Publishing a book seems like metaphysics to a writer until they do it for the first time. It is the culmination of all their effort and one step away from immortality. Immortality for a book is a lifetime of being in print, being quoted, being assigned in school, and dog-eared on someone’s nightstand. Whether you are doing it out of love and passion, or want to pursue a career as an author, this guide will help you cover the basics.
Write
The first and most important step is to write the book. This cannot be emphasized enough. A lot of people think that publishing a book is as simple as printing out the manuscript, but this could not be further from the truth. The best way to ensure a good book is to start with a strong manuscript. During that time you can have fun and learn about publishing stuff like book cover design, how to design a book cover, what steps does it take, etc When you are taking a break from writing consider learning more about the process that lies further ahead so you don’t waste time after you are finished with the writing.
Outline
Once you have a strong manuscript, it is time to start outlining the book. This will help you stay on track and will also give the editor an idea of the structure of the book. Depending on the topic you are writing about, it might be a good idea to consider writing down outlines for every aspect of the book (characters, plot twist, etc).
Edit
Once you have outlined the book, it is time to edit it. This is where a good editor becomes invaluable. They can help make your book shine and ensure that it is ready for publishing. The next step is to edit the book. A good editor will help you polish your work so that it shines. Another option is to have a friend read it and tell you what they think so you can get another perspective on your work. You want to make sure there are no mistakes or typos in the manuscript because this could affect its quality.
Proofread
A common mistake that people make is to not proofread their work. This is a step that should not be skipped, as it can help you catch any mistakes that were missed in the editing process. It is also a good idea to have someone else proofread your work so they can catch any mistakes that you might have missed.
Proofreading can be focused on grammar, sentence structure, readability, and any other factors that can impact the reader’s experience of the piece. It is extremely important to note down every factor you want to focus on during this process or tell it to the person that will be doing the work for you.
Write again
Once all of this happens, write the whole thing again! This may seem counter-productive but there are usually many things that were missed during the first round of editing. You could also just write an introduction for each chapter telling them what’s coming up ahead if there aren’t enough changes from one draft to another.
Pitch
Now that your book has been edited and outlined, it is time to pitch it to agents and publishers. This can be a daunting task, but with a good query letter and synopsis, it can be done.
A good book pitch should include the following:
- A brief summary of the book
- The target audience
- Why you are the best person to write this book
- What makes your book unique
- The advance you are looking for
It is also a good idea to have a complete manuscript ready when pitching to a publisher. This can be a difficult process, but with a good query letter and synopsis, you will have a better chance of getting published. Pitching your book requires having a one-minute summary of what your book is about and why someone should publish it. This sounds pretty simple but it takes a lot of practice to get it right. Some people might ask for more information or request that they see the manuscript
The next step is to print the book. This can be a daunting task, but with the help of good printer service, you will have no problem getting your book printed. Make sure to get a few quotes and find a printer that suits your needs.
Keep in mind that printing will require you to make some important decisions, such as the size of the book, paper quality, binding, etc.
Distribute
Once the book is printed, it is time to start distributing it. This can be done in a few ways, such as through online retailers or through brick-and-mortar stores. Make sure to research your options and find the best way to distribute your book.
Sometimes if you sign a contract with a publisher it will be their organization that will worry about the distribution channels for the book, but this is not always the case. Other ways of distribution can be done through book clubs, social media, local libraries, etc.
Market
Once you have been accepted by a publisher, it is time to start marketing the book. This includes setting up interviews, doing book signings, and more. Try and take the time to create an entire marketing campaign that includes interviews, social media, and more.
Plan out some promotional content for the story and you as the author. Become active on social media and research the latest online trends people who write participate in. It can be an Instagram challenge, with some quotes blocked with selfies of you in your book. You can also send out some free books to people that are trending on Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok as their virtual community are mostly book lovers. It is a great way to become the topic of the day and raise interest in your book.
A book is a piece of work that you put your heart and soul into. It can be long and difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! With this short article, we hope you now know the steps needed in order for you to publish your masterpiece. Whether it’s writing an outline or editing grammar mistakes with Quip or Grammarly Premium, there are many things that need to happen before publishing day arrives. Pitching agents and publishers will require a good query letter and synopsis so make sure these two items are completed first while also remembering what makes your book unique from others on the market. After pitching editors and selling them on your idea – which takes time if they’re not convinced yet – print the manuscript at a local printer on paper, hardback, or paperback from a company such as One Hour Print and distribute it. When marketing your book to readers and book clubs, make sure to plan ahead by having a complete social media marketing campaign with hashtags ready and that you’re active on all forms of social media.