Self-Publishing From Beginning to End

Self-publishing has come a long way in the past decade both in terms of the process, as well as the finished product. If you’re new to self-publishing, however, it may still feel a bit confusing at times. To make it as simple as possible, we break down the publishing process into three parts: pre-production, production, and postproduction. There are countless other steps to self-publishing that begin way before the pre-production process, but most of those steps, such as outlining and writing your book and securing beta readers should take place before you begin preproduction.

Let’s look at the publishing process once you finish the writing portion of your journey.

Three Parts of the Production Process

1. Pre-Production

The first step in the production process includes detailed phone calls with your publishing consultant. This is to go over every aspect of the self-publishing process, including your publishing package and additional services. At this stage, you’ll also be assigned a team of designers, which is headed up by your Production Manager. You’ll also make final selections for the interior formatting of your book, which includes the trim size, font style, font size, and line spacing.

If you have editorial services, those will be completed during the pre-production stage as well. This is also a great time to begin thinking about your cover design, book summary, and author biography. Take time to look at other books published in your genre and note colors, patterns, and font types you like and dislike. This will be super helpful in helping you communicate your ideas for your cover design. Writing your book summary and author biography may feel like the most difficult step of the process. But we do offer great tips for writing your author bio and more. You’ll also want to check your work against our Manuscript Preparation Guidelines.

2. Production

Once your editing services are completed and you’ve fully reviewed your manuscript and made all your last revisions to the document, you’ll send that final manuscript file to your Production Manager to kick off the production of your book.

You will also submit your cover design ideas, author biography, book summary, and your photo for the back of your book. Once these files have been submitted, a Production team member will review your submissions. They’ll make you aware of any potential issues that may need to be corrected before your book can enter Production.

During the Production stage, your cover (front and back) is will be designed, your manuscript file will be typeset into the correct book formatting based on the print specifications you chose during the Pre-production process.

Your book will stay in the Production stage until you provide final approval for each one of your book’s files: front cover, back cover, and interior layout. Be sure to check your galley copy and your cover files against our Publishing Review Checklist before approving your files.

3. Post-Production

As soon as you provide final approval for your book’s files and it is released to the printer, your book officially enters the Post-production stage of the process. This is the time when your marketing efforts should begin to skyrocket. You’ll want to double down on your social media marketing, start sharing with friends and family that your book is coming soon, and you’ll want to set up your author page on Goodreads.

Once your book enters the printing process, you’ll no longer be able to submit changes or make any revisions. Once the printer has received your files and the number of free books they need to print, it’s only a matter of time until you’ll receive a physical copy of your book in the mail. Be sure to document the moment you open your book for the first time! It’s a rewarding moment that you’ll want to reminisce. These also make great social media posts, too! Be sure to tag us in any of your book unboxing videos.

Are you ready to start your self-publishing journey? Call 1-866-381-2665 and speak with a Xulon Press Publishing Consultant.