A Simple 14-Point Self-Publishing Checklist for Authors

• Sep 11, 2024
• 7 min read

• Tags: Book Cover Design, Book Marketing, ISBN, Self-Publishing

Self-publishing involves a lot of steps like editing, getting a book cover designed, and deciding your book’s pricing. We realize how planning to self-publish can be overwhelming. To help you plan, we’ve created a simple checklist of 14 self-publishing steps. 

In one of the sections below, we’ve also given a simple, downloadable checklist with estimated timelines for every step. So without any delay, let’s first see these steps for self-publishing! 

• • • Self-editing
    • Conduct market research 
    • Get professional editing done 
    • Get a book cover designed 
    • Ensure proper book formatting 
    • Obtain an ISBN for your book 
    • Create an author profile, author bio, and book description
    • Write or get a copyright page designed 
    • Opt for book conversion and distribution services 
    • Craft your book blurb
    • Decide your book’s pricing 
    • Finalize marketing strategies 
    • Upload your book on self-publishing platforms 
    • Book promotion (Important checklist!) 
    • Self-publishing timeline checklist (Downloadable) 

Now let’s see a checklist for every step in detail! 

1. Self-editing 

It’s important to take a break after completing your first draft before self-editing. This allows you to revisit your text with a fresh perspective.

• • • • Check and correct any plot holes, inconsistencies, and pacing issues. 
      • Determine if the characters and scenes are well-developed and accurately portrayed. 
      • Verify if the timelines and facts mentioned are correct. 
      • Analyze if the writing style, tone, flow, and structure are consistent. 
      • Review the book for spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. 
      • Give your book to alpha readers and make changes as per their feedback. 

Once your first draft is complete, you also need to select a book title. After selecting the title, you can move to the next step. 

2. Conduct market research 

At this step, perform research to create a book description, author bio, and author profile. You can also take inspiration from the best book covers to get ideas for your book cover. Here’s a simple checklist for this step: 

• • • • Save or note down book descriptions, author bios, and author profiles similar to your book genre (For this step, check the author profile and book description of books in the same/similar categories on the book’s Amazon page.) 
      • Save the best book covers related to your genre for reference. 
      • Check the books’ back covers for ideas for author bios. For some books, check the book’s last page or inner part of the hardcover for the author bio. 
      • Create a list of keywords related to your genre. 

With this, you also need to conduct market research about self-publishing costs. This involves comparing the prices and features of various editing, formatting, book cover design, and self-publishing companies. You must also determine the budget for creating a copyright page, blurb, author profile, book description, author bio, ISBN, book conversion, distribution, and marketing. Once you’re done with this, you can move to the next step! 

3. Get professional editing done 

After selecting the best editing services, follow these steps after receiving the edited manuscript: 

• • • • Analyze if the manuscript has improved clarity, coherence, and overall readability.
      • Check for consistency in style, tone, and formatting. 
      • Ensure all grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors are rectified. 
      • Verify that the editor’s suggestions align with your point of view and intentions. 

4. Ensure proper formatting 

Once you choose a book formatting service, you need to check the following after receiving the formatted manuscript: 

• • • • Proofread the entire book for any formatting errors. 
      • Check consistency in fonts, font sizes, margins, and spacing.
      • Verify the accuracy of the table of contents and page numbers.
      • Ensure all hyperlinks and footnotes are working correctly (for eBooks). 
      • Review the visual quality of images and graphics.

5. Get a book cover designed 

You can either design a book cover or hire a freelancer/book cover design services. Once your book cover is ready, you need to ensure the following: 

• • • • Assess whether the cover design is eye-catching and memorable
      • Check that the title, subtitle, and author name are clearly legible
      • Determine if the font and font size used are correct
      • Assess the quality and resolution of any images, illustrations, or graphics used
      • Verify that the cover design meets the technical requirements of your chosen publishing platforms (e.g., Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, IngramSpark)
      • Ensure you have received the necessary file formats from the designer (e.g., JPG, PNG)

6. Obtain an ISBN for your book 

At this step, you can get an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) through local or government agencies or self-publishing companies. Several platforms like PaperTrue, BookBaby, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital can help you get an ISBN. After this, you need to ensure the following: 

• • • • Check if the ISBN is 13 digits. 
      • Verify if the prefix is 978 or 979 for the 13-digit ISBN. 
      • Analyze whether the ISBN matches the specific book, edition, and format. 
      • Ensure the ISBN contains only valid characters (digits 0-9, and ‘X’ for ISBN-10). 
      • Cross-reference the ISBN with official sources or databases. 

7. Create an author profile, author bio, and book description  

You can hire a publishing company/ freelancer to do this for you. Alternatively, you can create one on your own. For all three steps, follow the checklist given below! 

a. Author bio 

• • • • Keep it concise and engaging (aim for 100-200 words). 
      • Include relevant professional achievements, awards, writing, experience, or credentials.
      • Mention any personal details that help readers connect with you.
      • Use a third-person point of view for a professional tone.
      • Proofread for clarity, grammar, and spelling errors.

b. Book description

• • • • • Start with a compelling hook or tagline. 
        • Provide a brief, enticing summary of the book’s plot, themes, or main characters.
        • Include relevant keywords and genre-specific terms. 
        • Add reviews from famous personalities or influencers. (Optional) 
        • Close with a strong call to action to encourage readers to buy or read the book.

c. Author profile

At this step, you need to create an author profile for Goodreads, Amazon, and other platforms. Once you determine the platforms, follow these steps: 

• • • • Choose a professional, high-quality author photo that reflects your genre and brand. 
      • Write a concise, engaging bio that highlights your unique background and writing style.
      • Include links to your author’s website, blog, and social media profiles.
      • List any previous publications, awards, or notable achievements. 
      • Ensure consistency in branding and messaging across all profile elements. 
      • Add reviews from any famous personalities or organizations. 

8. Write or get a copyright page designed 

Once you write a copyright page or get it made by a reliable publishing company, check the following: 

• • • • The copyright symbol (©) or the word “Copyright”  is present followed by the year of publication and the name of the copyright owner
      • The phrase “All rights reserved” to indicate that the copyright owner retains all rights to the work is present. 
      • The International Standard Book Number (ISBN)  for all book formats is included. 
      • All necessary disclaimers, such as “This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously” should be there in the text. 
      • Ensure that the manuscript provides credit for any significant quotations, excerpts, or materials used in the book that are not in the public domain (if applicable). 

9.  Opt for book conversion and distribution services 

You need to decide which book formats you’ll require (MOBI, PDF, or other). MOBI is a file format required for eBooks and PDF is a format required for printing physical copies. 

With this, you also need to determine whether you require hardcover, paperback, eBook, or audiobook conversion. Furthermore, you need to make decisions about whether you want print-on-demand or bulk printing, and online platforms, libraries, and retail outlets for distribution. 

After making these decisions, follow the checklist given below: 

• • • • Confirm the file formats provided by the conversion service are compatible with your chosen distribution platforms.
      • Verify that the converted files maintain the original formatting, layout, and design elements.
      • Test the converted files on various devices and e-readers to ensure proper display and functionality.
      • Ensure your distribution service offers access to your desired sales channels and territories. 
      • Review the distribution agreement, including royalty rates, payment terms, and any exclusive distribution clauses. 

10. Craft your book blurb 

A blurb is an exciting sneak peek at your book’s content. It is mentioned on the book’s back cover. Ensure that the blurb contains the following elements: 

• • • • A clear and compelling book 
      • An introduction to the main characters
      • A summary of what the book is about 
      • A powerful conclusion to intrigue readers

Now let’s see the next step of this self-publishing checklist! 

11. Decide your book’s pricing 

This is a crucial step before uploading your book on the self-publishing cost. Following is a checklist to help you decide the most appropriate pricing: 

• • • • Research prices of similar books in your genre and compare them to your book’s length and format.
      • Consider your book’s production costs, including editing, cover design, formatting, and ISBN purchase. 
      • Evaluate your target audience’s purchasing power and willingness to pay for your book.
      • Assess your book’s perceived value based on its content, quality, and author reputation.
      • Ensure your pricing strategy aligns with your overall marketing and promotional plans. 

Now let’s see the next step of this checklist for self-publishing a book! 

12. Finalize marketing strategies 

This includes planning your book launch and deciding how to promote your book on social media. From a book teaser and promotional video to book launch events in cafes and libraries, you need to organize everything.

Following are the steps you need to follow at this stage: 

• • • • Confirm that you have detailed profiles of your target audience, including preferred online platforms.
      • Verify that your marketing budget is clearly defined. 
      • Check that you have an active and consistent social media presence, with a content calendar and scheduled posts. 
      • Get high-quality promotional materials ready like digital graphics, physical items, and an up-to-date author website ready. 
      • Review your book launch plan. Finalize the event schedule, promotional activities, and outreach efforts. 

You can also start a pre-launch campaign by sharing insights about your book on social media. This will create a buzz about your book before its launch. 

13. Upload your book on the self-publishing platform

This is the crucial step after which you can begin marketing your book. At this stage, follow this checklist for self-publishing a book: 

• • • • Format your manuscript according to platform guidelines.
      • Prepare and upload your book cover.
      • Add your book metadata (Title, Author, Description, Keywords).
      • Set your book pricing and royalty options 
      • Select your book distribution location. 
      • Preview and check details before uploading. 

14. Book promotion (Important checklist!) 

Now, you can start promoting your book as per the finalized marketing strategies. Following are the steps that you need to follow at this point: 

• • • • Announce the launch on social media. 
      • Send out a press release. 
      • Organize a launch event or virtual reading.
      • Engage with book bloggers and reviewers.
      • Run promotional campaigns and ads.
      • Update your author’s website with launch details.
      • Send an email newsletter to your subscribers.
      • Offer limited-time discounts or freebies.
      • Participate in author interviews or podcasts.
      • Encourage readers to leave reviews on online platforms.

In the next section, we’ve given a simple downloadable self-publishing checklist with a timeline. 

15. Self-publishing timeline checklist  

                 Self-publishing timeline checklist

Note: The timings given are estimated timings and can change (Depending on your book’s complexity and service providers’ deadlines). You can customize the self-publishing timelines as required. 

Now you can begin your self-publishing journey! We’d also love to help you achieve your self-publishing dream. At PaperTrue, our trained team provides high-quality self-publishing services like editing, book cover design, formatting, securing an ISBN, and crafting a copyright page. 

Not only this, but we also can upload your book on online self-publishing platforms! If you require paperback and hardcover book printing services, we’ve got you covered. We can also create a promotional video, blurb, teaser, promotional post, and press release for book marketing. 

Feel free to reach out about any of our offered services! 

What did you think about this self-publishing checklist? Share your thoughts in the comments section! 

Here are other useful resources for you: 

• • What Is Amazon Self-Publishing? Pros, Cons & Key Insights
  • How to Publish a Book on Amazon: 8 Easy Steps [2024 Update]
  • How to Market Your Book on Amazon to Maximize Sales in 2024
  • Paperback vs. Hardcover in 2024: Which One to Pick?
  • Self-Publishing Options for Writers

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Priya

Priya has a talent for academic research and enjoys simplifying complex topics. When she's not helping students improve their writing, she can be seen reading poetry, playing the harmonium, or learning classical dance.