Do-It-Yourself

Publishing

Step by Step
Questions you need to ask
& answers you need to know.
www.doityourselfpublishing.com.au

© Copyright 2014
 Knowing ANSWERS to
the following QUESTIONS
will save you valuable
time, reduce costs &
provide important
direction towards
successful self-publishing
Remember:
Self publishing is a business
Self publishing is a process which authors can follow
Self publishing is challenging, achievable and rewarding.
Answer the following questions truthfully and it will cover art, book production, printing, binding, distribu-
guide you to where and when you might require assis- tion and overall book management. No matter what
tance. The subsequent six stages of publishing, done cor- stage you are at, we welcome the opportunity to work
rectly, will result in a professional looking book/eBook. with you on your publishing journey, for some stages or
Yes, there is a sharp learning curve for some components all of it. The choice is yours … no hard selling.
of the process and several of the tasks (especially edit- To be successful in self-publishing, you must have high
ing, book cover design or interior formatting) which will standards with every aspect of your book and through-
most likely need to be outsourced, but that is something out the publishing process. Imagine a bicycle wheel, just
any author can do easily, with the right approach, accu- one faulty spoke can lead to less than expected perfor-
rate advice and a little investment. mance; at worst it can cause a nasty accident. It is essen-
Authors don’t know what they don’t know. So self-pub- tial that every wheel spoke (publishing requirement) is
lishing requires hands on collaboration between the professionally completed and our award winning DIY
author and someone who does know. Do-It-Yourself- Publishing services can assist you on the journey. Com-

6
Publishing has expertise in the publishing process: edit- plete the following questions and we can help you move
ing, proofreading, formatting, design, page layout, book forward to the next stage.

stages of Publishing
1. Preparing to Publish
2. Book Legalities
3. Getting Your Book/EBook Ready
4. Book Design
5. Finding Printers & Distributors
6. Launching & Marketing Your book
FINDING ANSWERS
on’t Know?
Don’t Know What You D
Complete our tick a box checklist to see how ready you are to begin your publishing journey.
Your answers to these questions will allow us to ascertain how we can help you.
Help may be as simple as:

INFORMATION ONLY – We can provide you with ANSWERS to

these questions with our STEP BY STEP SELF PUBLISHING SO-
LUTIONS. Vital information, answers, checklists and links will be
provided to assist you on the DIY Publishing path.
CLICK TO PURCHASE
CONSULTANCY PACKAGE – Giving you the opportunity to get
answers to your specific questions with your own professional
book business coach. ($150-$500) CLICK FOR MORE INFO
CUSTOMISED QUOTE - After further consultation with you (via
phone/Skype/email) we will provide a customised quote based
on your specific needs, answers to these questions and ongoing
conversations. CLICK FOR CUSTOMISED QUOTE
PUBLISHING PACKAGE - You may prefer to purchase a package
that takes the task off you and allow us at DIY Publishing to set
you up as the AUTHOR/PUBLISHER where you still own all rights
and 100% of royalties. CLICK FOR PULISHING PACKAGE INFO
FREE Author Gift
Upon commencement of working with us (any of the above
options) we will supply this FREE PDF Booklet ‘Step Up and
Build Your Author Platform’. Marketing and promotion of
your title is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of publish-
ing. This booklet has 110 ideas to guide you in this challenging
yet rewarding task. Did you know the marketing of your book
should begin before the actual writing?
’AUTHOR Platform’ awarded in
Telstra Business Awards for Business
Innovation – An amazing tool to help
Authors create an online ‘Marketing
and Promotional plan’
 Self Publishing
Checklist
Please TICK the boxes if you need
answers to these questions

1. Preparing tages others with complex disadvantages. Are you aware of these?
Sometimes your place of residence should be considered in this de-

to Publish cision too – why?

WARNING: in researching and understanding your responsibilities as an PRINT ON DEMAND

AUTHOR/PUBLISHER, you may discover Self-Publishing advertisements that Old technology meant printing offset (bulk) sometimes offshore.
ambush you into ‘pay to publish’ or ‘vanity publishing’ arrangements.
New technology gives you affordable options. Most authors’ think
Please read to the end of this document to ensure this does not happen to you.
that working with a local printer is the most cost effective way … it is
not. Would you like us to provide you with an estimated quote for
PUBLISHING IMPRINT
the printing costs of your book with a Print on Demand printer (who
To be a self-publisher you need to create a publishing imprint
also offers worldwide distribution through all the major outlets in-
(name) which will be seen on the copyright page and spine of book.
cluding Amazon)?
Do you know the benefits and pitfalls of using your own name? Can
you use your existing registered business name?
AUTHOR PLATFORM
Did you realise that before you even publish your book you should
BUSINESS NUMBER
be marketing and creating an online platform. Working on your Au-
To be a self-publisher and to utilise printers (POD or Offset) you will
thor Platform is essential for book success. Do you know what this is
need a business number i.e. an ABN in Australia (Australian Busi-
and why you should start now?
ness Number). Have you completed this task or do you already
have a business number? Do you need assistance?
BOOK FUNDING
How much can book publishing actually cost? Are you going to per-
PRINTING /DISTRIBUTING PLATFORMS
sonally fund this venture or are you looking for book funding op-
Which publishing or printing platform are you going to utilise?
portunities that are now available via the internet?
There are so many options, some with clear competitive advan-
2. Book
/eBook
Legalities
ISBN
As the publisher you are legally re-
quired to purchase, for each book and
book format, an ISBN. Do you know how
and where to acquire them?
ISBN
An ISBN (as mentioned above) is neces-
sary if you want to own the publishing
rights of your book. Yet, there are op-
tions that will allow you to print books
WITHOUT an ISBN and get distribution
with Amazon? Do you know who these
providers are and are you aware of the
upside /downside of this option?
BARCODES
Only physical books require barcodes.
However, did you know that you do
NOT have to purchase barcodes when
you purchase the ISBNs? DIY Publish-
ing can provide you with Barcodes for
only $20-25 each (A saving of $25 per
barcode).
CATALOGUE IN PUBLICATION
(AUS) / Library of Congress
Catalogue Number (US)
We feel it is important to register as it is
one way of providing evidence towards
copyright but more importantly it al-
lows you to sell your book to libraries.
There is no charge to set this up as the
AUTHOR/PUBLISHER but it needs to be
done correctly to assist online outlets,
retailers, libraries etc. to classify /seek
your book. Can you do this?
YOUR COPYRIGHT
Did you know that although the law
grants you copyright protection upon
the creation of your work there are
some advantage for US citizens particu-
larly, to register their copyright?
OTHERS COPYRIGHT
Generally speaking it is possible to use
limited portions of the copyright pro-
tected work for news reporting, com-
mentary, criticism and scholarly re-
ports under the fair use doctrine of the
US copyright law? However there are no
legal rules permitting ‘free use’ of a cer-
tain number of words or percentage of a
copyrighted work for your book. There
are several factors that you need to be
aware of in the analysis of copyright. Do
you know what these are?
PERMISSIONS & QUOTES
Are you aware of your responsibilities
and requirements when using quotes
from someone else in your book, blog
or website without permission of the
copyright owner? Although we cannot
provide you with legal advice we can
provide you with basic information to
assist you to make informed decisions.
Does this impact you?
BOOK INDUSTRY STANDARDS
AND COMMUNICATIONS
also known as BISAC. Essentially it is
the subject and category codes vital
for categorisation for retailers, distribu-
tors and libraries. Do you know how to
select three BISAC codes that best de-
scribe your books subject so your book
can be readily found?
LOCAL LAWS
For all intents and purposes you are
a business when you set up as an AU-
THOR/PUBLISHER and by law (in Aus-
tralia for example) - if you are operating
from home - you are required to register
with the local council? Is this important
or can you bypass this? What are the
rules in your country?
3. Getting Your METADATA

Book/eBook Ready Keywords and SEO (search engine optimisation) are imperative for
high ranking in the search engines (Google) and to ensure you show
on the first few pages. This helps your readers to find you. They are
EDITING
also important for your book cataloguing in retail stores. They make
Do you need to edit your book/eBook and how can you tell? What is
up a critical part of the metadata which is crucial to the discover-
an ‘Editorial Analysis’ and do you need one? Do you require editing
ability of your book. Do you know how to assess, utilise and catego-
assistance? Is it possible to find a level of editorial service to ensure
rise your keywords?
your manuscript is error free?

BOOK CONSTRUCTION
EDITING
Books are generally divided into three parts: frontmatter, the body
Are you familiar where to go for writing or critiquing help? Are there
of the book and the backmatter. Each contains specific elements
free editing tools for authors?
and those elements appear in a specific order. Do you require assis-
tance to ensure the right content (i.e. copyright, acknowledgement
STYLE GUIDES
pages) is in the right category and that elements of your book ap-
Manuscript presentation and guidelines are not intended to change
pear in the sequence in which they are expected?
the authors written communication or the distinctive way they
express themselves, they are more a means to add depth, fluidity
FORMATTING
and additional structure to the overall context. Have you thought of
Providing a word manuscript or storyboard to a designer that has
working with a ‘Style Manual’ or ‘Abridged Style Manual’ to ensure a
NOT been formatted correctly will increase your Design costs. Are
professional book is produced?
you familiar with how to format and prepare your files to limit costs
and to assist your designer?
ONLINE PEER REVIEWS
Are you aware that there are websites where you can upload your
FILE PREPARATION
manuscript (chapter by chapter or complete book) and get feed-
Your manuscript /storyboard should be laid out as close as possi-
back from your peers? Such sites are excellent for catching spell-
ble to your final files book size, page count etc. Do you know how to
ing, grammar, continuity or plot issues etc. before you publish your
complete this accordingly?
book.

EBOOK FORMATTING
TITLES, SUBTITLES & BOOK DESCRIPTION
Self-formatting is an option, however using conversion software
These aspects of your book are crucial in the marketing of your
doesn’t supply you with a professional finish when converting to
book. Do you know how to find key words for your title (to assist
epub, mobi and pdf files. Your eBook can be converted professional-
SEO for web/ google searches) as well as write professional book
ly and with better results from your final print book, even children’s
descriptions that will increase your chances of being found by your
books, giving you a professional finish. Will you require assistance
readers?
with this?
4.Book
Design
FORMATS
Are you aware the various formats available for your book and the
benefits and cost savings available of producing a physical (print)
book and eBook at the same time?
MAKING EBOOKS
The choices between using conversion software, eBook apps, e-ag-
gregators, single device publishing/distribution services, multiple-
channel distribution services or a hybrid of both as the AUTHOR/
PUBLISHER … are big decisions. Are you aware of the differences
and the positive/negative aspects with each choice?
DEALING WITH GRAPHICS
All images are required to meet minimum printing /eBook stand-
ards such as minimum resolution, files saved as jpg/tif, saved in
CMYK (or RGB for certain books) and at actual size etc. Are you able
to undertake this or do you need guidelines OR assistance from our
designers to set it out to meet minimum print standards?
BOOK COVER – IMPORTANT
this is a specialist activity and is best left to a book cover designer. You
wouldn’t rewire your own house so if you don’t have the skills why
would you create a book cover that doesn’t sell? There are points that
need to be incorporated in book cover design. Are you familiar with
these? We’ve been working with many book genres and book covers
(since 2005) … do you want the benefit of our expertise?
BOOK COVER
Printers will require covers created as a full spread that includes
the front, back, and spine of the book. They will have specifications
for the size, width of the spine, bleeds, resolution, and colour mode.
The spine will need to be an exact measurement determined by the
number of pages in your book and the type of paper stock you are
printing on. Each printer will have a different method of calculating
the spine width so you will need to get that information from them.
You will need to send the final cover file to them as a print-ready
PDF. Will you require assistance?
HYBRID BOOK COVER
Budget conscious authors can utilise templates that are chosen
from a selection using your own images or existing ones? Do you
know of reputable sites for this option?
E + PRINT BOOK COVERS
Should an eBook and print book be designed separately, because
they are viewed differently? There is one golden rule for both … do
you know what this is?
INTERIOR BOOK CONSTRUCTION
B & W books – There are many different font preferences and styles
to choose from and not all available for commercial use. Decisions
will need to be made around the use of chapter drops, placement of
footer, running heads and what header text to use and if it should be
placed verso or recto. Decisions should be made around placement
of page numbers (correctly), pagination styles, paragraph indenta-
tions and treatment of images or tables. Are you comfortable with
making all these decisions to ensure a professional end product or
do you require design assistance?
INTERIOR BOOK CONSTRUCTION
Colour books, Children’s books, Cook books or Coffee table books
require a professional layout and it is not for the faint hearted. There
are many specifications to abide by including LPI (lines per inch);
resolution, bleed, margins providing final files as PDF/X-1a:2001 or
PDF/X-3:2002, crop marks, body text 100% black or rich black with
CMYK values, minimum page counts etc. Are you capable of com-
pleting these requirements in Indesign or do you require assistance?
BARCODES PLACEMENT
Are you aware of publishing industry standards for placement of
barcodes and are you familiar with the upside/downside of price
placement or currency notification in barcodes?
BOOK SIZES
In printing terms these are known as trim size and they can relate to
subject matter and perceived value. There are five basic trim sizes
and fifteen available Print on Demand sizes. Do you know what
these are and what they represent in the marketplace? There are
cost savings with certain sizes and getting the book size wrong can
be an expensive exercise. Do you require assistance to make an in-
formed decision?
BOOK BINDING
This can be perfect bound, saddle stitch, case laminate, clothbound
and laminate choices can be gloss or matte. Do you know what will suit
your book and the cost savings you can have with careful selection?
BOOK DRAFTS ARE IMPORTANT
There are a host of points to be mindful of when you receive your
drafts from designers, too many to mention here. Have you a check-
list handy so you can ensure all small design / author errors are
picked up at this crucial stage … before you go to print/publish?
FINAL BOOK FILES
When working with a designer did you realise there are at least 10 ad-
ditional files you need to request from the designer before finishing
– these will support you in your marketing and minimise your costs
later in the marketing stage. Do you need our designer file checklist?
5.Finding
Printers
& Distributors
Printing and Print on Demand (POD)

PRINTING: OFFSET versus PRINT ON DEMAND

Many authors have fallen into the trap of believing that bulk print-
ing through local printers is the only option (high costs & high risk).
Print on Demand (POD) allows you to print only a few books at a
time to avoid having an overstock of books and they provide distri-
bution saving you upfront funds (low cost & low risk). You also get to
test the market place without mortgaging your home. Do you need
more information about this? Do you require a print quote as an ex-
ample of POD printing costs?
print titles; EPUB and jpg files for eBook titles)? Do you need assis-
tance when uploading your files to your chosen dashboard?
POD PUBLISHERS versus POD PRINTERS
There are two types of POD vendors. POD Printers or Publishers. In EBOOK CREATION, CONVERSION AND DISTRIBUTION
essence, most of the time one is considered a vanity publishing ar-
EBook Creation or Conversion
rangement and the other is who vanity publishers utilise for their
As mentioned in step 3 EBook formatting creation can be as simple
printing. Are you aware of the significant differences and the ben-
as uploading directly to one distributor using their conversion soft-
efits / pitfalls of both options? Do you know what both POD publish-
ware to having a well designed professional EBook created and dis-
ers and POD printers have in common? Choose unwisely and you
tributed through multiple platforms (from your print design files or
will pay a lot more for the publishing process than is necessary. Do
created from your word document). The choices on e-creation and
you need clarification?
e-distribution platforms are endless but the end results are VERY
predictable (professional, unprofessional or even worse, a dog’s
Choosing a POD Book Printing Company
breakfast). What is the end result that you are seeking?
There are 3 major print on demand companies that are worthy of
your attention when it comes to Print on Demand. They provide
EBook Distribution
short runs as well as access to distribution of your title worldwide.
Choosing an E-Aggregator, E-Distributor or uploading yourself to
For Australian authors, make the wrong decision and you will find
multi-platforms would be the biggest question to consider with
yourself caught up with overseas tax issues and higher postage
your eBook distribution choices. Are you familiar with these choic-
costs. Do you need guidance in making this important decision?
es and is there an easier answer?

Uploading of Files
Are you aware of what you will need when uploading your files to
POD - printer or eBook platforms including all needed metadata
about your title such as title, subtitle, description, subject categories,
ISBNs, trim size and binding information on print titles, publication
and on sale dates? Have you the required content files (PDFs for
6. Launching
& Marketing
Your Book
’AUTHOR Platform’ awarded in the Telstra Business Awards for Business In-
novation – An amazing tool to help Authors create an online ‘Marketing and
Promotional plan’.

Your book is finally finished

Author/Publishers mistakenly believe that they need to finish a
book before they start to market it. Marketing the book should start
in the planning stages while creating the plan for the book. Yes, start
your market research and begin outlining a marketing plan before
you start writing your next book.

So, what does ‘Author Platform’ mean?

It’s simply a relatively new catchphrase used by those in the publish-
ing industry to describe an author’s connection to their potential
market and to others related to publishing, buying, reviewing and
selling books. This means you should be establishing a reputation,
online and offline, as a respected personality. To do this, you need to
set the stage to get your name out there.
To break it down further an Author Platform requires you to look at:
Authority, Visibility, Reach and Target Audience.

TO SEND YOUR
CHECKLIST, ADD YOUR
NAME AND SUBMIT
NAME

Book proposal

Submit

We can provide you with this easy to read, step
by step PDF booklet that will help you get started.
There are many ways to get noticed and to gain
the attention from future readers.
PLEASE NOTE:
Do-It-Yourself-Publishing means you ARE the publisher … if this is not a path
you wish to traverse and prefer to purchase the services of an author service
company (vanity publishing) whereby they act as the publisher, then please
proceed with caution. Research your chosen company through Google by typ-
ing in search ‘XYZ company name + scam’ or ‘XYZ company + complaint’ … due
diligence is important.
Alternatively, speak with a Do-It-Yourself-Publishing book coach on other choic-
es available.
Do-It-Yourself
Publishing

© Copyright 2014

Do-It-Yourself-Publishing
A division of Pickawoowoo Group
www.doityourselfpublishing.com.au
info@doityourselfpublishing.com.au
Tel: 61 8 97561818