NOTES ON SELF-PUBLISHING by Yasmin John-Thorpe

This page offers some basic advice for those writers wishing to pursue self-publishing.

(these guidelines apply for fiction or non-fiction)

Finish writing the manuscript. Typeset to proper manuscript format (12 point – Times New Roman font – double-spaced pages).

Print a copy and give it to someone capable of proper editing – i.e. an English professor, a high-school English teacher, a professional editor, or an avid reader. Be sure it is someone who is widely read, able to spell, punctuate and knows proper grammar rules. Be prepared to pay for this service.

While this is being done, work on your cover design. For memoirs – maybe a childhood photo or setting can be your cover? Also, decide on which photos (if any) will be included in the book. You may need to consider hiring an illustrator at this point.

Research printers early on in the process. Get several different quotes. You’ll need to pick a book size, as well as a paper stock for the cover and ‘guts’ of the book. When talking to the printer, ask if they ‘perfect bind’ (softcover with pages glued together at the spine)...you’ll want this for your book. Shop around and ask other self-published writers for feedback. Decide on one printer and ask them for a time line.  

When you receive your corrected manuscript back from the editor, make all the neccessary changes.

Hire a typesetter, someone with manuscript layout capabilities. This person should also know how to include photos (ie: for memoirs) and do cover graphics and design.

At this point, you need to apply for an ISBN – International Standard Book Numbers (a must if your work is going to be sold at bookstores) and a CIP (a cataloguing number for books in print).

Canadian ISBN has now become CISS – you must first register yourself as a publisher. Follow the instructions about applying for a block of numbers for a publisher. When you receive an email from them, giving you a username and password, you can go in and your ISBN will be there - you are responsible for managing your block of ISBN numbers for future book printing. Follow the instructions carefully!

For a CIP, visit the Library and Archives website. Scroll down and select "CIP Application form". Fill out online and press the send button at the bottom (they will ask for the ISBN so you must wait until you have it before applying for a CIP). You should receive a confirmation number. This service is free. Please allow 10 business days to receive the data. You are required to mail two copies of your work to the Library, after it has been published, your work will be catalogued and stored at the National Library in Ottawa!

Add up all your costs – cost for editor, typesetter, cover design and printing. Decide how many books you can handle. Remember, the higher the count the less expensive the cost. However, you will have to sell the books you order! Now, decide on a price by dividing the cost by the number of books. Also, remember your market...don’t overprice your book. It's a good idea to check the prices of similar books at the bookstore.

Once you have an ISBN, you can apply for a bar code, which the bookstores scan when selling your book. There are many services available online that will produce the file for you. This is not costly (usually about $45. Your book designer or printer will need to add the barcode file to your cover graphics during the final stages of production. Remember to add this expense to your cost before deciding on the price of the book.

Send your readied (typeset) manuscript to the printer. They will let you know how they would like to receive it. Generally a press-ready pdf is required.

As you wait, begin to pre-sell your book to family and friends, talking it up to anyone who will listen to your story – you’ll need the money to pay your printing bills and other costs incurred.

Write a one-page press release on you and your book. Send it to all the media outlets in your area. When your books arrive from the printer, set up a book-launch and book-signing – Have a Party!

Remember, the work is not over. Now you have to market and sell all your books.

Eat, Drink, Live, Dream your book – it is your baby!

Good Luck!