So You’ve written your Book …. What happens now? Huge congratulations on this achievement and believe me, it is an achievement. Consistently writing thousands of words is not easy. The next step is to get it published. Of course, not everyone will want to publish their books as some people just write for themselves. That’s perfectly okay, because there is a huge satisfaction in putting your thoughts and ideas down on paper.
But if you want to get your book ‘out there’ so that others can read it and learn from your experiences, adventures, ideas and wisdom, then your manuscript needs to be published. Firstly you will need to get it edited, so that the very best version is ready to go out. The first person to revise your book should be a Developmental Editor. This is someone who will look at how the story flows. Maybe you need to swap Chapters One and Two or make the introduction more exciting. Maybe you need to develop your characters more so that they appear more relatable.
The advice from a Developmental Editor is valuable as it gives you a different slant on your story, but you are not obliged to take every suggestion on board. If you feel particularly strongly about a specific scene and a change is suggested, then by all means you can ignore the suggestion. It is your story after all. Also be aware of colloquialisms, if using an editor from overseas. I was using an American editor who had no understanding of a phrase I used so I just deleted it and changed it.
After you have made any necessary or desired changes, you will need someone to design your cover. Please do not try and do this yourself in a program such as Canva or use someone on Fiverr. A professional looking cover is the first thing a prospective buyer will see.
You will also need to apply for an ISBN. This is the identifying number on the back of every book, which is like a digital fingerprint. It means that anyone looking for a book, online, in a library or in a bookstore, can easily find and identify the book. The main reputable company that sells ISBN’s is called Thorpe-Bowker and you will need a different one for every version of your book eg. paperback, hardback, e-book, audio. It’s worth buying a pack of ten so that you have them on hand for future books. The cost of this is $88 but you will need to pay a setup fee of $55 as a new publisher.
Next you will need to find a Copy Editor. This is someone who will look at your grammar, lay out and spelling as well as your bibliography to check that all errors are corrected before you finally publish. Then once all is completed, you can upload your book to KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), which is the free self-publishing arm of Amazon. It has instructions on uploading your book, which will then be available for world-wide distribution. Each copy will only be printed as required and there is a discount for authors to order their own copies. As an author you retain all copyright and set the price of your book.
So You’ve written your Book …. What happens now? You now need to spread the word. Send copies to your friends for reviews. Get as many reviews as you can to boost your sales and then start talking about the book to everyone you meet. Use emails, social media and give talks if you can. The more people that know about your book, the more lives you can change. I had a small launch party online, then another one with close family and friends to help promote my book. It was really successful.
People often say that writing your book is the easy part and I tend to agree. Editing, proof reading, re-editing, choosing a cover, finally getting your book out into the world and then marketing, takes the most work and energy. But believe me, it is worth it!
Of course, I have spoken about the self-publishing route and you may not want to do this. By all means try the traditional route if you prefer, just be prepared for the long haul. You may choose an agent to approach publishers, which is required overseas, or contact publishers directly. They all tend to have submission guidelines and when they will accept submissions. Then be patient as the process takes time. Most countries have a writer’s association who can help with agent and publisher details. I will leave a resource list of those I am familiar with, at the bottom of this post.
In the meantime, keep writing. Writing and publishing a book is not easy and takes dedication and time. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You have achieved something that many people only talk about. Be very proud.
You are now a published author!l Huge congratulations.
With love,
Judy xxx
Ps. If you would like to see the outcome of my own self publishing journey you can buy my book here.
Resources: * I worked with the wonderful Leesa Ellis at 3ferns who helped me with every facet of self publishing.
* The Australian Writers’ Centre is a wonderful resource for all things book related. They run a number of courses that help with writing a book, character development and publishing. They have 40% off all courses at the moment.
* The Australian Society of Authors https://www.asauthors.org.au is a very helpful resource.
*Facebook groups such as The Women Writers, Editors, Agents and Publishers group have lots of editors etc that you can contact. * UK Society of Authors https://societyofauthors.org
*Australian Literary Agents’ Association https://www.austlitagentsassoc.com
Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.
References: See above resources. Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash.