EPUBConvert

The Ultimate Self-Publishing Checklist for Authors

Self-Publishing Checklist for Authors

1. Manuscript Preparation

  • [ ] Complete your manuscript
  • [ ] Perform self-editing and revisions
  • [ ] Hire a professional editor (developmental, line editing, copy editing)
  • [ ] Implement editorial feedback
  • [ ] Proofread the final version

2. Formatting

  • [ ] Choose your e-book format (EPUB is recommended for widest compatibility)
  • [ ] Format your manuscript for e-book conversion
    • [ ] Use a clean, simple font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial)
    • [ ] Ensure consistent formatting throughout
    • [ ] Remove any page numbers
    • [ ] Create chapter breaks
    • [ ] Remove any manual page breaks or section breaks
  • [ ] Convert your manuscript to EPUB format (Consider using EPUBConvert for easy, professional results)
  • [ ] Check the converted file on various e-readers or e-reading apps

3. Book Cover

  • [ ] Design a cover or hire a professional designer
  • [ ] Ensure the cover looks good as a thumbnail
  • [ ] Create different sizes of your cover for various platforms

4. Front and Back Matter

  • [ ] Write a compelling book description
  • [ ] Create a copyright page
  • [ ] Write an author bio
  • [ ] Include a table of contents (ToC)
  • [ ] Consider adding other front matter (dedication, acknowledgments)
  • [ ] Add back matter (about the author, other books by the author, call-to-action)

5. ISBN (International Standard Book Number)

  • [ ] Decide if you need an ISBN (not always necessary for e-books)
  • [ ] Purchase ISBN if needed (or use free ISBN from platforms like Amazon KDP)

6. Publishing Platform Selection

  • [ ] Research various e-book publishing platforms (Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo, etc.)
  • [ ] Decide on exclusive or wide distribution
  • [ ] Create accounts on chosen platforms

7. Book Metadata

  • [ ] Choose relevant categories and subcategories for your book
  • [ ] Select appropriate keywords for discoverability
  • [ ] Set your book's price

8. Publishing

  • [ ] Upload your EPUB file to chosen platforms
  • [ ] Add your book cover
  • [ ] Input all necessary metadata
  • [ ] Review and publish

9. Marketing and Promotion

  • [ ] Set up an author website
  • [ ] Create social media accounts for author branding
  • [ ] Plan a book launch strategy
  • [ ] Reach out to book bloggers and reviewers
  • [ ] Consider running promotions or ads

10. Post-Publication

  • [ ] Monitor sales and reviews
  • [ ] Engage with readers
  • [ ] Plan for your next book

Remember, while this checklist covers the main steps, self-publishing is a learning process. Stay flexible and be prepared to adapt your strategy as you gain more experience. Good luck with your publishing journey!