Self-Published: Part 2
And I'm back with more on behind the scenes of the self-pub process!
Okay, if you missed part 1 and are looking for the initial steps- head there first and then come back here. I’m lowkey doing this for my own benefit because I there are so many little things to think about as you go through the process that I’ll be using this for myself when I tuck into book two!
Last time we left off at Step 2 which was setting up an LLC, a bank account, thinking about how much you want to invest etc.. now let’s go forth!
Step 3:
The cover and edits!
ahhhhhh I am so obsessed with my cover. If you have not read it yet- You can order my book here :)
Okay, anyway. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been thinking about the cover for my all my books for years and years. For some of my books I can already see the cover, for others it is more of a feeling. Either way- I was super excited to start the process and also worried- would the cover designer understand what I was envisioning? (spoiler: she totally did).
There are so many cover designers out there and it can be overwhelming. In the very early stages I literally searched the hashtag cover designer on Instagram. I saved cover’s I loved. Any time another indie author shared their cover designer’s insta I would do a deep dive.
I also did this on Fiver and found a few that I liked but but if you have connections with other self published friends, ask them! This is where I found both my copy editor and cover designer!
You can find my cover designer here- she is lovely and so talented and I highly recommend!
The cover itself:
Find some comps of covers you like. Be prepared to give the cover designer a few options- they will most likely take two of those and give you back options to start with. Be prepared to send the cover designer a short pitch about your book and be to give them the back cover copy- if you have a blurb from an author friend make sure you plan to have room for that to go somewhere on the front or back!
Doing all of that first will set you up for success later- the cover and the edits can take time! Sometimes a few months depending on who you work with.
The editing process:
Do you need copy edits and a proof reader? Or just a proof reader? Or do you need a full developmental edit (if it’s developmental- I would pause on the self-pub process until you have a manuscript that is very polished and ready for readers).
Because I had queried LET YOU GO- it was already very ready to be read and I only needed a proof reader. With the second book I plan to self pub- I will probably be in the same boat.
Most editors will ask for a sample of your work and then come back with confirmation that they would like to work with you. Once you’ve found your editor and are deciding on a timeframe-here’s my tip: Whatever date they agree to return the edits back to you; I would give yourself at least a few weeks more time to apply the edits than you think you need (this of course depends on your life circumstances and how much time you have to work through them)
Here is the editor I used- I loved her and highly recommend!
Step 4:
While the cover design and edits are unfolding: start to create accounts with the publishing companies you plan to use.
Here are the three I used:
Amazon KDP: It’s super easy to set up and get started with. Things get a little more complicated when you get into the book content- but that’s for later.
Barnes & Noble Press: Also pretty straight forward!
Ingram Spark: (where booksellers and other retailers will order your book from)
Set up your accounts with all of these, save your logins, bookmark the sites… get familiar with them. You’ll be on them a lot!
Next up: Buy yourself a pack of ISBNs from Bowker - each version of your book will need it’s own ISBN (kindle hardcover paper). I believe you can buy them in three or ten. Amazon will give you a free ISBN but you will need them for other versions/places.
A mistake I made: I bought three barcodes when I bought the ISBN’s- you don’t need those. You can generate a free one online or use one from the publishing company!
I will keep sharing mistakes as I go- there were many, ha! In the next post I’ll go over setting up the content in KDP, keywords, writing the copy for Amazon, and more!
If you have any questions or are looking for something specific leave me a comment or shoot me a DM on insta!