A Step-by-Step Guide to Publish A Book Successfully in 2023 (Part 2)
Publishing a book comprises a number of processes. In the previous article, we discussed some preliminary book publishing steps. Now, let’s look at the other important steps that convert a manuscript into a published book.
Formatting
After editing your book thoroughly and assigning a title to the manuscript, it is time to format the book. Formatting is a design process that defines the book's layout and gives it uniformity. Formatting comprises of the following:
Making aesthetic choices such as choosing the page color and font for headings, main body, page number, etc.
Making technical choices such as paragraph breaks, line spacing, font size, etc.
Formatting gives a standardized look to the manuscript and readies it for sending it to the literary agents or book editors. If you plan to take the traditional route for publishing, i.e., working with a publishing house, find out what formatting guidelines they recommend and format your manuscript accordingly.
Design an Aesthetically Appealing and Engaging Book Cover
Publishing houses have an experienced graphics team that will design the book cover for your book. However, no one understands the book better than you, so your input and insight are necessary. Readers will draw their first impression of the book by looking at the cover. Pictures speak a thousand words, and the book cover should not only be visually attractive but should also resonate with the theme and genre of the book.
Keep in mind the following tips when designing a book cover:
Depending on the book's theme, you can choose a cover that is either picture-based, typography-based, or illustration-based. Aim for a perfect balance between catchy yet professional and tasteful. Make it interesting without overdoing it.
The book cover should be in accordance with the mood and theme of the book. Choose pictures, fonts, and graphics that resonate with the mood of the book. For example, choosing bright colors for a serious book is not a good idea. Likewise, a fun book with romantic undertones should have a lively cover.
The book cover should follow a visual hierarchy, i.e., arranging the contents of the title in order of their importance. The title is the most important aspect of most book covers, and it should occupy a prominent place on the book cover. Other items, such as the author's name, endorsements, and prizes, should be placed strategically in order of importance.
Write An Enthralling Book Description
The book description is a short yet powerful synopsis of the book. It is the author’s pitch that is meant to grab readers’ attention and invoke their interest in buying and reading the book. The book description is a marketing tool that can do wonders for book sales.
Follow these tips to write an enthralling book description:
Start the book description with an interesting and dramatic headline. It will act as a hook and compel the reader to learn more about the book.
Give a brief introduction of the main characters and intriguingly introduce the story's plot. For non-fiction books, highlight the core concepts that the book will cover.
The book description should leave the reader wanting more. So, end the description with a question or a cliffhanger.
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.