Want to Publish a Book?

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WANT TO PUBLISH A BOOK?

There’s much more to creating a good book than just sitting down with an idea and typing away. For many, this is what is the ‘make it or break it’ moment.
At any given point in the process, depending on which avenue you choose to pursue, there may be hiccups, frustrations, and choices to be made. Developing an understanding of the process can help alleviate those frustrations, or at least make you aware of the possibilities so that you can form a game plan.




Here is a list of steps an aspiring author needs to take into consideration and in some cases, an estimate of how long the step in the process might take.


• Produce an idea and create an outline.

This step and the next may be the longest steps of writing a novel. Some writers come up with an idea quickly while others may have to let an idea grow for years before it becomes usable material for a book. This portion of the process includes mapping out a theme or themes for the novel as well as designing characters.


• Write the content of the book.

There is no firm time limit on how much time it might take to write a book. Some authors take years, or even their entire lifetime to write a novel, while others can finish a book in just a few month’s time. During the writing process, a writer may work with an editor to make sure their writing and ideas are flowing smoothly, and that their characters ring true. This type of editing is called developmental editing, after which a writer might consider also using line editors and copy editors to complete the process.


• Decide if you want the book to be a physical book or an electronic book, or both.

This decision is one that should be made early on in the writing process, as the steps to follow for publishing a physical book with a publisher are different from publishing an electronic book or its printed version on your own.
The timeline on this step varies, as the project will basically be on hold until the publisher accepts or rejects the work, if this is the route you choose. Writers now have the option to self-publish. This option is much quicker, especially if the writer chooses to have his book only in the electronic format.


• Create a title.

A title should portray the main idea of the book in a way that is both catchy and concise. Most writers will begin to play with an idea for a title as they write so this step in the book publishing process should not be a lengthy one. The best titles are from 2 to 4 words long.


• Send the novel off to be proofread.

This step is especially important if you are self-publishing a book. If you work with a publishing company, these companies have proofreaders as well as editors on staff to go through the novel with a fine-tooth comb.
Because proofreading is last, after the various types of editing which should encompass, developmental editing, line editing and copy editing, all combined will add a substantial cost to your project. If you’re self-publishing, having trained editors and proofreaders check your work is worth the cost when you consider the embarrassment and injury to your reputation as a professional writer if you publish a book full of careless errors. If you need help in this area check with the Society for Editors and Proofreaders to find a legitimate expert.


• Prepare copy for the front and back cover.

The amount of synopsis information needed can be determined by the type of book you are writing. With a paperback, text may only be needed for the back cover. If you’re planning on a hardcover book with a dust jacket, text will be needed for the back cover, as well as the insides of the cover flaps.
Electronic books don’t have a backcover so cover copy is not needed, but more than likely, you will need to provide a synopsis of the book to the company who will be selling your book.


• Design the cover.

Eye-catching cover art for a book is just as important as a clever title in arousing a reader’s interest in a book. Once a writer has decided on a designer, the process of designing a cover should take just a few days depending on the number of corrections or revisions requested by the author as well as lag time between the author and designer in communications.

Of utmost importance, and an area that is often overlooked on the design spectrum is that of the book’s spine. Consider that this is the portion of the book that will most likely be displayed on the bookshelf at the bookstore (if published in hardcopy or paperback).
So, simply having the title and your name on it isn’t enough to catch the casual bookstore browser’s eye. Most marketing research indicates that the color red or yellow with a high contrast color for the title is the most effective.


• Design the interior of the novel (formatting).

Sometimes the interior design of a book is completed by the same company that takes care of the cover design.
For internal pages, a designer will generally format the text and layout for each page of the book as it will appear in the printed or electronic copy.
Authors should budget a few days for book layout. As with cover design this time may vary based on the number of corrections needed and lag time in communication between the author and designer.


• Develop a marketing strategy.

Putting together a marketing strategy is something that should begin as soon as a writer begins his book. One of the aspects a writer must decide about his book is the audience to which he is writing. It is this same audience to which he should market his book.
Once he has his target audience identified, the author can determine how best to reach that audience.
If the writer is working with a publisher, the publisher will assist with this marketing strategy as the publisher has just as much invested in the book as the writer does (more on specific Marketing strategies to come in later posts).


• Procure a copyright, ISBN and barcode.

For authors who self-publish, they are responsible for getting their own copyright, ISBN and barcode for their books.
This may be a service the publishing company provides for those who work with a publishing company. The copyright will need to be acquired through the United States Copyright Office, Library of Congress and can be done either while the book is still in manuscript form or after it has been published.
According to the United State Copyright Office, it may take as long as 90 days to receive a copyright certificate.


The ISBN is a thirteen-digit number, like a serial number, that identifies a book’s title, publisher and other information.
Authors can apply for an ISBN online at www.MyIdentifiers.com and receive an ISBN almost immediately. Bowker Identifier Services, the company that runs the ISBN numbering system, can additionally assign a bar code to go with an ISBN, all for a charge.

Why do you need these numbers?
If you would like to both protect and/or offer your book for sale, then you would need these numbers. However, often those who are self-publishing an eBook, or offering the book as a free giveaway on their website or for their business, don’t purchase the ISBN, though they do copyright the material.


The Copyright is needed because without it you have no rights to your own work. If a traditional publisher is involved, then they will secure the copyright for you. This is because they are, essentially, partnering with you in bringing this book into the world.
As such, they are entitled to a percentage of the royalties from the sale of the book, and they have partial ownership of the book, its characters, etc… This is often a sticking point for many authors and is often a deciding factor in whether or not to self-publish.