8 Must-Do’s to Self-Publish Responsibly

We have been trade book publishing professionals for quite some time now, and we’ve seen a lot of changes in the industry. But the one thing that never changes is the care and attention a book needs to make it a quality product. In traditional publishing, a manuscript goes through many stages before it becomes a book. From writing, editing, and copyediting to cover and interior design, typesetting, and proofreading, each stage of the process is integral to producing a quality product. Whether or not you are working with us, these are the steps we recommend you follow if you wish to self-publish responsibly:

1. Have your manuscript evaluated by a professional book editor and make appropriate revisions.
2. Work with an editor and/or copyeditor to get your manuscript in the best possible shape.
3. Work with a cover designer to put a “face” on your book that reflects your intentions.
4. Provide your cover designer with engaging marketing copy for the back of your book.
5. Work with an interior book designer to give the insides of your book a framework that’s attractive and easy to navigate.
6. Read your page proofs carefully and have a professional proofreader read them as well. Mark up your proofs with any necessary corrections, and communicate them clearly to your book designer.
7. Give your book a final review to ensure that all requested changes are reflected and no glaring errors exist before they are uploaded to your  printer/distributor.
8. Review a proof of your book before hitting “publish.”