First Draft to Self-Published: 5 Essential Steps

Become self-published with confidence, from editing and formatting your first draft to marketing and promotion, with these essential steps.

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” – Stephen King

Becoming self-published can be a daunting task, but it’s an excellent way for you, as an aspiring author, to share your work with the world without going through traditional publishing channels. From editing and formatting to marketing and promotion, we’ll cover the five basic steps to navigate to ensure your book is ready to be self-published.

In this article, we’ll go step-by-step, so you can confidently take your manuscript from a finished first draft to a self-published book.

 

1. Editing & Formatting

Editing and formatting are crucial steps in self-publishing. Before you can publish a book, it needs to be polished and formatted correctly. This step involves hiring a professional editor or editing the manuscript yourself. Be sure your book is formatted correctly for print or e-book, as formatting issues can affect the quality of the final product. This is especially true for a self-published book.

TIP:  Before handing off your manuscript to a professional editor, complete some self-editing. Then use a professional tool, such as Grammarly or ProWriting Aid, to help make sure your manuscript is free of grammatical errors and has proper sentence structure. These tools can be used to identify passive voice, adverb use, and overused and repetitive words. With a “grammar checker” as with a spell-checker, don’t automatically accept whatever suggestions it gives you. These programs help polish your manuscript to more professional standards.  Also see our blog, “12 Self-Editing Techniques to Make Your Manuscript Shine.”

 

2. Book Cover Design

A book cover is the first impression readers have of your book, so it’s important to make it count. If you’re not a designer, consider hiring a professional to design your book cover. An experienced designer can help make your book’s cover stand out in the market and attract potential readers.  If you’re the DIY type, Derek Murphy at Creative Indie has excellent free resources.

TIP: Research book cover designs in your genre. Study what makes them successful. Analyze the color scheme, font, and imagery used in successful book covers, and use this information to guide your designer.

 

3. ISBN & Copyright

An ISBN is a unique identifier for your book, and it’s required for print and e-book publication. You can obtain an ISBN through Bowker, the official ISBN agency for the United States. If you publish through Amazon’s KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), you can get an ISBN from them.

Copyright registration is also an essential step in self-publishing. While your book is technically copyrighted upon creation, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office provides additional legal protection.

 

4. Marketing & Promotion

Marketing and promotion are critical to the success of any book, especially your self-published book. Without an effective marketing strategy, your book may not reach the target audience. The key to successful book marketing is to identify your target audience and tailor your marketing efforts to reach them.

TIP: Use social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to promote your book. You can also use book review websites, such as Goodreads, to reach potential readers and generate buzz for your book.

 

5. Distribution & Sales

Once your book is ready for publication, you need to decide how to distribute and sell the book. You can distribute a book through online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. In most cases, you can also distribute your book through your own website (and you keep all the royalties).

TIP:  Research distribution options and choose the best option for your book. Keep in mind that different retailers have different royalty rates and distribution fees, so it’s essential to research each option before making a decision.

Self-publishing is an excellent way for aspiring authors to share their work with the world, but it can be a daunting task. By following the five steps outlined in this article, you can begin to navigate the world of self-publishing with confidence. Remember to take your time with each step and ensure your book is polished and ready for publication. With a well-written book and an effective marketing strategy, your book can become a success.

How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our contact form. Happy writing! 

TIP: For more help growing your writing career, see Building a Strong Foundation: 5 Tips for New Authors.