You’ve written your book. It’s fabulous and now you’re ready to self-publish. Use this handy checklist to pull together everything you need before going to your online service or printer.
Format your manuscript.
Online services will typically guide you through major formatting decisions. At a minimum you will want to have chapters separated. You may also want to set chapter headings in a different font from the rest of your text and may want to include a Table of Contents.
Add Front Matter.
Look at any traditionally published book and you will see several pages before your story begins. At a minimum these include:
- Title Page. Typically this has the title of the book, the author, and the name and location of the author.
- Legal Page. This is the page that includes your copyright information. It may also include a disclaimer for works of fiction, information about the publisher, and Library of Congress information, along with anything else you want to add.
- Dedication/Preface/Prologue. You can add any or all of these depending on what are appropriate for your book.
Back Matter.
Typically a work of fiction will end with the story unless you want to add marketing material, such as a teaser chapter for another book. Nonfiction works may call for a variety of back matter including:
- Glossary/Chronology/Appendices. Additional information to assist the reader in understanding the topic discussed.
- Index.
- Bibliography/Notes.
- Acknowledgements.
- About the Author page.
ISBN (International Standard Book Number).
In the United States you can purchase this number at http://www.bowker.com. Some online services will provide or sell you an ISBN for your book.
Book Cover Art Work.
A well-designed cover can significantly improve your sales, whether your book is electronic or printed.
Marketing Material.
Many publishers include at least a few elements on the covers and inside books to prompt customers to buy. Think about whether you want to include some of these:
- Blurb. A brief description of your book with a ‘hook’ that will make your reader want to buy.
- Testimonials/Endorsements. Brief quotations from others who recommend your book.
- Market Category and Keywords. This information is typically used within electronic catalogs or by distributors to place your book where your readers will be able to easily find it.
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