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,
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POSTED IN: Book Writing, Editing, Pubishing & Marketing
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