The advent of digital publishing has made the work of self-publishing increasingly accessible and less challenging for authors. Self-publishing authors have been spared the task of overseeing all aspects of production, ranging from document preparation to selecting the exact components for paperback manufacture. This obligation includes the goal of generating profit while ensuring the creation of a book with exceptional quality. However, with the emergence of digital publishing, the act of self-publishing has become even more convenient and cost-effective, as no paper or ink is required to distribute the final work to the intended audience.
Although self-publishing authors have bypassed traditional publishers, it is important for the authors to acknowledge the various processes involved in digital publishing; otherwise, they may find themselves at a disadvantage. The self-publisher assumes full control over various aspects, including rights, financial gains, time, and accolades. However, when it comes to digital self-publishing, the author is still responsible for handling their legal affairs. This is crucial, as it contributes to safeguarding the book on the World Wide Web. The following are the essential steps in the digital self-publishing process:
Planning the Document
This is the first step for an author who wants to self-publish. The author must ask themselves the following questions:
- What is the main idea of the book?
- What is the message this book aims to pass across?
- Who is the target audience of the book’s content?
- What is the book’s genre?
The above-listed questions are geared toward the manuscript the author wants to publish. The book, upon completion, must be formatted, edited, and properly proofread. Everything in the book should be error-free, as this helps increase the quality. A book with good content but punctuation and grammatical errors is as good as a bad book because readers perceive such stories as lower in quality, credibility, and they might not trust the information it conveys.
Understanding Self-Publishing
Before self-publishing, authors need to understand the intricacies of self-publishing itself. It has both advantages and responsibilities, which the author must understand fully. Its advantages include bypassing traditional publishers and owning all rights to the book. However, the responsibilities are enormous. These include editing, proofreading, book design, marketing, choosing the best distribution format, selecting a self-publishing company, and ensuring that the book is properly copyrighted and duly registered to protect it against plagiarism. Self-publishing authors need proper orientation on what publishing entails, as the author takes on the sole responsibility for a work that is otherwise undertaken by an entire company and a range of offices.
Choosing a Digital Publishing Platform
The writer has to be familiar with the platforms. A digital publishing platform can be chosen based on referrals, reviews, or previous experiences. But it is always best to check what the website offers, get accustomed to their platform benefits, and also join their author community to learn more about the company. Additionally, it is best to always compare companies’ royalties and benefits, check payment methods, and ensure they suit the author perfectly. One also has to check the reputation of the company, the kinds of backlist they publish, the genres of books they focus on, and how many successful authors are on the platform.
Signing Legal Documents
Certain digital publishing organizations offer free entry and allow publication without requiring legal agreements. However, the majority of organizations require writers to sign contracts, which may be either exclusive or non-exclusive. An exclusive agreement implies that the writer is restricted from publishing their book on any other platform, while a non-exclusive agreement allows the writer to publish their book elsewhere. Furthermore, before signing contracts, the writer must meticulously analyze all conditions and phrases contained within to avoid relinquishing their rights. Another component of the necessary legal paperwork for self-publishing is the registration of copyright and barcode. Online books are highly susceptible to copyright infringement. To safeguard their work, the author must ensure that the books are properly registered. Additionally, it is necessary to register for an ISBN (International Standard Book Number). For self-publishers, it is advisable to safeguard their book against internet plagiarism. Following the process of copyright protection, the self-publisher or digital publishing business may decide to release it in paperback format, providing all the necessary documentation if the e-book gains popularity.
Choosing an Uploading Format
There are several distribution formats for uploading an e-book, including PDF (Portable Document Format), EPUB, AZW, HTML, and Word documents. Some digital companies specify the format to upload in, while others leave it up to the writer to choose. Regardless, it is best to choose a format that works best with e-reader devices, as this will enable easy accessibility for readers.
Uploading the Document
Uploading a document on a digital publishing website is usually done in a matter of seconds, depending on the speed of the internet connection and an adequate understanding of the publishing website’s interface. There are several steps the self-publisher has to consider before publishing their e-book. While uploading the content, the right cover page has to be chosen.
Marketing
Books published online need marketing just like their paperback counterparts. For every book to be known, it needs to be promoted, and this can only be achieved through marketing. Since it is an online book, online marketing and social media can go a long way. In order for the self-published author to have a pleasant experience with digital publishing platforms, they must take cognizance of the steps and follow them properly to ensure a smooth, issue-free self-publishing process.
After learning all of these processes, the author is ready to self-publish. The daunting task for authors is not knowing the process or journey they are embarking on before deciding to self-publish. But with the process outlined and explained this way, it will be a smooth walk for the author.
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2 comments
This is digital publishing made easier.
Thank you for this, very insightful.