I’m not going to bore you with a bunch of back story…I had a dream…I followed that dream (decades later) and now I can officially call myself a self published author! Hooray! Here’s how I did it in a nutshell!
Step 1: Write your book!
It’s not enough to have an idea…you have to write it and get it down on paper.
Step 2: Work with an Editor?
I have a question mark because I did not. I am not so concerned about the proper grammar as much as I am the flow and how others read it. So, I had a friend who is an editor look it over and give suggestions but I didn’t use much of them.
Step 3: Read OUT LOUD
Not only do you need to read it and read it again but have others read it out loud. Is it flowing the way you want it to? Are they tripping up in certain areas? Mine was a rhyming book so this step was important for me. I have read it so many times of course I’m not having any trouble…but what about first time readers!?
Step 4: Find an Illustrator!
This is so important. How many books have you read where the pictures are great but the text not so much…or the opposite, the text is beautiful but the images are just Meh…If you want your book to truly speak to your audience, don’t skimp on the illustrations! My first illustrator NAILED it! Here’s her info if you want to reach out! https://www.facebook.com/mona.illustration
Step 5: Write your Blurbs & Author Bio
While your illustrator is working away, take that time to write your back of book blurb to tell your readers what your book is about. Also write your Author Bio for back or inside cover. Once you’re done…write it again…but this time make it short and sweet with just enough info to entice your reader but not so much they can’t make it through the whole paragraph. ( I personally can get a little wordy)
Step 6: Research and Decide on Printing and Production
Figure out what kind of book you want printed, ie board book, paper back or hard back, then find printers that can accommodate your specs. I paid for sample books from 4 printers. This was not cheap as my book is a board book with sponge cover and it’s a 9 x 9! However, I don’t regret it. I ended up going with the last printer and it was just a (sure why not) kinda thing. Each one had pros and cons but quality and price were the two most important to me. IF you want a sample you’ll have to wait for your illustrations to be done but you’ll be grateful you did your research before hand so you’re ready when the time comes!
Step 7: Create or Edit your Author Website/Selling Platforms
I already had a website but it took so much more than I had realized to get it up and running and ready to sell actual products! WOW! Fivver helped a lot with this process as I was not in the position to pay for a new custom site. Just make sure you have a hub!
Step 8: Purchase your ISBN & PCN number
Don’t skip this step! All versions of your book must have a unique ISBN number so that when someone searches for your book you are found! You can purchase these and QR codes at Bowker. Once they are purchased you can register them but you must have decided on a price! Once you pick the price and register it, it can not be changed! Your PCN (preassigned control number from the Library of Congress) can be done here https://locexternal.servicenowservices.com/auth This part is free but important to help people find your book!
Step 9: PROOF READ/Layout/Format
This is your last chance as your illustrations are getting done and you are laying out your text (or having someone else lay out your text). Make sure it is good to go then finalize your pages in the required format for your printer/ebook or whatever you’re doing!
Step 10: COPYWRITE!
I’m not sure how you will work it out with your illustrator but for my book, I purchased the images outright. I own the rights to them, so when I filed for copywrite I did so with the final layout of images and texts so that both were protected! You can do this here: https://www.copyright.gov/registration/?fbclid=IwAR0brtoyYoqFtxeOYhxSQM-O1_qMSzk_219Vg_-65fUAZk7xfaMhzw5isL4
Don’t worry about filling it out wrong. I did and they contacted me a couple times via email before approving it to make sure all the information was correct! This process took a little longer than I hoped so give it time!
Step 11: Send to Printer!
Now that you have a final layout AND your book is protected, you can feel more secure about sending copies out to printers to get samples or just to go ahead and print if you so choose! I had to re-format mine and I didn’t have the right software once I added text so this is another example of how Fivver helped me with quick tasks!
Step 12: Come up with Ads – Create Hype – Pre Sell!
Hopefully you have a delivery date from your printer and you can start creating fun ads and build the hype with your friends and family around your book! I use Canava all the time for simple drag and drop templets and inspiration! This is also a good opportunity to start Pre-Selling if you want! I started taking pre-sale orders once I knew I was about a month or two away from getting the books in. These sales were mostly from friends and family that wanted to support my dream but it also resulted in some of their friends and family doing the same! Hooray! Since I’ll be selling my own books to start out, they’ll be piled in my garage and it will be nice to be able to send some out right away!
Step 13: SELL SELL SELL!
Talk to your local book stores about doing “meet the author” events, visit schools, libraries and sign up as a vendor for your fair or farmers market. You HAVE to get out there! People love having tangible items in this virtual world we have created so show them something beautiful…your book!
Here are a few other ideas to help get Marketing going:
Build an Email List
Order promo items to sell or as bonus offers (I did a sticker sheet)
Team up with other Authors! (Let’s build each other up!)
Send copies to social influencers or book reviewers
Consider Paid Advertising
Submit your work for book awards or contests
GET SOCIAL! You MUST utilize social media!
Congratulations! You DID IT! Now…
Step 1: Write your next book…
Thnx!