How to self publish your first book

Plan Everything First!

Ask yourself, what is it that you want to write? A story, poetry, recipe, biography, memoir, etc... Take a trip to a bookstore & find out what other popular books in your genre look like.

Step 1: Writing

There are many ways to write a book. The most important thing to understand is, no matter what, just write as much as possible. Whenever possible. Editing everything comes later. WRITE WRITE WRITE!

Step 2: Editing / Rewriting

When you are finished with your first draft. Re-read your work and start making corrections. It is best to make multiple passes over your work looking for one specific problem at a time.

For instance, spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, paragraph continuity, etc. It is a lot more effective when each one is focused on separately.

Step 3: Outside Input / Criticism / Editing / Rewriting

When you can't find any more corrections to make, give your work to a TRUSTED friend or family member, that can give you an unbiased opinion on your work, as well as notes on any changes/corrections.

It is best to do this with multiple people to get different points of view. Make sure these people actually want to do it for you. If they are not sure, don't even bother. It will waist your time.

Optional Step: Professional Editing

Once you have had your book looked at. This is where you must make the choice to have a professional editor, edit your work or leave it as it is. There are thousands of affordable editors out there.

Just be sure to do your research on the editor you want to help you. What have they done? Do they have reviews? How long have they been doing it? Did they go to school for it? Etc.

Step 4: Cover Design

There are many ways to go about designing your book cover. •Draw it out on paper • Paint it on a canvas • Draw it on a computer • Take a photograph • Buy a stock photograph • Hire a cover artist

Whichever method you choose, be original. Look at other popular books to get an idea how their cover design corresponds to the book content. What kind of single image describes your entire work?

How does the title fit into the image? Do you want text on the front? Do you want your real name or a pen name on the book? Think about color, font type, and its size.

Since this is your first book, DO NOT MAKE YOUR NAME BIGGER THAN THE TITLE. Leave that to all the narcissistic famous authors out there.

Step 5: Purchase Your ISBN Number

ISBN's are not cheap. If you can get one for less than $125 "not from the U.S. ISBN agency Bowker". I highly stress that you DO NOT PURCHASE the cheaper ISBN. You won't completely own your book.

Go to the website: www.isbn.org to purchase your very own number. This is the only place in the U.S. to buy one where you will have complete rights over your work. Read more on the website.

This part is important. If you want a print version & a digital version, you will need 2 separate ISBN numbers. If you plan on writing more than 1 book, buy your numbers in bulk. They will be cheaper.

Step 6: Find your POD (print on demand) printer.

Find a printer that works best for you. There are many out there, like, • Create Space • Lulu • Wordclay • Blurb • etc... So do your research!

Step 7: Marketing

Once you have everything finalized 'before your book release'. Plan out your marketing strategy! Can you afford to design and print out flyers? Business cards? Posters? Even have swag made?...

Whatever the case, you need to get your name and book information out there so people know your book exists. Social media is free, so utilize it!

Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Goodreads, Amazon, Google+, About.me, Wordpress, etc...

Your book needs its own social media accounts on as many services as you can comfortably maintain every day or at the minimum, twice a week. Also it most certainly needs its own dedicated website.

If at all possible, create an online store for your book. Here is an exsample, http://www.andrewginier.com/store/

If U can afford it, it is best to buy your own domain name and website. A website & domain name will run you around $20 to $100 (varies). Jimdo.com is a very user friendly website provider. It's free.

If you can afford the paper flyers & business cards, bring them to book stores, libraries, malls, post them on bulletin boards, at community centers, etc...

Step 8: Pre/Post Release

Keep your book affordable. Don't over price it far from its production value.

Offer your followers/friends on the Internet, different types of deals, review deals, swag. Limited time free/half off book sales, short, fun, & interesting contests etc...

The best way to sell something, is to ALWAYS give them something for free as a promotion. This gets your name out there and shows you are generous.

Look for & market yourself to as many bookstores, libraries, farmers markets, local events, conventions, & whomever else will allow you to sell or advertise your book in person at their establishment.

Post your face next to your book online during your book's release.

Use your book cover in interesting ways to promote it's content.

Go to your local library and donate a couple of your books. They might have a local author section. It might even get you invited to events promoted by the library as well.

Finally, try to make this process fun, in your own individual way. It shouldn't primarily be about making money. It should be about sharing your thoughts, ideas, & creativity with the masses.