Self-Publishing: Timing Is Everything!

Have you ever considered self-publishing your work? Does the idea of being your own “publisher” sound enticing? Are you frustrated with the traditional publishing world? Do you want to make all the profit on your book—since you will have to do the work promoting it no matter who publishes it? If so, you might want to seriously think about using some method of self-publishing for your work.

I have to admit, while I call myself a traditional-publishing hold out, I have considered using print-on-demand publishing myself for a few of my own projects. (And, of course, I have self-published several booklets and ebooks.) While researching self-publishing options, I discovered an expert I knew had to write something this year for WNFiN: editor, writer, self-publishing consultant, and writing coach Sue Collier. Sue is also the co-author with Marilyn Ross of the forthcoming 5^th edition of The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing.

In this blog post, Sue offers a complete—and I mean complete list—of things you need to do from before you embark on the self-publishing process until after you have the published book in your hand. You can find this list in the revised edition of The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing (The list gives you a great idea of how much information is in the book, and if you don’t understand something, you know the answers to your questions lie within its pages.) Reading the list makes me, personally, tired…It’s a lot of work to be a publisher, but it can be very rewarding.

Self-Publishing: Timing Is Everything!
By Sue Collier

Are you the type of person who wants to be behind the wheel rather than just go along for the ride? Then you have the right stuff—the stuff self-publishers are made of. Piloting a plane is much like driving a car, except that in flying, the operator’s sights are set higher. So why don’t you step into the cockpit, get your publication airborne and pilot your work to success. The feeling is exhilarating, the rewards are great, and it is a lot simpler than it may seem. Not easy, mind you, but simple.

Of course, as everyone who has gone before can tell you, the ride can sometimes get bumpy. Self-publishing, like flying, offers exciting highs and some worrisome bumps: the pleasures and pitfalls of the trade.

In order for your self-publishing venture to have a good chance of success, you must plan and execute your actions carefully. This timetable will serve as a checklist to help you use your time wisely and do things in the most effective order. Not all items apply to every book; use your own judgment.

I.          Do Immediately

To set yourself up as a self-publisher, you must first “take care of business”—and that means establishing yourself as a commercial entity.

• Read up on the subject to glean an overview of this exciting adventure you’ve embarked upon. Recommended authors include Marilyn Ross and Dan Poynter.
• Start developing a marketing mind-set now!
• Subscribe to Publishers Weekly magazine.
• Order a copy of Literary Market Place from R.R. Bowker.
• Choose your publishing company name. Remember to research to see if it has already been used.
• Write the Small Business Administration for its publications.
• Contact Bowker for ABI information and listing forms, plus ISBN information and log sheet.
• Contact the Chamber of Commerce and discuss local business license requirements, regulations, and procedures.
• File a fictitious name statement (if required in your area).
• Obtain a post office box.
• Have letterhead, envelopes, mailing labels, and business cards printed.
• Open a business checking account.
• Obtain your resale tax permit.
• Write the Library of Congress to get your LCCN.
• Join IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association).
• Research your chosen title to see if it has been used already.
• Get any needed permissions.
• Wrap up last-minute research and verifications.
• Ask competent friends or associates to read/critique/edit the manuscript. Revise accordingly.
• Have your manuscript professionally edited; make changes and proofread them.
• Plan the interior design, and mark the manuscript for typesetting.
• Gather any interior artwork, such as photographs or illustrations; size them.
• Write captions