Stop Struggling: Self Publishing Community Fact or Fiction Engagement Made Easy

Struggling to spark meaningful discussions or drive engagement in your self publishing community? Fact or Fiction post templates are your secret weapon to break the ice and get members talking. These ready-to-use prompts challenge assumptions, encourage conversation, and make learning fun.

Self Publishing 41 Templates

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Why This Works

Fact or Fiction prompts tap into our natural curiosity and love for challenging what we think we know. When community members are presented with a statement that could go either way, it invites them to pause, think, and participate by guessing or sharing what they believe. This interactive approach transforms passive readers into active contributors.

In self publishing, myths, misconceptions, and surprising facts abound. Leveraging these with Fact or Fiction posts not only educates your audience but also builds trust and rapport. The sense of discovery and the friendly competition to get the answer right can make your community feel more dynamic, welcoming, and collaborative.

41 Ready-to-Use Templates

1

Fact or Fiction: You need an agent to self publish a book.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You need an agent to self publish a book. What do you think?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #agent #publishing_myth
2

Fact or Fiction: ISBNs are required for every self published ebook.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: ISBNs are required for every self published ebook. Is this true?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #ISBN #ebook
3

Fact or Fiction: Self published books never hit bestseller lists.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self published books never hit bestseller lists. Share your answer!"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #bestseller #success
4

Fact or Fiction: Amazon has exclusive rights to your book if you publish through KDP Select.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Amazon has exclusive rights to your book if you publish through KDP Select. What do you think?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #Amazon #KDP
5

Fact or Fiction: You can edit your self published book after it goes live.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You can edit your self published book after it goes live. Guess below!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #editing #publishing_process
6

Fact or Fiction: Most self published authors make a full-time living from their books.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Most self published authors make a full-time living from their books. What is your answer?"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #income #author_life
7

Fact or Fiction: Using a pen name is not allowed on major publishing platforms.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Using a pen name is not allowed on major publishing platforms."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #pen_name #platforms
8

Fact or Fiction: You need to pay to get your book listed on Amazon.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You need to pay to get your book listed on Amazon. Fact or Fiction?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #Amazon #cost
9

Fact or Fiction: Print on demand means you must order a minimum number of copies.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Print on demand means you must order a minimum number of copies. True or False?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #print_on_demand #cost
10

Fact or Fiction: Book covers play a bigger role in sales than book descriptions.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Book covers play a bigger role in sales than book descriptions. What is your experience?"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Top #cover_design #marketing
11

Fact or Fiction: You can self publish in multiple languages on the same platform.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You can self publish in multiple languages on the same platform. Any thoughts?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #translation #platforms
12

Fact or Fiction: Formatting mistakes can get your book removed from online stores.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Formatting mistakes can get your book removed from online stores. What do you think?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #formatting #distribution
13

Fact or Fiction: All self published books require a copyright registration.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: All self published books require a copyright registration. Fact or Fiction?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #copyright #publishing_law
14

Fact or Fiction: Self publishing is only for fiction writers.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self publishing is only for fiction writers."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #nonfiction #publishing_myth
15

Fact or Fiction: You need a professional editor before self publishing.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You need a professional editor before self publishing. Do you agree?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #editing #professional_help
16

Fact or Fiction: Self published books can be stocked in brick and mortar stores.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self published books can be stocked in brick and mortar stores. Share your thoughts!"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #distribution #bookstores
17

Fact or Fiction: Kindle Unlimited pays authors a flat fee per book read.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Kindle Unlimited pays authors a flat fee per book read. Fact or Fiction?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #Kindle #royalties
18

Fact or Fiction: You can self publish a book for free.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You can self publish a book for free. What do you think?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #cost #publishing_process
19

Fact or Fiction: Reviews can be removed from your book listing without notice.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Reviews can be removed from your book listing without notice. Any experience?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #reviews #platform_policies
20

Fact or Fiction: Self published books are never nominated for literary awards.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self published books are never nominated for literary awards. Comment with your answer!"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #awards #recognition
21

Fact or Fiction: Formatting for print and ebook is exactly the same.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Formatting for print and ebook is exactly the same."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #formatting #ebook
22

Fact or Fiction: You can use stock images for your book cover if you buy a license.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You can use stock images for your book cover if you buy a license. Fact or Fiction?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #cover_design #legal
23

Fact or Fiction: Self published authors keep all their book rights.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self published authors keep all their book rights. Is this true?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #rights #publishing
24

Fact or Fiction: You can publish under multiple genres with the same author account.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You can publish under multiple genres with the same author account. What do you think?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #genres #platforms
25

Fact or Fiction: Only novels can be self published, not short stories or poetry.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Only novels can be self published, not short stories or poetry."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #formats #publishing_myth
26

Fact or Fiction: Self publishing success is all about marketing.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self publishing success is all about marketing. Share your opinion!"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Top #marketing #success
27

Fact or Fiction: You must use your real name when self publishing.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You must use your real name when self publishing."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #pen_name #identity
28

Fact or Fiction: Self published books often have more typos than traditionally published books.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self published books often have more typos than traditionally published books. What do you think?"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #editing #quality
29

Fact or Fiction: You can update your book file and cover anytime after publishing.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You can update your book file and cover anytime after publishing. Fact or Fiction?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #updating #platforms
30

Fact or Fiction: Self published audiobooks must be sold only through Audible.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self published audiobooks must be sold only through Audible. Yes or no?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #audiobooks #distribution
31

Fact or Fiction: You can publish a book even if you do not own a business.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You can publish a book even if you do not own a business. Fact or Fiction?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #business #publishing
32

Fact or Fiction: Self publishing platforms provide free ISBNs.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self publishing platforms provide free ISBNs. What is your answer?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #ISBN #platforms
33

Fact or Fiction: Formatting your book for print is more complex than for ebook.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Formatting your book for print is more complex than for ebook. Thoughts?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #formatting #print
34

Fact or Fiction: Self published books cannot be found in libraries.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self published books cannot be found in libraries. Fact or Fiction?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #libraries #distribution
35

Fact or Fiction: You can publish illustrated books as a self published author.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You can publish illustrated books as a self published author."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #illustrated_books #formats
36

Fact or Fiction: Self publishing royalties are paid monthly.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self publishing royalties are paid monthly. Yes or no?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #royalties #income
37

Fact or Fiction: You must use DRM protection for all self published ebooks.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You must use DRM protection for all self published ebooks."

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #DRM #ebooks
38

Fact or Fiction: You can publish a book entirely using free tools and resources.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You can publish a book entirely using free tools and resources. Is this possible?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #tools #budget
39

Fact or Fiction: Self publishing is only for new authors.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self publishing is only for new authors."

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #publishing_myth #experience
40

Fact or Fiction: You can change your book's price at any time after publishing.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: You can change your book's price at any time after publishing. Fact or Fiction?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #pricing #platforms
41

Fact or Fiction: Self publishing allows you to keep more of your royalties than traditional publishing.

💡 Example: "Fact or Fiction: Self publishing allows you to keep more of your royalties than traditional publishing. What do you think?"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Top #royalties #comparison

How to Use These Templates

To implement these templates, simply copy and paste a prompt into your community platform of choice. Encourage members to comment with Fact or Fiction, and consider following up with a brief explanation or source. You can use these as weekly features, icebreakers, or conversation starters after quiet periods. For deeper engagement, invite members to share their own Fact or Fiction statements.

Best Practices

  • Choose statements that are surprising or challenge common assumptions.
  • Always provide a credible source or explanation after revealing the answer.
  • Rotate topics between publishing, writing, marketing, and indie author myths.
  • Encourage respectful debate and sharing of personal experiences.
  • Limit frequency to maintain intrigue and avoid audience fatigue.

All Platforms Tips

Since these templates work on all platforms, tailor your delivery to fit the format. On forums or Facebook groups, use the post as a standalone thread and pin for visibility. On chat platforms like Discord or Slack, share prompts during active hours and use threads or replies for discussion. For platforms with polls, consider letting members vote before revealing the answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I use Fact or Fiction templates in my self publishing community?

Aim for once a week or as a regular feature. Too frequent use may reduce their impact and novelty.

Should I always provide the answer or source after members respond?

Yes, always follow up with a credible source or explanation to educate and build trust.

What if members start debating or disagreeing on the answer?

Encourage respectful discussion and use it as an opportunity to share sources and experiences.

Are these templates suitable for both new and experienced authors?

Absolutely. The statements are designed to challenge and engage all knowledge levels.

Can I customize these templates for my niche (e.g., poetry, nonfiction)?

Yes, feel free to adapt the statements to suit your community's specific interests or genres.

How can I encourage lurkers to participate in Fact or Fiction posts?

Make prompts easy to answer and consider tagging or personally inviting quiet members to join.

Are there any risks to using Fact or Fiction content?

Ensure your facts are accurate and sources are credible to avoid spreading misinformation.

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