There are a few self-publishing basics you need to put on your to-do list if you’re looking to go down the self-publishing route.
Self-publishing requires more than just writing the main body of the book. There are several key things you need to have in place before you list your book for sale, such as the cover, the design brief, the dust jacket copy, and more!
In this blog, I will share five things you shouldn’t forget on your list of self-publishing basics so you can self-publish without the stress and find success!
1) Be sure to Complete Your Front and Back Matter
What is front and back matter?
The front and back matter of your book are all of the things that go before and after the text of your manuscript.
Front matter includes: the copyright page, testimonials and reviews, the first and second title pages, the dedication page, etc.
Back matter includes: the index, the appendix, acknowledgments, an extended author bio, and any advertisements for your web site or other books.
A self-published author can have more control about whether to include advertisements, especially if they are printing on demand.
To learn more about print on demand, go check out this blog post!
2) Prepare Your Book Components to Give to the Interior and Cover Designer
You will definitely submit your manuscript to your book designer, but the body of the work is not the only thing you will need.
You will also need a design brief.
Which brings us to number three.
3) Create Your Design Brief
Your book designer will want to know what kind of branding you desire for your book. They are not going to read the whole thing and come up with a concept on their own.
They will want to see five book covers that you like and five that you don’t.
Write a few sentences, explaining why you feel that way. Suggest colors or images you think would work well.
I often use Pinterest to find inspiring book designs. You can also use Amazon or GoodReads as a search tool for this.
Type in your proposed title and/or subtitle.
Is it already taken? How long ago was it published? How many reviews does it have?
Just because a title is taken doesn’t mean you can’t use it.
But if it was recently published or has a wide readership with lots of reviews, you probably don’t want to compete. It isn’t worth it.
What do other books in your category look like? Are all of the covers similar? How can you stand out?
Take note that the most compelling book covers are clear even in the thumbnail image.
So, don’t overcomplicate the ideas for your design. Keep it clean.
4) Write Your Dust Jacket Copy
Your dust jacket copy is important because it will be used in so many ways.
It may be used in your query letter to your agent. It may be used in your book proposal.
Most of all, it will be used to attract your reader and let them know that your book is for them.
I am using the term “dust jacket copy” loosely here.
Copy is a word that means convincing or persuasive language when it comes to marketing a book.
Dust jacket refers to anything on the outside of the book, not on actual pages.
So, you may have a hardcover book with a paper wrapper around it.
In that case, the dust jacket includes the inside flaps in the front and back. But it also includes the back cover copy.
Paperback books will usually only have only the back copy, unless they are a paperback book with French folds.
French folds are the flaps that extend the front and back cover and fold inside a paperback book.
There was a time when having a book printed in hard cover with a dust jacket signified that it was more legitimate.
That is no longer the case.
Now a high quality paperback book is all that is needed to bolster your career and give you greater authority.
No matter the type of book you are creating, it is important to write compelling dust jacket copy that would make any reader buy the book.
This includes information about why the reader should want to read the book, as well as your author bio and professional author photo.
And that brings us to …
5) Take a Professional Author Photo
The investment to hire a professional photographer will more than pay for itself with the number of times you will need to send your headshots.
You’ll send them every time you speak.
You’ll use them on your web site and social media profiles.
And you will certainly use them on the back of your book.
Do not have your cousin snap an iPhone portrait in a sunny field!
Or set up a tripod in your living room to take a picture of yourself casually writing at your desk with a cup of coffee (guilty as charged).
I highly recommend that you invest in professional photos.
Some photographers will do this for less than $300, so why wouldn’t you?
Be aware, your readers will always see you through your eyes. And if you want them to see you as an author, you need to see you as an author first, and do what experienced authors do.
We pay for headshots.
Conclusion
There are your five self-publishing basics!
As you can see, there’s a bit more to it than simply writing the main text. The body of the book is only the start of the self-publishing process!
However, if you add these steps to your to-do list, you’ll be able to see much more success on that exciting day when you finally put your book out into the world!
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