Six Tips for Self-Publishing Your Own Book

Today there are many different book publishing options for new authors. A lot of new authors don’t realize that you can publish a print book just as easily as an eBook with KDP’s print-on-demand services.

in the past, you may have had to buy thousands of copies to make the pricing make any sense to a potential reader, you can now publish a professionally printed book with no upfront cost! As soon as a reader orders your book, Amazon will print, pack, and ship your book to the customer and you will receive a predetermined royalty payment from Amazon for each book sold.

A more conventional option some authors still use is to take orders for special editions or hardcover printed versions of their books. However, the author would need to distribute the books themselves or hire a company who can. This is, of course, not an ideal situation for many authors!

No matter which route you decide to take, it is important to make sure you understand the publishing processes and the essential steps required to turn your book into a reality.

Step 1: Have Your Book Edited

You need professional editorial assistance. No book will be 100% perfect. Even if you use an online app to check grammar and spelling, it won’t check how well the book flows from chapter to chapter or whether your writing language is consistent.

Step 2: Hire a Professional Book Cover Designer

The cover of your book is just as important as its written content. You can have a well-written book, but, without a stunning cover to attract readers, your book could get overlooked. Book cover design is part of marketing your book, no matter the format. The cover should be as eye-catching in the small thumbnail view on Amazon as it would be sitting on a shelf in a book store.

Step 3: Don’t Forget About Interior Designs/Illustrations

It can be beneficial to include interior designs and illustrations as part of your written content. Some authors use designs at the start of each chapter. Other authors like to include illustrations throughout the chapter to go along with the content. Regardless of what interior designs and illustrations you decide to use, they do need to draw your readers further in, so you should have them professionally created.

Step 4: Find a Distributor

You will want to find a book distributor so you can sell your book to a wider audience. The services distributors offer will vary, based on how you are publishing your book. If you are not sure where to find one, talk to your book cover maker, as they probably know some good distributors you could use. Other great distributors to consider are Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Barnes and Noble’s Nook Bookstore, iBookstore, and Lulu.

Step 5: Choose a Publishing Service

Amazon’s KDP is the self-publishing tool most authors are using today. The site is not hard to use and it makes publishing a print and eBook quick and easy. You just register for your account and follow the step-by-step process. You can even upload your book cover art before publishing your book.

Some authors use multiple publishing services to reach a wider audience, such as KDP and Nook Bookstore, so both Kindle and Nook readers can purchase their books. There are also optional paid upgrades that many services offer. Just make sure to read the details about one to determine if it best suits your needs.

Step 6: Start Marketing Your Book

You will want to market your new book to attract readers and potential buyers. You can use social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, etc. to get the word out about your new book. Remember to include links to where people can buy or order it online. You should also consider attending book signings at various bookstores to further increase exposure for yourself and your book.

To learn more about book cover art for your new book and professional book cover design, as well as interior designs and illustrations, please feel free to contact me, Lance Buckley, at lance@lancebuckley.com or fill out my online contact form today!