If you have always wanted to publish a book, perhaps for adults to read, or even a story aimed at children, then what is stopping you? What is holding you back from realizing your dreams and ambitions?
For a lot of people, it can be getting published and being scared of rejection. However, there is another option out there for you that doesn’t involve reaching out to publishing houses: self-publishing.
Self-publishing a book is an exciting process and one that you can gain full control of, especially when you immerse yourself in the process. To get the most out of self-publishing, you want to understand what happens, when, and why.
The Format of Your Book
The first thing you are going to want to look at is the format of your book. You have the contents ready to go, but do you know what format you want? For example, do you want a book that contains images or pictures?
Do you want little illustrations on each page on the edges of the pages? Are you looking to produce a hardback book, or are you looking to produce a softback book?
To answer this question, you need to think about costs and who the book aims at. If it is a children’s book, pictures should be included, but an adult book isn’t as necessary.
Using a Printing Service
You need a book printing service to get the professional finish you are after. You cannot print your finished work out at home, as this will not look professional or appealing to the end user.
A printing service will have good lead times, and you will be able to get your finished copies in a matter of days or weeks. When you are looking at printing services, always look at more than just the cost.
See what you are getting and see what is being offered. For example, is the printing service offering you flexible options to pay? Are they offering you marketing advice and support?
Useful Info: You are going to have to invest a lot more of your time and energy into marketing and promotion if you are self-publishing a book that you wish to sell. Create a marketing plan before you commit your book to the printing stage.
Editing and Cover Design
A book must be error-free and grammatically correct. Poorly edited or written work can turn readers off. Ideally, you will send your book off to a professional editing service to ensure you do not overlook any mistakes.
As well as investing in good editing, you are going to have to create an appealing book cover. This is what readers and customers are instantly attracted to and drawn to. If the cover is too plain, it looks uninteresting and bland. If it is too chaotic, it can be too busy for a customer to focus on.
Useful Info: If you do not feel confident designing an attractive cover, then do not hesitate to reach out to professional designers and illustrators. The cover of your book must be appealing and eye-catching. It has to make potential readers pick it up, and it has to make them look twice.
