We know you have lots of questions about the process of publishing your book. In our initial meeting we aim to make certain that you have a good grasp of what steps are required to take your work from finished manuscript to holding a place on the bookshelves of the world.
We will start by asking you what you want to ensure you take away from the meeting. Below are a list of some of the items that we will cover. You do not need to have all the answers prior to our meeting but this will give you an idea of what to expect.
Trim Size
Deciding on the physical dimensions of your book is one of the first steps in the process. Do you have a vision for what your finished work looks and feels like? It is often useful to look at some books in your genre to understand the dimensions that feel right to you.
Standard Trim Size Options:
- 5″ x 8″ (12.7 cm x 20.32 cm): This size is often used for novels, non-fiction books, and memoirs. It is a popular choice for its portability and readability.
- 6″ x 9″ (15.24 cm x 22.86 cm): This trim size is commonly used for novels, non-fiction books, and academic publications. It offers a larger page area, making it suitable for books with charts, graphs, or illustrations.
- 8.5″ x 11″ (21.59 cm x 27.94 cm): This larger size is often used for academic and technical publications, textbooks, and workbooks. It provides ample space for detailed content and visuals.
Back Cover Blurb
We will need to craft a back cover blurb that acts as a sales pitch for your book. Either you can write this or we can enlist the help of your editor to do so. Here is a link to a full article on how to write a compelling back cover blurb.
Author Biography and Photo
We will need a biography for your book so that readers can start to feel a connection to you as the author. We also require a good high-resolution photo.
Here is a full article on how to write a good author biography.
Review Book Genre and Categories
Selecting the proper category for your book on Amazon is a critical step in ensuring maximum visibility and discoverability among potential readers. Careful consideration of the content and genre of your book is essential in determining the most relevant category. While it may be tempting to choose a broad category to reach a wider audience, it’s often more effective to select a more niche category that aligns closely with your book’s theme. This allows your book to compete with titles of similar interest and increases the chances of ranking higher in that category’s bestseller list. We will assist you in conducting thorough research on Amazon’s category options, analyze the competition, and choose the one that best represents your book’s essence while appealing to your target readers. By selecting the proper category, you can enhance your book’s visibility, attract the right audience, and increase the likelihood of success in the competitive world of self-publishing on Amazon.
Cover Design
Creating a compelling cover design for your work is important. We will discuss your vision for your book cover (or help you create one). Our artists will develop concepts for your review based on the genre, theme, and desired audience. Here are a few pieces of information that will help our designers come up with a compelling cover for your work.
- Who is your audience?
- Who are the main characters?
Full physical description, ages, etc. - What period and location is your book set?
- A short synopsis of the book