I’ve been asked a lot quite recently: how can I publish my first novel? Whilst some of the process is the same as publishing a children’s book, there are still a few different steps. This guide will walk you through the steps to successfully self-publish your novel, with added tips to make the process as smooth and fun as possible.
Step 1: Write and Refine Your Manuscript
The manuscript is the foundation of your work so it’s important to make it the best it can be before it even goes to a fresh set of eyes to check.
- First Draft: I always tell people your first draft should be messy, not perfect. Focus on getting your ideas down without worrying too much about the smaller details. The goal is to finish your story.
- Revise and Edit: Review your draft multiple times, improving plot consistency, character development, and pacing as you go. This is where you start refining your manuscript.
- Hire a Professional Editor: Professional editing is a worthwhile investment, especially for a book with thousands of words. An editor will polish your work and ensure it’s free of any errors. Don’t be alarmed if the editor gets back to you with lots of change suggestions—their job is to polish your manuscript to a high standard, keeping your intended reading audience in mind. You’re not required to make every change, but it’s a good idea to really reflect on their suggestions.
- Beta Readers: Whilst this is optional, it’s always a good idea to get feedback from trusted readers so that you can identify areas for improvement to to ensure your story resonates with your target audience.
Step 2: Format Your Manuscript for Publishing
To print a professional-looking book, the formatting needs to be done properly.
- Choose Your Format: Decide whether you want to publish your novel as an eBook, paperback, hardcover, or all three.
- Use Formatting Software/Hire a Professional Formatter: You can use paid software like Atticus, Scrivener, or Vellum to simplify the formatting process for both digital and print versions. Another option is to hire a professional to format your book in the format of your choice.
- Platform Requirements: Ensure your manuscript meets the formatting guidelines of your chosen self-publishing platform (e.g., Amazon KDP, IngramSpark).
Step 3: Design an Eye-Catching Cover
Your book cover is your first opportunity to attract readers, so it needs to make an impact, because let’s be real—we all judge a book based off its cover.
- Hire a Professional Illustrator/Designer: Look for an illustrator that resonates with your vision to create a cover that is visually appealing and appropriate to the genre. Some illustrators stick to specific genres so it’s important to do your research before selecting someone.
- Research Your Genre: Take the time to research other successful books in your chosen genre to understand what works. When your target audience looks at your book cover, they should be able to tell what genre it is. For example, you wouldn’t want a thriller to look like the reader is about to dive into a rom-com novel.
- Include Important Details: For print books, it’s vital to design a spin and back cover, including the book’s blurb and a spot to put the ISBN. Keep in mind that the spine cover size will be different for paperbacks and hardcover versions.
Step 4: Get an ISBN
- An ISBN is a unique 13-digit identifier assigned to your book. It’s necessary if you plan to sell your book through online retailers, bookstores, or libraries.
- In Australia, you can purchase an ISBN from the official ISBN agency, Thorpe-Bowker, (https://www.myidentifiers.com.au/). If you’re outside Australia, check your country’s ISBN agency website.
- While eBooks don’t always require an ISBN (platforms like Amazon Kindle assign their own unique identifiers), having one can make your book more widely available across multiple platforms.
- Keep in mind that each format of your book (e.g., paperback, hardcover, eBook) will require a separate ISBN.
Step 4: Choose a Self-Publishing Platform
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): This is the most popular platform for self-publishing, offering both eBook and print-on-demand options. As the author, you can also print copies in bulk.
- IngramSpark: This is ideal if you are looking for wider distribution to bookstores and libraries. They also offer eBook and print-on-demand options.
- Your Own Website: Another option is to start a business, distributing and selling your own copies. You will need to source a print company to print your book in bulk.
Step 6: Set Your Pricing and Royalties
- Research Competitors: Look at similar books in your genre to determine market-appropriate pricing. Keep in mind that independently published books are often priced slightly higher than commercially published ones, so don’t compare your book to ones you find at K-Mart or Big W, for example.
- Consider Costs: Factor in expenses like editing, cover design, and marketing when setting your price. But be realistic.
- Experiment with Pricing: Start with a competitive price for your eBook to attract readers, then adjust as needed.
Step 7: Publish Your Novel
Once your manuscript is ready, it’s time to publish – yay!
- Upload Files: Follow your platform’s instructions to upload your manuscript and cover design.
- Write a Compelling Book Description: Your book description should hook potential readers and give them a reason to buy.
- Select Keywords and Categories: Use relevant keywords and categories to help your book appear in searches and reach your target audience.
- Preview Your Book: Review how your book will appear on the platform, making any necessary adjustments.
- Hit Publish: Once everything looks perfect, publish your novel!
Step 8: Send a Copy of Your Book to the National Library of Australia
Registering your book with the National Library of Australia (NLA) is a requirement for all published books in Australia. This process helps preserve your book in the national collection and ensures that your book becomes part of Australia’s literary heritage and is available for future generations.
- What needs to be submitted? This includes print and digital books, as well as graphic novels, magazines, and more.
- How to Submit Your Book: For print books, send one copy by mail or deliver it to the NLA in Canberra. For digital books, use the National edeposit (NED) system to upload your eBook online and meet both national and state legal deposit requirements.
- To learn more, visit the NLA’s Legal Deposit page.
Step 9: Market Your Book
Marketing is key, and arguably the most important part, to ensure your novel reaches readers:
- Build Your Author Brand: Create a website, blog, or social media profiles to connect with readers and showcase your work.
- Utilise Social Media: Share updates, teasers, and behind-the-scenes content on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
- Run Ads: Consider running ads on Amazon or social media to target your ideal audience.
- Collaborate with Book Bloggers and Reviewers: Reach out to bloggers and influencers in your genre for reviews and promotions.
- Host a Book Launch: Plan a virtual or in-person event to generate buzz around your release.
Step 10: Track Your Progress and Keep Writing!
- Monitor Sales and Reviews: Use analytics tools from your platform to track sales and gather feedback.
- Engage with Readers: Respond to reviews and connect with readers to build a loyal fan base.
- Start Your Next Book: The more books you publish, the greater your visibility and success as an indie author.
Final Thoughts …
Self-publishing your novel gives you the freedom to bring your story to life on your own terms. By following these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the process and share your work with the world.
I’m always happy to help and support emerging authors, so feel free to message me at any time. Happy publishing! 🙂