Self-Publishing Your Book. A Concise Training Course. Part 1 of 9, Preparing Your Manuscript

You decide to self-publish your book. Or you may want to self-publish a training course, series of video clips, CD-ROMs or DVDs. Although this mini-course appears to focus mainly on self-publishing a book, you can draw up a similar check lists for other types of publication and some of the information below can be cross-referenced to those too.

Taking the decision to self-publish can bring you greater rewards financially, help you learn about the publishing process, and can bring increased risks - for the hope of a larger "chunk of the pie."

If we plan and prepare well, the process can be refreshingly straightforward. However, lack of knowledge and / or insufficient planning can result in a nightmarish experience and an expensive learning lesson. To help put you on the right course and prevent a bad outcome, consider the following self-publishing guidelines:

Preparing Your Manuscript:

• Determine the primary tool that you're going to use to create your publication. Most people create the manuscript for their book using word-processing software on a personal computer. Some may still use a typewriter or even write out long-hand. Although you can use whichever method suits you best, usually, the cheapest, most flexible and trouble-free option is write using a proven word processing or desktop publishing software.
• Get familiar with your favorite book creation software. Train yourself to use the software you'll use to create your book. This step is crucial. Become practiced in your skill. The good news is, since you'll most likely use the same few commands repeatedly,  you'll most likely only need learn about 25% of what your software is capable of.
• Liaise with your printing company early on in your book production phase, so that you use a format that is compatible with them and you understand the cycle of printing timescales.
• Agree with your printer on the layout, type of fonts, sizes and text spacing.
• Establish in what format you'll deliver your text. Most printing companies prefer to receive text in a format that is compatible with their systems. However, some will accept hand-written submissions, although an additional charge will almost certainly apply to convert hand-written manuscripts to a compatible electronic format.
• When finished, check, double-check and triple check your work. Before sending your completed manuscript to your printer, you'll need to check your work carefully and correct any errors. Most printers will simply print what you send.
• Establish the formats you'll need for both the electronic and hard copy versions. Whatever the electronic format you use for your manuscript, you'll almost certainly need to also provide a "hard copy" printout as well to your printing company.
• Create your own general checklist. Here's a general list of things to consider before sending off your manuscript to your printer (check with your printer for precise formats and conventions they use):
• Permissions. If you are using anyone else's work, whether written or graphical - make absolutely sure you have written permission to use each and every entry within your book.
• How to show alterations. If you make any alterations to your typed copy, include each alteration above the line.
• How to indicate italic and bold words and phrases. Clearly indicate any words or phrases in italics or bold using the method or system your printing company requires.
• Total page numbers. Estimate the number of pages in your book. Don't forget to consider any preliminary and end pages.
• Preliminary pages. Within your submitted publication file to your printer, include all preliminary pages that you want used.
• ISBN number. including the ISBN if you have one.
• End pages. Include any end pages in your publication.
• Images and illustrations. If any illustrations are to be used which are not already part of the electronic copy of your publication, include copies of these too, with details where in the publication these illustrations are to be used.
• Front and back cover content. Include the front and/or back cover illustrations. Include the back cover blurb text, or the equivalent desktop published design file.