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Step by Step Instructions on How to Start the Self-Publishing Process

 The Writing Process 

1. The Book Idea 

a. Develop a book idea that you are not only interested in, but that you are passionate about. You need to have a desire for the topic or subject matter you are writing about in order to be able to write a full-length book

2. Research, Research, and More Research 

a. Research is a key part of developing a book idea and having the book concept reach its full potential. 

b. Read alot; Reading allows us to see how others, besides ourselves, use the basics of writing, which are grammar, language, and structure. 

c. Questions you must ask yourself are: 

i. Can I write extensively about this idea? 

ii. Can this topic evolve into a full-length book? 

iii. Who do I want to read this book? 

iv. Who is my target audience 

3. Create a detailed outline for the content of the book 

a. A detailed outline allows you to lay out sequence of the book and see if the flow of events goes together with concision. 

b. Do more research on the potential book content. 

4. Write! 

a. Write your manuscript. 

i. Don’t worry about making the piece perfect. At this point in the process, all you need to be concerned about is getting it all out on the page. Revision comes later. 

 

Pro Tip: Don’t publish your book until it has been edited, revised, and looked over by more than two people.

The Editing Process 

1. Drafts 

a. Make sure you have multiple drafts before letting anyone read it. 

b. Send your manuscript to Beta Readers. 

2. Beta Readers 

a. What are Beta Readers? 

i. Beta Readers are avid readers and writers who will make copious notes as they move through your piece and will give their honest opinion and offer you helpful feedback on how to improve. 

b. Who can be a Beta Reader? 

i. Writer friends. 

ii. A friend who is a bookworm. 

iii. People who know about your setting or any topics relevant to your story. 

iv. Someone who has an education or background in writing or literature. 

 

Pro Tip: The more editing you do before sending your manuscript off to a professional editor, the more money you will save.

3. Follow up 

a. After each person/beta reader finishes reading and critiquing your story, ask them to sit down with you to go over their comments. This gives you the chance to ask them any questions that you may have.  

4. Write a Synopsis for The Inside Cover 

a. The feedback stage of the editing process will take at least a few months, so don’t waste precious time waiting around. Take that extra time and write a synopsis that gives the reader a preview as to what the book is about. 

b. Write a couple different ones and have your Beta Readers critique that, as well. 

5. Revisions 

a. Once you get a draft back that has been read and reviewed, take the feedback and revise your draft heavily. You have now spent a decent amount of time away from your piece, which will cause you to notice issues or errors that you didn’t notice initially. 

6. Getting Yourself a Copy Editor 

a. Find a few editors and send them a 5-10 page sample of your book. 

b. You will want them to do two types of edits to your sample: 

i. A Stylistic Edit 

ii. A Copyedit 

c. Along with your 5-10 page sample, you will want to also send them your inside cover book synopsis. 

d. Don’t go cheap when it comes to hiring a copy editor. Having your book properly looked over and edited by a profession is a critical investment in making your writing career a success. 

 

Pro Tip: Find yourself an editor who will find the most mistakes in your sample, but while suggesting ways to fix them, still allows your voice and message of your story to shine through.

 

7. Proofreading Your Final Draft 

a. When you are proofreading your final copy of your manuscript, you should use the read-aloud tool on your computer. This tool allows you to hear your piece read aloud and is effective in catching awkward phrases. 


Citations

Harblin, Carol. “The 'Self-Publishing Push' Step-By-Step Guide: From Manuscript to Book – The Writer's Survival Guide.” Publishing Push Book Marketing, 25 Mar. 2019, publishingpush.com/blog/the-self-publishing-push-step-by-step-guide-from-ma nuscript-to-book-the-writers-survival-guide/.

“How to Self-Publish Your Novel.” NY Book Editors, NYBE, 15 Jan. 2018, nybookeditors.com/2017/04/beginners-guide-self-publishing/.

Killik, Sonia. “The Step by Step Guide to Self-Publishing.” Typesetting Books, Sonia Http://Typesettingbook.com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2017/05/Type-Symbol-05.Png , 6 Nov. 2017, typesettingbook.com/self-publishing-guide-step-by-step/.

Oseland, Chris Rachael. “A Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Publishing.” Leigh Shulman, 17 Oct. 2018, leighshulman.com/how-to-self-publish/. 

Tiana Warner, 18 May 2018, tianawarner.com/2016/05/06/step-by-step-guide-to-self-publishing/.


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