HOW TO SELF-PUBLISH YOUR BOOK: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

----------------October 28, 2021----------------

how to self-publish a book: a step-by-step guide

What is Self-Publishing?

Self-publishing is the act on the author’s part to handle all the publication details of their book without going through a traditional publishing house. Self-publishers typically do everything from writing the text to selecting the artwork for the cover to marketing the publication to potential readers — and everything in between. An increasing number of writers are choosing to go the self-publishing route these days, and for good reason. However, it’s important for those considering this to be aware of what’s entailed and how this option differs from using traditional publishing companies. Here’s what you need to know about self-publishing platforms.

What Are the Benefits of Self-Publishing VS Traditional Publishing?

Self-publishing allows the author to have complete control over every aspect of the publication process. You’ll be the one with total creative authority over every word between the covers as well as the cover itself. Those writing for traditional publishers often wind up feeling lost in the shuffle when multiple editors, cover designers, and marketers become part of the picture.

You’ll also enjoy faster exposure if you choose to self-publish. Instead of taking months and possibly even longer to hit the market, books that are self-published can be ready for the consumer market within a matter of days. Although rushing through a book and not giving it a final polishing is not a recommended course of action, self-published authors can nonetheless cut down on a lot of dead time.

As a general rule, the royalties involved in self-publishing are better than those offered by traditional publishing houses. Self-published authors also have a longer window of time for their books to gain popularity. Publishing houses typically give new books a month or two of optimal exposure through marketing efforts before moving to fresher material.

Finally, the main advantage of self-publishing is that writers don’t have to wait around to be chosen by a publisher. Publishing is a very competitive field, and most aspiring writers have little chance of getting their material read by a junior editor at any major publishing house. This doesn’t mean their work isn’t good — it just means that publishers are so inundated with manuscripts from hopeful authors that it’s not possible for them to give each submission the consideration it deserves. In other words, diamonds in the rough tend to get shuffled to the bottom of the pile where they’ll never see the light of day.

How Much Does it Cost to Self-Publish a Book?

How Much Does it Cost to Self-Publish a Book?

The costs associated with self-publishing a book range dramatically depending on variables such as the individual circumstances of the author, the length of the book, and the costs of individual self-publishing venues. Some authors have more available resources for promotional factors such as marketing and design, while others fly on a bare-bones model with nothing much leftover. The good news is that there are self-publishing options available for those at both ends of the financial spectrum and everything in between.

How to Self-Publish a Book

Now that you’ve made a mental and emotional commitment to writing your book, you’re probably looking forward to picking up your laptop, tablet, or even an old-school pad of paper and a pen and getting started. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what comes next.

Write Your Book

write your book

This is going to be a different process for everyone, especially in matters of the home environment. Someone who lives with noisy roommates or family won’t have the same range of options as their counterpart who lives alone in a serene neighborhood. Nonetheless, having a dedicated space and time for working on your book helps nurture motivation and self-discipline, so do your best to achieve consistency in these areas —

even if the best place for you to work on your book is at a local coffee shop.

Try to write at least once per day, even when you aren’t in the mood. If writer’s block enters the picture, it’s often possible to shake that loose by writing down random thoughts for 10 or 15 minutes. If you live with other people, make it clear to them that they are not to interrupt you during your writing time except in the case of an absolute emergency. After a while, you’ll likely settle into a routine.

Create a Book Cover Design That Converts

Finding the right book design cover may mean the difference between few sales and many sales. Consumers in the digital age are visually motivated to buy, which means they’re more likely to purchase a product if compelling images accompany it.

New authors often make the mistake of selecting a cover that’s not the right fit. This could happen because they’re in a hurry or don’t realize the importance of cover design in converting browsers to buyers. The best approach to choosing a cover design is taking it slowly and waiting for the one that really speaks to you.

If you’re on a strict budget, you may be able to create the right cover design for your book using a template that lets you add your own photos or stock photos. However, keep in mind that your book’s cover is its chance to put its best foot forward, so it’s important that it looks as polished and professional as possible.

Create Book Metadata: Book Title, Description, ISBNs, BISAC Codes

Create Book Metadata: Book Title, Description, ISBNs, BISAC Codes

This bibliographic information is required of any book made publicly available, whether for sale or supplied for free. The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is the main identifier. ISBNs are used by online and brick-and-mortar publishers, booksellers, and libraries to identify specific editions of books. Other book metadata includes the following.

• Book title
• Description
• BISAC codes

BISAC codes are created by the Book Industry Study Group to classify books according to the subject matter. This assists retailers with matters of placement in traditional bookstores as well as helps optimize online searches.

Keep in mind that the more expressive and on-point your book description and title are, the better your book will fare in search engines. You may be requested to supply other information as well in your metadata form, such as the primary age group of the intended readership, the page count of the book, and whether the book is part of a series. Answering each question as completely as possible may increase search engine results.

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