How to Self-Publish a Book
Self-publishing has revolutionized the way authors bring their work to the world. Gone are the days when traditional publishing houses served as the sole gatekeepers of the literary world. Today, the power lies squarely in your hands, the writer’s. This primer will show you how to self-publish a book.
The Seven Steps to Self-Publishing
1. Hire an Editor
2. Get a Professional Book Cover Design
3. Format the Book
4. Choose a Publishing Platform
5. Strategically Price the Book
6. Publish the Book
7. Market the Book
Creative control is perhaps the most celebrated advantage of this publishing route. You call the shots on everything from the cover art to the final comma in your manuscript. No more compromising your vision or waiting on a publisher’s nod to proceed. It’s your book, your way.
Then there’s the matter of money. Let’s be frank—higher royalties matter. When you self-publish, a significantly larger slice of the profit pie comes back to you. Without the middlemen, you stand to make more per book than you would under the traditional model.
Faster Publishing
Speed is another factor that cannot be overlooked. The journey from final draft to published work can be long and arduous with traditional publishing. In self-publishing, however, that timeline is compressed. Books can be published in a matter of weeks, sometimes even days, after the final draft is complete.
But what does the process actually look like? It begins with choosing the right platform—Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Press, or any of the myriad options available today. Each platform has its unique set of tools and resources designed to help you transition smoothly from writer to published author. They offer various degrees of control and exposure, and it’s crucial to select the one that aligns with your publishing goals and target audience.
Furthermore, a wealth of resources is at your disposal. From forums filled with fellow self-publishing authors to professional services that can handle everything from editing to marketing, you’re not alone. The landscape is rich with information and support designed to guide you at every stage of your self-publishing journey.
Self-publishing is a path that promises freedom, financial benefit, and speed, all wrapped up in a process that’s becoming more streamlined by the day. Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned writer, the self-publishing world is ripe with opportunity, just waiting for your story to be told.
This primer assumes you’ve already done that hard part and written your book. If procrastination is keeping you from reaching the finish line, check out our writing productivity tips.
The Seven Steps to Self-Publish Your Book
1. Hire a Book Editor
Before you even consider bringing a professional editor into the mix, roll up your sleeves and dive into self-editing. Know your manuscript inside and out. This is where you tackle the big-picture issues and fine-tune your narrative, ensuring that when the editor steps in, they’re refining gold, not mining for it.
Besides reading your manuscript from start to finish, tools like Grammarly and ProWritingAid help with the self-editing process. Don’t skip this step.
When it comes time to hire a professional editor, understand the layers of editing: developmental for story structure, copy editing for clarity and style, and proofreading for those pesky typos. Each serves a unique purpose, and skipping any could mean the difference between a diamond in the rough and the polished gem your book deserves.
You need a professional editor. This is non-negotiable. They provide the final polish that your book needs to shine. Think of them as the skilled artisans who transform a well-crafted piece into a masterpiece. They catch what you miss, enhance what you’ve crafted, and ensure that your book is ready to face the world.
2. Hire a book cover designer
They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but let’s be real—everyone does. Your cover is your first, and sometimes only, chance to grab potential readers. It’s not just a pretty design; it’s a visual sales pitch. And interior design? Just as crucial. It affects readability and the overall reader experience. Do not skimp here.
You can find resources galore for book design, from freelancers to design contests. And for those with a keen eye and a brave heart, DIY tools can offer a cost-effective solution. Whichever route you choose, the goal remains the same: a cover that captivates and a layout that maintains the reader’s interest from the first page to the last.
3. Format the Manuscript for Ebook and Print
Now, let’s talk about the nuts and bolts—formatting your manuscript for the digital and physical world. Print on Demand services have made it easier than ever to produce physical copies without the risk of a garage full of unsold books. Ebooks, on the other hand, require meticulous formatting to ensure they’re compatible across various devices and platforms.
Interior layout is a craft in itself. Whether it’s an eBook or a paperback, the layout should be invisible to the reader, allowing them to immerse themselves in your words without distraction. Strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality; your readers will thank you for it.
4. Pick a Self-Publishing Platform
The platform you choose can make or break your book’s success. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the Goliath in the industry, but there are other Davids like Smashwords and Draft2Digital offering their slingshots.
And with Amazon comes the question of exclusivity—KDP Select might give you a marketing edge, but it also ties you down to a single platform. Weigh your options, consider your audience, and pick your battlefield wisely.
5. Price the Book to Maximize Sales
Pricing isn’t just about slapping a sticker on your book. It’s an art.
You need to understand your market, your readers, and how much they’re willing to pay for the value you offer. Use price as a strategy to build your fanbase; introductory offers or discounts on the first book in a series can hook readers for the long haul.
And don’t forget about the staircase pricing strategy for series—start low, build your audience, and climb your way up.
6. Last Step: Self-publish Your Book
You’re on the home stretch. Launch your book with the fanfare it deserves. The initial sales and reviews can catapult your book into the limelight, so strategize your launch with military precision. Gather your troops—beta readers, fans, family—and prepare for day one. Remember, this is just the start. Keep an eye on the long game—marketing, promotions, and the ever-important reader reviews.
And those technicalities—ISBNs, copyright, distribution channels—might seem like red tape, but they’re the framework that supports your book’s journey into the reader’s hands. Understand them, master them, and use them to your advantage.
The path is laid out before you. It’s time to walk it.
7. Post-Publishing: Market for Success
The end of the writing process is just the beginning of your journey as a marketer. You’ve got to devise a marketing strategy that doesn’t just make noise but resonates with your target audience. Start by harnessing the power of automated mailing lists. A well-crafted newsletter can turn a casual reader into a lifelong fan. It’s not just about blasting book links; it’s about forging a connection, offering value, and yes, reminding them of your work.
Consider price promotions and online advertising as well. These aren’t mere discounts or expenses; they’re investments in your book’s future. Flash sales can skyrocket your book up the charts, and the right ad can put your book in front of the reader who’ll recommend it to ten friends.
And social media? It’s not just where you post selfies. It’s a fertile ground for cultivating a readership. Engage with readers on Twitter, share behind-the-scenes glimpses on Instagram, or join reader groups on Facebook. The key lies in authentic interaction, not relentless promotion.
For self-published authors, a myriad of marketing and advertising resources abound. From online courses to author services that specialize in the literary market, you’ll find tools tailored to boost your book’s visibility.
Long-term Book Marketing Strategies
Think beyond the now. Evergreen marketing ensures your book continues to sell well into the future. It’s about creating content that’s always relevant, always fresh. It’s blog posts, guest articles, interviews—anything that keeps your book in the public eye indefinitely.
Building an author brand goes hand in hand with evergreen marketing. Your name should stand for something in readers’ minds. Whether it’s a genre, a writing style, or a certain theme, your brand is a promise of what readers can expect when they pick up your book.
And let’s not forget about the human element—networking. Connecting with fellow authors, industry professionals, and even book clubs can open doors you never knew existed. It’s not just about selling books; it’s about becoming a part of the literary community, a voice that contributes to the conversation.
After the final chapter is written, your role evolves from author to advocate for your book. The story may be in print, but the narrative of your success is just beginning. Engage, promote, and connect—this is how stories live on.
Selling Your Book: Distribution Options
After the intense process of writing and publishing comes the critical phase of distribution. Your book deserves a spot where readers can easily find it, and you’ve got a buffet of options. Online stores are the heavy hitters in book distribution, offering a vast audience and the convenience of click-to-buy.
Your personal website can serve as a direct sales channel, providing that sweet, direct connection with your readers—and sometimes more favorable terms. Let’s not underestimate the charm of book signings and local events either. They offer that tactile, personal experience with your book, a handshake and a smile with each purchase.
Understanding Royalties and Tracking Sales
Royalties are your reward, the fruit of your literary labor. Grasp how they work. Each platform has its own royalty structure, and it’s on you to know the details. Keep tabs on your sales. This isn’t just about watching numbers tick upward—it’s about understanding the trends, the ebb and flow of your book’s journey through readers’ hands.
Tracking tools and dashboards like BookReport can be invaluable, giving you a snapshot of your book’s performance across different markets and editions.
Amazon, the world’s largest book seller, pays authors on a two-month delay. That means if you sell $1000 in books during October, you’ll receive $1000 at the end of December.
Expanding Reach with Audiobooks and Translations
Your book has more potential audiences than you might think. Consider audiobooks—a growing market where narrators bring your words to life. And let’s talk about translations. Your words can travel across linguistic borders, finding new homes in foreign lands. The more accessible your book is in different formats and languages, the wider the net you cast, and the more readers you can reach.
In summary, distribution and sales aren’t just about getting your book out there. It’s about finding the right avenues that align with your book’s identity, ensuring you understand the financial underpinnings of your work, and expanding its reach to tap into every potential reader, no matter where or how they read.
Building a Career in Self-Publishing
The dream doesn’t end with one book. For those with eyes on the prize of a full-fledged career, self-publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. Crafting a strategy for long-term success is crucial. This means not just writing, but building a catalog of work, each title strengthening the last.
Consistency in quality and output can establish you as a mainstay in your genre. Engage with your readers regularly; they are your foundation, your advocates, and your most honest critics. Create a brand that they trust and look forward to supporting.
Develop multiple income streams. Don’t just rely on book sales. Think workshops, speaking engagements, or writing columns. Diversification isn’t just smart; it’s survival. Always be adapting, learning from each launch, each review, each reader email. The market changes, trends evolve, and so should you. Stay informed, stay nimble, and stay relevant.
Networking with Authors and Industry Professionals
No author is an island. The self-publishing journey may start with you, but it thrives on connections. Networking is the thread that ties your solitary writing endeavor to the larger tapestry of the literary world. Forge relationships with fellow authors. These alliances can lead to cross-promotions, shared wisdom, and camaraderie in what can often be a solitary profession.
Network and Learn
But don’t stop there. Industry professionals—editors, cover designers, marketing gurus—are all part of your extended team. They can offer invaluable insights that can refine your approach to self-publishing. Attend book fairs, join author groups, participate in online forums. Each interaction is a potential learning experience, a potential partnership, a step towards cementing your place in the world of self-publishing.
Building a career in self-publishing is about much more than writing books. It’s about creating a sustainable brand, maintaining momentum with each title, and networking to build a supportive and knowledgeable community around you. With the right strategies and connections, your self-publishing endeavor can grow from a single book to a lifelong rewarding career.