So, you want to self publish

I’m going to assume that you want this book to be published for a general audience and not simply for your family. Also, I will address my remarks to those who wish to publish physical books although much of what is written here is applicable to online publishing as well. Some authors do one or the other but many wish to do both.

Below are 10 basic questions that will help get your started:

1. Have you read the work out loud? You should, every page. By doing this, you will catch all kinds of mistakes and double word use. You are your best editor so don’t be lazy.
2. Has the work been professionally line edited? Get it done or the work will appear weak to anyone who reads carefully.
3. Has the work been copy edited? Get it done or it will be obvious to all that you didn’t complete the process. If you can’t afford professional line or copy editing, try Google Pro Writing Aid. It will help. [Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne and King helped me a lot when I was just starting.]
4. Are you part of a writing circle? Join one that critiques each other’s work with the clear goal of getting published. You will need to develop a thick skin. Remember that the criticism is about the work, not you. And in return, you must do your absolute best critiques for your fellow writers. They are counting on you to advance their work, just like you are counting on them. Lots of published writers are part of writing circles and you need one too.
5. Have you figured out where you are going to sell your books? Do not print one copy without knowing where it will be sold. Anyone can buy printed material, but a publisher knows where the books are going to be sold. Don’t be a self-published author will hundreds of books decaying in their basement.
6. Who buys your type of book? Marketing 101 – Fish where the fish are! If you have written historical fiction, then go to the festivals that celebrate that period. My books take place during the War of 1812 so I called up or visited the gift shop buyers at all the forts and museums in southern Ontario. Perhaps your books will sell at Chapters/Indigo. Call up the store manager and tell him/her that you are a local author and arrange a table. If you have written a book that takes place in zoos, then try to get placed in zoos. Call up the gift buyers and pitch your book.
7. Have you developed your pitch or log line? My elevator pitch for the Brock Series is that it’s about Upper Canada’s first secret agent in the War of 1812. You need one sentence, one, that excites a reader to purchase your book or entices a bookstore buyer to place your book in their store.
8. Do you have an idea for a cover? Develop one and remember that the package is the product as McLuhan said. When you are not present with your elevator pitch that cover has to sell your book in 5 seconds or less.
9. Do you have a printer? The best printer I know, and one that many self-published authors are using is Legacy Printing at 1305 Morningside Ave, Unit 15, Toronto, Ontario, M1B 4Z5. They will print in low volumes. Call John Gnanasekar 647-872-1616. He prints my books at fair price. Also, John can help you with a cover and internal designer if you don’t have one.
10. Do you have a price in mind for your masterpiece? Take your printing cost and multiply at least times four. Remember that if your book sells for $24.99, the retailer wants a 40% to 50% gross margin [and you may have to pay the freight to get it there]. This means you must sell it for $12.50 to $15.00 so in this case your printing cost should not be over $6.25.

There is lots more to discuss but this will get you started. Best of luck.