Self-Publishing, Step Three.

Step Three – Putting the book together and Proof Acceptance!

Ok, so you have formatted, you have edited, you have a cover design and a layout to match each media format. You have purchased your ISBN’S, and filed your copyright. You are ready to squish it all together and make a book.

This is where the printer comes in.

(Oh I should mention I am working with the assumption you are using a POD model. That is where your printer is printing a copy for each order processed. This means no worries about warehousing.)

If you followed your printer’s instructions, you will have files to upload for each format. This is where the fun happens. All your hard work and effort will finally culminate into something you can physically hold in your hand!

Usually within 48 hours of your upload, you will have the option to generate a proof.

Do not skip this step, no matter how “perfect” you think the book will be.

You need to see that proof. You need to make sure the book looks perfect.

Once you have that baby in your hot little hands, it’s time to go through it with a fine tooth comb.

Once approved, this is what the world will see. It has to be perfect.

Check the spine, make sure it is even. Check the cover design for flaws, Check the pages to make sure there is no fading on the ink. Make sure the page numbers are correct. Verify chapter headings. Look for spelling and grammatical mistakes (I bet you still find a few.)

On my first proof I found so many problems I had to go back for another round of editing.

Note that each round of revisions will cost you, so try to catch everything you can!

You will probably never catch all mistakes. I have already had people point out the mistakes in my new release. Thankfully they aren’t too many. This is one of the downsides to self-publishing. You don’t have a team of people hunting for each and every mistake. Try to make sure your book is as perfect as can be before you approve it.

On to step 4. What to do once it is printed.

3 comments:

Stina said...

I'm been crazy busy for the last couple of days that I haven't had a chance to read your posts. I better go check out the earlier parts now. Thanks for the insight into self publishing. :)

Theresa Milstein said...

So many traditionally published books have errors, so it doesn't surprise me that you'd find some on yours as well. I think our eyes make corrections for us unconsciously.

Katie Salidas said...

Sadly, even after a round of edits with one pro and two rounds of proofs, I still have people pointing out errors. That is one of the banes of doing it yourself. Let this be my apology for anyone reading Immortalis and finding errors.

About The Author

Katie Salidas is a USA Today bestselling author and RONE award winner known for her unique genre-blending style.

Since 2010 she's penned five bestselling book series: the Immortalis, Olde Town Pack, Little Werewolf, Chronicles of the Uprising, and the all-new Agents of A.S.S.E.T. series. As her not-so-secret alter ego, Rozlyn Sparks, she is a USA Today bestselling author of romance with a naughty side.

In her spare time Katie also produces and hosts a YouTube talk show; Spilling Ink. She also has a regular column on First Comics News where she explores writing from a nerdy perspective.