Self-Publishing 101
Things to Consider Before Publishing Your Book in Print
Description
Self-Publishing 101: Things to Consider Before Publishing Your Book in Print is a course designed to help you reach your publishing dreams!
Do you want to become a published author? Are you looking forward to seeing your books for sale in online places such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble? Would you like to hold your published books in your hands and share them with others? If yes, this course may be for you!
This course is for anyone interested in publishing a book but has no idea where to begin with the self-publishing process and for authors of any genre interested in learning more about self-publishing a book in print. Does that describe you?
There is A LOT to consider when choosing to self-publish a book! Instead of spending countless hours aimlessly searching for information about self-publishing, this course is designed in an easy-to-follow format to guide you in the right direction.
Divided into a total of 33 videos including the introduction, each video is presented with a slide show presentation as well as a downloadable transcript for your convenience. Handouts are also included with many videos to provide additional resources and information to help you with your publishing journey.
Before deciding if this course is for you, please check out what is covered within this course below. You are also welcome to watch the course video, introduction, and the video about print-on-demand publishing before choosing if this is the right course for you.
To your publishing success!
Please note: this course is not being continuously updated. Some links and resources may no longer be available or may be outdated. With that being said, most of the information presented in this course is still relevant. Thank you for understanding.
Section 1
Lecture 1: Introduction
Expansion of information presented in the course video
Brief introduction of instructor
List of what students should learn by the end of the course
List of what this course will not teach
List of who this course is for
Reference to the course Choosing the Best Publishing Option for You and Your Book
Brief overview of the publishing options: traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, and self-publishing
List of what is needed for this course
Some additional publishing tips
Break down of this course
Disclaimer and copyright information for this course
Information about the included handouts
Lecture 2: Print-On-Demand Publishing
Overview of print-on-demand printing
Pros of print-on-demand
Cons of print-on-demand
List of print-on-demand companies
Brief discussion of offset printing
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Note: Some print-on-demand companies have changed their policies since this course was created. For example, as of May 2023, IngramSpark no longer charges for book setup fees.
Section 2: Copyright and Legalities to Consider
Lecture 3: Copyright
What copyright is
How long copyright lasts
How to register for copyright
What may not be copyrighted
How to show copyright
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 4: Other Legalities to Consider
Explanation of disclaimers with samples
Being an authorpreneur - business considerations
Taxes and permit considerations
Keeping records considerations
Mention of one resource all self-published authors should consider having
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Section 3: Sections to (Possibly) Include in a Book
Lecture 5: Sections to Include in a Book Overview
Brief overview of front matter sections
Brief overview of body sections
Brief overview of back matter sections
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 6: Front Matter Part 1: Title Page
What is included on a title page with samples
What is included on a half title page
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 7: Front Matter Part 2: Copyright and Dedication
What is included on a copyright page with samples
Explanation of a dedication with samples
Brief explanation of a CIP data block
Lecture 8: Front Matter Part 3: Table of Contents
Explanation of a table of contents with samples
Tips for creating a table of contents
Video with Step-by-Step Instructions for Inserting Table of Contents Included
Lecture 9: Front Matter Part 4: Accolades and Reviews
Explanation of a foreword with a sample
Explanation of accolades with samples
Brief explanation of an advance reader copy (ARC)
Lecture 10: Body Overview
Explanation of an introduction with a sample
Explanation of a prologue with a sample
Considerations for the main text of a book
Explanation of an epilogue with a sample
Explanation of an afterword
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 11: Back Matter Part 1: Author Bio and Choosing a Name
Explanation of an author bio with samples
Explanation of an illustrator bio with samples
Considerations when choosing an author name
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 12: Back Matter Part 2: Acknowledgments and Additional Options
Explanation of acknowledgments with samples
Explanation of a promotional page with samples
Explanation of a glossary with sample
Explanation of an index with samples
Explanation of a bibliography with samples
Explanation of permission information with samples
List of extra back matter ideas
An additional tip in place of back matter
Section 4: Editing
Lecture 13: Editing Overview
Possible reasons to have an editor
Explanation of developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading
Tips for self-editing
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 14: Finding an Editor
Explanation of alpha readers, beta readers, and critique partners
Tips after having your work edited or critiqued
List of possible questions to ask yourself when deciding to hire an editor
List of possible places to find an editor
Explanation of the cost of an editor
Explanation of what to do if your book is published with errors
Handout with Additional Resources and Handout with Questions Included
Section 5: Illustrations, Photos, and Fonts
Lecture 15: Illustrations, Photos, and Fonts Overview
Brief explanation of copyright issues
Examples of when the instructor has contacted others for permission
Explanation of the difference between black and white interior vs color interior
Explanation of bleed and no bleed
Lecture 16: Illustrations Part 1
Tips before hiring an illustrator
Information about dummies
Possible places to find an illustrator
Questions to consider when choosing an illustrator
Additional tips and considerations with illustrations
Handout with Additional Resources and Handout with Questions Included
Lecture 17: Illustrations Part 2
Explanation of illustration notes
A break down of the instructor’s experience with the illustrator of her first two picture books
Lecture 18: Illustrations Part 3
A break down of the instructor’s experience with the illustrator of her third picture book
Lecture 19: Photos
Possible places to find photos
Additional tips and considerations for photos
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 20: Fonts
Brief explanation of fonts
Possible places to find fonts
A possible place to create your own font
Tips for having fun and being creative with fonts
Additional tips and considerations for fonts
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Section 6: Metadata
Lecture 21: Metadata
What metadata is
Considerations/explanations/tips for choosing keywords, book titles, categories, price, and the publication date
Tips for writing and formatting a book description
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 22: ISBNs and Barcodes
Facts about ISBNs and Barcodes
How many ISBNs you need
When a new ISBN is required
Where to get an ISBN (in the United States)
Whether or not you should purchase your own ISBNs
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Section 7: More Details
Lecture 23: Trim Size and Additional Considerations
Explanation of trim sizes
Tips for choosing a trim size
Explanation of additional interior considerations such as paper thickness, paper color, running heads, running feet, and page numbers
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 24: Book Covers
Explanation of book cover considerations such as hardcover vs softcover, matte vs glossy, and cover consistency
Tips and resources for creating your own cover
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 25: Self-Publishing Expenses to Consider
Explanation of cost to self-publish
List of expenses to consider when self-publishing
List of ways an author can save money when self-publishing
A break down of the cost to publish the instructor’s most recent book
Considerations about profiting on a self-published book
Section 8: Publishing with KDP Print
Lecture 26: KDP Print Overview
Brief recap of print-on-demand
Overview of KDP Print
Handout with Additional Resources Included
* Please note: KDP Print has made some changes since this course was created, but most of the information presented is still relevant. For example, KDP Print now offers a hard cover option for some books.
Lecture 27: Expanded Distribution with KDP Print
Explanation of expanded distribution through KDP Print
A break down of possible book royalties through KDP Print
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 28: KDP Print Tips
Tips for using KDP Print
Explanation of proofs
Handout with Additional Resources and Handout with Step-by-Step Upload Instructions Included
Section 9: Publishing with IngramSpark
Lecture 29: IngramSpark Overview
Overview of IngramSpark
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Please note: IngramSpark has made some changes since this course was created, but most of the information presented is still relevant. For example, as of May 2023, IngramSpark no longer charges for book setup fees.
Lecture 30: Additional IngramSpark Information
Explanation of wholesale discounts
Brief explanation of publisher compensation calculator and print and ship calculator
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Section 10: Using Both KDP Print and IngramSpark Together
Lecture 31: Using Both KDP Print and IngramSpark Together
Tips for using both KDP Print and IngramSpark together with examples
A break down of author copy costs
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Please note: Both KDP Print and IngramSpark have made some changes since this course was created. For example, as of May 2023, IngramSpark no longer charges for book setup fees. KDP Print also now offers hard cover options for some books.
Section 11: Even More Information
Lecture 32: E-books and Audiobooks Overview
Overview of e-books
List of possible benefits of e-books
List of possible options for publishing e-books
Brief explanation of KDP ASIN
Brief explanation of DRM
Brief explanation of KDP Select
Brief mention of audiobooks
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Lecture 33: Just a Few Marketing Ideas
List of a few more considerations before publishing a book
List of nine inexpensive publicity/marketing ideas
A reminder as the student moves forward with own publishing journey
Thank you!
Handout with Additional Resources Included
Who This Course is Not For
Someone expecting to get rich fast by publishing a book
Someone expecting to learn writing techniques
Someone expecting to learn specific book formatting techniques
What You Will Learn!
- Explanation of print-on-demand publishing and how it differs from offset printing
- Information about copyright and legalities to consider when self-publishing
- Sections to possibly include in books with details about front matter, body, and back matter
- Information about editing types, self-editing tips, and editors
- Considerations for illustrations, photos, and fonts
- Explanation of metadata, ISBNs, barcodes, and trim sizes
- Tips for book covers
- Self-publishing expenses to consider
- An overview and tips for using the print-on-demand publishing company KDP Print
- An overview and tips for using the print-on-demand publishing company IngramSpark
- A brief overview of e-books and audiobooks
Who Should Attend!
- Writers/Authors who are interested in self-publishing a book in print
- Writers/Authors who write in any genre
- Beginning writers/authors with no previous publishing experience
- Possibly even previously published writers/authors interested in learning more about the topics covered in course