A Step-by-Step Guide to Publish A Book Successfully in 2023 (Part 1)
The process of publishing a book can be ambiguous for a lot of first-time writers. Publishing is a crucial step that gives life to the manuscript and brings it in front of its intended readers. Most gifted writers thoroughly enjoy the process of writing, but publishing can appear a daunting task for those unfamiliar with the process. This step-by-step guide will help you understand the publishing process and how to successfully publish a book in 2023.
Weigh The Pros and Cons of Different Publishing Approaches
Before embarking on the publishing journey, it is important to decide on the publishing route. Whether you want to self-publish or traditionally publish, i.e., work with a publishing house. Weigh in the pros and cons of both approaches to make an informed decision.
With self-publishing, the author has complete creative control and is able to publish their book in a shorter span of time. The author receives a considerably higher percentage of royalties. On the downside, you will shoulder all the cost and responsibility for the production and marketing of the book.
If you choose to work with a publishing house, you will have an experienced creative team to market your book effectively to bring it to the public eye. They will also distribute your book to major bookstores. The chances of being nominated for literary prizes and bestseller lists also increase if you follow the traditional route. On the downside, you will have minimal creative control, considerably fewer royalties, and it takes a much longer time to publish the book.
Edit The Manuscript Thoroughly and Methodically
Seasoned authors and editors agree that editing is the most crucial step of the entire publishing journey. There is much room for improvement in the first drafts, and editing is key. Editing improves the quality, helps amends the mistakes, and adds depth and nuances to your work. To make the best of this process, consider the following tips:
After finishing the draft, give yourself a week before starting the editing process. This way, you will approach the draft with a clearer and fresher mind.
Critically analyze all the characters, plots, and subplots of the story. Do the plots seem logical? What are some plot holes I should reconsider? Are the characters multi-layered and believable? Is the ending well-rounded, or does it seem rushed?
After analyzing the book's plot, work on the voice, delivery, and choice of words. The writing style should be easy to understand and consistent throughout the book.
Look out for grammatical and mechanical errors.
Finalize A Catchy Title for Your Book
If you haven’t decided on a title for your book yet, you should finalize it after finishing the editing process. The title is the essence of the book, and it should reflect the theme of the book. The following pointers will help you in deciding a suitable title for your book:
Keep the title short and sweet, and avoid being verbose. Two-to-three words titles are easy to remember and convey the message effectively.
A tried and tested formula is to use a well-written phrase in the book as your title. E.g., the phrase ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ not only piques the reader's curiosity but also relates to the theme of the book, and this phrase appears in the text of the novel as well.
Your book title should roll off the tongue easily. For example, the title ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is not only short and sweet but easy to remember and pronounce as well.
Row House is a disruptive publishing company offering a new, transparent, and equitable model to publish groundbreaking books in the spaces of wellness, community, health, psychology, memoir, politics, spirituality, children’s literature, parenting, business, LGBTQIA+, and other genres. We offer an equitable publishing model that represents the values and diversity of the authors and audience we embrace. To learn about our publishing process, visit our website.