There are many reasons that self publishing a book is popular.It's hard to get a traditional publishing contract, and you give up a lot of rights when you do get one.Self-publishing should allow you to retain more rights over the final product, offer the product at a substantially lower cost, and give you an outlet to do traditional marketing and advertising yourself.Self publishing is a great way to get your book out there.There are different ways to self-publish a book.
Step 1: It takes a lot of time and hard work to write a book.
For a period of several months to a year, you could spend anywhere from 4 to 12 hours a day writing.If you want to be serious about writing, you need to allocate a significant portion of the day.When writers get up in the morning, they are most productive.Find out what time of the day works for you and set aside time to write.Don't forget to read.It's important to read to keep writers nourished.If you haven't already, set aside time during your day to engage with books and ideas.
Step 2: Be ready.
It takes a lot of effort to self publish.It is your passion for making your book and getting it out to the public that will carry you through the difficulties you will encounter along the way.Self-publishing is an exciting and profitable venture.You can self-publish your book on the internet.
Step 3: Take a look at your options.
Is self publishing the right choice for you?Compare the cost to benefit ratio with a few publishing companies.List the reasons why you want to self-publish your book, and get an estimate on how much it will cost; cover art, book designing, editing and formatting can all be quite expensive.If the reason you're publishing is strong enough to outweigh the cost, keep going.Although you shouldn't be spending a lot of money here, there is a breakdown of the rough costs of self-publishing.The cover art design is $0.Stock photos are likely to be used in an e-book creation business.The cost for "developmental" editing is $3,000.A combination of copyediting and proofreading is expected to cost around $500 for first-time publishers.
Step 4: You should proof your book.
Make sure that it is correct.You might give a manuscript out to a few trusted friends who will give you valuable feedback, and talk with you about facts or motives for the characters, or other details about your book.If you're part of a writing community or a frequent participant on a forum, consider using that forum as a source of free advice.Dedicated fans who are inspired to help other people along the way are featured in forums.It can take several go-arounds until all the mistakes are fixed.It could take two or three read-throughs to get the book proofed, if you rely on someone's free services.Don't expect it to be perfect.
Step 5: An editor is needed.
If you hire a good one, they will give you the best feedback and help you improve your work.Decide if you need or not.Large swaths of the book are changed, new themes are introduced, and characters are smoothed out.Copyediting is about toying with what's already there instead of creating something new.
Step 6: A good title can be created.
If you haven't already done so, make a title that will draw people in.The title of your book can sway people to buy it."The Guided Consumption of Bacterium-injected Milk Byproducts and Apidaen Excretions" does not sound like a good idea.
Step 7: A designer can do a professional cover design.
Unless you are an artist, you should hire a professional.They will help with the visual appeal of your book.This is important if it is on a shelf.Expect to pay more for the spine and back cover as well as the cover art.It makes sense to have the best presentation you can have if you're going through this.
Step 8: There should be a language for copyright.
You can claim copyright by stating your work explicitly in a prominent location, even if you submit it to the copyright office.The copyright language is provided by most self-publishing sites.Adding 20--, Ima Nauther, all rights reserved to declare the work your own, is sufficient.Go to the government's copyright page and fill out the required forms.
Step 9: You should get an ISBN number.
A 13 digit code is used to identify and track your book.Many self-publishing sites will provide one for you, but if you plan on publishing by yourself, you should get one of your own.You will need this in order for your books to be listed in the Bowker database.You can buy an ISBN directly from the publisher, but beware, the price is $125.If you're trying to be economical, you can get ISBNs in bundles.The cost of 10 books is $250, 100 is $575 and 1000 is $1000.You will need an ISBN for each format of the book.
Step 10: Find a printer.
Get quotes when you shop around.The prices are determined by the quality of the paper, the binding, and the colors.The more copies you print, the lower your price will be.500 to 2000 copies are considered.
Step 11: There are advantages to publishing on a website.
The costs that go into writing and editing the book are the same as the costs of publishing it.It doesn't cost much to make an e-book.You hit it big if you do.If your book blows up and you price it competitively, you could be in for a windfall, because e-book publishers allow the author to keep 70% of the total revenue.You have all of your rights.It's not necessary for you to give up your rights to a publisher who doesn't have your best interests in mind.
Step 12: There are disadvantages to publishing on a website.
You're responsible for all the marketing and advertising yourself, which is one of the disadvantages of publishing through a website.The publisher won't market or advertise for you.Pricing is competitive.You'll have to sell a lot of books in order to make publishing profitable, because e-books can cost as little as cents.
Step 13: Publish online.
You can self publish your book for free in e-book format if you choose to do so.
Step 14: You need to set up an account with the program.
This is required to manage all the details of your book.You can either hire someone to format the document for you or use a familiar word processing program.
Step 15: Your finished book should be uploaded.
After you finish the categories listed on the website, you can finish publishing and have your book printed.You have been published as an author.
Step 16: Understand what Print on Demand is.
You can submit an electronic copy of your book and have a vendor print it for you at POD.The vendors try to distribute your book to other sellers, but often they just offer the book online.
Step 17: There are advantages to publishing by POD.
A physical copy of the book is a potentially valuable marketing tool.A vendor handles all the production of the book.There is a source that will distribute your book.
Step 18: There are disadvantages to publishing by POD.
Publishing POD costs more money.If you have a physical copy of the book by the end, your production costs will go up.The book has to be formatted according to the vendor's specifications.Before you submit your book, each vendor will have a list of formatting specifications that you need to meet.Not a lot of marketing and distribution is what you might think.Vendors can help market and distribute your book, but not as much as you might think.If you sell books online, you're responsible for any major marketing and distribution.
Step 19: Pick a vendor.
There are plenty of people who can give you a physical copy of your book, even if you don't have a lot of money.Lighning Source and createspace are some services.
Step 20: The POD vendor has a specification for the book.
The format of the website could be different, so be prepared for some confusing directions.The rest of the process should be taken care of once you formatted the book and submitted it to the vendor.
Step 21: Understand what a Vanity Press is.
Vanity presses are publishing houses that charge authors to have their works published.Mainstream publishers have to make money by selling copies of books and by charging authors fees.Vanity presses are usually less prestigious than mainstream publishers.
Step 22: Vanity presses should be avoided by more serious authors.
Unless the author has an overwhelming desire to publish and can't use another method.Vanity presses market themselves as traditional or subsidy publishers, but charge high fees and do very little marketing for you.They don't make selections for the majority of the time.A physical copy of your book is the only advantage of going through a Vanity press.The same result should be given by POD, and so many serious authors avoid the plague.
Step 23: Understand what subsidy is for publishers.
Vanity presses are nearly identical to subsidy publishers.They work the same way as traditional publishers in that they reject manuscripts often.They charge the author for binding and publishing, but the upside is that they contribute to marketing and distribution, and publish under their name.Authors can receive royalties, but they have limited control over design.