If you recently finished writing your novel and you’ve been staring at your computer asking…
“What do I do next?”
This video is for you.
You might be asking these questions:
- Should you hire an editor first?
- When do you design your book cover?
- What is Amazon KDP?
- How much does all of this cost?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed… you’re not alone. I started exactly where you are today 13 years ago.
I was overwhelmed when I finished my first novel — overwhelmed and confused about what my next steps were.
I had to search and search online reading blogposts, listening to podcasts and YouTube videos to find the answers I needed for each step.
The Good News… is that self publishing your book isn’t nearly as overwhelming or confusing once you understand this simply roadmap.
If you would like a detailed checklist on simple steps to self-publish your book, you can download the self-publishing checklist for Free HERE.
In the video and blogpost below, I’ll show you my exact steps… so you can self publish your book too.
In today’s video I’m going to walk you through the complete self-publishing checklist step by step, so you’ll know exactly what comes next—from typing “The End” all the way to holding your published book in your hands. Let’s get started.
Step One: Celebrate That you’ve finished writing the Manuscript of your book
Before you do anything else… Celebrate. Seriously.
Very few people finish writing a novel.
You’ve already accomplished something remarkable.
- Take a few days away from the manuscript.
- Go for walks.
- Read books.
- Refill your creative well. Distance helps you return with fresh eyes.
Step Two: Revise Your Story
This is where your novel really begins to improve.
Instead of fixing every sentence immediately…
Start with the big picture.
Ask yourself these questions:
• Does the story make sense?
• Does my hero change?
• Does my heroine change?
• Does every chapter move the story forward?
• Are there scenes that can be removed?
• Is the ending satisfying?
Think of yourself as an architect before becoming an interior designer.
Build the house first.
Decorate later.
Step Three: Get Feedback
Now it’s time to invite fresh eyes to look over your story.
This might include:
- Beta readers
- Critique partners
- Writing groups
- Trusted author friends
Remember… you Don’t need to ask ten people.
Choose a handful thoughtful readers who really enjoy reading books in your genre.
I ask Beta Readers if they would like to read my books before I self publish.
I send them the ebook via a BookFunnel email and then they read it and give me feedback.
When they send me an email with errors that they saw in my book, I’m very appreciative. And I thank them for taking the time to help me improve my book.
Then I look for patterns between what the beta readers are suggesting I change.
If several readers mention the same issue…
Pay attention and fix the mistakes.
Step Four: Professional Editing
Editing your book is an investment in your readers.
Depending on your budget, this may include:
Developmental editing: This is editing looks at the big picture of your book. The editor helps shape the story itself rather than correcting grammar or spelling.
It Focuses on:
Story structure
Plot and pacing
Character development
Emotional arcs
Point of view
Theme
Scene order
Dialogue effectiveness
Story logic
Reader engagement
Line editing: This is editing that improves how the story is written—sentence by sentence and paragraph by paragraph.
The story itself usually stays the same, but the writing becomes smoother, more engaging, and more emotional.
This focuses on:
Sentence flow
Word choice
Stronger dialogue
Showing instead of telling
Eliminating repetition
Improving pacing within scenes
Copyediting: This is editing that focuses on correctness, consistency, and clarity.
The editor checks the technical side of the manuscript rather than changing the story.
This focuses on:
Grammar
Spelling
Punctuation
Capitalization
Consistency
Word usage
Timeline errors
Character names
Proofreading: This is editing that is the final review before publication.
The manuscript has already been edited and formatted. The proofreader searches for tiny mistakes that slipped through.
It focuses on:
Typos
Missing words
Extra spaces
Incorrect punctuation
Formatting issues
Page numbering
Chapter heading consistency
Small spelling mistakes
Not every first-time author can afford every level.
That’s okay.
Do the very best you can with the resources you have.When I started I asked a proofreader to read my books and she pointed out the mistakes and I fixed them. That didn’t cost very much in comparison to a developmental editor… so it worked for me.
A polished manuscript builds reader trust.
Step Five: Your Book Cover
People really do judge books by their covers.
Your cover should immediately communicate:
*Genre
*Tone
*Audience
*Promise
For example…
A sweet romance cover should look completely different from a thriller.
A sweet romance book cover often has a couple on the front cover and whatever your theme is — if your book is a beach romance then likely there’s a beach and water in your background. If you’re writing cowboy sweet romance, then likely your book cover includes a heroine and hero and often mountains OR land and horses, etc in your background.
Or if you’re writing women’s fiction sweet or clean romance, I learned that you don’t need to have people on the front cover. I watched what other indie authors did who were selling well in women’s fiction romance — and learned that many of them didn’t have people on their book covers.
So with my women’s fiction clean romance mystery titled: The Vineyard Inn for example — I simply had a photo of a lighthouse set on an island and some blue water surrounding it — and that book cover has attracted the right readers.
Now as far as ideas for book cover designers there are many.
I have had book covers created by many different cover designers over the years.
For my cowboy series and women’s fiction series — I asked Wilette from Red Leaf Book Design to design those covers.
For my newest clean romantic suspense I have asked the people at GetCovers.com to design the book cover.
The Important thing to remember is: your book cover is your book’s first impression to your readers.
Invest wisely.
Step Six: Formatting Your Book
Now it’s time to prepare your manuscript for readers.
You’ll need formatting for:
*Paperback
*Hardcover (optional)
*eBook
Good formatting creates a professional reading experience.
Readers may never notice good formatting… but they’ll definitely notice poor formatting.
To format my books I use Vellum which is very simple to use and creates beautiful ebooks and paperback books. And you can get a lifetime so that is super helpful. Another option is to use Kindlepreneur’s Atticus Software.
Step Seven: Write Your Book Description & Back Cover Blurb
Think of your description as a movie trailer.
Don’t summarize every chapter.
Instead…
Introduce the main characters.
Present the central problem.
Hint at what’s at stake.
Leave readers wanting more.
Curiosity sells books.
Step Eight: Upload to Amazon KDP and other Digital Retail stores like Google Play Books; Kobo; Barnes & Noble and Apple Books
Now comes the exciting part. This is where you get to earn money with your self published books as an indie author.
Create your publishing account on these different digital retail stores.
Just a quick note: I upload to Amazon KDP; Google Play Books and Kobo direct with an account at each store — however with Barnes and Noble and Apple Books I use Draft2Digital — which is an aggregator that uploads my ebooks to Barnes & Noble and Apple Books. That’s just how I self-publish my books… but you may prefer to do things differently in your author business.
I also upload my newest book release to BookFunnel and when new readers buy from my Shopify or Fourthwall shop, then the book funnel link for the ebook they purchased is sent directly to their email address immediately after purchase.
Upload and Write Down These Details:
1.Your manuscript
2.Your cover
3.Your description
4.Keywords
5.Categories
6.Pricing
Review everything carefully.
Order a proof copy before approving publication.
Holding your first printed proof is an unforgettable moment.
Step Nine: Launch Your Book
Publishing your book isn’t the finish line.
It’s the beginning.
Tell your email list.
Share on social media.
Ask ARC readers for honest reviews.
Celebrate with family and friends.
Most importantly…
Keep writing.
Because your second book helps sell your first.
Step Ten: Build an Author Career
Many writers think:
“I’ll finally feel like an author when my book is published.”
I don’t believe that’s true.
You became an author the day you committed to finishing your story.
Self Publishing simply allows readers to experience it.
The most successful indie authors don’t stop after one book.
*They keep learning.
*They keep improving.
*And they keep writing.
One book at a time. And you can TOO!
The Complete Roadmap
Let’s review the journey:
✅ Finish your manuscript
✅ Celebrate finishing
✅ Revise your story
✅ Get beta reader feedback
✅ Edit your manuscript
✅ Design your cover
✅ Format your book
✅ Write your description
✅ Upload to digital retail stores like Amazon, Google play books, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Apple Books
✅ Order your proof copy
✅ Publish your book
✅ Launch your novel
✅ Start writing the next one
When you see the roadmap laid out like this…
Self-publishing becomes much less overwhelming.
Just focus on one step at a time.
If you’ve finished your manuscript…
Ask yourself:
“What is my very next step?”
Not the next ten.
Just the next one.
Maybe it’s taking a short break.
Maybe it’s beginning revisions.
Maybe it’s contacting beta readers.
Progress happens one step at a time.
I hope today’s simple roadmap helped make the self-publishing journey feel a little less intimidating.
If you would like a detailed checklist on simple steps to self-publish your book, you can download the self-publishing checklist for FREE HERE.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be creating detailed videos on simple self publishing steps—including editing, book covers, pricing, launches, and the biggest mistakes first-time authors make.
If you’re Ready for more inspiration and tips on self publishing your book, watch this video next.
I’ll see you there!
