You had a dream to publish your first-ever book and you worked hard for several months into the writing process. Your rough manuscript is lying in front of you finally after putting it on your nose for a long while. Though writing your first book is an achievement, you still have to sweat blood to get it in front of your potential readers. Publishing is a lengthy, time-intensive process that requires you to walk through different steps, like cover design, formatting, and publishing.

With so many publishing options than ever before, it can be confusing for newbie authors to walk on this route. But no need to worry, as we’re here to cut through the fog and show you exactly how you can successfully publish your manuscript. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll come across various concrete tips, ready to streamline your journey.

A Handy Guide To The Publishing Process: 9 Effective Steps

• Choose Your Publishing Route

Modern authors have many publishing routes to choose from and each one comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Typically, there are three options and the first one is to collaborate with a large-scale publishing house. They will cater to every step, from distribution to physical stores to more mainstream publicity. However, this method comes with its drawbacks, such as a time-intensive process that takes around a year to complete. Plus, you will get much lower royalties, i.e. around 15% per print.

The second route is small press publishing, best for niche-specific audiences. But again, you will have less control over the process and lower royalties per every print. If you’re okay with it, then go for it. Otherwise, opt for the self-publishing route, which will give you full creative control, faster publishing time, and higher royalties. However, you would be responsible for everything, including production costs, marketing efforts, etc.

• Edit Your Rough Draft

There is a popular thought that the greatest gift you can give to any author is editing and it is so true. Writers usually feel exhausted by the end of their writing process and they have very little energy left for proofreading. Whether opting for a publishing or self-publishing route, your readers will judge your work.

The presence of minor and major mistakes will undermine the quality of your work and negatively impact your success. Therefore, you should hire expert editing assistance from online professional eBook publishing services. They usually have a dedicated team of skilled editors and proofreaders who will go above and beyond to refine your draft. On the other hand, if you possess decent editing skills, conduct this process by yourself. Just make sure you wait a week before to come back to your document with fresh eyes for editing.

• Seek Feedback From Critique Circles

Whether you hire an editor or edit it yourself, thoughtful third-party feedback is valuable.  As you have written your draft, almost every bit will make sense to you as you would read it. However, it may not be to a reader, therefore seeking feedback will help you identify the areas that need improvement. As a result, you will achieve a flawless and attention-grabbing manuscript.

Share your work with trusted collaborators, like critique circles, writing communities, and beta readers to find out what they think about your work. To get an honest review, ask them to submit their review anonymously while sharing their thoughts about specific elements. You can also include a rating system to rate your plot, characters, pacing, and prose. It will make their feedback constructive and they will efficiently propose a solution to every problem, instead of merely pointing it out.

• Title Your Manuscript

You may have initially thought about your manuscript’s title or may have chosen it during your writing process. But if you have not settled on it or it no longer complements your draft, come up with a new title to match it. While nailing it down, ensure whatever you choose is short and sweet.

Choose the one that sounds exciting, and sparks a sense of curiosity to persuade readers to delve into your work. Nonetheless, don’t come up with a title that feels like copied, as it may sound familiar to your potential readers. They might think like they have already read it and may end up skipping your preciously written manuscript.

• Format Your Manuscript

Formatting is the crucial step to make your content readable and eye-catching. Format the chapter headings, page numbers, and other aspects of your text. You can use free software that provides practical templates that you can use to professionally arrange your work. If you don’t find free versions effective, opt for paid formatting software, such as Scrivener ($45) or Vellum ($200).

The best thing about them is that you can try them for free but can pay for the license fee once you feel satisfied with the results. However, you may still require decent formatting skills to cater for this step with precision. Therefore, we suggest you order formatting services from an affordable and reputable agency to ensure immaculate interior design.

• Design An Eye-Catching Book Cover

An eye-catching book not only serves as the first good impression but will also let your target audience know that your work is meant for them. Incorporate tasteful elements within your cover, whether it is photo-based, illustration-focused, or typography-based. Don’t overcrowd the front and back sides with design elements, but rather maintain a good balance of professionalism. Integrate genre-indicative to indicate the target audience of your theme and tailor it according to your publishing medium.

• Write A Hooking Book Description

Another step of the publishing process is to include a hooking book description on its back. Capturing the interest of your potential readership with a headline will increase your sales. Introduce the main idea, intriguing plot, or the central conflict of your story and end with a question, hint, or a twist. It will leave your readers wanting more and inspire them to buy your work.

• Finally, Publish Your Book

Create a killer book launch plan and seek help from an external reliable source to execute it with perfection. Publish your work on all top self-publishing platforms, such as Kindle, Amazon, Apple, IngramSpark, Barnes and Noble Press, Lulu, Blurb, etc. Hiring Kindle direct publishing services will help you stand out your work on self-publishing sites. They will enter your title, book description, and keywords, plus upload your manuscript in an EPUB file. They will also professionally include your cover design in a JPG, TIFF, or PDF format and price your book correctly.

• Marketing To Boost Your Sales

Publishing a flawless work isn’t enough. You wouldn’t make much sales if your target audience is unaware of it, therefore undertake strategic marketing. Promoting your work through different digital marketing tactics will let you enjoy the deserving attention. Spread awareness about your newly launched book through your blogs, guest-posting, and other third-party promotional services.

• Is self-publishing a book-worthy option?

Yes, absolutely! It is worth it in terms of you getting higher royalties, compared to the traditional method. However, you have to take care of the whole process and manage upfront costs, thus making the journey tiring. But you can streamline it and make it hassle-free by hiring a professional publishing service. They will cater to all steps with efficiency without becoming a partner in your royalties.  

• How can I price a self-published book?

An expensive book drives away potential readers while pricing it low can make it hard for you to make any returns. The goal is to choose a price that is economical for your readership while letting you get a return on your investment. You can set up different charges for your print and digital copies to experiment with your pricing.

• How can I self-publish my book for free?

Yes, you can do it for free by using self-publishing platforms, such as Amazon KDP, Barnes & Noble Press, Apple, and Kobo. Note that though these platforms are free, they cut 10 to 30% of your royalties for retail and distribution services. Plus, other aspects of publishing, such as proofreading, formatting, and cover design also cost money.

Conclusion

From editing to cover design and marketing, each step is crucial to bringing your manuscript into readers’ hands. This guide has provided you with the essential tools to navigate the publishing process. By carefully considering your options and leveraging professional services where needed, you can ensure your publication stands out. Embrace the process, stay persistent, and soon you’ll see your hard work pay off. Happy publishing!