Publishing a book – your step-by-step guide

A stereotype that associates with the publishing industry is that very few first-time writers have any idea of what is going on behind the scenes at their publishers. Developing a basic understanding of the publishing process can help you align your expectations and efforts accordingly. Learning about the publishing process and the right steps to take can also impact the sale of your work. 

Keep reading to learn more about the process of publishing your book! 

There are two fundamental parts of every content writing career. The first part deals with the writing and completion of your manuscript. During this stage, the manuscript preparation takes place for acquisition and publication. 

The second part of your writing career is concerned with the production, marketing, and sales of your book. 

Follow the steps below to successfully publish your work- 

Get a clear idea of who your target audience is 

Before getting into the details of the publishing process, it is important to have a strong foundation in the basics. One of the most fundamental questions you should ask yourself is who your target audience is. 

Consider making a habit of visiting your local bookstore regularly for marketplace research. Go through the different titles in the aisles, make a note of the trends you see in the published books, and read books in a genre similar to yours. 

Now is also a good time to take note of the new authors in your genre. Keep an eye out for the pricing & packaging. 

Pay attention to- 

• The quality of the cover design 
• The jacket copy 
• The different sources of the endorsement blurbs 
• The quality of the synopsis 

How well do you know your publishers? 

Do your research thoroughly when making a list of potential publishing houses. It is crucial to understand the kind of genre and style a publishing house prefers. 

Consider finding out if the publishing house accepts unsolicited manuscripts as well. All of these factors can significantly determine whether you are suitable for a publisher or not. 

In cases where you are not, you can move on to other publishers on your list. This will save you a large amount of time. 

Format your book according to the guidelines 

Go through your manuscript thoroughly before formatting your book. Formatting includes ensuring that the chapter headings, aligned text, and all page numbers are in order. 

You can create an excellent impression with your publisher if you present a professionally-formatted book. 

If you are publishing solo, you will have to ensure that your work is 100% ready to be uploaded on your self-publishing platform. Several writers seek to employ the services of artists for design since designing is a very different skill set from writing. 

Create a tasteful book cover 

One of the most important criteria for attracting readers is an excellent cover. While designs are often finalized by the publishing house, you can also provide inputs that elevate the theme and storyline of your book.  

Choose from a wide range of covers, including typography-based, illustration-based, and photo-based options. Remember that the cover needs to be interesting enough to catch the reader’s attention. However, it should not be overwhelming or cramped. 

Remember that there are acquisitions 

Publishing is a competitive business. Different companies often compete with each other to sign the best quality manuscripts. Some of the major houses, as a rule, do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. 

Every publishing house has an acquisition committee of sales & marketing representatives, publishers, and editors. These professionals are dedicated to finding manuscripts that are the most financially sound. 

Some of the criteria that are considered by the acquisition committee include- 

• The information and quality of writing 
• Whether the manuscript can secure a large audience 
• Whether the author has a platform 
• If the author is promotable 

Use your waiting period wisely

Waiting can be an excruciating task. Once you have handed over your manuscript for evaluation, you will have to wait a specific period. During this time, the acquisitions committee will thoroughly evaluate your manuscript. 

Waiting for the evaluation can be tense. Use this time wisely and channel your efforts into doing plenty of reading & writing. This can help keep your skills sharp and refine them. Choose from a wide range of genres and work on refining your communication skills with the right books. 

The waiting period is a wonderful opportunity to explore new ideas that you may have and improve your overall craft. 

Focusing on reading and writing is also a remarkable & healthy distraction from waiting for a response.

Be professional in the interactions with your publishers 

When you do receive a message from the publishing house, be sure to remain open to constructive criticism. Being professional can be an excellent way to get your message across as politely as possible. 

If you have been selected by the publishing house, the next step is signing a contract! The contract is often signed after negotiations with legal professionals. Once this is done, you can plan a trip to your publisher and set up meaning with all the appropriate parties involved with the book. 

On the other hand, if you have not gotten through the final round before publishing, don’t fret! Take constructive criticism from the publishing house, find a way to incorporate the same into your manuscript, and try again! 

Key takeaways 

• Publishing is a competitive industry and being aware of the different steps of the process can help you enter the marketplace faster. 
• The publishing industry often requires manuscripts that require little to no changes. One of the best ways you can achieve this is by thoroughly editing your book and ensuring that is it professionally formatted. 
• Follow the above steps to go through every step of publishing your book correctly. 
• Take the constructive criticism you receive and channel the same into ensuring your manuscript is up to industry standards. 

Was this blog informative? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments below. Click here to reach out to us for more information on how to publish your book. We would be happy to assist you with your queries! 

Liked this blog? Read next: Types of content writing | 8 types for you to choose from!

FAQs

Q1. Can I self-publish my book? 

Answer – The process of self-publishing is slightly different from going the conventional way. For instance, you will have to ensure that your book is free of errors and formatted perfectly before it is published online. You will also have to be responsible for your marketing and promotions. 

Q2. How important is it to follow up on submissions? 

Answer – Publishing houses often have to go through large volumes of material to determine which manuscript is the best fit for their next project. Most publishers will get in touch with you to know whether your work is accepted or not. Do your research on the varying return times of different houses before submitting your work. 

Q3. How long does it take to publish a book once it has been approved by a publishing house? 

Answer – Depending on the kind of marketing strategy employed by the publishing house, bringing your work to bookstores can take anywhere from a couple of months to almost a year.