Finish up and polish your manuscript
You've likely read your book a thousand times as you've worked on it chapter by chapter, but at this stage, when you're getting ready to print and publish, it's worth reading it over a few more times. Write to completion and tie up any loose ends. Make sure the story or information flows in a logical way. You may even want to read it aloud, as doing so can help you spot areas that might be difficult to read, but that your eyes tend to skip because you've read them so many times.
Be sure to edit your manuscript thoroughly. Go through several rounds of editing and focus on grammar, punctuation, and consistency in formatting. Watch out for any plot holes or unresolved issues that could leave readers scratching their heads in confusion.
If possible, it's a good idea at this stage to hire a developmental editor to double-check your story structure, or a copy editor to check your grammar and style. This puts your book in front of fresh eyes who can spot mistakes or inconsistencies that you may have missed.
Once your manuscript is fully polished, it's time to move onto the next stage which is often the most difficult for first-time self-published authors: the formatting.
Format your manuscript
Formatting a manuscript is enough to fill would-be self-published authors with dread. What if you're not a technical wizard? What if Microsoft Word or Google Docs is being uncooperative? Not to worry.
The first step in formatting your manuscript is to decide on the dimensions and layout of your book. Each genre has its own standards, so it's a good idea to research the industry standard for the genre you plan to publish in.
Formatting software also exists to help make the process even easier. Tools like Scrivener for PC or Vellum for Mac can format your manuscript for print or digital use. If the idea of formatting your book on your own feels overwhelming, you can also hire someone that specializes in book formatting to make sure your finished work looks professional.
If you do decide to format your book yourself, keep the following in mind:
- Margins: Adjust for binding (e.g., gutter margins for print books).
- Font: Use professional fonts like Garamond or Times New Roman (12 pt).
- Spacing: Keep it consistent (e.g., double spacing for manuscripts or single spacing for finished books).
- Page numbers: Include headers, footers, and page numbers.
- Chapter headers: Use clean, uniform headers and spacing.
Once the formatting is done, you can breathe a victorious sigh of relief. You're making great progress! Next comes the design stage of the book.
Design your cover
Even if you're not a natural artist, designing your cover for your self-published book has never been easier. You can hire a cover designer to create a professional-looking cover for you, or you can use a do-it-yourself tool like Adobe InDesign, Canva, or Photoshop if you have some form of artistic background.
Be aware that your cover should contain the following elements:
- Front cover: Title, author name, and an eye-catching image or design.
- Spine: Title and author name.
- Back cover: Blurb, author bio, barcode/ISBN, and reviews (optional).
If you choose to do it yourself, make sure that your cover meets the print specifications for the specific dimensions and bleed areas. At BookBaby, we have book design templates available to help with the design and layout of your cover.
Get your ISBN
You'll need an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) in order to publish and sell your book. Different countries have different processes for acquiring an ISBN.
Keep in mind that you will need separate ISBNs for each format of your book. So, for example, if you wanted to publish a print book, an eBook, and an audiobook, you'd need three separate ISBNs for each one.
A single ISBN from Bowker costs $125. Instead, you can get a deal on a $79 ISBN from BookBaby.
Choose your publishing platform
Next comes a big decision as part of the self-publishing process: Choosing your publishing platform. Not all platforms are created equal and the one you choose can have a significant effect on how your book is sold and promoted (if it's promoted at all). For example, if you choose to publish your book through Amazon KDP, you'll have to handle all your marketing on your own. Amazon provides limited guidance and templates for formatting and printing your book.
Choosing a platform like BookBaby ensures that your book is published and printed with premium quality printing and features that other print on demand publishers don't offer. Plus, if you decide to print in bulk, you can take advantage of much more affordable rates.
What's more, with BookBaby, you aren't limited in terms of the scope and reach of your published book. You'll enjoy a wide distribution to major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores. BookBaby also offers global distribution to get your books in the hands of international audiences. Our experts can even translate your book to other languages.
You can also take advantage of BookBaby Bookshop, our direct sales platform, where your custom author website lets people order your book directly. You keep the highest royalty rates available.
What if you just want to publish an eBook? BookBaby has you covered with eBook conversion, design, and formatting all in one place. Through our comprehensive eBook distribution system, we can promote your eBook through Amazon, Scribd, Kobo and more.
Proof your book
At this stage, your manuscript is polished, your book is formatted, you've chosen your publishing platform, you've gotten your ISBN, and your book and cover have designed. Now it's time to get the first taste of seeing all your hard work pay off with your first proof! Ordering a proof copy is your opportunity to look over your book in detail.
Take the time to check for errors, formatting issues, and quality standards. Make sure that your book meets your expectations. Check the quality of images and how the text is aligned. If you spot errors, formatting issues, or inconsistencies, make a note of the corrections with the publishing platform or, if you've opted for a do-it-yourself route, resubmit your book to your platform of choice.
Set your price
One of the best reasons to self-publish a book is that you're in control of the process, including the price. If you're not sure how to set a price for your book, do some research to see what other books in your chosen genre are priced at and offer yours at a similarly competitive rate.
Don't forget to factor in the costs of printing and shipping as well as the platform itself. eBooks are typically priced lower than print books and print books may vary depending on their size and page count. After all is done, be sure you're making a reasonable profit for every book sold.
At this stage, you should order one last proof to make sure that everything is laid out, designed, and formatted the way you want. Once your book has met your expectations, it's time to tell the world about it, which means creating a marketing plan.
Create a marketing plan
Creating a marketing plan to promote your book can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. The first step is to create your online presence via an author website or blog. If you choose to publish and print your book with BookBaby, this part is already handled for you by way of the BookBaby Bookshop. Bookshop gives you a way to sell your book directly via a professional-looking author page — no design experience necessary.
Next, you'll want to set up an account on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. You may also want to set up profiles on book-specific platforms like GoodReads. These platforms give you a great opportunity to connect with readers.
Send advance review copies (ARCs) of your book to bloggers, influencers, and reviewers that specialize in your genre. You'll find a large number of Facebook groups devoted to every genre under the sun and can join and chat with readers who love your genre as much as you do!
If you haven't yet done so at this stage, take the time to optimize your book's page on Amazon as well. This means filling your author page with the right metadata to be sure that searchers can find you. Use compelling, attention-getting descriptions, categories, and keywords to make your book stand out. Here again, it's worth doing a little research to see what the best-selling books in your genre or category are doing so that you can beat them at their own game!
Create an exciting build-up to the official launch of your book with promotional campaigns, book signings, or online events. Get people excited and talking about your book launch with relevant hashtags and other announcements. You have full creative freedom at this stage and can give prospective readers a sneak peek at things like the main characters or villains, the setting, a little background about the plot, and more. You're the author, and there's no better time to invite them to take a step into the world that you have so meticulously created!
When creating your marketing campaign, you also don't want to let potential readers forget about you, so it's a good idea to start and build up a mailing list to keep them informed of your next steps. There are many free and paid platforms that can help you get a mailing list set up quickly and easily.
Distribute your book
If you choose to distribute your book on your own, you'll have to make several important decisions, such as whether to distribute it exclusively on Amazon or what your approach should be. If you've never self-published a book before, it can feel like you're being pulled in a thousand different directions.
If you choose to publish through BookBaby, however, we can handle much of the distribution process by making sure your book gets professional distribution across all major platforms and retailers both online and offline. Whether you choose to publish an eBook, a print on demand book, an audiobook, or all of the above, we can help you get it into the hands of eager readers quickly and efficiently.
Showcase your book professionally
You want your self-published book to look professional and for you to look professional as its author. That's why it's so important to include a professional bio in your book, on your website, and as part of your marketing materials so that readers can learn more about you.
You should also organize readings, book signings, or appearances to engage with your audience. You can create bookmarks, postcards, or posters featuring your book to help create a great first impression and send personalized thank-you notes to readers. All these personal touches can help you stand out and grow your reputation as a published author!
Track your sales
Finally, you'll need a way to track your sales. With BookBaby Bookshop, this is taken care of via your author dashboard. If you choose another platform, they will likely have their own analytics package installed to help you track sales and royalties both nationally and internationally.
Don't forget to take the time to engage with your readers and keep them up to date on your future projects. Consider updating your book to a second addition or adding a sequel based on your sales performance and outreach goals.
Why choose BookBaby as your publishing platform?
Not all self-publishing platforms are created equal. When deciding on the best publishing platform for self-published authors, keep these points in mind.
An all-in-one solution
Does the platform you're considering offer you an all-in-one solution or do you have to do much of the formatting, editing, design, and marketing on your own? BookBaby provides you with a complete, all-in-one solution, from editing and formatting to book cover design and even additional services like translation and audiobook recording. We can also help you market your book using our Ads for Authors program, as well as social media marketing.
High-quality book printing
Not all print on demand publishers offer you the same quality of printing. BookBaby provides the highest-quality book printing services along with added features that many other print on demand platforms, including Amazon KDP, don't offer. We focus on making sure your book has a premium look and feel so that you can create an unmistakable first impression with your audience.
From professional binding to superior cardstock, everything we do is designed to give you a finished product that will engage your readers and keep them glued to your pages. We offer numerous styles and finishes.
An expansive distribution network
BookBaby offers self-published authors a wide distribution network that includes major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, libraries, and more. With our global reach, your book can be purchased anywhere in the world.
Direct sales platform
We also offer a direct sales platform, BookBaby Bookshop, that lets you sell directly to your readers and earn higher profits per sale. Selling through Bookshop lets you keep more money in your pocket. It also gives you a professional-looking author website you'll be proud to share!
Competitive royalties
Our author royalties are some of the most competitive in the industry. Self-published authors who publish through BookBaby and sell through our Bookshop platform keep 85% royalties on eBooks, 75% royalties on audiobooks, and 50% royalties on printed books. For other retailers, royalty rates depend on a variety of factors which are different depending on the features of your book. No matter what, you'll always enjoy the best possible royalty rates through Bookshop: the world's most author-friendly bookstore.
Customizable services
All our services are fully customizable, which makes publishing with BookBaby a smart investment in your growth as an author. From custom book cover designs to interior formatting, you can pick and choose the services you need to fit your budget, giving you support and guidance where you need it most. Your book is handled by professionals at every stage of the process, from graphic designers to copy editors and everything in between, so you're assured of quality every step of the way.
No hidden fees
We believe in being fair, honest, and transparent about our pricing. Our authors know exactly how much they're paying and what they're paying for, with no unexpected fees or hidden charges.
ISBN and barcode services
We handle the back-and-forth of getting your book's ISBN and barcodes. These are a must for book sales and to make sure your book appears on retailer shelves.
Support for both eBooks and printed books
Want to grow your audience even more? We offer support for both eBooks and print books, giving you the freedom and flexibility to reach both audiences simultaneously. We also offer eBook formatting and conversion services, so even if your book is designed for print, but you want to offer an additional eBook for Kindle and other digital readers, we can help make sure your book is formatted to suit both audiences.
Marketing support
BookBaby offers a variety of marketing services, such as promotional materials like bookmarks and posters, as well as social media strategies to help you get the exposure you deserve. Our Ads for Authors program can promote your book on Facebook and get your ad in front of interested readers quickly and easily, even if you're a complete beginner to social media and don't yet have an audience!
Author support
Our dedicated Publishing Specialists are here to help you every step of the way. We invite you to contact us with any questions you may have or call us directly. We're committed to helping you bring your story to life and realize your vision, with support throughout the publishing and printing process, as well as the lifetime of your title.
Years of dedicated experience
At BookBaby, we're proud of our years of experience in the self-publishing and printing industry. We've built up a reputation for reliability and professionalism, helping authors of all backgrounds achieve their publishing dreams. Join the tens of thousands of published authors and best-sellers who have discovered BookBaby and start on your self-publishing journey today!
By working together with BookBaby, you have a trusted partner by your side who is committed to delivering premium quality, extended distribution, and competitive earnings. If you're looking for an easy, intuitive, and straightforward publishing process alongside true experts who understand all of the nuances of publishing within your chosen genre, it doesn't get any easier than working with BookBaby.
Contact us today to learn more about self-publishing your book!