PUBLISHING
This is split into the types of publishing and the process if you are self-publishing.
Types of publishing
The first consideration is are you planning on:
self-publising
hybrid publishing, or
traditional publishing
The are pros and cons to each. Let’s look at them in a more detail.
Self-publishing
This has taken off over the past few years and is not looked down on like it used to be. It means you will need to arrange everything yourself - from the editing, to getting the cover design done, typesetting, getting it on your distribution portals like Amazon.
If you don’t know any editors etc, Fiverr and Upworthy are good options. You can also find designers there, or places like 99designs.
Some of this is going to be hit and miss unless you have recommendations. Another option to help you navigate your way is to do an online course like this one:
https://badasseryacademy.teachable.com/p/amazon-books
A group like this will guide you through the process of writing, editing, formatting and publishing. Ones like this have an online community to provide support and be there to bounce ideas around with and get feedback on things like cover designs. Otherwise, do a whole heap of Googling and get some help from your friends.
You’ll need to also find a printer - most likely print-on-demand (POD) service, unless you are planning on doing large print runs.
Pros: you get all the royalties, you retain total control over your book, you can do print runs whenever you want
Cons: if you don’t know editors etc, it can be hit and miss trying to find them and potentially expensive if you get a dud. Even if you hit the jackpot, you are still going to be out-of-pocket and using up a lot of time organising it all.
Hybrid publishing
Hybrid publishing, like Expedition Publishing, is a half-way house between self-publishing and traditional publishing and is becoming increasingly popular. They will generally have editors, designers, typesetters etc which saves you having to find them and increases the likelihood of them being good quality. However, it doesn’t guarantee it, so do you due diligence. As well as having professionals needed, they will get your book lodged with the National and State libraries (for Australian books), get ISBNs and barcode, get your book on distribution channels such as Amazon (eBook and print-on-demand). They will be able to help with your marketing - either providing advice, or actually helping you with it.
Some hybrid publishers, like Expedition Publishing, are selective with their authors while others will take anyone with the money to invest.
Pros: it’s quicker - you don’t have to fit in with traditional publishers timetables. You don’t have to find professionals need to get your book out there; you get the majority of the royalties (70-85%); you can do print runs whenever you want
Cons: likely to be more expensive than self-publishing as there will be the costs of the publisher; you have their editors and designers. You enter into a contract - if you don’t like the designers or find the editors aren’t good quality, you might be stuck.
Traditional publishing
A traditional publisher will naturally do everything that is required to get your book published. However, very few will take unsolicited manuscripts from unpublished authors. In this blog is a list of publishing houses that do accept unsolicited manuscripts.
They will explain what is needed - at a minimum a synopsis and the first few chapters.
The alternative is to get an agent. But, like publishers, many do not accept unsolicited or unpublished authors. Even with an agent there’s no guarantee that you will get published. An agent is…
Pros: they do everything and you are likely to have good quality professionals to get your book; cheapest option (you might still need to invest in getting the first few chapters edited, and possibly help with the synopsis)
Cons: you’ll still be expected to do the heavy lifting when it comes to marketing; you have less control over the editing and design; they may only do one print run; it will take longer - you have to fit in with their timetables
Process of publishing
Ok, now we’ve covered that, let’s run through the tasks once editing and design work is done, typesetting is complete and you are ready to go.
Keywords
These are specific words or phrases that describe your book - imagine someone was Googling a book in your genre or searching on Amazon, what would they enter? You want to get this right. There are tools out there that can help you find effective keywords.
categories
On Amazon there are categories and subcategories, e.g. Biography & Memoir > Travel. Be accurate and be specific and aim to have one that doesn’t have significant competition. You select two BISAC codes on Amazon (through KDP). These are used in addition to the keywords.
ISBN - International Standard Book Number
This is a unique identifier required for your book. You need one for each version (eBook, paperback, hardback, audiobook). It identifies the language, book title, publisher, edition etc. You can purchase this through Thorpe-Bowker.
Barcode
This is a representation of a book’s ISBN, used on physical books. These are best purchased through Thorpe-Bowker.
Once you have all of the above, you are ready to print and publish.
PRINt-on-demand
This will be those that you print that you distribute yourself and via sites like Amazon. Those that you print can be done in smaller print run. There are a number of printers out there. We have our preferred on for Expedition Publishers.
Amazon offers print-on-demand, so when a customer places an order for your book, Amazon prints and delivers it. This avoids the need to print and store books. This is done through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). It allows our authors quickly get to market and distribute globally. This is only available for paperbacks.
EBooks
On Amazon this uses Amazon KDP. You will need to have your book formatted for an eBook, an Amazon KDP account and follow the steps to load your book.