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Originally Posted On: How to Print and Publish a Book | Business to Mark

 

Are you looking to publish a book for the first time?

Many people have found a creative outlet online, thanks to the digital age. You can find many websites that cater to writers who want to share their work. Some would agree that this creative freedom pushed the self-publishing movement.

The great thing about self-publishing is that you have full control over your product. Self-publishing a book also guarantees that you retain most of your profit.

Ready to become a successful self-published writer?

This article covers everything you need to know about publishing a book. Read on to learn how to get a book published.

Focus on Your Content

It may be exciting to think about publishing a book and signing your first copy. However, it’s best to take things one step at a time and focus on what you currently have. As a self-published author, it’s up to you to decide your writing schedule.

Ensure that you set aside some time every day or week to write. Even when you’re busy at your day job, try simple writing exercises during your break. This keeps your momentum running and helps you settle into writing mode even if you break your flow.

A crucial part of writing a book is getting beta readers. Beta readers can give you some insight into aspects of your book that you can improve on. It also helps you determine if your book can connect and engage with readers.

After getting beta readers, work with a developmental editor. One vital thing to remember before publishing a book is that there will always be more than one draft. Don’t feel discouraged about rewriting or eliminating some sections in your book.

Typesetting

Typesetting, or formatting, refers to how you layout your words on a page. Many great writers do not know how to format their books the right way. It’s good practice to invest some time into making sure that you have the right typesetting.

Justified is the best paragraph alignment for novels so that the edges of your text look cleaner. It would also help to leave a generous margin along the sides of your page for the binding process. If it’s your first time dealing with typesetting, check out this Book Printing company.

If you’re using different fonts, you may need different format settings to make it look even. No line should be too tight or too loose.

Design the Book Cover

Designing the face of your book is one of the most exciting parts of self-publishing. Before looking for a designer, start by listing down important notes. Your book’s cover must be able to communicate what genre readers should expect.

Your book should have a compelling and interesting design so that readers will want to pick up your book. It would also help to use a unique symbol to make your book more identifiable. You may also study your genre for bestselling books to get an idea of what readers are looking for.

Take your time looking for a designer or illustrator who can capture your book’s vibe. Even if you find a good artist, you may find that they’re not the right fit for your vision. Ensure that you find an artist you feel confident in communicating your ideas with.

ISBN and Barcode

The next thing to check off your list is your ISBN and barcode. ISBN stands for an International Standard Book Number. You will need this if you want to publish a book and distribute copies in bookstores and libraries.

An ISBN consists of a 13-digit number. You will also get a barcode to place on every published book. The cost of an ISBN can range between $100 for one code and $300 for ten.

Some eBook retailers and websites will not require an ISBN. However, it’s best to look into getting one, especially if you’re on a self-publishing site. You can get your book’s ISBN from a self-publishing site or any other third-party website.

Learn Some Marketing Skills

Successful self-published authors often had to wear many hats to publish a book. This includes advertising their own work and building interest before its release. When learning how to self-publish a book, it wouldn’t hurt to get some marketing skills.

Even if you have a great book, your efforts will be fruitless if you don’t have readers. It’s best to start marketing your book early on in the publishing process to get good momentum. If you have a social media account with a good following base, you’re off to a great start.

Many self-published authors today started on social media or an independent author website. They interact with their followers and share progress as they continue writing. If you’re willing to invest more, you can consult an online retailer to market your book.

Printing and Distribution

It’s a great feeling to have a physical copy of your book in hand. However, many self-published authors only offer print-on-demand services. This is a great way to start if it’s your first time publishing a book.

If you think your book is selling well, you may move on to bulk orders of physical copies. Many printing companies offer discounts for bulk orders.

Distribution rates will vary for self-published books. You may also sell your book through an online seller like Amazon. Expect that these online retailers will take a small percentage of your sales.

Print a Test Copy First

When you sell a book on Amazon, the website will ask if you want a proof copy of your book. This is a crucial step to take before you even start thinking about printing in bulk.

Ensure that the words and margins look good on the pages. Check if your cover looks good or if it’s washed out or too dark. Identifying these problems early allows you to avoid disappointing your readers.

What You Need to Publish a Book

Now you know how to print and publish a book by yourself. Self-publishing requires a lot of time and effort, but the results are often rewarding. Use this as your guide to self-publishing your very first book.

Looking for some marketing tips to ensure your book’s success? Consider checking out our other blog posts. We have some great advice to help you plan a successful book marketing campaign.