How to Publish a Book: 14 Steps for Self-Publishing

1. Write Your Manuscript  
Before launching into the following steps, it’s important to have a sturdy manuscript. This is not to say your manuscript needs to be perfect--the editing process will allow us to polish it--but a strong foundation and firm vision is needed. Check out Rowanvale’s writing tips and tricks to ensure your manuscript is ready to take on the self-publishing process. 
At this early stage of drafting it is recommended to conduct an editorial assessment to tackle any fundamental issues. Rowanvale’s Editorial Assessment service provides an in-depth manuscript assessment to highlight any crucial issues before the editing process begins.  

2. Plan Your Budget  
The question of how much it costs to self-publish a book is entirely down to the route you wish to take. The average estimated cost of self-publishing a book currently sits at around £1120, though this will vary depending on the format you wish to use. Rowanvale’s all-inclusive publishing packages already include costs like ISBN assignment, as well as valuable post-publication services like Amazon Analysis and Marketing Aftercare that provide invaluable industry expertise.  

3. Edit Your Manuscript
Next up is a rigorous editing process. This stage may include a multitude of edits, such as a developmental edit, editorial assessment, line edit, copyedit and proofread. 
Though it is possible to self-edit, it is recommended to enlist a pair of fresh eyes, as an exterior editor may pick up on things that have so far slipped through the net.  

4. Illustrations
As is common for short story collections, poetry, children’s books and graphic novels, adding illustrations will be the next step for you. At Rowanvale, we offer a Book Illustrations Service, accessible both independently and through our various publication packages. 

5. Obtaining Feedback 
Though your manuscript is now in prime position to move into the publishing stage, there is always room for improvement. We offer a Beta Reader service to highlight any final issues from the readers themselves. Beta readers are essentially a select group of test readers that provide constructive feedback before it hits the market. By utilising Beta readers, self-publishers can perfect their manuscript and conclude the editing stage.  

6. Formatting Your Book 
Now that the pre-publication process is complete, it is time to decide on the publishing format, be it hardback, paperback or eBook. We recommend researching the pros and cons of each form, as this decision will impact factors such as the cost, the distribution and the marketing plan required. 

7. Cover Design 
The next step is to create an enticing cover design. An attractive cover design will help generate initial engagement with buyers, both in-store and online. Therefore, it is extremely important to get it right. Rowanvale provides an exemplary Book Cover service that ensures a bespoke design for every author. 

8. Keyword and Category Research 
At this stage you will need to build a description to entice potential readers and boost market search rankings through the use of keywords and categories. At Rowanvale we include an extensive Amazon Keyword and Category Research step within our publishing packages.  

9. ISBN Assignment 
Now to secure an ISBN number. Self-publishing writers can independently purchase an ISBN from Nielsen UK for the current price of £89. We include an ISBN assignment within our all-inclusive publishing packages, as we know the legalities of book publishing can be a tricky path to navigate as a self-publishing author.  

11. Plan your Marketing Strategy
Though self-publishers can certainly attempt this step on their own, enlisting an expert  or utilising the likes of Instagram and TikTok to personally market their product can seriously boost the overall success of your book. In our Marketing and Aftercare service, we assign a personal marketing advisor to create a bespoke marketing plan for each author.  

13. Engaging with Your Readers 
Creating a lasting and loyal fanbase is extremely important, especially if you plan on publishing again! There are many ways you can engage with your readers, such as through a mailing list, social media or an author website. 
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14. Enjoy your success!
To keep the momentum going and start building relationships with your readership, you may wish to hold some book signings or events in which you can share the celebrations with your newfound readers!