How can you get your book done and published?
My seventh book will be published in less than a week. During a conversation with a friend, I reflected on some of the tools and resources I used to get them done.
Here is a list you might find helpful…
BOOKS:
Write a Must Read by AJ Harper is probably the best book on book writing. I HIGHLY recommend it. Her mantra is: write for someone, not about something. Powerful.
Write Useful Books by Rob Fitzpatrick. This is less about the writing process and instead focuses on the testing process. His approach to beta testing is impressive.
TOOLS:
BookFunnel is an incredible way to distribute ebooks and audiobooks. It has changed the way I market, and it might be the best tool I’ve ever used for the money.
Rob Fitzpatrick developed Help This Book, a valuable tool to facilitate beta testing. I used it for two rounds of edits on PIVOTAL and received hundreds of pieces of feedback.
BOOK WRITING, EDITING, LAYOUT, AND COVER DESIGN:
A traditional or hybrid publisher will handle the editing, cover layout, and interior. Regardless, I’ve used Scrivener for every book I’ve written.
Scrivener is terrific for the initial writing process. I highly recommend it. It helps you organize your content into movable chunks, which is excellent for early drafts. Some even use it to do the layout, although I’ve not done it.
If you are on a Mac, Vullum is easy to use for interior layout. Although the result is somewhat cookie-cutter, it is highly professional.
You can spend a ton on book covers, but I have successfully used GetCovers for a few projects. They are incredibly inexpensive and do great work.
If you need anyone to help with your book project, including finding editors, Reedsy is a great place to look.
PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION:
Again, a traditional or hybrid publisher will handle most of these items for you, but they can be valuable resources for a self-published book. That said, 48 Hour Books and Lulu are great for custom editions.
If you want global distribution at the push of a button, there are two resources. I used PublishDrive for one book, and others recommend Draft2Digital.
I create custom editions of some of my books. I use software to add the client’s logo to the cover. I update the text in Vellum, including a personal message from the CEO on the first page. Then, I use 48 Hour Books to print them. They have great prices with super fast service.
Lulu is the best place to go if you want to print a single copy of a book. You can create a beautiful personalized hardcover book and print just one copy.
Ok, that’s my list. What would you add? Which ones from my list do you find helpful?
(The picture is from a book signing event from several years back)