If you are a novice and writing your first book, there’s no doubt that it is overwhelming. Writing a great published, traditionally published book, let alone having something to write about at all! – is tough. However, the more books you write (and publish), the easier it becomes. The distinction between published and non-published books is vast; therefore, don’t let your first book ruin your dream of being an author. You must take some steps before publishing any book (more on that later).
Step-By-Step Guide To Take Before Publishing Your Book
When you are new to the book writing scene, one of the first questions that come to your mind is how you write a book. The process appears daunting at first glance. After all, you have not developed the authoring muscle yet, so it feels impossible. Do not lose hope! You can turn on the computer right now and begin typing on your book. You will get better with experience. However, if you want to increase the chances of your book being published and enjoyed by many readers, there are a few essential steps you should take first:
1. Think About Your Book Cover
When browsing in a bookstore, one of the first things they notice (apart from the title) is the cover. If your book cover doesn’t look professional, people are less likely to buy it. Your book cover should be designed by a professional or someone with graphic design experience. It’s worth investing in a good book cover design to improve your chances of selling your book. Additionally, your cover should give readers a good idea of what your book is about.
2. Get Help With Editing
The second thing people see when they browse the bookstore shelves is the description on the back of your book. If it is poorly written, sells you short, or doesn’t grab their attention, people are less likely to buy it, so spend time on your book’s back-cover blurb. It would help if you also had your book edited by a professional, someone who is qualified to look for mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. A poorly edited book will reflect poorly on you as an author. Like with your book cover, it’s worth investing in editing to improve your chances of selling your book.
3. Have A Professional Book Launch
It’s essential to have a professional book launch to promote your new book. This should include sending out press releases to local newspapers and magazines, setting up a blog tour, arranging book signings, and sending out review copies to book bloggers and reviewers. A professional book launch will help generate interest in your new book and will help you reach more readers. Besides, a successful book launch can help to increase sales of your book and create publicity for your work.
4. Register Your Copyright
It’s essential to protect your work by registering your copyright. This can be done relatively cheaply and can give you peace of mind that no one can steal your ideas or publish them without your permission. This can be done relatively cheaply, and it is an excellent investment to make. It will prove that you are the author of the work and will help if someone tries to steal your work or pass it off as their own. This is especially important if you are publishing a nonfiction book that covers facts or information researched elsewhere.
5. Choose The Right Publisher
This may seem daunting, but it’s essential to research different publishing houses before submitting your manuscript. Not all publishing houses are created equal. Some publish mainly genre fiction, while others only publish nonfiction. It would help if you found a publisher who is the right fit for you and your book. Do not be afraid to query multiple publishers at once or wait until the perfect publisher comes along.
6. Set Up A Professional Website
A website is a must-have for any author and should be set up when you have a finished product. It is a great way to promote your work, connect with readers and sell your books. A website doesn’t have to be expensive to set up, and many free templates are available online. Without a website, you don’t have a professional presence online, and your website is the first place many people will look to find out more information about you and your work.
7. Create A Social Media Presence
Like having a website, you should also create social media profiles for yourself as an author. This is a great way to connect with readers and promote your books. It’s important to post interesting and engaging content on your social media profiles and interact with your followers. Social media is a great way to build up a following for yourself and your work. It is crucial to create a social media presence for yourself as an author along with a website. This includes setting up Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Instagram profiles. It is a great way to connect with other authors and readers and attend book signings and conferences where you can meet people in person, talk about your work and sell your books. It’s also a great way to build your platform as an author.
8. It’s All About The Summary
When browsing the bookshelves, most people will read the synopsis of a book before buying it. It’s essential to make your blurb stand out and give readers a good idea of what your book is about. If you are having trouble writing your blurb or think it needs improvement, there are professional services that can help you with this for a small fee. For nonfiction authors, the summary should summarize your main ideas and include information on why they should buy and read your work. Don’t assume that people will read into Chapter Two to find out what your book is about. Write a catchy summary that will make people want to read more. The summary should be around 100-200 words long and give readers a good idea of the story without revealing too much.
These are just a few essential steps that you should take before publishing your book. Following these tips will help increase the chances of success for your book. Remember, writing a book is only the beginning. The real work begins once it’s published.
