Setting up as a self-publisher
Do you have a manuscript that you want to self-publish? The next steps can be scary, and you want to be sure that you get it right from the start so that you don't have any problems later on. Below is a handy, step-by-step guide of the things you need to do:
1) Get your own ISBN. If you want to maintain control of your book, it's essential to have one. If you're in Australia, you can set up a publisher/self-publisher account here and obtain one or a batch of them. It's handy to buy in bulk if you're planning to release more titles: https://www.myidentifiers.com.au/
2) Decide if you want to do print on demand, bulk/offset or digital printing. Print on Demand is the most common for self-publishers. It means that each copy of your book is only printed as they're ordered. Sites like Amazon use print on demand. If you would like to go this way, there are a few different services you can use. One option is to set up with Ingram Spark. You can find out more about how to do that here: https://www.ingramspark.com/how-to-self-publish-a-book
Bulk/offset printing is a good idea if you need a large number of copies, like 1000 or more. Before you decide on this option, be realistic about whether you think you're going to sell that many. It would be best to only do that if you have pre-orders for those kinds of numbers. If not, starting with print on demand might be best.
If you have trouble deciding which way to go, book a consultation with us and we can talk you through all the pros and cons of each step.
3) Decide if you want an ebook. Most books, especially novels, have ebooks available, so it's a good idea to have one to reach a market that might not favour printed books. It provides a cheaper option for a customer, giving them a chance to experience your book without the higher cost of a printed copy.
You can publish your ebook through companies like Ingram or Draft 2 Digital. See the links below for more details:
https://www.ingramspark.com/plan-your-book/ebooks
https://draft2digital.com/