Choosing to work with a self-publishing service can streamline your journey from manuscript to published book. Instead of navigating the complex terrain of editing, design, formatting, and distribution entirely on your own, these companies offer bundled expertise and support. However, it’s essential to have realistic expectations about the process and what your role will be.
Here’s a breakdown of what authors can generally expect when using a reputable book publishing services:
1. Initial Consultation and Package Selection
- Your Manuscript: You’ll typically need a completed manuscript, or at least a very well-developed draft, to present to the service.
- Needs Assessment: The service will likely offer an initial consultation (often free) to discuss your book, your goals, and your budget. They’ll assess your manuscript’s needs, particularly for editing, to recommend suitable packages.
- Package Options: You’ll be presented with various packages, usually tiered (e.g., basic, standard, premium), each offering a different combination of services. These might include:
- Editing: Varying levels from basic proofreading to comprehensive developmental editing.
- Design: Cover design (custom vs. template) and interior formatting for print and ebook.
- ISBN & Copyright: Options for their ISBN or using your own.
- Distribution: Ebook and print-on-demand distribution to major retailers.
- Marketing: Basic promotional tools to more extensive marketing campaigns.
- Contract Review: This is a critical step. Carefully read the contract to understand what’s included, what’s not, payment terms, royalty splits, and any hidden fees. Clarify ownership of final files (you should always retain these) and copyright (you should always own it).
2. The Production Phase (The Core Services)
Once you’ve chosen a package and signed the contract, the hands-on work begins. This phase typically involves a project manager who acts as your main point of contact.
- Editing:
- Submission: You’ll submit your manuscript, usually in a Word document.
- Collaboration: Depending on the editing level, you’ll receive editor’s notes, tracked changes, and queries. You’ll work with the editor (or through your project manager) to review, discuss, and implement changes. This can involve multiple rounds of revisions.
- Approval: You’ll approve the final edited manuscript.
- Cover Design:
- Briefing: You’ll provide input on your vision, genre, target audience, and any specific ideas for the cover. You might share examples of covers you like or dislike.
- Concepts & Revisions: The designer will create initial concepts (usually 1-3). You’ll provide feedback, and they’ll make revisions. This is an iterative process until you approve the final cover.
- Interior Formatting (Typesetting):
- Layout: The service will format your approved manuscript for both ebook and print. This involves choosing fonts, setting margins, handling chapter breaks, and ensuring a professional, readable layout.
- Proof Review: You’ll receive digital proofs (e.g., PDF for print, ePub for ebook) to review for any errors or formatting issues. This is your last chance to catch mistakes before going to print. Pay meticulous attention to this step!
- ISBN & Metadata:
- The service will handle the technical aspects of assigning the ISBN (whether theirs or yours) and inputting your book’s metadata (title, author, description, keywords, categories) into the relevant databases.
3. Distribution Setup
- Platform Submission: Once the production files are finalized and approved, the service will upload your book to the agreed-upon distribution channels (e.g., Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Apple Books, Kobo, etc.).
- Global Reach: This usually means your book becomes available to major online retailers worldwide, and for print, potentially to thousands of bookstores and libraries through wholesale networks.
- Availability: It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for your book to appear across all platforms, depending on the retailer and the service’s process.
4. Marketing & Promotion (If Included)
- Basic Tools: You can expect assistance with setting up your author pages on retail sites (e.g., Amazon Author Central, Goodreads).
- Campaigns: If you’ve opted for marketing packages, this is where the real work begins. This could involve:
- Developing a marketing plan.
- Writing and distributing press releases.
- Setting up social media campaigns.
- Managing online advertisements (often with an additional ad budget from you).
- Connecting with reviewers or influencers.
- Your Active Role: Even with full marketing support, your involvement is crucial. You’ll need to actively build your author platform, engage with readers, and promote your book. No service can sell your book for you; they provide tools and expertise.
5. Post-Publication Support and Royalties
- Sales Reporting: The service will provide access to a dashboard or reports detailing your book’s sales across different platforms.
- Royalty Payments: They will collect royalties from the retailers and then pay you your share, according to the agreed-upon schedule (e.g., monthly, quarterly), after deducting any service fees or distribution percentages.
- Ongoing Support: Reputable services offer ongoing customer support for queries related to distribution, sales, or minor updates to your book’s listing.
- Revisions/Updates: If you need to make changes to your book’s content or cover after publication, the service will usually facilitate this, though there may be additional fees for significant revisions.
What Not to Expect:
- Guaranteed Bestseller Status: No legitimate service can promise that your book will be a bestseller. Success depends on many factors, including the book’s quality, market demand, and your marketing efforts.
- Passive Income: Self-publishing, even with services, is not a “set it and forget it” endeavor. Active marketing and engagement are required for sustained sales.
- Traditional Publisher’s Brand: While your book will look professional, it won’t carry the brand name of a major traditional publishing house (unless it’s a very specific hybrid model that aligns with one).
- Free Services: Quality self-publishing services come with a cost. Be wary of anyone promising extensive services for free.
By entering into a partnership with a self-publishing service with clear expectations, authors can effectively leverage professional expertise to bring their literary vision to life, ensuring their book is well-produced and widely available to readers.
