbots India, an initiative bringing transparency to publishing and book marketing. She also hosts The Bookbot Theory, a podcast that makes book marketing accessible for authors and creators worldwide.
She is the editor of Kitaab, a Singapore-based South Asian literary magazine, and a published author with a focus on travel, relationships, and gender. Her travelogue-cum-memoir, A Lost Wanderer: A Book of Memories, reflects her deep connection with storytelling. A UEA alumna, she has also studied travel writing at the University of Sydney.
She also writes a weekly column on literature called, Between the Lines.
As an independent editor and book reviewer, her work has appeared in Asian Review of Books, Scroll, Contemporary South Asia Journal (King’s College London), The Friday Times, Feminism in India, and more. Her short stories have been featured in various anthologies, and she has published two short story collections of her own. She is currently working on her debut novel.
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