Self-publishing a book can be an exciting but overwhelming journey. But where do you start? How do you ensure your book looks professional? Recently I interviewed Michele DeFilippo, a publishing industry veteran with over 50 years of experience.
In the interview, Michele breaks down the process into manageable steps so you can bring your book to life while maintaining full creative control and maximizing profits.
You can listen to the full interview with her if you’d like to go a bit deeper into the process.
Step 1: Finish Your Manuscript
Sorry to be Captain Obvious here, but before beginning the publishing process, you need to have a completed manuscript.
“Our services start when you have a manuscript that’s finished to the best of your ability,” Michele explains.
That manuscript doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should be as polished as possible before moving on to the editing stage. Having a clear idea of your book’s message and structure at this stage will make the later steps much smoother.
Step 2: Get Professional Editing
Editing is a crucial step in ensuring your book’s readability and quality. Michele’s company, 1106 Design, starts with an editorial evaluation to determine the level of editing needed.
“We start with an editorial evaluation to figure out which level of editing it may need,” she says.
Editing can range from substantive editing, which restructures the book, to copyediting, which corrects grammar and punctuation. A professional editor helps refine the content, ensuring consistency, clarity, and engagement for the reader.
“You might think your book is perfect, but fresh eyes always find something that can be improved,” Michele emphasizes.
Step 3: Work on the Cover Design
Your book cover is the first thing potential readers will see.
“Cover design is much more difficult than it looks,” Michele warns.
The best covers align with industry standards and are designed to stand out. Michele’s team begins with research, creating three different design concepts.
“We do three very different concepts, not just tiny variations, and then work with the author to refine the design,” she explains.
A great book cover should reflect the book’s genre and attract the right audience while maintaining a polished, professional look.
Step 4: Interior Layout and Typesetting
Once the editing is complete, the book’s interior must be formatted professionally. This is something that would-be authors can sometimes forget about. And it matters because poor formatting can make even a well-written book difficult to read.
And if it’s difficult to read, people are going to assume you don’t know what you’re talking about.
“Typesetting is about more than just making the words fit on the page; it’s about making the book readable and visually appealing,” says Michele.
A professional typesetter ensures consistency and follows industry best practices to create an easy reading experience. This step involves choosing the right fonts, spacing, and layout structure to make the book visually appealing and easy to navigate.
Step 5: Proofreading
Even after thorough editing and typesetting, errors can slip through.
“We send the typeset pages to both the proofreader and the author at the same time,” Michele notes.
This allows for one last quality check to catch any remaining mistakes before finalizing the book for publication. Proofreading also ensures that the final book reflects the highest professional standards.
“You’d be surprised how many small errors can sneak through even after multiple rounds of editing,” Michele adds.
Step 6: Choose the Right Publishing Platform
Print-on-demand services have revolutionized self-publishing.
“Before Amazon, you had to print 5,000 books upfront to get a good unit price. Now, you don’t have to pay for inventory; the book is only printed when someone buys it,” Michele explains.
She recommends using Amazon’s KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) and IngramSpark for broad distribution. KDP is great for reaching Amazon’s vast audience, while IngramSpark provides access to bookstores and libraries. Understanding the pros and cons of different platforms can help maximize your book’s availability and profitability.
Step 7: Upload Your Book and Finalize Metadata
The next step is uploading your book to your chosen platform. This includes setting up your ISBN, pricing, and book description. Michele and her team handle this process for authors to ensure everything is entered correctly.
“We upload the files to your print-on-demand accounts so that you get the sales reports, the deposits, and full control over your book,” she states.
Your metadata, including keywords, categories, and book description, plays a crucial role in discoverability.
“A strong book description with relevant keywords can make a huge difference in how many people find your book,” Michele says.
Step 8: Create a Marketing Plan
Here’s the thing that most authors don’t really want to think about, but it’s critical to your book’s overall success. Publishing a book isn’t enough—you also need to market it.
“Amazon isn’t going to drive traffic to your book unless you run ads,” Michele emphasizes.
Marketing can include running Amazon ads, building an author website, leveraging social media, and reaching out to book reviewers.
“Think about your target audience and where they spend their time online,” she suggests.
Having a pre-launch strategy, including gathering early reviews, can significantly boost visibility.
“If you wait until after the book is live to start marketing, you’re already behind,” Michele warns.
Step 9: Order Proof Copies and Make Final Adjustments
Before launching, order a proof copy of your book.
“It’s amazing what you’ll catch in a printed copy that you didn’t see on the screen,” Michele advises.
Reviewing a physical copy allows you to make any last-minute tweaks before the official launch. Pay attention to the print quality, cover finish, and page alignment to ensure everything looks professional.
“You don’t want to publish and then realize there was an error you could have caught,” she adds.
Step 10: Launch and Monitor Sales
Once your book is live, track its performance and adjust your marketing strategies as needed. Since you keep full control as a self-publisher, you can experiment with pricing, promotions, and ads to maximize your reach and revenue.
“Pay attention to your sales data and tweak your strategy accordingly,” Michele recommends.
Running limited-time promotions or bundling books can help generate more interest.
“Self-publishing is an ongoing process. The launch is just the beginning,” Michele explains.
Final Thoughts
Self-publishing doesn’t mean doing it alone.
“Real self-publishing means you are in charge, you control your book, and you should get all the revenue,” Michele reminds aspiring authors.
With the right team and process, you can publish a professional-quality book and retain full creative and financial control.
By following these steps, you can confidently navigate the self-publishing process and bring your book to market successfully. Ready to publish? Learn more from Michele DeFilippo and her team at 1106 Design!