It is an author’s dream to turn their manuscript into a published book, right on the bookshelf. But the journey from just a rough draft to a polished book can be exhausting. But with the relevant strategies, whether you’re a newbie writer or an experienced author, publishing your next work can be a cup of tea.

Authors put their heart and soul into every piece of work they write. Publishing a book might be ordinary to you but can be overwhelming for professional writers. Have you ever wondered how the books are well-formatted and well-designed? Trust me, it is a long process.

The new era of eBooks has made it so much easier for aspiring authors to self-publish their work. Here the question arises, how?

In this blog, we will discuss the book publishing process. From editing to formatting to choosing the right publishing path, we’ll look into all the steps that go into launching a book. Are you ready to change your rough draft into a published book? Let’s go!

Steps for Turning Your Manuscript to a Published Book

Step 1: Editing

The journey from manuscript to published book can be exciting. But before you jump into the publishing process, the first and most crucial step is editing. Editing is like the final touches. It can either make or break your work.

There are several types of editing, each having a different purpose. During editing, one needs to be vigilant, with a high-level examination of the manuscript. Any mistake can ruin your image in the market. Here’s a basic approach that can help you with self-editing

• Self-Edit

  One of the basic steps of editing is to read your book as many times as you can to highlight the minor errors. The grammatical errors, punctuation, lack of clarity, and incomplete sentences are considered red flags. There are several tools like Grammarly that can help you highlight the errors but don’t completely rely on them. There are certain errors that these tools don’t highlight and it can turn the tables for you.

• Beta Readers

  If you’re done with self-editing, next comes sharing your manuscript with trusted individuals, known as beta readers. Beta readers should be well aware of books and can provide you with constructive feedback. Whether it is about the character development or plot holes, this step helps in identifying your mistakes from a reader’s perspective.

• Professional Editing

  You might be good at your work, but a professional can outshine your work. Consider hiring an editor who is an expert in your genre. A professional editor can highlight basic mistakes such as structural editing and improve the overall flow of your work. If you’re low on budget and looking for affordable professional editing services, reach out to Kinetic Digital Publishers (KDP).

Step 2: Publishing Path

After editing, here comes the decision-making stage in the book publishing process. It is your choice how to bring your book to the world. There are several ways of publishing out of which three are commonly used. Every publishing path comes with its own set of challenges and advantages. Let’s discuss different methods of publishing.

• Traditional Publishing

  Traditional publishing is the commonly used approach by the authors. In this method, you just have to submit your rough manuscript to the publishers and they will take over the entire process, from editing to publishing and distribution. Do you know why professional support is beneficial? It saves you time. Rather than wasting your time worrying about the book, you just focus on your writing, while the publishing agency will handle the rest.

• Self-Publishing

  Some people want complete authority of their work. No professional help, no names attached, and that is completely fine. For such people, self-publishing is a great option. From editing to designing, to formatting, everything is your domain. Several platforms make self-publishing easier than ever. These online platforms have larger access to a global audience, making your book visible. The only drawback of this path is that you are responsible for everything, including the investment of time and resources.

• Hybrid Publishing

  This option is a mix and match of traditional and self-publishing. Hybrid publishing allows you to have some authority over your work while giving away the rest such as editing and marketing. This approach helps in getting benefits from the expertise of publishers while maintaining the level of independence.

Step 3: Design a Professional Book Cover

There’s a famous saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but in reality, a book is judged by its cover. It is the first impression that readers have of your book. Whether you’re self-publishing or hiring a professional publisher, the book cover should be of high quality. Investing in a cover that reflects your genre and story is a smart move. Use dark tones and bold typography for thrillers and soft colors for romance novels to set the right expectations for readers.

Remember, that the book cover should set the tone and mood of your book.

Step 4: Format Your Manuscript

Ever wondered why the novels go under the process of formatting? What impact does it make? Formatting ensures that your book is easy to read and looks professional. Several tools can also simplify the formatting process. However, if you’ve already hired a publisher, just relax, they’ll handle it.

Step 5: Distribution Process

Once you’re ready with the final book, the next step in the book publishing process is obtaining an International Standard Book Number (ISBN). It is essential for distribution. Moreover, copyrighting your work helps in protecting intellectual property.

After the legal proceedings, come distribution channels. Decide where you want to sell your book. Online retailers such as Amazon and libraries are a great way to reach a larger audience. Self-publishing platforms offer distribution services to make the process easy.

Step 6: Marketing Your Book

After you’re done with your journey from manuscript to published book, here comes the most crucial step – marketing. Several types of marketing can help you portray your book to the world. If you’ve already chosen the traditional path, your publisher will handle the marketing, but if you’re self-publishing, consider building a presence on social media. Post insights and feedback regarding your book to increase visibility.

Conclusion

From manuscript to published book, a rewarding journey that requires careful planning and accurate execution. Each step needs attention to detail or it will all be messed up. By following these steps, the book publishing process can be easy and less daunting. Whether you’re going for the traditional approach or self-publishing, the key to effective results is persistence