After weeks, months or possibly even years you have finally completed typing your literary masterpiece ... now what? Quotes from Publishers, Editors, (e)Book Formatters and Proofreaders can be downright scary, and you have yet to consider the cover! As an aspiring author, the quandary that exists is whether you employ the services of a professional publishing house, or simply go it alone?
Although there is, of course, plenty of merits to simply hand over your manuscript to the professionals, you might also quite like the intimacy of moulding every aspect of your success yourself. After all, some best selling authors self-published before becoming household names (think Fifty Shades of Grey author: E. L. James). Whichever your reason it is your choice to make.
As a first time self-publisher who is writing for fun more than fame, I preferred to test the self-publishing process out for myself in all its entirety. This blog post is the accumulation of knowledge I gained through my experience, I hope that it will offer some guidance on your path to self-publishing success!
Of course, if money is no object and you would like a completely professional look without the stress of doing it all yourself, then definitely make use of professional services. Should you be on a tight budget like many of us are these days, then be selective as to which service you outsource to a professional, and which you can do yourself. Either way, it is well worth shopping around for a quote.
Below are the steps I took to self-publishing my manuscript, along with my recommendations and tips.
1. BETA/PROOFREAD
It is imperative to get your manuscript read (many, many times). This might mean sending PDF copies to your friends and family members. Choose people that LIKE to read (preferably the same genre and target audience but not necessarily). Insist that they provide you with an HONEST critique of your work - just saying how wonderfully talented you are will not help you in the long run. The feedback you receive will likely be diverse (which is good!). Some will act as GRAMMAR POLICE, and others will give provide you with EMOTIONAL feedback. Both are constructive.
Do not take offence - you want CONSTRUCTIVE feedback ... not just songs of praise! Trust me, your family and friends generally don't wish to criticise you, and will do so in a far more POLITE manner than online reviewers! So be appreciative of their time, effort and feedback!
There are many avid readers that would be happy to read your book without charging, and you can even find those in book clubs and Facebook groups, but also bear in mind that it is not copyrighted yet so don't go crazy posting your PDF all over the place. Be forewarned that you will get criticism, so grow a thick skin and treat it as a learning experience.
Although BETA reading and PROOFreading are similar there is a difference, in that BETA is likely to exhibit more emotional responses, whilst proof is likely to be more 'quality of content' related (ie: spelling, punctuation, etc). If you aim to have a professional proofreader check your work, I would suggest doing the BETA reading step first.
2. EDIT! EDIT! EDIT!
I would HIGHLY recommend that you take your manuscript to a professional editor. Of all the services, this is certainly money well spent. I do suggest you shop around as prices can vary quite dramatically. Let them know you are shopping around so you want THEIR best price from the 'get-go'. This way you don't waste everyone's time. (To give you an idea, I was quoted between R9,800 to R4,300 for a word count of 37,000 in 2017. The latter was from a publishing house and an exceptional price I have to admit.)
Try to find an editor that understands YOUR genre eg: don't go to a historical romance editor if you are writing Young Adult sci/fi fantasy adventure. Remember any editor is going to make changes to your manuscript. These changes might be as slight as correction of grammar and punctuation, but could also be extreme as reordering or even deleting of chapters. This is to create proper flow in your story, and maintain the thread of 'truth'. This is especially important if you are creating a series of books as there must be developmental continuity, and yet useful for the individual books to also stand on their own.
Sometimes WE (the writers) understand where the story is going to lead to eventually, but the reader doesn't so don't be too cryptic or they may lose interest before getting to the part where the story comes together. Of course you do not have to accept all the changes an Editor might suggest, but generally, editors are better informed and detached from your story than you. That is what you pay them for, so do not be surprised or offended.
If you choose to forego an editor (as I eventually did to 'experiment' with the process), I cannot emphasise the following enough: Read sections of your book EVERY day. I did and almost every day I found areas I could greatly improve on and some glaring mistakes which even my most OCD 'beta readers' overlooked. What I did find that was also helpful was using the AUDIO option in Word (YES! I know most creative types use Mac .... I don't!) I sat at my PC and let Word READ the book to me while I followed the words with my eyes, and drank a cup of steamy cappuccino. Hearing the story read out aloud certainly helped me get a better feeling for the flow of sentences while making a few improvements here and there.
There is a variety of manuscript editing softwares available online to help you through this process. (I used one called Grammarly.) Although these editors are extremely useful, they are not the same as a human editor. (Link to blog post on Manuscript Editing Software Programmes) #Grammarly
3. FORMAT YOUR INTERIOR
This can be learnt quite easily, and you can find templates online for more popular software (like Word). However, if you have problems using Word (or other writing software) then you should rather hire the services of a Book Formatter.
If you want to go the DIY route:
The formatting is greatly determined by the size of book you plan to publish, and if selecting cream coloured paper be aware that some platforms restrict the book size. eg: Createspace stipulates: "Books with cream paper must be one of the following trim sizes: 5" x 8", 5.25" x 8", 5.5" x 8.5", or 6" x 9" in order to enrol in Expanded Distribution." (Expanded Distribution is the supply of your book into stores (such as Barnes & Noble) which is what I would recommend if you want greater exposure.)
Here is a quick metric conversion for you to set up your page sizes:
5" x 8" (127 x 203 mm)
5.25" x 8" (133 x 203mm)
5.5" x 8.5" (140 x 216mm)
6" x 9" (152 x 229mm)
The industry has different STANDARD sizes. I use 5" x 8" (127 x 203mm) for my novellas as I want a smaller size to pack into the side pocket of a beach bag or handbag. I could have gone smaller but then I would be excluded from Expanded Distribution. If you want both hardcopy and paperback then I suggest you make it easy on yourself and find a size that is available for both. Also, some genre's should be done at a certain size - it is the way it is. It seems that a popular size for novels is 6" x 9" (152 x 229mm) and this same size is also suitable for hardcopy. You need to know which size you are aiming for as this will determine your cover design AND your interior formatting (margins, font size, etc). Also for larger sizes, you will need enough pages to provide substance, otherwise opt for a smaller size.
For a novel type book, your font size should be from 10pt - 12pt. I went with 12 pt, partly because I know how annoying it can be when I have to strain my eyes to read! I wanted to accommodate my readers here, but you really do not want to go too large unless you catering specifically to the sight impaired, as it can appear childlike. (Besides when sitting on a plane your readers might not want the creepy fella sitting next to them reading your books' saucy bits too??) It is worth noting that there is a section on Amazon specifically for sight impaired, which regular books are excluded from. Also, the size of your font will also determine the length of your book in pages.
You must have a HEADER and FOOTER to accommodate your page numbers and book details (Title and Author). You must also have side margins and MOST importantly a GUTTER. This is where your book joins in the middle and is secured to make the spine. (I will try to remember to come back and do a blog post specifically for INTERIOR FORMATTING.)
4. EXTERIOR COVER DESIGN
If you plan to only publish an EBOOK, then designing a cover is not too technical provided you are a ‘creative type’ with experience working with a desktop design application. The online retail platforms (eg: Createspace, etc) do provide you with dimensions and format requirements. Createspace KDP recommends the dimensions of your front image to be 1500x2560pix. (Easy Peasy!) Make sure the Title (and subtitle if you using) and your name are large enough and clear.
For PRINT ON DEMAND (POD) books ... PLEASE, if you don't have the said creativity and experience, I would again suggest you contact a professional. After all your cover is what will attract readers on a bookshelf crammed with other professionally designed covers! So your 'homemade' one better be AWESOME! Don't be afraid to join Facebook groups and ask people for their opinions on your finished design - other authors are just as eager to see you succeed! I know that CreateSpace offers some online templates for those with a graphic and no design experience. For first time publishers, this is a worthwhile option. Just be warned that there are many other people also using these template designs. #PrintOnDemand
If you decide to design your own cover, make sure the image resolution is of printer quality. This means AT LEAST 300dpi! Do NOT go downloading any old picture you see on the internet as there could be copyright infringements. If you wish to avoid the cost of using an artist, illustrator or cover designer, then you can purchase images from stock photo websites such as (Shutterstock, Big Stock, 123RF, etc) but be sure to mention from where you got the image, and which artist is responsible for it. Often these sites provide a limited period for FREE DOWNLOADS, so make use of that offer.
It is important to remember that the number of pages (and type of paper used) determines the size of your book's spine. If you start adding pages to your manuscript after you have completed the cover design, be sure to redesign your cover based on a new spine size to accommodate your pages! The text printed on the spine should have sufficient space to allow for the occasional printing shift, or else the title will be positioned partly off the spine. In general, the calculation of spine for a Black and White Book is as follows:
WHITE PAPER: multiply page number by 0.002252"
CREAM PAPER: multiply page number by 0.0025"
Example: If you have a 260-page black and white book printed on cream paper, then your spine width is: 260 x 0.0025 = 0.65"
(I apologise for using imperial, but I eventually did all my work this way to prevent confusion when working with American retail platforms.)
or you can use this CALCULATOR.
Many online platforms provide a service where you can key your specifications into a calculator and then they email you a template to work from. This is what I used and boy it makes life so much easier with less chance of making an error! I then opened it in my chosen design app and following the instructions.
Once you have your template, please pay extra attention to PAGE BLEED (ie: the red area must be avoided), use eye-catching FONTS (colour, size and style) and remember to EMBED non-standard fonts or convert them to graphic curves! (Yup you catch my drift it can be a rather complicated job if you not used to working with such design applications! I will also come back to Cover Design in more details a separate blog post.)
Once your cover is done you will need to save in a Print-Ready PDF file - this means at least 300dpi. Anything less and your PDF will either be rejected or if printed will look very choppy and grainy - if your cover looks unprofessional readers will imagine that the same can be expected for the inside!
5. COPYRIGHT
Contrary to public belief it is not enough to post yourself a copy of your manuscript and leave it in the sealed envelope. Times have changed! If you do not wish to publish your manuscript right away and are sending copies to numerous other 'unknown' people to beta/proofread then I would suggest visiting an attorney to get a document for them to sign. But my suggestion is to avoid all the paranoia if you have taken so much care to write your story ... publish it so others can enjoy it!
In South Africa, you do NOT need legal documentation for copyright - it is sufficient to merely put yourself as the copyright on one of the front pages, register with NLSA (see next point) then get it published. Example: COPYRIGHT 2017 Esjay C. Moore. (Easy peasy!) #BookCopyrightSA
6. ISBN
As a writer in South Africa, we are really fortunate that we do not need to pay for ISBN numbers. (MAHALA? I hear you ask! Yes, it is!!!) It takes less than three days to get your 13-digit ISBN from the NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SOUTH AFRICA. You will need an ISBN for each TYPE of publication example: eBook, Paperback, Hardcopy, Audio, Video etc. You don't specifically need an ISBN for POD books, as some platforms (eg: Amazon, Createspace) will provide them to you, but I prefer to have my own!
Once your book is published you will need to get the required number of copies off to NLSA for their records. DO NOT forget to do this as it may affect your future dealings with them. Currently, it is FIVE copies - one to each place of 'legal deposit' if you print up to 99 copies. Check the Form they send you to know where and how many to send exactly. #NLSA #ISBN4Mahala
7. BARCODE
Again the online book platforms (like Createspace, Amazon, Lulu, etc) will generate a barcode (and ISBN) for you. BUT..... if you are a control freak like me, then you might wish to do it yourself. You can buy them of course, but why waste hard earned money when you can do it #MAHALA There are so many websites which offer this service. Just use Google to find your favourite, or you can use one of these:
http://www.generateqrcode.net/hl-en/create-barcode
https://www.creativindiecovers.com/free-online-isbn-barcode-generator
https://barcode.tec-it.com
(Yup it is that easy peasy!)
8. BACK COVER STORY
The back cover should provide the potential buyer with an idea of the book without giving too much away. Tantalise them so they have to find out how the cover relates to the backstory. Keep them wondering what juicy plots lies within the cover. They should identify with the cover (back and front) and WANT to find out how the tale unfolds! Spend some time identifying what makes your book special? Apart from the initial attraction of the front cover, this is the best impression you can make to convert your book to “SOLD!”. #BackCoverStory
You can also give a brief bio, but personally, I think the person browsing for a book would rather know how the story plans to entertain them rather than where you studied and what you like. You can always offer your bio as a page at the end of your book, that way if they enjoyed your book they would be immediately drawn to finding out more about you. Rather use the cover space to let them know the genre, whether the protagonist is male/female, is it scary/saucy/serious/exciting, the target age range, etc. You don't want someone buying a book as a 'romance' to give to their 95-year old granny for her birthday, only for it to be an erotic romance for the LGBT market. Drop subtle hints as to what they might find inside, perhaps even a quote from a well-known reviewer.
Whilst you are working on this you might as well consider your 'blurb' as it can be quite similar. The blurb is the bait that is used for promotional purposes. Make it catchy so people think: "I have to get this book!" It can be anything from a one-liner to a concise paragraph.
10. RECHECK EVERYTHING!
If you decided against using an editor, check that your grammar as good as you can get it without completing a Masters in English Literature! Does your story-line hold the 'truth' and does it run consistently through your book? Does your catchy looking cover and spine size fit with the number of pages you have? Do you have the right ISBN and matching barcode in place. Is your text away from the edges of your page bleed? Are you happy ... and scared?
Upload it to your preferred ONLINE retail platform (more details on some of these in a later blog). A preview will be allowed for you to see how it looks and even edit before you finalise it! If you are uploading a PDF/DOC file for Print-on-demand, be sure to order the SAMPLE PROOF - you want to hold the book in your hand and make sure you are 100% satisfied with what your customers will receive! Unfortunately for South Africans this can prove to be quite costly and takes a while to reach us, so build this into your budget and schedule. If you are happy with the quality and look (Glossy v Matt and Cream paper v White paper) finalise your 'review'. Remember to be 100% satisfied with both the content and look as you do not want to UNpublish your book - this will entail getting new ISBNs, etc. You can generally change your cover after publishing without a problem, but if you start meddling with the content you will need to re-publish.
Once you are happy with your proof copy, you must approve it on your retail platform. You should also be able to take the same PDF(s) (Interior and Exterior) to a local book printer and get them to run you off a few copies. (Although from my experience, some local book printers now throw a spanner in the works as they require a larger bleed size, so remember to check this! and redo your cover if need be.) It will be much cheaper for local people to purchase your books that are printed here as they are saving on the delivery cost AND also the long wait!
If any of you have some knowledge or suggestions regarding your own self-publishing experience feel free to join the Facebook group: Self-Publishing Group (South Africa)
GOOD LUCK! Let me know how it goes!
If you enjoyed this post please remember to share!
with love and light
