The Six Steps to Publishing ©Kingsley Publishing Services, 2008

Publishing a book can be divided into six steps. It is critical that each step is completed properly to allow for seamless flow into the step that follows.

• Submission
• Editing
• Design
• Printing
• Fulfillment and Distribution
• Marketing and Promotion

Submission

Ensure that you have written your best possible manuscript. Revise, revise, and revise.

Whether submitting to a traditional publisher or self-publishing with a project manager’s help, know what your book is about and whom it is for. Prepare a one-line, one-paragraph, one-page description. This will be reviewed and used throughout the publishing process. You should also have a good outline for the editor.

If you are submitting to a traditional publisher, do your homework. Know who they are, what they publish, and how your manuscript fits their list. Submissions should include the electronic file, a hard copy, and author information. Keep your word processing file clean. Use as little formatting as possible—leave design to the designer. Hard copies should be double-spaced in a legible typeface. The electronic file and hard copy should contain exactly the same text when delivered.

If you have a project manager or a managing editor, they will work with you to establish an editorial and production schedule. Sticking to this schedule is important to the marketing and promotion of the book, which begins now for most projects.

Editing

A good editor has the eye of a vulture.

Good editors know that this is not “their book” and will help you say what you want to say in the best possible way and in your own voice. They are there to help you look your best.

There are three stages in a professional edit.

The substantive edit is the “big picture.” The editor focuses on the main themes, organization, structure, clarity, and strengths and weaknesses. You should receive a “fixed memo” prior to editing explaining the issues the editor identifies in the manuscript and how he intends to deal with them. Respond to the edit with an open mind. Avoid being defensive.

The copyedit is the most detailed edit of the book. It is a line-by-line edit, often by a second editor, addressing consistency using the chosen spelling and style guide. This editor will look at spelling, grammar, punctuation, levels of heading, and will mark the manuscript for the designer. If requested, the copyeditor often does fact checking.

The proofread is performed once the book has been designed. The proofreader compares the text from the final file sent to the designer to the text in the designed pages to ensure they match exactly. The proofreader marks any new errors he finds and also checks for design errors and inconsistencies. Ideally, the proofreader is new to the project and has not set eyes on the manuscript so that you have a “fresh” set of eyes reviewing the pages.

Design

The designer is responsible for the reading experience.

Good design is essential for your book. It is the packaging. Remember that design is for the reader not the author.

The designer designs cover (front, back, and spine) as well as the interior of the book. The designer should receive the one-line, one-page, one-paragraph description so that she knows what genre and market has been identified. The designer usually offers one or more concepts for the cover and will design a sample chapter with the various elements for sign-off before she proceeds to design the entire book. The designer will also work with the printing press to ensure that the files supplied work with their system. This is especially critical if the book contains colour.

Printing

Use a printer who specializes in books. The printer will print the book according to the quote acquired and will supply proofs for checking. Make sure you explore the many different options your printer can offer. Printing usually takes four to five weeks. It saves you time and money if your files are professionally prepared for the printer and you have few or no changes to make at the printing stage. In order to do that, you need to ensure that the prior steps in the process are handled well.

Distribution and Fulfillment

Unless you have the patience of Job and a lot of time on your hands, taking on your own fulfillment and distribution is a formidable task.

If you have a designated audience for your book and need only fulfillment (someone to store, pack, and ship your books) your printer may offer that service. Or you can hire a fulfillment house. Distribution houses will offer a wide array of services including storage, selling to trade accounts, shipping, invoicing, and handling of returns. They usually charge about 30% of net for this as well as storage and some other fees. But good distribution is essential for your books. There are also many online distribution options, but beware, they can be slow and cumbersome. Much depends on your audience.

Marketing and Promotion

Effective marketing and promotion begins at the submission stage.

This is an essential step for most books (unless you have an audience that will be receiving the books directly such as a corporate history for employees and clients). Good marketing lets booksellers, wholesalers, etc., know about the book and how to order it, and promotion to your targeted audience lets them know where they can acquire the book.

Producing a high-quality book and experience for your readers requires the right team, from author to publicist.

Close

What will it cost to publish a book?

Kingsley Publishing Services does not offer a one-size-fits all package. There are many factors that affect pricing: your needs, quality of writing, permissions, use of colour, paper stock, hard cover vs paperback, type of promotion (local vs national), etc. We work with you to devise a proposal that works specifically for your project and budget. We take on book projects only if the author/company is committed to quality.

Close

What is an ISBN and do I need one?

ISBN is an abbreviation for International Standard Book Number. It acts as a unique identifier for your book and is presented in numerals and barcode form on the book cover and as numerals on the copyright page. ISBNs are available in Canada through The National Library of Canada. All books should have one.

Close

Do I need a distributor?

If you want your book to be available in general trade bookstores, you should have a distributor. If you have a target or captive market, you can use strong marketing and promotion to let your audience know about the book and where they can find it: a website, specific bookstores and outlets. Some distributors are reluctant to take on books not handled by a professional publisher or project manager. Other distributors handle individuals but usually want to see a finished book and a marketing plan before they will consider adding it to their catalogue.

Close

If I send my manuscript to a publisher or a publishing services company, will they steal my material?

If I had a nickel for every time I was asked that question ... It is not out of the realm of possibility, but I challenge you to find even one writer this has actually happened to. You own the copyright to your material as soon as you produce it so no one can "steal your copyright". If publishers and book project managers went about stealing the text of manuscripts, they would not be in business long. It is a small industry. Do put a copyright notice on work you send out, but don't lie awake at night worrying about seeing it on the bestseller list in 6 months under someone else's name.

Close