Digital media has made book writing and publishing accessible to any aspiring author without the need to pitch to an established publishing company. This presents an opportunity for writers to stay in control of their works and maintain most of the sales royalties, which is why self-publishing has become a popular and cost-effective choice.
As preferable as the self-publication route is, it still comprises a few steps that must be taken so that all books meet professional standards. Thus, if you’re looking to publish your own original written work, there are a few things you can do to simplify the procedure of getting your book to the public.
Here’s how you can make the self-publishing process easier:
1. Prepare Your Manuscript
The first step to streamlining your self-publishing process is to prepare your manuscript. This is the entire unpublished draft of your book in its basic form. At this stage, many self-publishing authors have only finished writing the story or copy; thus, the book needs to undergo self-editing. If this is the case for you, you can start editing and revising your manuscript by standardizing its format and then moving on to the text.
However, if you don’t know where to start, there are several online resources about self-editing. These include advice on how long your novel should be, how to fix grammar, and improve dialogue, characterization, and writing styles depending on the type of book you’re writing.
On the other hand, you can hire professionals from resources such as editorworld.com to proofread and edit your work. That way, your final draft can be tailored to your intended audience. Doing this can also take the hassle out of self-editing and give you a second opinion of your work.
2. Decide On A Book Format
Thanks to modern online media, self-publishing authors no longer have to rely on printing dozens of physical copies that can take up a significant portion of their budget. These days there are several book formats that you can choose from, which integrate both tangible and virtual copies of your book. And as such, you’ll need to decide on a preferred format for your book.
The most affordable option is e-books, as they’re completely digital and have a high royalty percentage per sale. And these days, many e-books also have an audiobook counterpart, which can greatly increase the value of your book in the market.
Other options are print on demand, where interested readers can have your book printed once they’ve ordered it. The initial costs might need some financing; however, direct sales can present the potential for a lucrative profit.
3. Get Your Cover Designed
Once your manuscript is edited and fully prepared for publishing, you can start working on the book cover design. Take note that as a self-publishing author, a graphic design cover is the most important first line of advertising for attracting your intended audience. Without a publication backing you, the cover design can help improve your book’s visibility and get it noticed on self-publication websites.
Thus, an eye-catching design can get your book selected for publication thumbnails, landing pages, and online book stores. Most online retailers recommend hiring a book cover designer as they have both design skills and marketing insights on what attracts readers within your niche.
Alternatively, if you choose to do it yourself, there are book cover design templates available on design websites. It’s advised that you pay attention to the use of color, graphics, title fonts, and imagery to perfectly capture the mood and style of your book.
4. Choose Your Publication Host
This is the step to finally getting your book out into the world and accessible to your readers. You’ll need to choose a publication website to host your book. When deciding on a platform, consider the features of the publication you’re eyeing. For instance, there are platforms that allow you to upload and publish in a matter of minutes. On the other hand, others offer self-publication, distribution, and marketing services after they assess your book.
In addition, consider the hosts’ popularity with your audience; for instance, how many readers visit their website for new books each month? This is necessary to ensure you’re using the correct channels so the right readers can find your book. Once your book is available on online retailers, you can then market your self-published book through social media ads, online promotion, and your hosts ’website.
Final Words
You can make the self-publishing process much easier by preparing all the material you need before your book hits the shelves. After your draft is complete, you can proceed with the editing process and have your book cover designed. Once this is done, you simply need to choose where you want your book published. From there, you can consider the process complete as your book is ready for self-publication and marketing.
