Simple Publishing Steps for the DIY Junkie

Simple is probably a misleading word here, but I love making simplified lists at least. They make larger goals more palatable. So in the spirit of encouragement, let's just say it's entirely possible to publish a book in bite-sized steps. So here's the list to start.

• Write the book.
• Format the book.
• Design the cover.
• Determine the host of your work.
• Submit
• Do a little dance.

Time to explain the steps, and the reason I chose this order.

Write the Book

Probably seems like a no-brainer, but this one is here a bit gratuitously. While some people buy a cover first then do the book, for most writers, it's probably best to stick to writing first, then worrying about the design. There's so much about research and writing that may make what you want to change what you want out of the cover design, even how intricate or simplistic it becomes. Let the writing be the journey towards discovering the characters and worlds (or narrowing down visuals succinctly if you're going nonfiction). In my experience, confinement of visual ideas can hamper the process. Many things will want to change organically. So if you're new to the whole process, stick with writing first, then collect ideas for the rest later.

Format the Book

The main reason I don't put this before writing is because most writers will end up with two separate formats to work with: print and ebook. These will have grossly different learning curves. Ebook users often want the flexibility of choosing their font so it's best to stick to bolds and italics to alter the font style while you may want to be more playful with print fonts. In my experience, this step often encompasses a chunk of time AFTER coming up with that final draft. I've already done a blog post on the specifics, so if you're interested in it, hit my tags for formatting and dig around. It's a long process to learn from scratch but oddly simple once you've been taught what to look for. I do almost everything the hard way because lessons have to be beaten into me to stick sometimes.

Design the Cover

Assuming the writing part is mostly over, a book cover has another checklist to consider. It's best NOT to find the image first, but to place the title, author name on the front, back matter and UPC block on the back and consider the spine. I've also gone into templates and book cover design at length so look for those tags if you're interested. For the sake of simplicity, let's just say that choosing images can be an easy process. It can be just a textured background or solid. The image or images can be resized, but dear gods, don't stretch them. Try to work in harmony with font choices and mostly avoid clashing colors unless it has some immediate relevance. Remember, you'll want your choices to be recognizable in thumbnail sizes.

Determine the Host of Your Work

By this, I mean that you should choose your host wisely. Avoid vanity presses that ask you to pay anything to publish. No respectable method will require this. Self-publishing can be free and traditional publishing as well. The only time you ought to pay is if there's a step you absolutely can't do and need to pay an artist or editor. Do the creative and copy communities a favor and avoid sites where people let you underbid on their work. While you can get a decent cover for $5, you wouldn't want your own work to be underpriced so don't do it to another professional. If someone does a stellar job, offer to pay them fairly. Rock bottom prices are for rock bottom work.

Whoops, I'm rambling off, but what I mean by finding a host: Amazon, Smashwords, Draft 2 Digital, etc. these are free hosts for both print and ebook possibilities. I personally use Amazon and Draft 2 Digital for print and distribution options. Once you determine your host, they may have some formatting or design standards to consider. This one actually *could* be a first step, or at least before formatting and design. But I put it here because I often do things the hard way and this is where I would give myself extra work. I really hope you read lists all the way through for that reason. I stick to my stubborn love of difficulty...

Publish Your Book

Assuming you've passed the system checks on your chosen host, this one is just a waiting game. No matter what kind of file I've used, it can take about 15 minutes to upload a manuscript into a server. Every. Time. You. Need. To. Fix. Something. So, if this is your first ride, you may be tweaking things for hours to make a system happy. Precisely why I wrote more in-depth posts about formatting and design in the past. I can definitely help make the process less painful there. So, when you're ready, make sure you're checking those proofs. Some mistakes will pass a proof so flip through and be sure it looks right.

Do a Little Dance

Assuming you've made it through the process and hit that Publish button and put it to market, take some time to celebrate. You've done something that takes a lot of discipline. Well, unless you're a half-assing douche that took a word shit on a few pages and pretended to be an author. For most writers though, a book is a serious and involving process and you deserve to take a moment to celebrate. Do that. With all you've got. Some of us forget to do that and it shows.

So hopefully this leads you on a simple path to accomplishing a big deal event. No matter how you choose to do this; marketing, sewing people's eyelids open, threats--get people reading! Spread your enthusiasm for your work and don't get discouraged. Anyone can be a writer so that part isn't that impressive. If you want to be a great writer, believe in your work and get some momentum.

Keep it going!