After Writing, “What Next?” is the question every author asks themselves when they complete their final draft.
Yes, the world has to see your letters, your words, your thoughts, but then, you might ask, “How do I go about it?”
Publishing? Yes.
Publishing a book is a huge milestone and a success on its own, as such there are things you need to do before hitting the publish button.
Here are five steps you must follow before publishing your book. These steps will help you avoid mistakes and set your book up for success.
1. Your Cover Is Critical
There’s a popular saying: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But let’s be honest, almost everyone does.
Have you ever bought a book based on someone’s recommendation and left it sitting on your shelf for a long time, then one day, you finally read it and realize it’s an amazing book, and you ask yourself why you didn’t read it earlier?
It’s likely that the reason was because you didn’t fall in love with the cover. Your book cover is your first impression and it tells a story too. Make it count.
2. Your Formatting Is Vital
No matter how great your writing is, your book needs professional editing and good proofreading. This step is non-negotiable.
No one wants to read a book full of typos. It reflects poorly on the book’s quality and your credibility as an author. Skip this step, and you risk losing readers before they even get into your story.
Great formatting gives your book a polished look, making it easier and more enjoyable to read.
3. Your Book Description Needs to Sell the Book
Your description should spark interest in your reader’s heart. It must grab attention immediately whether it’s the back cover blurb or the summary on an online platform.
If it’s fiction, let it tap into emotions, suspense, or drama. It should feel like a movie written in words, something that makes the reader pause and say, “I need to read this.”
4. Get Your Own ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
An ISBN is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies your book globally. It’s an important step in the publishing process.
Owning your ISBN gives you control over your book’s identity, increases your credibility, making your book easier to find and distribute worldwide. It also adds a level of professionalism to you as the author.
5. Know Where Your Buyers Congregate.
One major mistake many authors make is not knowing their target audience. It’s one thing to write a book, it’s another thing entirely to know who you are writing it for.
Where do they hang out? How can you reach them?
For example, if you’re writing a book to help people struggling with mental health, start by connecting with therapists. Let them know about your book so they can introduce it to their clients. You could also partner with psychiatric hospitals or rehabilitation centers.
This way, you’re not just selling books, you’re changing lives.
Final Thoughts
Publishing your book is more than just finishing a manuscript. It’s about preparing, polishing, and promoting your work.
The process may feel overwhelming, but with the right mindset, preparation and tools, it’s incredibly rewarding. That’s why we built Booki, to make publishing easy for you and other aspiring writers.
You’ve done the hard part by writing. Now, let BOOKI give your book the spotlight it deserves.
Remember: A book that is written but not published is not read.