How To Publish a Book in Australia- Part 2
How To Publish a Book in Australia- Part 2
- Produce your book
This step is all about getting a manuscript together.
Organise the sections and chapters
After dumping all of your information, you can now organise it into the main sections of the book(s) and break it down further into actual chapters.
At this point, you can come up with names for them, or if that slows you down, go ahead and number the topic you’ll share in that particular chapter, and then come back later to insert the name..
Begin the writing process
Once you know what chapters you would like to include in your book, you can work through them in any order you’d prefer. Start with the topic you feel most inspired by. There’s no need to write your book in a linear fashion, from start to finish. It’s easy to cut and paste and move your content around later. At this stage you just want the words on paper. A great editor can help with the ordering of the information that makes the most sense to the reader. Schedule writing time
Set aside regular intervals for your sessions and decide how much time you’ll allot. A great tip is to set a timer for five to ten minutes and start writing. Don’t stop to edit. Just get the information down. Once you’re done, go ahead and set another timer, and keep this up until if you’ve completed your appointment time for that session.
You might want to include case studies and personal stories within the book that help the reader understand a topic or concept. It can serve to highlight the ways in which you help people, so your readers can gain a better understanding as to how you can assist them as well.
Include all of your knowledge
Put all of your best information in your book, even if you plan to use it as a marketing tool for your products and services. You might be worried that someone reading your book can proceed with their goals based on the information you’ve already imparted, but more often than not, those same people will be intrigued and want to work with you. They’ll take up your coaching services, book you as a speaker or attend your workshops and retreats. Don’t hold back. Though it may not seem like it, what you share in your book is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the benefits you and your readers can receive.
Get your book edited and proofread
Having your draft manuscript edited and proofread is a must. There are so many places to find great book editors online who will ensure it’s error-free and reads well, even if you’ve never written a book before.
I’m the first to say there’s a big difference between being a writer and an author. You don’t need to be a writer to publish a book. You just need to order and organise what you know and let your editor polish it into a masterpiece.
Determine the length of your book
I’m always asked, “How many words should my book be?”, and my answer is always, “As many words as it takes to keep the reader engaged and to get the information they came for”. These days, shorter, skinny books, anywhere from 15-25k words or less, are well-accepted and are a great experience for your reader. After all, when they finish the book, they’re more likely to share it with others.
2.Publish your book
This step involves taking the manuscript and turning it into print-ready files that you will use to professionally print and distribute your book.
Choose your platform
Your manuscript can be produced as a print book, electronic book, and even an audiobook.
For the print and eBook versions, a book designer takes your edited and proofread manuscript and turns it into a ‘book format’ version, complete with easy-to-read fonts, margins and white space, as well as chapter title pages, headers and footers. Basically, everything that turns the pages of a manuscript into something that looks like a professional book.
This can also be done by a typesetter or graphic designer. The cost of this service will vary in price according to experience and location of the service provider.
There are usually two main files you need to produce in order to publish a printed paperback or hardcopy book: a cover file and an interior pages file. Most authors will also have them ready for electronic book versions as well. Just let your designer know that you’ll want files for a print and an electronic book, as there are different file formats for both.
It’s a good idea to let them know the platform you will be using to print and distribute your book, so the files are formatted correctly for that particular printer. (See more on this below or the third blog in this series.)
Plan for distribution In order to distribute your book, you’ll need ISBN numbers and sometimes a barcode to place on the back cover.
3.Print Your Book
Printing is one of the very last steps in the publishing process. How you decide on a printer will come back to your publishing goals.
Choose your printing option
These days, books are printed as either digital prints, via Print on Demand (POD), or offset printing. In general, POD is used for small volumes, as you can print just one book, whereas offset printing is used for a large volume of books and can often produce a wider range of embellishments on the cover, while also being a less-expensive option.
If you have a large audience hungry for your book, then you may wish to consider offset printing, where the price reduces exponentially as the volume of books you print increases. With POD, the price of the printing remains the same per book, whether you print a hundred or a thousand copies.
Choose your distribution method
Some printers will also distribute your book. With physical bookstores becoming extinct, most distribution these days is via online stores.
If you want to use your book to position yourself, you may also distribute them at one of your speaking engagements or via partnerships with a complementary service provider. For example, a financial advisor may provide books to an accountant, who can then distribute them to clients who may be interested in those services.
As a self-published author, you’re responsible for distribution and marketing as well. It doesn’t matter if you self-publish or go through a publishing house, you’re in charge of it all. Distributors might get your book into stores, but as the author, you need to ensure they make it out of the stores.
By following these simple steps for publishing your own book, you’ll find become an authority in your field and discover what a rewarding and lucrative experience it can be.