Publishing a book can be both exciting and daunting. Whether it’s fiction, nonfiction, memoir, or an educational text, getting it published can open doors of opportunity while increasing income streams. Get the Best information about nonfiction.
Self-publishing your book in paperback or electronic book form is possible; all you need to do is submit an electronically polished manuscript PDF and cover image for review.
1. Decide on a Genre
At this stage, writers must find a genre that best reflects their writing voice and narrative goals. Additionally, an understanding of genre conventions helps ensure that your book aligns with reader expectations; mystery readers tend to expect certain story elements, while romance readers look for specific characteristics in characters.
Locating your book’s genre is also key when searching for literary agents or traditional publishers. Submitting a query letter without knowing exactly which genre your work falls into will send the message that you lack focus and are unwilling to dedicate yourself to marketing it effectively.
As you consider different genres, think back on stories that have captured your imagination and stirred your emotions. From adrenaline-pumping thrillers and mysteries to magical realms of fantasy or emotional romance stories – pinpointing what really resonates will help you find where your writing voice can find its most effective expression and select an ideal genre for your story.
2. Create an Outline
Establishing an outline for your book is an integral step in self-publishing. It provides essential structure and direction during its writing and can ensure you remain focused and on track while authoring your manuscript.
Your outline can also help prevent you from creating plot holes or losing continuity while writing, so it is recommended that you make at least a basic outline prior to beginning writing, but it needn’t be elaborate.
Your novel should include the overall storyline as well as chapter outlines, with individual character profiles to ensure each is developed fully and their internal conflicts clearly defined.
If you need assistance creating an outline for your book, there are numerous free templates online and writing apps with built-in outlining features available that can help you create an organized outline. Furthermore, fee-based services offer services to format digital or print books; though please note that it could take some time before the finished product can be available for sale if this route is taken.
3. Write the Book
Once your book is finished, you should upload it to the platform of your choice. Typically, this process can be accomplished within one working day.
Before embarking on this endeavor, you must identify your ideal readers—they should be those most receptive to your message and likely to purchase your book. Furthermore, having clear goals, such as increasing sales or expanding business, is also helpful when setting out to write.
Next, choose a title for your book that will catch readers’ interest and entice them to read it. Finally, write an engaging book description that helps readers understand its subject matter and whether they might enjoy reading it; keep this short yet detailed enough that readers remain engaged throughout.
Finally, choose keywords and categories that best reflect your book. Be careful when making this selection, as any misstep could cause potential buyers to overlook your book.
4. Format the Book
Once your book is written, the next step should be formatting it for print or digital publication. This process should be straightforward, with many self-publishing services providing clear guidelines on how to prepare a book for print or ebook publication.
Print books require formatting the interior according to the trim size specified by your printer (e.g. paperback or hardcover). If your book will be sold at physical bookstores, an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and barcode will also need to be included.
eBooks do not impose as many formatting regulations, but basic standards should still be observed: paragraph indentations should match those found in traditionally published novels, chapter titles should appear on every page, and no distracting or excessive fonts should be present. Furthermore, avoid adding extra “text-decoration,” such as bold or italicized text, that might irritate readers.
If you’re new to self-publishing, working with an author services company that provides editing, proofreading, and layout design can be extremely helpful. These one-stop shops often boast an extensive roster of reliable author service providers. Before engaging any service providers directly or via another company, you should consult Writer Beware, as this group tracks down any possible scams or abuse.
5. Design the Cover
An appealing book cover is the cornerstone of ensuring your manuscript shines on its exterior as well as on its inside. From subtle sneak previews of plot details, such as photos or illustrations of protagonist characters, to overt allusions, such as bowler hats they don’t leave home without or their favorite car from 1963, well-designed covers help build relationships between writer and reader.
Your book cover should also convey its genre, giving readers an indication of what to expect when reading its contents. This can be achieved through color and typography choices and by setting text hierarchy so that the title stands out prominently on the cover.
Design your book cover using any one of several tools, such as Canva, MS Word, or Vexels (a newer tool that provides professional mockups). In addition, visiting your local bookstore and handling books to understand different paper thicknesses and materials will help you determine what cover and spine designs will work best with your book.
6. Publish the Book
Self-publishing your book offers several avenues. Some authors utilize an online printer or platform that requires them to upload their files themselves; others opt for services that offer editing, formatting, and book design. Once your manuscript and printer-ready files are ready for publishing, the publishing process begins!
Consider both formats and target audiences when selecting where to publish your book. For instance, if you plan on publishing an ebook through digital publishing platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing or Kobo Writing Life, which allow authors to upload their EPUB and PDF files. Or for print-on-demand services such as Amazon CreateSpace or IngramSpark that offer paperback publishing options.
Once you’ve decided on a format and audience for your book, the next step should be deciding how much it costs. To help with this decision, research similar books in your genre and select an attractive price that will still allow for profit. Also, consider offering discounts during pre-sale or launch phases to encourage early reviews and feedback from potential readers.
7. Promote the Book
As a self-published author, promoting your book to increase readership and sales is paramount. There are various methods you can use – social media sites like Facebook and websites are great platforms to do this – reaching out to other members in your niche by offering review copies; offering review copies to other reviewers may also help promote sales of your work. It would also be wise to invest in professional website hosting to showcase it all effectively.
Self-publishing is a business, so you must treat it as such and spend the necessary time learning how to promote and market your book. Once this decision has been made, determine your budget for promotion and production and set goals for the number of copies or reviews you envision by setting a goal for the number of copies sold or reviews garnered.
Set up pre-orders on Amazon and other book retailers before your release date to increase the odds of hitting bestseller lists at launch time, build anticipation for your book, and build an email list for future updates. Furthermore, ensure your distributor offers global distribution so your book can reach bookstores and libraries worldwide.
