How much will it cost to publish? Is my book even good enough to be published? How do I find a cover for my book? Where do I find an editor? Is it okay to use pictures from google?
Find practical and straight forward answers to these questions and...
To create an environment that is ideal for writing and publishing you'll need to:
STEP 1: ORGANIZE YOUR WORKSPACE
Where will you be writing? Technically all you need is a paper and pen. However, if you're going pro consider getting a more formal business-like space and the right writing hardware. You'll need:
- A writing nook i.e. somewhere that is private, secure and quiet. Add in a sturdy desk, an ergonomically-sound seat and a computer and you're good.
- Backup Methods - losing your work is the worst headache any writer can happen. Back up your work, people. Have at least two methods of backing up your work so that if one fails the other will save you. You could go the hardware way e.g external hard-drive, flash-drive or by storing on other devices like a tablet. You could also go cloud by automatically backing up your work through sites like Dropbox and Google-Drive. Or you could just go old-school and email yourself every chapter after you write it. It's up to you but, back it up.
- Internet Connection. You don't necessarily need a connection at home but it will be crucial during the research, publishing and marketing stages so at least know where you can access the web when you need it.
STEP 2: SET YOUR BUSINESS HOURS
There is a reason schools have timetables and company's have business hours. It's a signal for the brain so that it can get into work-mode. If you have set business hours, you can prevent procrastination and make sure that you accomplish your goals. Set aside hours that are exclusively for writing related tasks. Guard these hours preciously and don't use them for anything other than your writing.
STEP 3: GET THE SOFTWARE
You have a computer? Good! Now what software should you have? At the basic level you'll need a word processor like MS Word or Open Office. Your word-processor should have a PDF converter installed.
During the publishing process, you'll likely need to have ePub and mobi files of your book (so you can send it to beta-readers or advance readers). You can choose to create these by converting your word document on free websites. However, to be safe, get software like Scrivener, Calibre or Vellum to help with the conversion.
If you're going to be making your own covers, invest in Adobe Photoshop and in learning how to use its multiple features. Got no money? Then try GIMP or Pixlr. Both are free but can do almost the same things as Photoshop.
STEP 4: CREATE YOUR BUDGET
As long as you have access to a computer with internet connection it's possible to publish your book with zero monetary expenditure. The problem is that zero expenditure also means you'll be doing everything yourself. No matter how talented you are, it will be hard to make great covers on your own, edit for yourself perfectly and do all your promoting without spending a cent. If you insist on going all DIY, you'll end up compromising the quality of your product.
Invest in the most qualified labor you can afford at the beginning of your career, and in future set aside a percentage of your earnings to go towards producing the best book you possibly can. Below is a table showing the different investment options you have (per book):
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If you'll be submitting to traditional publishers, stay in the cheap section because most publishing companies worth their salt will do everything for you including editing, covers and promotion. If you're doing this all on your own, start at the cost-sensitive status.
Only choose to go cheap if you're really, really hard up for cash, but work your way to Smart Spender status for the best results. In this guide you'll find directions to help you create your book with whatever amount you can currently afford whether it's with nothing or if you have a substantial budget.
Ofcourse there'll be some additional expenditure like the cost of setting up yourwebsite ($250 - $2,000) and maintaining it, but these are one-time expensesthat you can focus on when you have the money.
STEP 5: EVALUATE YOUR WORK-FRIEND NEEDS
Books take a team to produce, publish and promote. This team includes but is not limited to beta-readers, editors, cover designer, website designer, advance readers and a marketing coordinator. You'll find information within this guide that will help you find each and every one of these essential persons if they are not already in your rolodex. Meanwhile, evaluate what you've got and what you don't so that you can start filling the gaps or at least planning to fill the gaps. Questions you need to ask yourself include;
- Do you have writer friends who could act as yourcritique partners or beta-readers? Where can you find them if you don't? Orwill you need to hire a development editor?
- Do you know someone who can has excellent grammarand story-telling ability and/or an editing background who is willing to edityour books for you. Or will you need to hire someone?
- How will you get your website up? Do you have thetechnical skills or will you need someone to do it for you?
- Are you great at making book covers? Do you know someone who is? Or will you have tohire the job out?
- Do you have a team of Advance Readers or will you need to start a mailing list or courting bloggers? Can you afford to hire a review site like Hidden Gems.
- Will you be doing all your marketing yourself or canyou afford assistance?
STEP 6: START BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
Other than your readers, you need to formrelationships with other people who will help you in your publishing journey.Your budget will determine what networking needs you have.
For instance you'llneed a development editor. If you can't afford a development editor at thistime then you need to start making friends with people who can be youralpha-readers and beta-readers for free. That means making friends here on Wattpad or on other forums such as Scribophile. If you can't afford a proof-reader, get closer to a writer friend so that you can barter proof-reading. If you need bloggers to join your team of reviewers, form friendships with them by following their reviews and commenting.
Basically, start making friends in the writer-world and be active in forums. Even if you do have money for all the services you need, writer friends will give you tips on how to improve your publishing process, get cheaper services etc.
Comments? Questions? Ask below and I shall try to answer.
