Your Book – It’s More Than Writing

Bringing your book to market requires a whole lot more than just the writing. While it’s true, nothing happens if you don’t write, once you’ve got a completed manuscript, there are at least 10 things that need to be completed before your finished:

1. Addition of front and back matter – title page, copyright notices, index, acknowledgments, etc. Best source: Chicago Manual of Style

2. Professional copy edit – someone to make sure nothing has slipped through. Truly worth the effort.

3. Cover design – your book’s cover is it’s billboard… hard to understate it’s importance. You need a professional.

4. Back of Jacket copy – second most important billboard for your book. Hard to write yourself.

5. Book design – the interior layout which may include running heads, etc. You need a professional for this. Once the copyediting is complete and the design approved, the designer will use page layout software and “run” the copy into the design… resulting in a .pdf or other form or camera ready copy.

6. ISBN number and barcode – the unique number that let’s bookstores order your book. Designer will include the barcode on the back of the book.

7. LLCN – Library of Congress Number – makes it easier for libraries to pick up your book. Not essential, but nice.

8. Printing – print on demand, short run, or trade publisher. Requires a contract.

9. Distribution – getting the book from printer to its various markets Requires a contract. May also include fulfillment.

10. Marketing – a whole topic in itself.

This list, with a few additional comments, also appears at Writing With Vision.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing – a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision – for those who want to get a book written.