A finished draft is worth celebrating. It is also the beginning of a new phase: turning a private manuscript into a book a reader can confidently buy, open and recommend. Use this checklist to manage the work in a sensible order.
Editorial preparation
Set the manuscript aside before revising with fresh eyes. Complete structural editing first, then line editing, copyediting and a final proofread. Different stages solve different problems; polishing sentences is wasted effort if a chapter will later be removed.
Reader and market
Write a one-sentence description of the ideal reader and the promise of the book. Study comparable titles to understand expectations for length, cover language, price and categories. The aim is not imitation. It is clear positioning.
Title and metadata
Confirm the title, subtitle, author name, description, keywords and categories. Make sure the description opens with a strong reason to care and accurately represents the book. Obtain the appropriate ISBNs for the formats and markets you plan to use.
Cover and interior
Commission or create a cover that remains legible as a small thumbnail and meets the printer's technical specifications. Format the ebook for flexible screens and the print edition for its exact trim size. Check headings, page breaks, margins, images and front and back matter.
Rights and permissions
Verify permissions for quotations, photographs, illustrations and other third-party material. Confirm contracts with editors, designers and contributors. Add a copyright page and any necessary acknowledgements or disclaimers.
Proof copies and device tests
Order a physical proof and review it in ordinary light. Test the ebook on more than one device or app. Check the contents page, links, image quality, font size, running headers and blank pages. Corrections are cheaper before launch.
Distribution and pricing
Choose retailers, aggregators and print-on-demand options that fit your goals. Compare fees, territory coverage, returns policies and exclusivity terms. Set a price that respects both the market and the book's production costs.
Launch preparation
Create the author page, retailer links, sample material and a short sequence of useful announcements. Send advance copies to appropriate readers without demanding positive reviews. Plan a launch you can sustain after the first week.
Archive the final files, source files, contracts and metadata in an organised folder. Publishing is easier when every decision can be found again. A careful process will not guarantee a bestseller, but it gives the book the professional foundation it deserves.
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