To get ready to self-publish your book, there are a few steps you may take.
When it comes to self-publishing or working with an agency, there are a few steps to take. It is never simple. If you want to self-publish your book, there are a few steps you can do to make the process go more smoothly.
You can format the pages properly with a good word processor. Microsoft Word is the best option because it includes all of the necessary functionality. You’ll also need to create a “print image” of your book’s pages that looks exactly like the final printed edition. Below, we’ll go through everything in depth.
You can submit your book for publishing once you’ve finished everything. This service is free of charge. All you have to do now is pay for the copies that have been printed. This is referred to as Print-On-Demand.
To get a traditional publisher to look at your book, you used to need an agency. Many publishing houses will reject a manuscript if it is not submitted through an agency. This makes the publication process much more difficult.
What is self-publishing?
Self-publishing is the act of distributing a book on a website like Amazon without the assistance of a traditional publishing house. It’s a fantastic alternative to traditional publishing that’s far more accessible and gives you more control over the process.
That’s all there is to it. To reach this level of publishing success five years ago, you’d have to be really lucky to even have an agent who would try to win you a deal with one of the major publishing houses.
This is no longer the case. Not only do you no longer need a major publishing firm to publish your work, but self-published authors are actively rejecting traditional publication offers!
Self-publishing may be the best option for you if you’ve tried unsuccessfully to find a publisher for your book. Even better, learning how to navigate the self-publishing sector right now can save you a lot of time in the long run.
Whether you choose to do it yourself or work with one of the many self-publishing companies available, there are many specialists who can help you. You’re set to go if you can keep correct internal formatting and have acceptable content.
Kindle eBooks and Paperbacks Make Self-Publishing Easier
All of the formattings for a paperback book will be recognized when you import your Microsoft Word document. A new tool for writing a full novel on the Kindle platform is Kindle Create, a free software. It may be used on both PCs and Macs.
It’s a lot simpler to get things done using this program. To format text, create a Table of Contents, add, align, and resize photographs, and much more, you may utilize styles and themes.
The Difference Between Self-Publishing and Traditional Publishing
It’s easy to be puzzled by these two methods of publication. Why would someone want to self-publish a book when there are companies that do it professionally? There are a number of reasons behind this.
Traditional publishing includes contacting a publishing house, having an agent, and being approved, but self-publishing is a completely self-contained process with no barriers to entry.
Advantages of Self-Publishing
There are several advantages to self-publishing; here are a few to consider:
1. There are no limitations.
There are no literary agencies or publishers standing in your path. This allows for more variety and provides a forum for underrepresented voices to express themselves.
2. You are in control.
When you self-publish, you own your work and have complete control over the publishing process. Having the flexibility to make decisions throughout the publishing process is crucial for many writers who have poured their hearts and souls into crafting a book.
3. You get a larger percentage of the sales.
Not only are the entry barriers reduced, but so are the profit margins. You must take a traditional publisher’s cut while dealing with them. If you self-publish your book, you may be able to make more money for every book sold.
4. The Level of Quality Hasn’t Changed
Thanks to technological improvements, self-published authors now have access to high-quality printing and book distribution networks on par with traditionally published authors. Your self-published book will blend in with the other titles on the shelf.
5. Formatting is important.
Microsoft Word is an excellent tool for creating a print version of your book’s pages or you can take professional book editing services. You may alter the page size, margins, fonts, and font size, among other things. It frees you up to concentrate on creating your book while Word takes care of the formatting.
The following are the factors you should concentrate on:
6. Font Size
The primary text font for your book should be 12pt Times New Roman. Exotic typefaces should be avoided since they might create printing problems. The headers’ size should be enhanced. Use 18pt to 24pt depending on how much text is in the headers. For headers, sans serif fonts should be utilized.
7. Set the Page Size
You’ll need at least 32 pages for a 6×9 book. The maximum number of pages that may be printed is 740. Other book sizes have slightly higher minimum page count requirements. However, if you want your book to be sold in bookstores all over the world, you’ll need to print it in a 6×9 format.
8. Line Spacing
When creating your own print image of the pages, you must select the line spacing as it will appear in the printed book. The normal line spacing in a book is 1.5.
9. Average Words Per Page
Using my suggested structure of one-inch margins, 12pt font, and a 6×9 book, you should achieve roughly 280 words each page. You’d have a 100-page book if you penned 28,000 words. The number of words on each page varies significantly.
Good luck with your self-publishing endeavors!
A few items to think about while starting your self-publishing journey are discussed above. What exactly is the good news? Self-published writers’ earnings are the only ones on the rise among those questioned. As the publishing industry changes, a growing number of traditionally published authors are turning to self-publishing to recover control of their books, income, and, eventually, their careers.
