Ever wonder what it takes to actually publish a book from a completed manuscript to end product? Well, I haven’t completely cataloged the process (which I warn you is about two months long), but it could be pretty helpful for setting some realistic expectations if you ever thinking about doing the same. Now, my intention is to publish both a paper copy of the book and the Kindle version. This will explain both sets of processes as I do them. So, let’s get started…
1. Starting Point – Day Zero
So, when I say I have a manuscript, what does that really mean? Well, I’ve written the book out, edited it here and there, and the story is complete. However, there are no chapter names – I’m not the sort who names chapters as I go along. Second, there is no book summary, and only a partial bit of cover art done and banked up some time ago. The document is in Word, and it does have the chapter headings sets to the right heading style, but that’s sort of it. The word count of the book is 262,982. The number of pages Word thinks it has right now is 537, but that’s not formatted for anything by 8″ x 11″ paper, so that’s not close to correct.
2. Day 1/Activity 1 – Copy a Kindle Template
So, beyond this log I’m keeping which I’ll omit any future mention of, you have to start somewhere. Well, my editors need a copy of the book in Kindle format, as do I, for editing. As an unpublished Kindle format book, they can mark sections, make notes, and call me back with corrections or issues. Thankfully, I have a number of other books so I have a template to work with. However, I have to copy that book to a new folder, rename everything, and go into each and every file and delete the text from the old book.
Screenshot of Kindle Book Structure
I also have to put the new book’s title into the heading of every chapter’s HTML page. This is tricky, because seldom, if ever, do the number of chapters match, so I’m either adding files or taking them away. If I make a mistake, the book won’t compile or look or function appropriately. That will be QA (Quality Assurance) step before I let the book go to the editors.
3. Day 1/Activity 2 – Put together the request for cover art
Rushing or hovering over an artist is something that really annoys them and can sour a working relationship, so I really try NOT to do that. So, pretty early on, I need to put together “version zero” of the cover using what art and titling or ideas I do have, and provide that to the artist with a request for a completion date, say mid-February the way things are shaping up. My goal will be to get that out in e-mail by the end of today or tomorrow night at the latest.
What’s happening in the meantime?
Well, life, honestly. It is Christmas, and there’s visits and prep and all sorts of things that need to done. Also, I still like to write in the evenings or as I have time. Publishing the book happens what computer programmers like to call a “parallel process.” It will get a little time every day (or every few days), but I enjoy writing so that keeps moving forward, as well. Book 3 of the Beyond series, namely Ascension, is nearing completion, and it will be a longer book than this one (unless I decide to cut parts).
I hope you enjoy this, and if you read this and find it interesting, I’d love to hear from you on the Facebook page of “The Thurian Saga.”
Until then, take care and see you in the future,
JTL