Writing a book is a huge accomplishment in itself, but just because you have finished writing doesn’t mean your job is done. There’s so much more to do after writing the first draft of your book. You may feel like you are at loss for what to do next. But don’t worry!
Below in this article, we will go into detail on multiple things that need to be done once your book has been completed to make sure it is a success. On that note, let’s dive right in!
1 Edit Your Book
Usually, the first draft of your book is as good as crap. That’s why it’s recommended to edit it thoroughly once it’s been completed. There are multiple types of editing, including developmental, copyediting, line editing, and proofreading. You will have to do each of them step by step.
At first, it is recommended to do developmental editing, which will include setting up the overall structure of your book and polishing the outline and sub-chapters. After this is done, you can copy edit your work to polish details in your story plot, character development, and content flow.
Developmental and copyediting will do most of your work, and now you will only have to proofread your work for more details like spelling, punctuation marks, and grammar mistakes. By following the sequence mentioned, you can be on your way to self-edit your book and make it available for potential readers.
2 Write a Query Letter
Let’s start with the backstory details first. When you are finished editing your book and think that it’s ready for publication, the first thing you’ll need to do is to have a literary agent by your side. A literary agent is the one who will land you a publishing deal with the publishing house of your choice.
They have the right network with other authors, editors, and publishers and can even recommend you the right person to go to when it’s time to edit and publish your work. Before approaching a literary agent to publish your work, you will have to write a query letter to them.
This letter will explain the synopsis of your book and how your book is unique from others in the market. To get the literary agent interested in your work, be sure you keep the query letter as compact and to the point as possible. It should take a maximum of one page to explain your story plot, protagonist, and other details in your book.
3 Find an Experienced Cover Designer
It is often said that a cover can make or break your book. And that is true in the sense that it is the first thing a reader will see and notice. If your book cover is interesting and attractive enough that a reader is compelled to pick it off the shelf, congratulations, you have made it.
To achieve this look and attraction on your book cover, make sure you hire an experienced book cover designer to do the job for you. It’s not that you can’t design it yourself, but a professional designer will be able to add details that you might miss out on.
So, make sure you invest your money in the right designer who can bring your vision to life. It will be worth it once you find your book in the new bestsellers’ list. If you prefer to go the self publishing route, then make sure that you use a computer software that will make your book cover look professional.
4 Market and Promote Your Book
Marketing your book is as important as writing it in the first place. Without proper marketing and promotion, you are as good as dead to your readers. They won’t know who you are and what you have written until they get to know you and your work.
So, make sure you build a perfect strategy to market your book using the right channels. It can be through media, influencers, or even bloggers. Make sure to reach out to big media outlets to publish your story or schedule an interview with you where you can promote your book.
You can also do podcasts with influencers and bloggers to tell their audience about your book and how it can be a good read for them. However, make sure you choose influencers and bloggers who have the right audience according to your needs.
5 Get Some Good Reviews to be Used as Blurbs
Blurbs are short reviews from people who have read your book and found it interesting enough to recommend it to other readers. They are typically printed on the back cover of your book but can also be used on websites and other promotional channels to encourage readers to buy a copy.
Getting good reviews for your book is important to help sell copies, but it’s not always easy to get them. The best way to get good reviews is to reach out to people who you think would be interested in reading your book and ask them to review it.
Make sure the people you reach are perceived as thought leaders in your industry and can actually influence your readers to buy your book. You can either contact them directly and ask them to read and review your book or give them a free copy of your book in exchange for an honest review.
6 Create an Author Platform
For starters, an author platform is any offline or online medium where an author can reach their audience and encourage them to buy their work. It can be a website, blog, social media presence, or media outlet. It is recommended to build your author platform before you start writing your book, but if you haven’t already, it’s never too late to start.
Just go out there, find a perfect medium that works for you and your audience, and start promoting your work. For example, if you have built a website or blog, post regular content that might be useful for your audience and tell them how and when your book will be released and where they can find a copy.
You can also give talks or readings to generate interest in your book and get people talking about it. It will ultimately increase your readers’ interest in your book and you’ll be on your way to making it a success.
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