How to publish a book
This final blog in the series will go over the process from finishing writing a book to the book being published. A process that is often glossed over, as people think it is something quick and simple compared to writing the book.
And though I do find this part of the publication process to be a little easier than writing the book, this is still a very important part. If this is not done, the book will not get published. So, let me take you through the steps I took to get Gravity Goat from a finished book to a published book.
1) Formatting the book
Formatting the book is, in my opinion, the most difficult part of the process. Partly because it involves a little bit of struggling with the writing software to get it just how I want to, but mostly because it contains a lot of trial and error. And at this part of the process, you just really want to see your book published, as you have already struggled enough. But it is important to keep being patient and not rush this part.
So what does formatting the book mean?
The simple answer? Getting the inside of the book just like how you want it to be.
But that is, of course, a very broad answer and doesn’t really give much away. What I did the first time I published a book was taking a couple of books off my bookshelf. Flipping through them to note what I had to pay attention to. Now, with Gravity Goat, I simply copied what I had done with Poveglia’s plague doctor. So, what is it that I took notice of at first? Making sure everything I wanted was in the document. Of course, the book is already there, but perhaps not the following pages:
1. Title page
2. Copyright page
3. Dedication
All very important pages that you might overlook the first time you are publishing a book. Once those pages are in the book, we can get to the boring detailing part. I have made myself a bit of a checklist every time I format the book. To make sure everything is in there, just the way I want it. If not? I change it in the document (or the formatting settings) and try again. Once I have formatted the book and every single thing on the list is correct, the formatting is done. So, what is the list?
– Does it contain all the chapters and pages? (Including the three I have just named)
– Do the chapters start on a new page?
– Are there any blank pages that do not need to be there?
– Are all the Fonts and lettering sizes correct?
– Are the headers correct?
– Are there page numbers on the pages?
Once all these points are correct, I move on to the next thing.
2) Creating the cover
This might be one of my favourite parts of publishing a book. Creating the cover. Usually, somewhere during the writing process, I start a few concepts for a cover. I could go over the entire process of creating a cover, but we have a lovely whitepaper on the Donkey Books website that will tell you everything about it! So if you are interested in that, I would highly advise you to check that out!
3) Putting it all together
Once you have both your formatted book and the cover, it is time to put them together. I do this on Bookmundo, as I will be ordering my proof copy from there. I start a new project there and fill out all the details that are asked of me.
4) A proof copy
Then, once that is done, it is time to order the proof copy. This is basically just a copy of the book that you check to make sure that everything is alright before you can actually start selling the book. It is always quite exciting to have the finished book in your hands. The first time you see your story in the shape of a book. But it has never happened to me that the first proof copy was perfect.
This is what I check:
– Are the colours on the cover correct?
– Are the texts and pictures on the cover where they should be? Are they not cut off, and are they spelt correctly?
– Is the Donkey Books logo the correct size?
– Does it contain all the chapters and pages? (Including the three I have just named)
– Do the chapters start on a new page?
– Are there any blank pages that do not need to be there?
– Are all the Fonts and lettering sizes correct?
– Are the headers correct?
– Are there page numbers on the pages?
If one of these things is not correct, I go back in the process and change what needs to be changed. Then, I order another proof copy to see if it’s correct. I normally order 2 proof copies before the book is how I want it to be. Once that moment arrives, the book is officially done! But, of course, not yet published.
5) Marketing
Before I publish the book, I spend a little time creating some content for our social media and website. I have been keeping updates on the writing process, but now that the book is finished, I need a little extra boost to make sure everyone knows there is something new at Donkey Books.
The content starts a little before the launch of the book. This is so that there is enough time for people to see that something new is on its way. Create a little more suspense, and have everyone get excited for the new book.
6) Launch
And then it is finally time for the launch. The publication of your book. This is the moment you make your book available for purchase.
Speaking of available for purchase, Gravity Goat is now available! You can find it in our stable of books on the website. Make sure to take a look!
This is the last blog that I will be writing about Gravity Goat, as it has now been published. I hope this blog series gave you a little insight into everything that it takes to write a book. Don’t hesitate to shoot us an email if you have any questions or would like to know a little more about writing and publishing a book! You can also check out our whitepapers that go a little more in-depth into various aspects of the writing and publication process.
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