The 3 P’s of Self-Publishing

Where to find handouts

gulfwriters.org/cs/

looselinks.com/cs/

Publishing your book with KDP

• Preparation and Planning • Publication • Promotion

The 3 P’s of Self-Publishing

Preparation and Planning

Costs

• Copyright registration — $35

• International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and barcode, optional QR code free from KDP (no QR code), $ from Bowker

• Editing — rates vary — by word or by page You can’t see your own mistakes

• Formatting for Publisher — rates vary

• Book cover design — rates vary

• Publicity and marketing — rates vary

Plan your book

• Choose a book size---5x8, 6x9, etc. (KDP trim sizes) (expanded distribution trim sizes)

• If you have images in your book, they must be at least 300dpi. Color costs more than black and white.

• Your manuscript should be complete and edited. (Hire an editor) (format instructions for manuscript)

• Format your book for print, or hire someone to format it. (format instructions for KDP print)

• Design your cover, or hire someone to design it for you.

• Purchase ISBN numbers from Bowker or get them free from KDP.

• Plan your marketing.

Edit! Edit! Edit!

Who should edit?

1. Edit your own book

2. Grammar check program

3. Friend or family

4. Critique group

5. Professional editor

6. All of the above

Edit! Edit! Edit! (continued)

The answer is all of the above. You can’t always see your own errors.

• Don’t edit while writing.

• After first draft, edit your own work over and over.

• Use a program like Grammarly, The Hemmingway App, or the grammar checker in MS Word. Beware of mistakes made by programs.

• Give to a trusted friend who will give honest answers. (Give a list of what you are looking for.)

• Join a critique group.

• Hire an editor. Line Editor Addresses the creative content, writing style, and language use. Copy Editor Specializes in grammar, punctuation, fact-checking, spelling, and consistency.

• Do not send a unedited manuscript to an agent, publisher, formatter, or contest.

Book Cover Design

Your cover sells your book. Think about hiring a cover designer.

Design your own cover:

• Create front cover — images, title, and author (fonts)

• Create back cover — blurb, images, bio, reviews leave space for barcode on bottom right

• Download template from KDP here

• Place front and back cover on template

• Create spine — Title and author

• Seek opinions from friends and booksellers (“Would you buy this book?”)

Publishing

POD Publishers

Format and Upload to KDP

• Sign up for KDP and enter all the information about you and your book. [login screen]

• Upload your formatted interior to KDP (PDF).

• Upload your cover.

• Check online review.

• When it looks right, send the book to KDP review.

• Purchase one or more proofs and go over the book in detail.

• Finally, release the book for publication.

Book information needed to set up your KDP account • Title (and possibly subtitle and/or series number)

• Author (your name or pen name)

• ISBN if you’re not using KDP assigned

• Blurb for back of book and Amazon/KDP (Short description to make people want to buy your book.)

• Tag line for back of book

• Author bio and photo for back of book and Amazon

• Category/genre (tells buyers what type of book) (BISAC code available on KDP)

• Key words to help readers find you

• Book price (a tool to help calculate available on KDP)

Personal information needed for KDP account

• Name

• email

• Address

• Bank and/or credit card

• How do you want to be paid — mail check or direct deposit

• Tax information

Publish Kindle eBook

• Sign up at KDP.amazon.com. (You can use Amazon account login.)

• Enter all information about book and author. (same as print book)

• Let KDP create your eBook from print book. (Check to see if everything lines up correctly.)

• OR — Reformat interior and upload to KDP eBook. (instructions for formatting eBook)

• Upload front cover.

Promotion

10 Steps to Promote Your Book

1. Develop a basic marketing plan that includes: • Potential Buyers

• Your Book’s Features

• Your Book’s Benefits

2. Ask friends to write brief, positive reviews of your book

3. Develop leave behind items to promote your book, e.g., bookmarks & Tee Shirts

4. Create a presence on social media, e.g., Facebook and Instagram

5. Create a LinkedIn Profile

6. Consider a one-page web site. (Free on Wordpress. Wix, or other)

7. Consider creating a video trailer to promote your book

Link to Youtube video

60 Second Book Trailer

8. As a local author, ask libraries to buy your book

9. Arrange speaking engagements with local groups and organizations

10. Create a press release for local publications

Where to find handouts

gulfwriters.org/cs/

looselinks.com/cs/

The End