Tips on Self-Publishing
Article Written By
Desiree Day
desiree@rapturepublishing.com
©2002 - Article Published Here by Permission
of the Author. All Rights Reserved
Four years ago when I completed my first novel,
Bourgeois Blues, I thought that I'd have Literary Agents
knocking down my door, a six-figure publishing deal, and a 12-city
whirlwind book tour. Not! The contract didn't materialize, agents
weren't looking my way, and let's not even talk about the book tour.
After stroking my bruised and battered ego, I
decided to self-publish. It didn't feel right to banish
Bourgeois Blues to the back of my closet to languish on a pile
of my old shoes. This was my "baby." I had spent over a year stringing
together words and coaxing them into a novel, I wanted other people to
enjoy it.
Self-publishing is a wonderful entrepreneurship
opportunity. If approached with the right attitude, it can be a very
lucrative business venture.
My goal is to demystify the self-publishing
process and break it down to a level where everybody understands it.
The list below is not exhaustive nor do you need to follow it in this
order:
·Have
your manuscript edited. There are people called “Book Doctors,”
whose job is to edit written material. Their fees can range anywhere
from $3 to $8 a page. “Book Doctors” can do everything from proofing
(e.g., spelling, grammar, and sentence structure), to checking
character development, story flow, and realistic dialogue.
·Copyright
your manuscript. When you have made all your changes and your
manuscript is ready to be published, copyright it. The information for
copyrighting can be found at
www.loc.gov/copyright.
·Apply
for an ISBN #. The ISBN number is used as an identifier for your
book. Booksellers such as Barnes & Noble and Media Play can order your
book by your ISBN number. Information for securing ISBN numbers can be
found at
www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/us/Index.asp.
·Buy
a bar code. A bar code is a necessity. Most bookstores will refuse
to carry your book unless you have a bar code. Information for
ordering bar codes can be found at
www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/us/Index.asp.
·Apply
for a Library of Congress number. The Library of Congress issues a
control number, and Librarians use it to locate your book. If you want
one, you can apply for it at www.loc.gov.
·Set
yourself up as a small business. Decide on a name for your
business, verify that it isn't taken, then go to your local government
office and apply for a business license.
·Determine
the price of your book. Take some time to visit bookstores to find
out what other authors are charging for their books. You want to be
competitive. Consider all your expenses when pricing your book, your
goal is to make money!
·Find
a Graphic Designer. You will need an eye-catching cover, something
that will make passersby stop and pick up your book. Work with a
Graphic Designer who has experience designing book covers, they will
know the proper layout.
·Select
a printing (publishing) company. When selecting a company to print
your book, do your research, do some more research, then some more.
This is where many authors get burned. Many writers are overcharged
and get shoddy work in return. Network with other writers to find out
the good, the bad, and the ugly on different printing companies.
·Get
a distributor. A distributor is a company that will get your books
in stores across the country. Typically, it will be on a consignment
basis and the split is 40/60, with the author getting the larger cut.
·Market
and promote your book. Have you ever noticed that the best selling
item isn't necessarily the best item on the market? That's because of
all the hype Madison Avenue makes about it. Make noise about your
book, if you don't, no one else will.
Good luck and happy writing!
Desiree Day is an author living in Atlanta,
Georgia.
