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Yes, it is possible for you to publish a book! But will you? And should you?
There is A LOT to consider when publishing a book. I have spent many, many hours learning about publishing over the past few years.
I’ve attended writing conferences and webinars, read countless blog posts and books, joined SCBWI and a monthly writer group, submitted manuscripts to literary agents and editors, and self-published multiple journals and three picture books. All three of my picture books received a Readers’ Favorite 5 Stars review, and my book Pickles, Pickles, I Like Pickles was chosen for the 2019 Read Across Connecticut program.
Through it all, I have learned a lot! I am excited to share what I have learned with you to save you countless hours of research.
Choose a Publishing Option
Of course, in order to publish a book, you must first write a book. But once you have completed your book, what should you do to get it published?
Many years ago, anyone who wanted to publish a book had to submit their manuscript to literary agents or editors who then had to accept the manuscript in order to be published. Writers can still do that if they would like, but there are now additional publishing options available.
Do you know the differences between the different publishing options? And do you know which publishing option is best for you and your book? If not, you may be interested in the course Choosing the Best Publishing Option for You and Your Book: Traditional Publishing, Hybrid Publishing or Self-Publishing? (A free Udemy account is required to take this course.)
There are pros and cons to each of the publishing options. In the end, it is up to you to decide which option is best for you and your book.
If you are a children’s book author interested in publishing through a traditional publisher, make sure to check out this list of 37 children’s book publishers accepting unsolicited submissions.
If You Choose to Self-Publish
Literally anyone can self-publish a book these days. In fact, my daughters self-published their own journal last year at the ages of 12 and 13.
Authors who choose to self-publish don’t have to worry about their manuscript being rejected by literary agents or editors. But, their books could be rejected by their potential audience if not created well.
Do you want to learn more about self-publishing a book in print, so you can one day see your book for sale in online places such as Amazon and barnesandnoble.com? Are you interested in self-publishing a book but have no idea where to begin with the self-publishing process?
If so, the course Self-Publishing 101: Things to Consider Before Publishing Your Book in Print may help guide you in the right direction to reach your publishing dreams. (A free Udemy account is required to take this course.)
As I had said before, there is A LOT to consider when choosing to publish a book! Instead of spending countless hours aimlessly searching for information about self-publishing, this course is designed in an easy-to-follow format to guide you in the right direction. And it doesn’t matter if you write books for children, middle grade, young adults, or adults.
Divided into a total of 33 videos including the introduction, each video is presented with a slide show presentation as well as a downloadable transcript for your convenience. Handouts are also included with many videos to provide additional resources and information to help you with your publishing journey.
You are welcome to watch the course video, introduction, and the video about print-on-demand publishing (found here) before choosing if this is the right course for you.
Enroll here now or continue reading to see what information is covered within the course.
What is Included in Self-Publishing 101 Course
Section 1
Lecture 1: Introduction
- Expansion of information presented in the course video
- Brief introduction of instructor
- List of what students should learn by the end of the course
- List of what this course will not teach
- List of who this course is for
- Reference to the course Choosing the Best Publishing Option for You and Your Book
- Brief overview of the publishing options: traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, and self-publishing
- List of what is needed for this course
- Some additional publishing tips
- Break down of this course
- Disclaimer and copyright information for this course
- Information about the included handouts
Lecture 2: Print-On-Demand Publishing
- Overview of print-on-demand printing
- Pros of print-on-demand
- Cons of print-on-demand
- List of print-on-demand companies
- Brief discussion of offset printing
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Section 2: Copyright and Legalities to Consider
Lecture 3: Copyright
- What copyright is
- How long copyright lasts
- How to register for copyright
- What may not be copyrighted
- How to show copyright
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 4: Other Legalities to Consider
- Explanation of disclaimers with samples
- Being an authorpreneur – business considerations
- Taxes and permit considerations
- Keeping records considerations
- Mention of one resource all self-published authors should consider having
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Section 3: Sections to (Possibly) Include in a Book
Lecture 5: Sections to Include in a Book Overview
- Brief overview of front matter sections
- Brief overview of body sections
- Brief overview of back matter sections
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 6: Front Matter Part 1: Title Page
- What is included on a title page with samples
- What is included on a half title page
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 7: Front Matter Part 2: Copyright and Dedication
- What is included on a copyright page with samples
- Explanation of a dedication with samples
- Brief explanation of a CIP data block
Lecture 8: Front Matter Part 3: Table of Contents
- Explanation of a table of contents with samples
- Tips for creating a table of contents
- Video with Step-by-Step Instructions for Inserting Table of Contents Included
Lecture 9: Front Matter Part 4: Accolades and Reviews
- Explanation of a foreword with a sample
- Explanation of accolades with samples
- Brief explanation of an advance reader copy (ARC)
Lecture 10: Body Overview
- Explanation of an introduction with a sample
- Explanation of a prologue with a sample
- Considerations for the main text of a book
- Explanation of an epilogue with a sample
- Explanation of an afterword
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 11: Back Matter Part 1: Author Bio and Choosing a Name
- Explanation of an author bio with samples
- Explanation of an illustrator bio with samples
- Considerations when choosing an author name
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 12: Back Matter Part 2: Acknowledgments and Additional Options
- Explanation of acknowledgments with samples
- Explanation of a promotional page with samples
- Explanation of a glossary with sample
- Explanation of an index with samples
- Explanation of a bibliography with samples
- Explanation of permission information with samples
- List of extra back matter ideas
- An additional tip in place of back matter
Section 4: Editing
Lecture 13: Editing Overview
- Possible reasons to have an editor
- Explanation of developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading
- Tips for self-editing
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 14: Finding an Editor
- Explanation of alpha readers, beta readers, and critique partners
- Tips after having your work edited or critiqued
- List of possible questions to ask yourself when deciding to hire an editor
- List of possible places to find an editor
- Explanation of the cost of an editor
- Explanation of what to do if your book is published with errors
- Handout with Additional Resources and Handout with Questions Included
Section 5: Illustrations, Photos, and Fonts
Lecture 15: Illustrations, Photos, and Fonts Overview
- Brief explanation of copyright issues
- Examples of when the instructor has contacted others for permission
- Explanation of the difference between black and white interior vs color interior
- Explanation of bleed and no bleed
Lecture 16: Illustrations Part 1
- Tips before hiring an illustrator
- Information about dummies
- Possible places to find an illustrator
- Questions to consider when choosing an illustrator
- Additional tips and considerations with illustrations
- Handout with Additional Resources and Handout with Questions Included
Lecture 17: Illustrations Part 2
- Explanation of illustration notes
- A break down of the instructor’s experience with the illustrator of her first two picture books
Lecture 18: Illustrations Part 3
- A break down of the instructor’s experience with the illustrator of her third picture book
Lecture 19: Photos
- Possible places to find photos
- Additional tips and considerations for photos
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 20: Fonts
- Brief explanation of fonts
- Possible places to find fonts
- A possible place to create your own font
- Tips for having fun and being creative with fonts
- Additional tips and considerations for fonts
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Section 6: Metadata
Lecture 21: Metadata
- What metadata is
- Considerations/explanations/tips for choosing keywords, book titles, categories, price, and the publication date
- Tips for writing and formatting a book description
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 22: ISBNs and Barcodes
- Facts about ISBNs and Barcodes
- How many ISBNs you need
- When a new ISBN is required
- Where to get an ISBN (in the United States)
- Whether or not you should purchase your own ISBNs
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Section 7: More Details
Lecture 23: Trim Size and Additional Considerations
- Explanation of trim sizes
- Tips for choosing a trim size
- Explanation of additional interior considerations such as paper thickness, paper color, running heads, running feet, and page numbers
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 24: Book Covers
- Explanation of book cover considerations such as hardcover vs softcover, matte vs glossy, and cover consistency
- Tips and resources for creating your own cover
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 25: Self-Publishing Expenses to Consider
- Explanation of cost to self-publish
- List of expenses to consider when self-publishing
- List of ways an author can save money when self-publishing
- A break down of the cost to publish the instructor’s most recent book
- Considerations about profiting on a self-published book
Section 8: Publishing with KDP Print
Lecture 26: KDP Print Overview
- Brief recap of print-on-demand
- Overview of KDP Print
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 27: Expanded Distribution with KDP Print
- Explanation of expanded distribution through KDP Print
- A break down of possible book royalties through KDP Print
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 28: KDP Print Tips
- Tips for using KDP Print
- Explanation of proofs
- Handout with Additional Resources and Handout with Step-by-Step Upload Instructions Included
Section 9: Publishing with IngramSpark
Lecture 29: IngramSpark Overview
- Overview of IngramSpark
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 30: Additional IngramSpark Information
- Explanation of wholesale discounts
- Brief explanation of publisher compensation calculator and print and ship calculator
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Section 10: Using Both KDP Print and IngramSpark Together
Lecture 31: Using Both KDP Print and IngramSpark Together
- Tips for using both KDP Print and IngramSpark together with examples
- A break down of author copy costs
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Section 11: Even More Information
Lecture 32: E-books and Audiobooks Overview
- Overview of e-books
- List of possible benefits of e-books
- List of possible options for publishing e-books
- Brief explanation of KDP ASIN
- Brief explanation of DRM
- Brief explanation of KDP Select
- Brief mention of audiobooks
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 33: Just a Few Marketing Ideas
- List of a few more considerations before publishing a book
- List of nine inexpensive publicity/marketing ideas
- A reminder as the student moves forward with own publishing journey
- Thank you!
- Handout with Additional Resources Included
Who This Course is Not For
- Someone expecting to get rich fast by publishing a book
- Someone expecting to learn writing techniques
- Someone expecting to learn specific book formatting techniques
Take the Next Step
Like I said, there is A LOT of information to consider when self-publishing a book. Are you ready to take the next step to reach your publishing dreams? Enroll now in Self-Publishing 101: Things to Consider When Publishing a Book in Print and learn at your own pace.
Click here to register if you are ready to take the next step.
Conclusion
Simply learning about publishing will not get your book published. You will have to put in the effort to actually move forward with your publishing journey.
To your publishing success!
Brigitte Brulz 