Self-publishing a book has gotten much easier than what it once was just 20 short years ago.
Back then in order to self-publish, you’d not only have to convince an agent to take you on as a client; they themselves would have to convince a publisher to publish your book.
The internet, digital printing, and various self-publishing services have made it easier than ever to put your thoughts to paper and create the masterpiece of a book that you’ve always dreamed of.
In this blog post, we’re going to show you several things you should take into consideration when self-publishing your book.
Get Honest Feedback
Before you send your book to the printers, get some honest feedback from friends and family. As many professional writers will tell you, it’s sometimes hard to see the proverbial forest for the trees. It’s far too easy to get caught up in your writing and miss out on the bigger picture.
You should get a friend or family member to review your book once you’ve written the last chapter. Perhaps there’s a massive hole in the plot? Or maybe you’ve missed out on an entire concept? By getting honest feedback, it will make your book that much better.
Hire an Editor
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Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash[/caption]
Even someone with a master’s degree in English literature needs the help of a professional editor. In addition to catching common grammatical and spelling errors, they can help turn a mediocre book into a manuscript of greatness by helping clarify potentially misleading words, sentences, and paragraphs.
Professional editors can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars and take anywhere from a few days to a few months. If that’s not within budget, you can always check out Upwork and hire a freelance editor whose rates might be a bit cheaper.
Book Cover Design
As the old saying goes, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but that’s exactly what people do when they first encounter a book.
Hire a professional book designer to create a cover, synopsis, and a page layout/design that will entice people to buy your book—and keep reading it through to the end.
Bookbinding is another important consideration. The binding of your book should complement the design and layout. There are over 15 different styles of bookbinding that you can select.
Obtain an ISBN Number
ISBN is short for “International Standard Book Number,” and provides essential information about your book to sellers as well as gives you credit as the publisher. It’s strongly recommended you get an ISBN as you cannot sell your book through traditional stores or online websites without one.
Beware of certain self-publishing websites who offer a “free ISBN” as it could limit your publishing and distribution rights. A basic ISBN costs around $125 and gives you complete and total credit and control over the sales, publishing, and distribution of your book.
Find a Reputable Printer
A reputable book printer is an invaluable asset, especially for first-time authors. They can help guide you through the sometimes-complex process of printing, distributing, and marketing a self-published book.
Companies like AlphaGraphics of New Bern offer several publishing packages for budgets and goals of all sizes. They can also help cut out the middlemen that many self-publishers have to deal with. This translates into a more cost-effective way of publishing your book.
Develop a Launch Strategy
Once your book is printed and ready for distribution, it’s now time to sit down and create a launch strategy. You’ll need to answer such questions as:
A good book marketing strategy can mean the difference between a lot or just a few sales. This especially holds true if you’re a first-time author. People aren’t going to know who you are and what your book is about unless you get out there are market it to them.
Book Publishing in New Bern
At AlphaGraphics of New Bern, we’re much more than a print shop. We’re also marketing experts who you can count on to help you when it comes time to print, distribute, and market your new book.
Our professional book publishing services can help you reach a wider audience and gain more exposure for your work. To learn more about how AlphaGraphics of New Bern can produce and design your next project, you may email us, request a quote or call us at (252) 633-3199.