Oh, if it were as simple as just getting the book written! Finishing
a book manuscript, however, is just the first step in getting your book
to market.
Here's what else needs to be done:
Addition of front and back matter - title page, copyright
notices, index, acknowledgments, etc. Best source:
Chicago Manual of Style
Professional copy edit - someone to make sure nothing has
slipped through. Truly worth the effort.
Cover design - your book's cover is it's billboard...
hard to understate it's importance. You need a professional.
Back of Jacket copy - second most important billboard for
your book. Hard to write yourself.
Book design - the interior layout which may include
running heads, etc. You need a professional for this. Once the
copyediting is complete and the design approved, the designer will
use page layout software and "run" the copy into the design...
resulting in a .pdf or other form or camera ready copy.
ISBN number and barcode - the unique number that let's
bookstores order your book. Designer will include the barcode on the
back of the book.
LLCN - Library of Congress Number - makes it easier for
libraries to pick up your book. Not essential, but nice.
Printing - print on demand, short run, or trade
publisher. Requires a contract.
Distribution - getting the book from printer to its
various markets Requires a contract. May also include fulfillment.
Marketing - a whole topic in itself.
It doesn't matter if you're self-publishing or working with a trade
publisher, each of these items must be completed to bring your book to
market. None of this is rocket science, but none of it is intuitive
either.
Much of it is detail work; the copy editing and design work is rarely
something the writer wants to do or is able to do. Printing,
distribution and marketing also tend to be areas that writers really
don't like.
Finding the right professionals to help you makes all the difference
in the world.
