Publishing a book is a big accomplishment that can open up new opportunities and give you a sense of pride and satisfaction. If you’ve been thinking about writing a book for some time, then there’s no better time than now to get started.
The publishing industry has changed a lot in recent years, making it easier than ever before to get your book published. All you need is a little motivation and a knack for writing. By following the below-mentioned 7 steps, you will be able to write your book and become a published author.
1. Decide on the Genre and Category of Your Book
The first question you’ll need to ask yourself is why you planned on writing the book in the first place. After you have identified your ‘why’, you’ll be able to decide on your book’s genre and category. In this regard, it’s important to understand what your goals are and which audience you’re looking to target.
Books can be written about anything, so there’s sure to be a topic out there that you’re passionate about. If you have a creative and solid story in mind, you can write a book on fiction. On the other hand, if you have something historical, scientific, or informational to share, you can opt for nonfiction.
After all of this is sorted out, it’s time to decide on the topic of your book. Make sure to select a topic that appeals to the audience and is easy to read and pronounce. Most writers also prefer to choose a title after finishing their first draft. This is also considered a good approach.
2. Start Writing
Once you have your book’s genre and category picked out, it’s time to start writing. This is where the fun really begins. Remember, there’s no wrong way to write a book; just start putting your thoughts down on paper, or a laptop may be. And don’t worry if you don’t know how to start or end a particular chapter in your book. That’s what editing is for. Just get your ideas down and worry about making them perfect later.
However, make sure to adopt a daily routine of writing, even if it’s just half an hour or 15 minutes. Also, set a daily target for yourself to achieve. New writers can start with writing 1000 to 1500 words a day and then work their way up. Try not to push yourself too much. Just achieve your daily target, and you’ll soon get to the final mark.
3. Get Feedback on Your Book
Now that you have finished writing the first draft of your book, the next step is getting feedback. This is important because it will help you fine-tune your book and ensure it is the best it can be. There are a few different ways you can get feedback on your book.
You can ask friends and family to read it and give their thoughts. Or, you can submit your book to beta readers. Beta readers will read your book and give honest feedback about the story plot and character development. They will also point out any errors or typos in your draft.
4. Hire an Experienced Editor
Hiring an editor is also a part of getting feedback on your first draft, but it is a somewhat more professional approach. A good editor will help you perfect the plot, catch any errors, and give you advice on how to improve your writing.
It’s important to hire an editor who is experienced in the type of book you’re writing. For example, if you’re writing a novel, you’ll want to find an editor who has experience working with fiction. If you’re writing a non-fiction book, on the other hand, you’ll want to find an editor who has experience working with non-fiction.
You can search online, ask fellow writers for recommendations, or contact a publishing company to hire a qualified editor for your work. Once you’ve found a few possible candidates, read their reviews and testimonials and select the one that best suits your needs.
5. Design an Interactive Book Cover
You might have heard the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, but it’s only true to some extent. The book cover is the first impression of your work, so it’s best to make an effort to design it as interactive, appealing, and professional as possible.
You can either design the book cover on your own or hire a professional book cover designer to put all elements together. If you are designing the cover independently, it’s advised to look at the design themes of other books in the same genre and try to follow them. However, we recommend hiring a graphic designer to save yourself both time and money and publish your book as soon as possible.
6. Format Your Book
Formatting your book is an essential step to making it ready for publishing. There are several different ways you can do it. You can use a word processor like Microsoft Word or a dedicated book formatting tool like Adobe InDesign. If you’re not sure how to format your book, there are many resources available online that can help you.
You can look at the Amazon KDP forums to benefit from the discussions on book formatting. Atticus.io is also a great platform to write and format your book by using the software. It provides an easy interface for writers where they can import your existing work and choose an overall look for your book.
7. Publish Your Book
This is the final step in finishing your book and making it available to your audience. You will have to find a reputed publisher who will help you publish your work. One way to do this is to find a literary agent. Literary agents are professionals who represent authors and help them find the right publishers for their books.
Another way is to submit your book directly to publishers. Many publishers accept unsolicited submissions, so this is a great option if you don’t have a literary agent.
After your book has been published, you will have to market your book to the right audience. Marketing your book should be your top priority after publishing your book. It will help you reach out to your readers and let them know your book is available.