So you've finished your manuscript...
Figure out what you can do yourself and what you need help with. These are the jobs involved in publishing a book:
Once the book is printed or uploaded, the real work starts! Sales, distribution and marketing. It's a changing world in book retail and we're making up new rules as we go. The old methods don't work any more - see how many bookshops are closing down? But readers still want good books, so the trick is tell them what's available and make it easy for them to buy.
Once your ebook is on Kindle and Smashwords and your print book is on Createspace, anyone in the world can buy it in whichever format they require. They just have to FIND it!
- 1 Editing.
2 Proofreading.
3 Cover design. Again, this makes the difference between an amateur effort and a professional-looking book. It's worth getting right.
4 ISBN number. You can get one free online from the NZ National Library service. You have to send them 2 free copies of your book in return, for archiving in the Library. If you are using Createspace for print on demand, they can supply a free ISBN, or you can use your own.
5 ISBN barcode for the back cover. Available online once you have your ISBN organised.
6 Layout design. You can find help online at various sites, or in The Reassuring Guide to Self Publishing. You'll need to be familiar with page numbering, front matter, contents, index, margins and chapter headings.
7 Print quotes. Once you have your finished layout and know the final page count, you can get quotes from a printer or two. It pays to shop around or get recommendations as prices can vary considerably. If you want a few proof copies or a small run to test the market then print on demand is just as affordable as a long run, even allowing for postage. Some authors use both.
Once the book is printed or uploaded, the real work starts! Sales, distribution and marketing. It's a changing world in book retail and we're making up new rules as we go. The old methods don't work any more - see how many bookshops are closing down? But readers still want good books, so the trick is tell them what's available and make it easy for them to buy.
Once your ebook is on Kindle and Smashwords and your print book is on Createspace, anyone in the world can buy it in whichever format they require. They just have to FIND it!