Aspiring writers looking to publish their first book need to be aware of the pre-publication essentials to set the stage for a successful launch. At Writem, we understand the importance of crafting the perfect prelude to captivate readers and engage them from start to finish.
Below is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the pre-publication phase.
1. Editing:
Professional editing is crucial to ensure your manuscript is polished, error-free, and consistent. It covers both copy editing and proofreading, and it can make a significant difference in the quality of your final product.
There are two main types of editing and they happen in a specific order:
Copy Editing – looks for issues like spelling, grammar, punctuation, and story continuity.
Proofreading – occurs just before publication and seeks out basic typographical errors like spelling, page numbering, and chapter headings.
2. Cover Design:
Your book cover is the first impression readers will have of your work. Therefore, you must invest in a professional cover designer to create a visual representation that is captivating, genre-specific, and resonates with your story.
3. Front Matter:
Front Matter is the content that appears before the main text of your book, and it sets the tone for the rest of the book. We recommend that you balance important information like the title page, table of contents, dedications, and publication details to engage readers from the start.
The Front Matter can include a lot of pages before the story even starts:
Title page
Contents
Dedications
Publication details (ISBN, edition number, and so on)
Author’s other books (with links if an e-book)
Quotes from other authors
Quotes from readers
Reader magnet
4. Back Matter:
Back matter is the content that appears after the main text of your book. It is an opportunity to connect with your readers and build lasting relationships. Writem suggests including information about your next book or series, links to your website or social media, and building an email list.
It’s important to remember that any book links need to be to the store your book was bought through – so Amazon or Barnes & Noble – for Amazon an individual link for each store location (US, UK, Canada, etc.) is required. The downside is this can mean a long list.
5. Universal Book Links:
A Universal Book Link is a single link that allows readers to choose their preferred storefront and country, reducing the hassle for both authors and readers. We recommend using them to simplify the reader's journey and enhance their overall experience.
6. Formatting:
The layout and appearance of your book are crucial to the reading experience. We recommend using professional tools like Amazon KDP's automatic formatting, Draft2Digital, or Vellum to ensure a visually pleasing presentation. At Writem, we understand the intricacies of the pre-publication phase, and we are here to guide you through each stage. By following these pre-publication essentials, you'll be able to refine your literary gem, create an enticing cover, engage readers from the start, build lasting connections, simplify the reader's journey, and ensure aesthetic excellence. Trust Writem to help you make your literary creation stand out.
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