The author’s role in the book publishing process is a multifaceted one. It starts with writing the book, but it doesn’t end there. You will also need to market your book, which is another topic we’ll cover in another article. For now, let’s focus on what you need to know about how to write a book and become an author.
Writing the book
When you write a book, your role is to create content. You can do this in many ways, but most authors use some combination of research and writing.
Research gathers information from various sources to support or refute your thesis or argument. This includes reading books, articles, and other types of literature, conducting interviews with experts in the field, and using data from surveys and polls.
Writing is translating your research into an organized message for your readers. It’s about communicating clearly so that others understand what you’re saying and why it matters to them.
Editing the book
The editing process is an important step in the book publishing process. The editor can help you improve your manuscript and make it more readable. They can also suggest changes to make your book more appealing to readers, such as changing the title or adding an introduction or conclusion.
A professional editor will give you feedback on improving your writing style, structure, and content, so your manuscript is ready for publication. The editor will also check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and awkward sentence structures, which may distract readers from enjoying your story.
The editor should not change anything without first discussing it with you. Suppose they plan on making any major alterations to your text without your consent. In that case, this could be seen as plagiarism – taking someone else’s work and passing it off as one’s work – which is illegal in most countries worldwide, including the UK and US (although it does happen).
Choosing a book format
The next step in the book publishing process is choosing a book format. There are many formats to choose from, including hardcover, paperback, and electronic (e-books). The type of book you choose will determine how much it costs to produce and how much it will sell for.
Large book publishing companies often have their printing presses, so they can print books using offset lithography or other methods that produce large quantities of books at a low cost per unit. However, self-publishing authors often use digital printing because it’s faster and cheaper than offset lithography.
Designing the book cover
Next, you need to design your cover. A cover design should include an eye-catching title and an image that conveys the essence of your book. You can hire someone to design your cover or create it with software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.
Writing the back cover copy
The back of your book is where you can make or break your sales. You need to convince readers why they should buy your book. You’ll want to write a compelling paragraph that tells them what your book is about, who it’s for, and why it’s unique and special.
The back cover is one of the most important parts of a book. Many readers will decide whether or not to buy your book based on what they read there.
Your back cover should include the following:
- A summary of the book’s plot (no spoilers)
- A brief bio about the author, including any notable credentials and awards you’ve earned.
- Keywords that will help readers find your book online. These are often generated by software that analyzes word frequencies; however, you can also use them to write specific sentences in your text that will help search engines identify them as relevant to particular topics.
Finding an appropriate illustrator
If you’re writing for children or young adults, you’ll need to find an illustrator for your book. This can be a challenge because it’s not easy to find talented and affordable artists! Look at the artists’ portfolios on sites like DeviantArt or Society6, or ask friends and family if they know any illustrators interested in working with you.
Getting endorsements for your book
You’ve written and are ready for book publishing. The next step is to get endorsements for the back cover of your book. Endorsements are quotes from other writers or experts that say something positive about your book. They can be in any form — a short quote or a full-blown essay.
The purpose of an endorsement is to convince readers that someone else has read your book and enjoyed it enough to vouch for its quality. Readers like to see that other people have bought and enjoyed the book before deciding whether or not to buy it themselves.
Publishing and printing the book
The publisher will format your manuscript, produce copies, and distribute them through bookstores and other outlets. The process of book publishing differs from country to country but generally involves several steps:
- Writing a book proposal or query letter.
- Find an agent or publisher like ghostwriting services company who likes the proposal/query letter; if this doesn’t happen, you may need to self-publish your work.
- Signing a contract with your publisher or a book publishing company; gives them exclusive rights to book publishing your work in exchange for monetary compensation (typically an advance on royalties). Your contract will define when the payment is made (usually upon publication), how much money is involved, and what rights they get in exchange (print rights only? or electronic rights, too?). Before signing away, you should also read through this section carefully to ensure it contains everything you need/want.
Distributing the book
Once your book is published, it will be sold in stores and online. Authors need to know where their books are being sold so they can promote them properly. For example, if you want people to buy your book on Amazon, then you should mention this website and provide links to it on your blog or website.
Conclusion
As an author, you play an important role in your book’s success. Your role as a writer is to create a compelling story or information that will interest readers. You can use your role as a publisher to promote your book and build its audience. You have the power to make sure readers know about the book and how to find it.
