self publishing a hard-cover book

Self Publishing A Hard-Cover Book: A Complete Guide

The process of self publishing a hard-cover book is not as complex as it seems. It requires some effort and patience, but the result is well worth it. There are many benefits to self publishing a hardcover book, and if you take your time, you can save money and create something that looks professionally published. This guide will take you to step by step through writing, designing, printing cost, and distributing your book. It also covers how to market your book so that it sells well to get started.

11 steps of self publishing a hard-cover book

self publishing a hard-cover book

Publishing a hardcover book is an exciting publishing journey that can take up to six months from start to finish. Here’s an overview of what you can expect if you decide on self publishing a hard-cover book.

Step 1: write your book

The first step in self publishing a hard-cover book is to write your book. It might seem obvious, but it’s important to remember that a book isn’t just a collection of words. It’s an organized collection of words with an introduction, middle, and end. Books are meant to be read, so make sure yours is palatable.

Your book should have an overall theme or objective if you’re writing nonfiction. For example, if you’re writing about using Excel for business purposes, your book should have a clear goal that addresses why someone wants or needs to know how to use Excel.

If you’re writing fiction and your book doesn’t have an overarching plot or character arc that carries through from start to finish, there isn’t much point in writing it!

Make sure that you have an outline of what you want your next book to include and how many chapters or sections it will have. It will help keep you on track and ensure that your book has a logical flow for editing.

Step 2: get a professional editor

If you’re self publishing a hardcover edition of your book, you won’t have access to an entire team of professionals who can help you with the process. It’s especially true if you don’t have any experience in publishing or writing. That’s why it’s so important to invest in a professional editor.

They will give your book a final review before it prints and ensure that everything is up to par.

As with hiring any professional service, there are many different levels of editors out there. Some charge by the hour, while others charge by the word count.

You can even find freelancers online who will edit your manuscript for free, though they may not be as skilled as those who charge.

If you want to save money, consider editing your manuscript with more than one person. Then take their feedback and combine it into one unified document.

The most important thing about editing is finding someone who understands your genre and can help you make sure that your writing is top-notch. If you’re publishing nonfiction, look for editors who have experience working on similar types of hardcover editions.

Step 3: design your book cover

The cover design of your book is the first thing that people see when self publishing a hard-cover book, so it needs to be professional-looking and eye-catching. You may want to use a template or stock image, but this can be a mistake. Your book cover should look like it was designed specifically for your book. The good news is that you can find a cover designer who will work with self-published authors at very reasonable rates.

Do hire a professional cover designer.

The best way to attract readers is with a great book cover that catches their eye and makes them want more basic information about the book. If you try to do this yourself, you won’t get it right. Hire someone who knows what they’re doing. They can help make sure that your finished product looks professional and appealing.

Don’t try using stock images or templates unless they were explicitly designed for books by professionals in the industry. If you’re not sure whether or not a picture would work well on your cover, ask someone else if they think it would fit with their interpretation of your book’s content.

Step 4: choose the interior layout design

self publishing a hard-cover book

Your book cover is the first thing that readers see, so it’s essential to make an excellent first time impression. But a good cover isn’t enough when self publishing a hard-cover book.

You also need a book’s interior layout design that complements your cover and makes your book look professional. To give your book a professional feel, you need to choose a suitable layout and font exact dimensions.

Your font choice can affect how readers perceive your writing, and changing the font size can make your book look more appealing.

Use serif fonts for body text. Serif fonts are more readable than sans-serif fonts when used in large blocks of text like paragraphs and chapters. For example, Times New Roman or Garamond are good serif fonts you can use in most cases.

Step 5: proofread your book

If you’re self publishing a hard-cover book, proofreading is one of the most crucial steps. If anything is off, it can detract from the overall quality of your book, which will reflect in hardcover sales.

A good proofreader will catch any spelling or grammatical errors that need to be corrected before your book goes to print. When hiring someone to proofread your book, make sure they grasp language and grammar rules.

They should also be able to identify areas where hardcover content page needs to be adjusted or expanded upon.

The best proofreaders are familiar with the topic of your book and have an eye for book details. It can help ensure that they catch everything that may need attention for the final product to meet your standards and expectations.

Step 6: choose your hardback binding

The right choice of hardback binding is an important one to make when self publishing a hard-cover book. You need your book to be premium quality, look great on the shelf, and something that will sell well. There are many options available to you when it comes to hardback binding. Here are some of the most popular choices.

Perfect bindingThe most common option, perfect binding, involves gluing your pages into a single unit. This is an excellent option if you want something more affordable than Smyth Sewn or Case Bound but still want a professional-looking finish. Perfect bound books can also be saddle-stitched if desired; however, this is not advised, making the spine weaker and more prone to warping.
Smyth sewnThis is another popular option that looks great and allows you to design your covers with images or text printed directly on them. The binding process involves sewing each signature (group) of pages together with thread before gluing them on the spine; this gives a strong spine that does not warp easily and can be opened flat without damaging pages.
CaseboundThis type of binding has a stiff cover and text block that are all one piece. The cover is usually made from cardboard or thick paperboard, and the text block is made from sections of cardboard glued together. Because it’s a more expensive binding method, casebound books are often used for high-end publications like textbooks, cookbooks, and art books.
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Step 7: set your trim size

Now it’s time to select a trim size. This is the final size of your book and will determine how much it costs to print your book. You have three options: 5″ x 8″, 6″ x 9″, or 7″ x 10″. Most self-publishers choose 5″ x 8″ because it’s the most cost-effective option. However, suppose you are planning on printing a beautiful hardcover book edition.

should consider choosing 6″ x 9″ instead because it will allow for larger print sizes and thus a more professional appearance.

You can also mix and match different trim sizes for multiple versions of each chapter to be printed at once.

This is known as “perfect binding.” For example, you can create paperback books using 5″ x 8″ trim sizes and then use a 6″ x 9″ trim size when self publishing a hard-cover book that costs more money but looks more professional.

Step 8: choose your dust jacket

If you are self publishing a hard-cover book, you may be wondering what the difference is between a dust jacket and a case laminate hardcover. A dust jacket is an additional layer of protection for your hardcover book. It is not glued to the cover of your book, but it can be used as an alternative to case laminate.

The most common type of dust jackets is an envelope-style sleeve that opens up and lays flat on the shelf. The outside of the sleeve shows a printed image or design, while the inside displays information about your book.

The sleeve can be made out of paper or plastic and will protect your book from scratches and smudges.

On the other hand, case laminate is a thin plastic film that goes over the entire cover of your book. This creates a glossy finish on top of the paper stock used on the cover and gives it an overall shinier look than just using paper alone.

It also makes it easier to clean fingerprints off your book because they don’t stick as quickly as they would on plain paper stock.

Step 9: handle the ISBNs and barcodes

hardcover books

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique numeric commercial book identifier. Publishing companies, booksellers, and libraries use ISBN to identify books published. The ISBN identifies the title, author, and publisher and can include a book’s print and digital usage.

The ISBN is a part of an international agreement between countries to make it easier for publishers in different countries to identify books they are publishing available worldwide.

A unique 13-digit number is assigned to each edition of a book.

The barcode is another form of identification for your book. The UPC Code or Universal Product Code is a 12-digit number printed on the back cover of most hardcover books that retailers use to track inventory levels on their store shelves.

Step 10: print your book

Most authors will have a print-on-demand service when self publishing a hard-cover book. A print on demand service can be an easy way to print your book, and it’s important to know that the quality of the print is the same as if you were printing one copy at home with a laser printer.

The main difference is that professional printing presses and a print on demand service are larger and faster, so they can run more copies at once and offer different types of paper and ink colors.

For example, if you wanted an image of your book cover printed on the front cover instead of just text, this would be possible with a professional printer but not with best printers at home.

Step 11: market your book

This is the most crucial step in your self publishing a hard-cover book journey. You can have a great book, but if no one knows about it, it’s like having an unpublished manuscript sitting on your desk.

If you have a marketing budget, you can hire a publicist to help promote your book and get reviews from top industry media outlets. If not, there are still ways to market your book effectively without spending a dime.

Create an author website or blog and post links to your hardcover books on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. This will allow you to keep track of how many people are clicking on the links, which will help you better understand what type of content resonates best with readers.

Write guest posts for other blogs related to your niche topic. You can also write articles for websites that accept guest contributions.

These sites tend to rank well in Google search results. They can provide another avenue for reaching potential readers who might not otherwise come across your book via Amazon or other online retailers.

Five common mistakes when self publishing a hard-cover book

self publishing a hard-cover book

Self publishing a hard-cover book is a lot of work, but it can also be gratifying. However, there are some common mistakes that many self publishing authors make when they prepare to publish their hard-cover books. Here are some of the most common mistakes that you should avoid.

Mistake #1: not setting the correct pricing

This is a common mistake for new authors who are self publishing a hard-cover book. They do not know what to charge for their book, so they have a low minimum price. This can be a great way to sell more book copies, but it can also hurt your brand.

Many people will look at your book and think it’s worth less than it is because you’re selling it too cheap. If you price your book too low, people will feel that you don’t value your work or that the hardcover content page isn’t good enough for you to sell it at such a high price point.

Mistake #2: not targeting the right audience

You have to know your target audience before you start writing or self publishing a hard-cover book. You need to know what they want and how they think. You also have to know their pain points and how you can solve them with your book.

This is one of the most important steps when writing a book because there will be no value in writing a book if no one reads it!

It doesn’t matter how great your idea is if no one knows about it because there will be no sales of your book! If you don’t target your audience correctly, then there’s no way for them to find out about it or buy it.

Mistake #3: not considering distribution channels

self publishing

Most authors think that the book is ready for publication once they finish the final draft. But the publishing process does not end with printing your hardcover book. You have to consider your distribution options and make sure that you do it correctly.

If you plan to sell your book on your website, this is not a problem, as you will also have complete control over pricing, shipping costs and printing cost, and handling charges.

However, if you plan to sell through other channels such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble, you need to know how they work and how they operate. If you don’t understand the basics of these sites, then it may be difficult for people to find your book on them and purchase it online.

Mistake #4: having incorrect ISBN information

When you publish your hardcover book, knowing how to enter the ISBN information correctly is crucial. The International Standard Book Number is a unique identifier assigned to each book and printed on the back of all books.

This number allows retailers, libraries, and other booksellers to keep track of hardcover books.

Because there are so many resources available for free online, it’s easy for someone who has never published a hardcover book before to make mistakes when entering their unique ISBN information into the appropriate fields on their website or other locations.

Mistake #5: not proofreading your hardcover book

The most common mistake self-published authors make is not proofreading their hardcover book. This can lead to errors in grammar and spelling, making the potential reader lose interest in your story.

Proofreading is one of the most critical steps during the publishing process because it helps ensure that the final product looks professional.

A professional proofreader will scan for typos, grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, etc. They’ll also check for consistency throughout your manuscript.

Frequently asked questions

self publishing

Here are the answers to some of your questions about self publishing a hard-cover book.

What should you include in your book cover design?

Here’s what you need to know about designing a book cover that will sell your book.

  • Choose a color scheme that matches your genre. 

If you want to stick with tradition, use colors that match those used by other hardcover books in your genre. You can also choose full colors based on how they feel.

Warm colors like red or yellow are associated with passion and excitement. On the other hand, cool colors like blue or green suggest serenity and calmness.

Neutral shades like black and white imply sophistication and elegance. Pastels evoke springtime and childhood memories.

  • Choose typography.

Use typography that helps readers understand what the book is about at a glance. For example, if you’re publishing a mystery novel set in Victorian England, use script fonts like Brush Script MT or Edwardian Script.

What kind of paper is the best for books?

There are many different types of paper, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common paper types used in book publishing are the following.

Offset printingOffset printing is the most economical way to print hardcover books. The ink is transferred from a plate onto the paper, which gives the book a more uniform appearance than letterpress and digital printing.
Uncoated stockThis has a smooth surface, making it easy to read and less durable than coated paper because it absorbs more moisture from the air and can become warped over time due to changes in humidity levels.
Uncoated stock is usually used for general interest nonfiction works like cookbooks, travel guides, and other hardcover books that aren’t expected to last very long in circulation.
Coated stockIt has an opaque finish that prevents ink from bleeding through the page when it’s wet (especially important for cookbooks). The coated stock also has a better resistance against tearing than uncoated paper because it has a tighter weave structure that holds its shape better when folded multiple times.

Final Words

The good news is that self-publishing a hardcover book is now easier than ever. There are plenty of options available to you that will allow you to get your book out there and into the hands of readers.

A hardcover book is a great way to create a physical copy for your business or brand. It can help you stand out from the crowd and make a strong first impression on potential customers. The only thing standing between you and a successful hardcover edition is time and patience.

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