| To someone new to the publishing industry, this | | | | next task of your book publishing project, it is |
| article goes over what to expect during the | | | | absolutely crucial to complete each step in the |
| process of publishing your book. | | | | process entirely. In other words, do not try to |
| The best way to understand how publishing a | | | | layout the design for your book unless the text is |
| book works is to view it as a personal journey-a | | | | thoroughly copyedited and complete. The time |
| multi-faceted process of book editing, layout | | | | you and money you spend on publishing services |
| design, art direction, book printing, and selling & | | | | to alter UN-edited text will all be wasted effort. |
| marketing to customers. Your goal is to work | | | | Along the journey, work with your book project |
| with great book editors and book publishing | | | | manager to enlist the right book photographers, |
| companies to produce the best possible result: a | | | | illustrators and book designers to make your |
| quality book that is a real resource to its readers. | | | | book's presentation clean and topnotch. In the |
| This task is labor-intensive and can be daunting, so | | | | design phase, book designers will format |
| I recommend you take a step back, breathe, and | | | | photographs and assign images to pages along |
| tackle first things first. | | | | with certain text. Photo captions, credits and your |
| As someone publishing a book, your first step is | | | | group of fonts will be chosen at this time. At this |
| to learn as you can about the reality of the | | | | point you should request several proofsand drafts |
| publishing business. Researching the publishing | | | | from the designers. As an individual working with |
| industry online is a good start, but will only get | | | | a book publishing company, I would advise that |
| you so far. Call up as many book publishing | | | | you be flexible enough to take professional |
| companies as you can for a conversation. Talking | | | | suggestions, but also have enough controlto |
| to many people will give you a better idea of | | | | manage what you do and don't like. Tell the book |
| what to expect, and what differentiates stellar | | | | designer or book project manager as soon as |
| publishing editors from the mediocre ones. Find | | | | possible if you want tochange something. |
| the book publishing team that best fits your | | | | Once you are satisfied with the many proofs and |
| distinct needs. A book project manager should | | | | test prints in the design phase, have confidence in |
| have plenty of experience and a good team of | | | | yourself and your team's book editing as you |
| editors, photographers and layout designers. | | | | send your book to be printed. Book printing and |
| Once you've found the right book publishing | | | | the number of copies you print in this first run will |
| company, you'll want to plan your business | | | | depend on the business plan you and your book |
| strategy. Realistically assessing your own personal | | | | project manager formulated. Seeing your name in |
| strengths and weaknesses will be vital. A book | | | | print is an exhilarating moment. Take a minute to |
| project requires much time and planning, and | | | | pat yourself on the back and to appreciate your |
| working with someone experienced who can | | | | hard labors. But don't sit and bask in the credit for |
| realistically help you identity goals and limitations | | | | too long-you're currently sitting on 2,000 copies or |
| will be crucial to a smart business plan. What is the | | | | so of your newly printed book! |
| timeline for this project? What is a reasonable | | | | After book printing comes time for selling and |
| budget? How many copies should you print | | | | distributing your book. Successful distribution is not |
| immediately? The packaging manager of a good | | | | as simple as getting your book onto the shelves |
| book publishing company will have experience in all | | | | of Barnes and Noble or other book stores and |
| of this, and can help you draft a smart plan for | | | | watching it sell. The best success comes with |
| your project. | | | | marketing your book to an already existing |
| Now, to the book itself: Perfect your writing! | | | | network of followers you may have. Utilize the |
| Multiple book editors and copyeditors should go | | | | resources have readily available, and keep your |
| through your text to make sure it is concise, | | | | eye out for new business opportunities. |
| focused and grammatically correct. Do not just | | | | Most of all, stay positive and patient. The road to |
| rely on yourself or a friend for the editing during | | | | becoming published may be bumpy at times, but |
| this crucial part; the text will always be the | | | | with perseverance and a great book publishing |
| foundation of your book. Before working on the | | | | team, you will produce tremendous results! |