5 Steps to Getting Your Book Published Successfully
Have you always dreamed of becoming a published author?
Writing a book is a dream for many people, but getting it published can seem like an insurmountable task. Fortunately, there are many options available to aspiring authors that make the process of getting a book published much easier than it used to be. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different ways you can get your book published, as well as some tips for making sure your book stands out from the crowd. So, let's get started on your journey to becoming a published author!
1. Write a compelling book.
The first step to getting your book published successfully, whichever route you choose, is to write a compelling book. This means creating a story or message that captivates your readers and keeps them engaged from beginning to end. Take the time to develop your characters, plot, and themes for fiction or make up and flow for non-fiction and make sure your writing is clear, concise, and well-structured.
A compelling book starts with an attention-grabbing title. Your title should be catchy enough that readers will be intrigued by what your book has to offer. Next comes the cover, a good cover design will help draw readers in and make them more likely to pick up your book off the shelf or click on it online. Make sure it is a design that stands out on bookshelves in your genre as well as being eye-catching in a small thumbnail online where small details can’t be seen.
Consider getting feedback from beta readers or a writing group like my Aspiring Authors Community to help you refine your work. Remember, the better your book is, the more likely it is to get noticed by publishers and readers alike.
Take the time to develop your characters, plot, themes, make up and flow.
2. Edit and revise your manuscript.
Once you have completed your manuscript, it’s important to edit and revise it thoroughly. This means checking for spelling and grammar errors, as well as ensuring that your writing is clear and concise. You may also want to consider hiring a professional editor to help you refine your work. Remember, the editing process is just as important as the writing process and can make the difference between a good book and a great one. Take the time to polish your manuscript before submitting it to publishers or self-publishing.
Before approaching a professional editor, you can make a start yourself with tools like Grammarly or Hemmingway.
I have the Chrome extension for Grammarly installed on my Mac so that it highlights suggestions and errors as I write. I’d advise ignoring any big edits until you’ve written the majority of your work, otherwise, it will feel like you’re not making progress.
One of the things I like about Hemmingway is the readability grade it gives you, this is linked to the school grade level of education of your readers. For most books, you want to keep between grades 5-8. Anything above 10 isn’t great. Obviously, if your books are aimed at young children, you probably want to keep it as low as possible.
Check your manuscript for spelling and grammar errors, and ensure that your writing is clear and concise.
3. Research and choose the right publishing option.
Before you can successfully publish your book, you need to decide which publishing option is right for you. Whichever you choose, you will be responsible for marketing your book.
3.1 The Traditional Publishing Route
The traditional publishing route is a common way to get your book published. This involves submitting your manuscript to publishers and agents who will then decide if they want to take on your project. The process can be long and arduous, you work to the publisher’s time scale and they dictate design and editing choices, but if you have a great idea and are willing to put in the work, it can be worth it in the end.
3.2 Self-Publishing
Self-publishing is becoming increasingly popular for authors who want to take control of their own destinies. With self-publishing, you have complete control over the entire process from start to finish. You’ll need to invest in editing services, cover design and book formatting, but you’ll also have more freedom when it comes to pricing, distribution and your timeline for publishing.
3.3 Hybrid Publishing
Hybrid publishing is a combination of traditional publishing and self-publishing that gives authors more control over their projects while still offering some of the benefits of traditional publishing such as access to distribution channels and editorial support. Hybrid publishers typically offer services such as editing, cover design and book formatting support and can help authors get their books into readers’ hands faster than they could on their own.
Do your research and choose the option that best fits your goals and budget. If you’re interested in getting help with self-publishing or hybrid publishing then book a call and I can help you get started.
Research and choose the publishing option that best fits your goals and budget.
4. Create a professional book proposal.
If you're pursuing traditional publishing, creating a professional book proposal is essential. This document should include a summary of your book, information about your target audience, a marketing plan, and a brief author bio. It's important to research the submission guidelines for each publishing house you're interested in and tailor your proposal accordingly. A well-crafted book proposal can make all the difference in catching the attention of a publisher and securing a book deal.
Even if you’re not considering a traditional publishing route, the process of writing a book proposal can be beneficial. It will help you to bring all of your information and thoughts about your book and you as an author into one place and that will make marketing your book much easier.
5. Build your author platform.
Building your author platform is an important step in getting your book published successfully. This means establishing a presence and following on social media, creating a website, blog or podcast, and networking with other authors and industry professionals. Connecting with other authors in your genre can help give you insight into what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to promoting books online or at events like conventions or conferences.