Self publishing…I thought it was going to be pretty easy.
Not the case.
Don’t get me wrong I am ever grateful for the opportunity, but if you’re thinking of self publishing be warned: Its a journey, not a button click.
Here are some very helpful tips to guide you along.
- To begin with you’ll need to choose a company to publish through. There are so many out there, and more coming everyday just to add to the madness. Bottomline: do your research. I’m guessing if you’re reading this, then you are indeed doing it. Good start. Basically, they all just cut the cash flow differently and provide various levels of support (which you usually pay for).
- Check into these really great FREE resources – they may help you decide who you want to go with. The Book Designer is a VERY comprehesive blog for those that want to self publish. Also check into Jane Friedman’s blog – she is swell and keeps up with the ever changing digital book publishing world (that’s impressive folks!).
- Buy the self publishing bible, while not as great as the Jesus Bible, you’re gonna want one on hand. It explains everything from how to set up a professional book interior, to how to get your copy write and bar code and pretty much everything else you’d ever need to know. *Side note* The one I have linked here is the most updated version which is 2010. I am crossing my fingers a new one comes out soon!
- Be ready for some hang ups. Gosh. I had more hang ups when trying to self publish than I ever did actually writing the book. Things were not in the right format…the custom designed book cover (which I paid $500 for) was a different color shade than could be printed….The list continues. So when you find your hang ups and you are frustrated to the MAX because you wanted your book done by XYZ certain date. JUST KEEP GOING. It will be worth it in the end. Not the beginning, not the middle and certainly not right before the end. Just finish.
Ok peeps. Hope that helps and best of luck publishing your manuscript!
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