Ten Basic Steps to Self-Publishing
1. Select or write a manuscript which has strong interest for you; but consider publishing it only if you feel - and your research has indicated - that there really is a market for it.
2. Organize your project: generate working capital; decide on your business entity and image. Read some of the books listed on the back and acquire a working knowledge of the fundamentals of publishing. Learn the many possibilities of the Internet: online services, online bookstores and Web sites/home pages.
3. Make design decisions by finding a book you really like the look of and then copying size, layout, and typeface, paper and binding styles. Show it to several printers for estimates. Have the book typeset or think about desktop publishing the manuscript yourself.
4. Select your printer and, with prices in hand, estimate your costs, schedule, pricing and discount information. Unless certain you have a best- seller on your hands, a modest print-run for your first book is advised.
5. Send out your manuscript to publications likely to review your book. Note that many publications want to review the manuscript before the book is published.
6. Start planning your marketing strategy. Begin an advertising and promotion campaign by designing sales letters, brochures and order forms. Plan a publicity campaign for the book. Remember any editorial mention is far more effective than an ad. Develop or investigate renting mailing lists that are appropriate for your market.
7. Learn about bookstores (retail) and about libraries, schools and colleges (wholesale). Consider foreign rights, subsidiary rights, book clubs and the possibility of using a publisher for distribution.
8. Plan warehousing and shipping procedures, and order processing. Set up a simple accounting system, determining monthly expenses and cash flow.
9. Decide on distribution mechanism: wholesalers, distributors, commissioned sales reps, direct mail order, or a combination.
10. Publish, promote and market your book. If you have done your research thoroughly and found a niche for your publication, hopefully you will be planning a reprint soon. Think about your next book!
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