How to Publish a Book: A Step-by-Step Guide

You’ve finished your book, congratulations! The next step is to publish, which can be very overwhelming with all the information available. I’m here to teach you how to publish your book. As a hybrid author, I have published 28 books: 10 with traditional publishers, and 18 independently. There is not much I don’t know about publishing in both forms, which is why I created this publishing guide. (You can find the full list of resources at the end of this article.)

Step 1: Perfect Your Manuscript

Before you even think about submitting your manuscript to a literary agent or publisher, you should ensure that it is in the very best condition you can get it. Writing a book is a marathon, as you now know, but your final version should be so much more than a rough draft.

A few things you can do to perfect your manuscript:

1. Run it through Grammarly or a similar software. Grammarly checks for everything from grammar and typos to improving word choice, consistency, and style. It’s also free. The paid option is better but the free version is good enough to check your manuscript prior to editing.
2. Get a few beta readers to read it. Reading is subjective, so you only need to pay attention to the issues the majority find fault with. If, for example, three of your five beta readers find a scene confusing, the chances are that most readers will, and you need to fix it.
3. Self-edit. Comb through your manuscript as many times as needed to get it in the best shape. Be wary of falling into the trap of editing for editing’s sake. Every change should be an improvement.

Step 2: Choose your Preferred Publishing Path

Preferred is the operative word here because, while many creators broach this subject as a choice, more often than not it is out of your control. Submitting to publishers is not a guarantee of publication. Still, there are pros and cons to both forms of publishing and you should have an idea of which you would prefer. If you have no interest in traditional publishing, for example, you would skip the submission process entirely. Similarly, if your book fails to land you that traditional publishing deal you were after, you would have to decide whether or not to independently publish it, or rather shelve it and move on to writing the next.

Let’s take a look at traditional versus independent publishing (self-publishing).

Traditional Publishing

The traditional publishing route is exactly as it sounds. This is the classic method where you submit your manuscript to a literary agent or directly to a publisher if they are open to direct submissions. If your book is accepted and you are offered a publishing deal, the publisher will handle the production of your book. This includes editing, cover design, distribution, and marketing. This route is preferable for writers who are not full-time and/or do not want to be involved in the post-writing process.

Self-Publishing

Sometimes referred to as independent publishing, self-publishing has become increasingly popular over the past decade or so. This method allows you full creative and financial control over the entire publishing process. It does require the author to invest more time and money initially but publishing platforms such as Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) have streamlined the process and made it as simple as possible.

Step 3: Research and Submit to Literary Agents (Traditional Publishing)

If you would prefer to traditionally publish your book, your next step would be to find a literary agent. Most publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts, so having an agent is imperative. Again, finding an agent to represent you is not guaranteed. It is time-consuming and admin-intensive but if your heart is set on a traditional publishing deal, it’s worth the effort.

Do your research – look into agents who specialize in your genre, and then read through their submission criteria. Follow those criteria to the last detail. Every agent has different requirements – they might want the submission letter in the body of an email, or as a separate Word document. They might want the first page, the first chapter, or the first three chapters. Do they want your document single-spaced, or double-spaced, do they have a preferred font size? Pay attention and submit exactly as instructed. Agents are busy and if you cannot take the time to read their criteria why should they take the time to read your submission?

Take care with your query letter. It must be polished – typos or grammatical errors will give a terrible first impression, and imply your work is sloppy.

Lastly, be persistent. Harry Potter was rejected by 12 publishers, Twilight by 14. Keep querying, keep throwing out that line. You never know when an agent will bite.

Step 4: Self-Publish Your Book (For Indie Authors)

If you opt to self-publish your book, you are about to wear many hats. Author, publisher, designer, marketing specialist… all these tasks will fall to you.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Edit Your Book: Even if you’re self-publishing, your manuscript needs professional editing. DO NOT skip this step. If you cannot afford to hire a professional editor, save up until you can. If you are not prepared to invest money in your book, how can you expect readers to spend money on it? In my opinion, this step is non-negotiable, especially for a new author. Once you have written more books, worked with multiple editors, and perfected your craft, you might be able to get away with software and beta readers, but that is not something you should consider lightly. Make sure to decide the type of editor you need – developmental, copy editor, or both?
• Design Your Cover: A cover can make or break a book’s success. Hire a graphic designer with experience in book cover design, or use platforms like Canva if you’re on a tight budget. The premium version has great book cover options. Make sure that you pay for licensed images through a platform like Deposit Photos, or Shutterstock. Do not take images off a Google search.
• Format the Interior: Formatting your book for print and digital platforms can be tricky, but it’s essential for a professional appearance. Tools like Vellum can streamline this process but are only viable if you plan to release multiple books. You can also find book and ebook formatters on Fiverr.
• Choose Your Platform: Decide whether you’ll publish exclusively on Amazon (through KDP Select) or distribute more widely through platforms like IngramSpark or Draft2Digital. Each platform has its pros and cons, so consider your goals carefully.

Step 5: Understand the Legalities

Publishing a book involves some legal aspects, regardless of the route you choose. Here are the basics:

• ISBN: Every book needs an ISBN (International Standard Book Number). This is a unique numerical identifier for your book. Self-publishing platforms such as Amazon generate free ISBNs when you publish through the platform, but you may want to source your own to maintain control over your book’s distribution. The process of how to obtain an ISBN number differs from country to country. In S.A. we can get a free ISBN number by contacting the NLSA.
• Copyright: In most countries, work is automatically protected by copyright once written. If you want additional protection, I’d advise that you register your copyright with the copyright office or governing body in your country of origin.
• Publishing Rights: If you have signed with a traditional publisher, you are in all likelihood handing over all rights to your work to the publishing company. Make sure to read your contract carefully and know which rights you are selling (e.g., translation rights, film rights). Once these have been sold, it is very difficult to get them back, so be sure! I always recommend an author work a sunset clause into their contract and pay special attention to any right of first refusal and non-compete clauses. I’ll explain this in more detail later in the guide.

Step 6: Marketing and Promotion

When your book is published, the real work begins. A book is not successful simply by virtue of publication. Now you need to get readers to notice it, in the ocean of new releases published every year. This is more work for the self-publisher, though more and more, I am seeing traditionally published authors having to build a platform and engage with readers.

Some marketing strategies to consider:

• Social Media: Build a presence on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your writing process, run giveaways, or post teasers to build excitement.
• Email List: Start building an email list as early as possible, preferably while you are still in the writing phase of your author journey. When you launch your book, these are the people who will be most likely to buy it and spread the word.
• Book Reviews: Reach out to book bloggers, podcasters, and influencers to request reviews. Try to find people who like to read in your genre. Early reviews are crucial to gaining visibility, especially on platforms like Amazon.
• Paid Advertising: Consider running ads on Amazon, BookBub, or Facebook to target your ideal readers. Ads can be a great way to boost visibility. Just be sure to set a budget and measure your results. If you aren’t seeing a positive ROI, you need to stop all paid advertising and educate yourself before trying again.

For more information on marketing, my book marketing guide is under development and will be available in the coming weeks.

Step 7: Launch Your Book

The culmination of all your hard work! It has been over a decade and I still remember my first book launch like it was yesterday. Whether you’ve planned a launch party (which I highly recommend, especially for a first book), a virtual event, or simply announced your book on social media, you should try to capitalize on your launch.

I always advise authors try to recover all their costs at an in-person event so that moving forward any sales are pure profit.

Here are some ways to make your launch a success:

• Plan a Pre-Launch Campaign: Start promoting your book at least a month before its release date. Create a buzz with pre-orders, cover reveals, and teasers on social media.
• Collect RSVPs: Keep a record of how many attendees you expect at the event so you can be sure to have enough printed books available. I have attended launches where books sold out quickly and the author lost sales momentum.
• Engage with Readers: Respond to comments and messages on social media, thank reviewers, and engage with potential readers. Be polite and likable – people will be more likely to invite friends and family along if they feel personally invested in you and your book.
• Run Promotions: If you’re self-publishing, consider running a launch-day sale that gives attendees a special price, a piece of merchandise, or a free gift exclusive to the launch.

Step 8: Keep Writing

The best way to build a long-term career as an author is to keep writing. Publish your book and immediately start working on your next project. Whether you are self-publishing or traditionally publishing, building a body of work is key to long-term success. A backlist is a powerful tool. If an author discovers your book and loves it, they are very likely to go in search of something else in your catalog.

Final Thoughts

Publishing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires patience, persistence, and a lot of hard work, but seeing your book in the hands of readers makes it all worth it. Whether you’re aiming for a traditional route or self-publishing, follow these steps, stay committed to your craft, and enjoy the journey. For a full list of resources, you can follow the publishing guides outlined below:

Traditional Publishing:

• Part 1: Traditional Publishing vs Self-Publishing
• Part 2: The Step-by-Step Process of Traditional Publishing
• Part 3: The Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing
• Part 4: How to Find a Literary Agent
• Part 5: How to Write a Query Letter
• Part 6: Understanding Literary Contracts
• Part 7: How to Write a Synopsis
• Part 8: Master the Elevator Pitch
• Part 9: How to Write a Book Proposal
• Part 10: The Big Five Publishers
• Part 11: The Manuscript Submission Process

Self-Publishing:

• Part 1: Traditional Publishing vs Self-Publishing
• Part 2: How to Self-Publish a Book
• Part 3: How to Self-Publish on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
• Part 4: The Costs Involved in Self-Publishing
• Part 5: Editing your book manuscript
• Part 6: The Importance of Book Cover Design
• Part 6: What is an ISBN and how to get one
• Part 7: Self-Publishing Success Stories

Until next time, happy publishing!

MD x

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)