Writing a book is one of the most challenging, hair pulling, but exciting things you will ever do in your life. If you have a creative mind and a world of stories in your head, translating them to page for others to enjoy is a privilege like no other.
If you are looking to publish your book this year and share it with the world, there is a world of options to consider. Today though, we want to focus on self-publishing your story and gaining all of the royalties for your piece. There are plenty of factors that come into play when self-publishing a book, and here are some of the things you need to think about and jobs to do before you publish.
1. Make sure it’s ready
The hardest thing you can do as a writer is to decide when a book is finished. After spending a long time creating a novel, making the decision to stop writing and start the publishing process can be a challenge. The best way to prepare your novel once you are finished writing is to proofread it a few times and ask a family member or friend to proofread it too. We can easily become clouded and biased as a creator, so asking someone else to read a piece of work will ensure that the story flows, the message makes sense, and the grammar is correct.
2. How will you create the cover?
One of the most crucial decisions you need to make when you come to publish a book is the cover. A book cover is like a window into the soul of your creation. It is incredibly important that the cover conveys the tone of the novel and allows people to feel like they are within your world the moment they pick it up. Looking at some key examples:
• Twilight Series – These book covers are black and red, usually depicted the film characters or objects that make the reader feel like they are in a fantasy world with vampires and werewolves. Most young adult books use this same design
• Crossfire Series – These adult books depict romantic objects and sensual covers to make the reader feel relaxed and ready for a more adult reading experience
• Harry Potter Series – Every book has a nostalgic, magical, and whimsical illustration which makes the reader feel immediately transported into the magical world.
It is important that you look at similar books to your own and design a cover that helps the reader make an informed decision on purchasing your novel
3. Get your website ready
Every author should have a website. If you have other works and writing pieces to share with your audience, or you plan to share more in the future; a website will display this. Before you publish your book, set up a website with a countdown to release date, with a link to the book, and also with a small sample of pages to pique the interest of potential readers. You can also share a comment board where people can ask questions about the book, share their ideas, and even a forum where aspiring creators can spread inspiration and ideas.
4. Check for copyright issues
Although you have written every word of the novel yourself, it is important to hire lawyers that specialise in copyright, unlike the many Personal Injury Lawyers you see on TV, to check for issues and also protect your work against plagiarism. Be sure to protect your work and also make sure that any references you make are legal and sound.
