5 Self Publishing Musts

1. EDIT, EDIT, EDIT

Don't even think about publishing your book until you are absolutely 100% certain it's as good as it can be, and NEVER publish your book as soon as you have finished it. Put it away for a month or so. When you review it again, mistakes and typos will jump out at you.

Always use a spell checker. There are also some useful internet sites such as Autocrit, which will search your work for writing errors and weaknesses.

Ask other people to read your work, and listen to what they have to say. There's a danger of getting too close to your subject, which means you don't notice things that are glaringly obvious to others.

2. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS

All self-publishing companies have their own formatting rules. Make sure you read and follow them. Keep to the font styles and sizes recommended, and don't use more than one unless you really have to, as this tends to be distracting.

When you are looking at the computer screen, it's difficult to imagine your book the way it will look on paper, so print out test pages to make sure you get it right.

Remember to number your pages, and make sure that the first page of your book begins on an odd number.

3. GET THE COVER RIGHT

Forget the old adage "never judge a book by its cover". It's worth investing in the best cover you can get, as this is the biggest selling point your book can have.

Many self publishing companies will produce a cover for you, but this means your book will have the same cover as thousands of others.

You don't have to employ a professional designer, (although you can if you want to). Most people now have access to digital cameras, so why not produce your own unique cover? Alternatively, find a picture or photo online that you find both interesting and appropriate, and ask the owner if you can use it. Most people are only too happy to have their work adorn your front cover!

4. SORT OUT YOUR COPYRIGHT AND ISBN

Make sure you have a page in your book showing that you own the copyright. Most self publishing companies will supply the necessary wording for you. If your book is fiction, it's also important to insert a disclaimer that none of your characters actually exist.

If you want to sell your book in stores, and in online bookshops such as Amazon, you will need an ISBN number. Again, your self-publishing company will help you with this, or you can purchase the number yourself from the UK ISBN Agency. You will then need to upload a bar code to your book cover. Again, there are dozens of internet companies willing to help you with this for just a few pounds.

5. GET A PROOF COPY

ALWAYS get a proof copy. Once you are holding the (almost) finished product in your hands, any mistakes in formatting are obvious. Make sure the bar code reads properly, and that the book looks professional. Compare it to another paperback, and make a note of any differences.

This is your last chance to put things right before your send your baby out into the wide world, so take the opportunity to edit it one last time.

And once you have made your changes, order another proof copy, just to make sure nothing has gone wrong somewhere else. I once managed to delete my entire front cover by pure accident. Thank goodness I sent for that final copy before I ordered a hundred copies!

And once you have your beautiful book there on the coffee table, it's time to get out there and sell it. But that's another story...