A beginner’s guide to understanding and navigating self publishing services!
Coming up with a book idea or writing a book is just the first part of the self publishing process, and the next step, self-publishing services, is where many new authors encounter their first roadblock. Navigating the different stages of book creation and self publishing services can be quite daunting for new authors working on their first book.
The world of self publishing is filled with twists and turns. While I would like to say that most new authors in Australia navigate their way through this process with ease, the truth is that self-publishing can be complicated. However, that’s not to say it’s impossible. You just need to work through the process in the correct order or close to it, and you shouldn’t run into any issues.
To learn more about the self-publishing process, be sure to check out The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing Australia!
In this article, we’ll cover the self publishing services you need and help you to understand some of the many self-publishing services available to Australian authors looking to self publish their book on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark Publishing, and other self-publishing platforms such as Draft2Digitial. Whenever you’re choosing self-publishing service providers to work with, be sure to get a quote on costs and estimated delivery time, and if you have any questions, be sure to ask them for additional details.
Self Publishing Services for Australian and New Zealand Authors
Some of the self publishing services you’ll require to self-publish your book include:
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- Editing Services – This includes proofreading, copyediting, and developmental or structural editing. You may also want to investigate the options for some companies that provide for beta reading services.
- Book Formatting – This includes ebook formatting and paperback formatting.
- Cover Design – This includes ebook covers (front only) and paperback covers (front, back, and spine).
- Illustrations – Illustrations are typically for children’s books but can also be included with other books, along with children’s chapter books or illustrated novels.
- ISBNs – As a self-published author, you can set up and purchase your own ISBNs, ensuring that you retain control of your intellectual property. In Australia, ISBNs are purchased through Thorpe-Bowker Australia.
- Ghostwriting – Some people have an excellent idea for a book but don’t have the skill, experience, or time to write it themselves. Ghostwriters could step in and write the book on their behalf.
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Factors to Consider When Choosing A Self-Publishing Service Company
Before engaging a self publishing service company or provider, there are several factors that you should consider.
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- Costs – This is a big one. You should get a comprehensive quote for all self publishing services upfront and also ask if there are any additional costs that may arise. For example, at Author Services Australia, we provide various self-publishing services, but we don’t supply ISBNs. We can help with the process of purchasing ISBNs and the requirements, but the fees and costs of purchasing the ISBNs will be up to the author.
- Experience/Expertise – Check out their reviews on Google or Social Media and evaluate their reputation. Read reviews from other authors and check out their books online. Are they willing to answer questions and explain the process? How was their communication? Are they active on social media and maintaining an online presence? Companies such as the Alliance of Independent Authors (Alli) have a comprehensive list of self-publishing service providers along with a rating.
- Timeline – Consider your timeline and when you plan on self-publishing. How long will it take for them to provide your self-publishing services? Will they meet your deadline?
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These are just a few of the critical factors to consider when choosing a self publishing service provider. When considering your timeline, factor in additional time for reviewing each stage of the process. Be realistic about your timeline. Every stage of the self-publishing process takes time, and you may regret it later if you rush or skip a step.
If you are considering multiple services such as editing, formatting, and cover design, working with one company can make the entire process much easier as they can organize the project from start to finish and time it so that each stage of the project isn’t impacted by another.
Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing Services – Conclusion
Being a self published author often means tackling a lot of the work of publishing a book by yourself. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to take on every aspect of book design yourself. You can still be a successful self published author while getting professional help from a self publishing company.
Self publishing doesn’t mean that you can’t produce a professional quality book, and it doesn’t mean that you need to do everything yourself.
If you have questions about the self-publishing process, including learning more about the self-publishing services available to Australian authors and writers, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
At Author Services Australia, we support Australian and New Zealand self-published authors and writers with a full range of affordable self-publishing services, including ghostwriting, copyediting, developmental editing, proofreading, ebook and paperback formatting, book cover design, children’s book illustrations, graphic design services, manuscript uploading assistance, and social media and marketing.
If you’re a new author or just dipping your toes into the world of self-publishing and have any questions or advice for other authors, please drop a comment below. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog to avoid missing out on any future author news and updates.
If you’re still debating which publishing route is best for you and your book, the traditional publishing route or the self-publishing route, check out this video by Alyssa Matesic, which breaks down the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing.
