The Basics of Self-Publishing
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The document outlines the basics of the self-publishing process including cover design, editing, formatting, copyright, ISBN, distribution, print books, and marketing. It discusses why an author may choose to self-publish, such as control over the process and higher royalties, as well as reasons not to like lack of business skills or time. The document provides resources for each step and warns about scams, advising authors to read contracts carefully and check qualifications of any companies or individuals hired to assist with self-publishing.
The Basics of Self-Publishing
- 1. By author Aria Kane aka Sarah Nicolas The Basics of Self-Publishing
- 2. What We Will Cover Each step in the process so that you can decide if self- publishing is the path for you. Resources you can use to learn more details about each step in the process. How to avoid scams and unqualified service providers
- 3. About Me Sarah Nicolas:YA, traditionally published Aria Kane: Romance, hybrid Publishing Industry Experience FormerAuthor'sAssistant & Freelance Publicist Managing Director of PitchWars Book Riot Contributor Library Event Planner
- 4. What We Will Cover CoverArt Editing Formatting Copyright ISBN Ebook Distribution Print Books Marketing
- 5. Why should you self-publish Control over the process Genre Romance Sci-fi Nonfiction Thriller/Mystery Higher royalty per book Prolific
- 6. Why should you not self-publish? Not a business-minded person Time Genre Literary fiction Children’s Risk Distribution
- 7. Cover Design Consider: Thumbnail Size Pre-mades vs custom Stock photography vs original art Do not slack on cover design – it is your#1 marketing tool!
- 8. Editing Developmental Editing Line Edits Copy Edits Finding an impartial editor is the key to your book’s success How to find an editor: Find out who edited self-published books you liked Ask authors for recommendations – they are always willing to recommend people they love working with Search websites like bibliocrunch, not craigslist Always get references, samples, and possibly a sample edit
- 9. Ebook Formatting You will need .mobi for Amazon and .epub for everywhere else. pdf is great for reviews. Best: hand-code in html, then convert Conversion programs like Sigil & Calibre Smashwords “meatgrinder” Always include active links to your other books DIY or hire someone?
- 10. Print Book POD vs Print Run POD Companies Kindle Direct IngramSpark Lulu Printers Always get a proof before ordering/publishing Distribution
- 11. Print Formatting Can be done in MicrosoftWord,Adobe inDesign, many other programs. Pick your printer/POD service first, then make the document according to their specifications.
- 12. Copyright To register or not to register? Notice of copyright: ©2015,Aria Kane, all rights reserved
- 13. ISBN An ISBN is required when you want your books to be sold in bookstores. Some review sites/publications also require one Some self-publishing companies will provide one for you Each format has its own ISBN (.epub, paperback, hardcover) Buy your own: $125 for one, $295 for 10, $575 for 100, $1500 for 1000
- 14. Ebook Distribution Distributors Smashwords (percentage) IngramSpark (fee) BookBaby (fee) Lulu (percentage) Direct to Retailers Kindle Direct Publishing (also print) KDP Select Barnes & Noble Press (also print) Kobo’sWriting Life
- 15. Marketing Have a marketing plan in place before your book is published BlogTours Traditional media interviews Social Media Paid advertisements Facebook,Twitter, Goodreads, Google, Blogs, Mailing Lists Reviews
- 16. Assisted Self-Publishing Individual contractors who perform or coordinate the entire process for you. These are usually people who have been author assistants or publishing professionals for a while and have picked up many of the skills required to self-publish. Some literary agents offer this service to their current clients (i.e. you will not be signed on for an assisted self-publishing project)
- 17. Vanity Presses Vanity presses market themselves as traditional or subsidy publishers, but charge high fees and do very little or no marketing/distribution for you. Not selective – pay to play Turn-key solutions will often cost more than hiring the individual contractors Do your research, proceed with caution
- 18. Avoiding Scams & Unqualified READTHE CONTRACT How are royaltyies calculated? What are the fees? Deadlines Avoid transfer of rights Exclusivity Do you control the price? Get references, ask in-depth questions Check qualifications, experience
- 19. Advice from the pros
- 20. Advice from the pros
- 21. Advice from the pros