The Process of Writing a Book and Getting it Published

Ready to make that book dream a reality? Then you’ve landed at the right place where you’ll learn everything from writing a book to publishing it.  

Writing a book is enormous work, demanding imagination and self-control. But with that last word, the fight begins… Why? Because we are moving towards the most awaited step – publishing.

There’s a lot of stuff you need to learn to write a book and get it published, especially if you’re a new writer and even a veteran. Whoever it may be, if you really want to write and publish a book that people will remember forever, then keep reading this guide.

Writing a Book, The Most Obvious Step

Well, that’s something you should consider after all this is said and done. First, you need a completed manuscript. Writing a book is not merely the joining of words but forms a story or conveys ideas that will undoubtedly reverberate with the reader. To get started, here’s how to:

Step 1: Brainstorm and Outline

You will need to determine first whether your book will be fiction or non-fiction, a memoir, or a guide to define the concept of your book. Now that you know this, create an outline. This should be a good guideline for structuring your book, from introduction to conclusion.

Tip: Remember your target audience as you outline. If you are composing for a young adult audience, your tone and content should reflect their interests. For nonfiction, research and collect data to support what you are trying to get across.

Step 2: Composing Your First Draft

Once your outline is ready, it is time to begin writing. Do not expect perfection from your first draft. Simply focus on getting your words down on the page. Your draft will probably be a mess, but that is okay. You will have all the time to revise and edit later on.

Tip: Set aside time daily or weekly to write. This will help you create a routine and avoid burnout.

Revising and Editing, MANDATORY!!

This point provides the most essential element that you will apply in writing your manuscript. It is through this editing that your manuscript becomes a book ready for publishing.

Step 1: Self-Edit

Begin by reading through your draft, marking areas of major plot holes, inconsistencies, and weaknesses. This is the ideal time to hone your writing style, pacing, and character development, assuming this is fiction. Nonfiction needs well-formed arguments and strengthened facts.

2. Get Feedback

After you have self-edit, acquire beta readers, individuals who know your subject and can provide constructive criticism. A pro editor can be worth the expense if you’re considering spending money.

You get some feedback, so hear it out, but remember that it’s your book. You decide what to do with their suggestions.

Then Comes Choosing a Publishing Path

After manuscript editing, you have to decide on either traditional or self-publishing. Each has its pros and cons. Choose one based on your purpose, budget, and need for creative control.

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing simply means submitting your manuscript to a publisher or a literary agent. If accepted, the publisher edits, designs covers, and distributes your book. There’s credibility and possibly wider dissemination since well-established publishers are known to have connections to retailers and inventory bookstores.

However, traditional publishing is highly competitive. Getting an agent or publisher to pick up your work can be a huge long shot of time and, at best, may not give you much say about some of the cover design/more critical book features, such as the marketing strategy.

Tip: Research publishers near me or literary agents that specialize in your genre. Cater your submission to their guidelines, and it will likely be noticed more, too.

Self-Publishing

KDP is an advantage when you retain a more significant percentage of the royalties. Generally, self-publishing means most of the heavy lifting is on you—your marketing and distribution. You will have to invest in professional editing and cover design so that the book’s quality is at par.

But choosing KDP publishing as your partner, the entire work is on us. See, if you self-publish, you’ll have to hire some professional authors for professional-looking covers and professional editing, thus creating a solid and marketable production. And you’ll be free from this chaos.

Printing Your Book at KDP

If you are one of those who like the idea of self-publishing, KDP Publishing offers the easiest option for you. Here is a step-by-step guide to publishing your book at KDP:

Step 1: Account creation

You need to open a KDP Publishing account to upload your manuscript, book cover, and other related details.

KDP has strict formats for eBooks and print books. You can either self-format your manuscript or hire a professional to do this job. Guides abound on the internet to help you with this step.

Step 2: Upload Your Manuscript and Cover

When formatting your book, you should also make a professionally designed cover. KDP has a cover creator tool, but hiring someone to do it properly is usually best so you get a professional-looking end product.

Step 3: Pricing and Royalties

You may charge for your book with KDP publishing and choose the royalty. KDP usually offers 70% on a royalty percentage when the book price falls in the $2.99-$9.99 range.

Step 4: Publish

Once you have done all this, click the “publish” button! Your book will go live on Amazon within 24-72 hours.

Tip: To raise your book’s visibility, use the marketing features available through KDP—Kindle Countdown Deals or free promotions, for example.

Promoting Your Book

Regardless of traditional vs. self-publishing, marketing will make or break your book. On your part, most of this falls squarely on you unless you land a traditional publisher who will handle much of it.

Develop Your Author Platform

You create your platform just before the book launch. This can be your website, other social media accounts, or even an email newsletter. You can share your writing journey with your readers, engage with them, and let the buzz around the book grow.

Utilize Social Media

You can use various sites like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to connect with your potential readers. Run promotional campaigns and share snippets of the book to help spread the word about your launch.

Book Reviews

Reach out to book bloggers, influencers, and reviewers on Goodreads. Positive reviews help establish credibility and generate buzz about your book.

Amazon Ads

Even you, being a self-published author, can run Amazon Ads that drive traffic to your book with tons of readers that you target based on their browsing and purchasing history.