Publishing a book can be a daunting task, but it’s not impossible. In this article, we’ll talk about the steps you need to take to prepare your book for publication, and we’ll also give you some tips from publishing experts. So don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
1 – Copy Editing
Copy editing is what makes your book professional. It goes beyond just spelling and grammar, it’s about making sure that the flow of sentences helps to tell the story clearly, that style is consistent throughout, and that there are no major gaps or inconsistencies with regard to timelines. Copy editing is important for any book, but it’s particularly important for non-fiction because readers are receiving information. They need to trust that the information is accurate and easy to understand. When finding someone to do your copy editing, you want to be sure they have experience and that their methods are consistent with your house style. This will ensure that you are on the same page, no pun intended.
2 – Cover Design
Your cover will serve as the first impression that potential readers and publishers have of your book, so it’s important to make sure you get it right. Your cover should be eye-catching, but not misleading. If the book touts itself as a thriller, but the cover is a cozy mystery, this would be misleading. Authors and publishers both have a say in how their books are laid out and designed, but if the author is self-publishing, this will all come down to them. You can work with a cover designer or choose to design it yourself, but if you choose to go this route, it’s best that you hire a professional and understand the basics of design.
3 – Book Formatting
If we’re talking physical print books, once your book has been copy edited and designed, it will need to be formatted as well. There are tons of different programs for book formatting like Scrivener or Microsoft Word (Interestingly, these two aren’t compatible), which can make it difficult to know where to start; but don’t worry. We’ve got an article about how to format your manuscript. Also keep in mind that there are multiple file types for eBooks: MOBI and EPUB being just two. Each one requires different formatting and layouts. If you want more information, you can read about eBook formatting.
4 – Publishing Platforms
There are many platforms available for both eBooks and print books. You can work with iUniverse, CreateSpace, Ingram Spark, or go through Kindle. There are pros and cons to each of these platforms and others, and we’ll talk about all of them in another article (just like we did for eBook formatting and book design), but know that the majority of them will provide you with a free ISBN. This is important because it helps to ensure that you are the author of the book.
Some of the most popular options include:
– KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
– CreateSpace
– Smashwords
– iUniverse
Of course, there are many other platforms available for both traditional and self-publishing. These are just some of the most popular.
5 – Pricing & Distribution
Pricing, especially for eBooks, is always a hot topic. The line between too high and too low is difficult to find, and you need to do your homework before setting your price. You can use a tool like Kindle Price Calculator to get a feel for what other books in your genre are currently selling for. And you can always use the free tools available on KDP to see how well your book is selling. Once you have your price, it’s time to distribute your eBook. This can be done through a number of outlets for a price, and it will help others to find your book.
6 – Marketing Your Book
Now that your book is published, it’s time to start marketing. There are tons of great articles online on how to market your books, and we’ll link you to a few in this article. First, it’s important that you have a website or blog that is closely tied to your book. You can visit any of the major blogging sites to get started. In fact, here’s a link to a free eBook from Google on starting your own blog. Once you have your website, it’s time to build an email list. Once you start building up a following, this can be extremely helpful for future marketing, but it’s even better if you have fans who are willing to review your book or leave testimonials. You can offer free copies of your book in exchange for honest reviews on sites like Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble.
7 – The Future Of Your Book
Once your book has been published, it’s time to see what happens. We can’t say that this is the end of the road for your book. It’s possible that your book may become successful, and you’ll want to continue writing, or things could not go your way. Many authors choose to publish additional books in a series, or perhaps they’ll self-publish a paperback version of their book. There are many possibilities, and your journey doesn’t end when you publish your first book. At this time you can also choose to track who has purchased your book according to age, gender, etc, and hone your writing skills to better suit your target audience.
Publishing a book is difficult work. It takes time, dedication, and patience to get to this point. But remember that it doesn’t have to be difficult work. There are tools available that can help you get your book published, to get it out there for the world to read. It really is no small feat to publish a book. We hope this article has given you a good starting point for publishing your own book. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us or one of the many other resources available online. And most importantly, have fun with it. Publishing a book can be an amazing experience, and we wish you all the best on your journey.