Geek's Guide to Publishing a Book Part 4...

...More on Publishing.

Las time, we talked about what publishing was, but in a kind of abstract way. Here is a sort of non-comprehensive list of things that a publisher does to turn a story/idea into a marketable book:

• Proofread and copy edit manuscript with the intent to eliminate any and all spelling and grammatical errors.
• Content edit the manuscript with the intention of making the book more marketable.
• Check the manuscript for legalities such as libelous statements.
• Design the cover art.
• Design the cover layout
• Decide on the format of book (hard cover, paperback, trade paperback, coffee table book, etc.)
• Decide on the overall design of the book including paper used in body of the book, cover materials, dust jacket materials, etc.
• Design the interior layout of the book.
• Decide on the fonts used for the different parts of the book.
• Typeset the book.
• Arrange for any appropriate illustrations to be created and/or licensed for use in the book.
• Arrange for an ISBN number for the book.
• Arrange for a Library of Congress Catalog Card Number for the book.
• Arrange for a barcode for placement on the back of the dust cover.
• Arrange for delivery of Advance Reading Copy/Uncorrected Proofs to reviewers.
• Arrange for printing.
• Decide on a cover price.
• Arrange for distribution or order fulfillment.
• Arrange for storage of books prior to shipment to distributors or sellers.
• Write and implement a marketing plan.
• ...

Unless you are a true polymath with access to all the necessary resources, you will have to have someone perform these functions (and any that I missed) for you. Like I said: writing a book is only 10% of the job.

 

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