📋 Your Publishing Progress
0 of 0 items complete
Why You Need a Publishing Checklist
Self-publishing involves dozens of moving parts. Skip one step and you lose momentum during the most critical window for your book's success. Forget to set up metadata before launch? Your book is invisible. No book description ready on publication day? You're scrambling when you should be celebrating.
After helping 20,000+ authors publish, we built this checklist from the mistakes we've seen most often. Every item is something real authors have missed and regretted. Work through them in order, check them off as you go, and you'll arrive at publication day fully prepared.
From Ash Davies, Founder: "The #1 mistake I see new authors make isn't bad writing or ugly covers. It's launching without a plan. They publish, post once on social media, and wonder why nothing happens. This checklist is the plan." — Ash Davies, Books.by
💾 Your progress auto-saves. Check items off and close this tab — when you come back, everything will be exactly where you left it. This uses your browser's localStorage, so use the same browser/device each time. Bookmark this page and use it as your publishing dashboard.
Phase 1
0
Pre-Publication Items
Phase 2
0
Publication Day Items
Phase 3
0
Post-Publication Items
📝
Phase 1: Pre-Publication
4–12 weeks before launch · The foundation of your book's success
0%
Manuscript Preparation
Complete your final self-edit Critical
Read the entire manuscript aloud. Check structure, pacing, consistency, and cut anything that doesn't serve the story.
Send to beta readers (3–5 people)
Target readers in your genre. Give specific feedback questions. Allow 2–4 weeks for responses.
Revise based on beta reader feedback
Look for patterns — if multiple readers flag the same issue, address it. Single opinions are optional.
Professional Editing
Hire a professional editor Critical
At minimum: copy editing ($500–$1,500). Consider developmental editing for your first book. Check Reedsy, EFA, or genre-specific recommendations.
Review edited manuscript & approve changes
Go through every edit. Accept or reject. Ask questions. This is your final chance to catch content issues.
Proofread the final manuscript
One final pass for typos, punctuation, and formatting. Hire a proofreader ($200–$500) or do a very careful self-proofread.
Cover Design
Research genre cover conventions Critical
Browse top-selling books in your genre. Screenshot 10–15 covers you love. Note colors, fonts, imagery, and layout patterns.
Hire a cover designer or purchase premade cover
Custom: $500–$2,500. Premade: $200–$400. Share your genre references with the designer. Never DIY unless you're a professional designer.
Get cover in all required formats
Front cover for ebook (JPEG/PNG, 2560×1600px). Full wrap (front + spine + back) for print. Confirm spine width with your platform.
Test cover at thumbnail size
Shrink your cover to the size of a postage stamp. Is it still readable? Does it signal your genre? This is how readers see it on Amazon.
Interior Formatting
Choose your trim size
6×9" for nonfiction, 5.5×8.5" or 5×8" for fiction. Research what's standard in your genre. See our book sizes guide.
Format interior for print (PDF)
Use Atticus, Vellum, or Books.by's formatter. Set proper margins, gutter, headers, page numbers, and chapter headings.
Format interior for ebook (EPUB) If selling ebook
EPUB for most platforms, MOBI for older Kindle devices. Most formatting tools export both. Test on actual devices or use Kindle Previewer.
Add front matter & back matter
Front: title page, copyright page, dedication, table of contents. Back: acknowledgments, about the author, other books by you, call to action (email list, reviews).
Order a proof copy & review it Critical
Always order a physical proof before publishing. Check margins, font size, image quality, spine text, and cover alignment. Read at least a few chapters in print.
ISBN & Metadata
Get your ISBN Free with Books.by
One per format (paperback, hardcover, ebook). Books.by includes free ISBNs. Otherwise: Bowker ($125 each in US), or free from government agencies (UK, CA, AU).
Choose your BISAC categories (2–3)
BISAC codes determine where your book appears in bookstores and online. Research which categories bestsellers in your genre use. Be specific, not broad.
Research and select 7 Amazon keywords
Amazon allows 7 keyword phrases. Use long-tail phrases your readers search for. Tools: Publisher Rocket, Amazon auto-suggest, or browsing bestseller lists.
Set your copyright page details
Include: © [year] [your name or publisher name], ISBN, edition information, "All rights reserved" statement. See our copyright guide.
Book Description & Marketing Prep
Write your book description / blurb Critical
This is your #2 marketing tool after the cover. Follow the Hook → Setup → Escalation → CTA formula. See our blurb guide.
Write your author bio (short & long versions)
Short bio: 2–3 sentences for back cover and platform profiles. Long bio: 1 paragraph for your author page and website.
Set up an email list Critical
Use Mailchimp (free up to 500 contacts), ConvertKit, or MailerLite. Create a sign-up form and a reader magnet (free chapter, bonus content, related resource).
Set your pricing strategy
Research comparable books in your genre. Typical: ebook $2.99–$9.99, paperback $12.99–$18.99, hardcover $24.99–$34.99. Factor in print costs and desired royalty.
Prepare social media announcement assets
Create 3–5 social media graphics featuring your cover. Write announcement posts for each platform. Schedule if possible.
Build an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) team Recommended
Send free copies to 10–50 readers 2–4 weeks before launch in exchange for honest reviews on launch day. Use BookSirens, StoryOrigin, or personal outreach.
🚀
Phase 2: Publication Day
Launch day · Make everything count
0%
Platform Setup & Upload
Set up your Books.by store Books.by
Create your account, customize your storefront at books.by/yourname. Upload book files, cover, and metadata. Preview and publish. The average Books.by store goes live in 8 minutes from signup.
Upload to Amazon KDP
Create your KDP account. Upload interior, cover, and metadata. Select categories, keywords, and pricing. Preview. Publish.
Upload to IngramSpark For bookstore distribution
If you want bookstore/library distribution. Submit print-ready files, cover with barcode, and metadata. $49 setup fee per title.
Upload ebook to wide distribution If going wide
Use Draft2Digital or Smashwords to reach Apple Books, Kobo, B&N, and libraries. Or upload directly to each platform.
Verify all book listings are live & correct
Check every platform. Confirm cover displays correctly, description is formatted properly, price is right, and "Look Inside" preview works.
Launch Day Actions
Send launch email to your list Critical
Your email list is your #1 launch asset. Send a dedicated email with your Books.by direct purchase link (highest royalty) and Amazon link.
Post launch announcements on social media
Post on every platform you're active on. Share behind-the-scenes, your "why" story, and direct links to purchase. Tag relevant accounts.
Notify your ARC team that the book is live
Remind ARC readers to post their reviews today. Provide direct links to Amazon, Goodreads, and your Books.by store.
Update your website & social bios
Add the book to your website. Update Instagram/Twitter/Facebook bios with your Books.by store link. Add to your email signature.
Claim your Goodreads author page
If you haven't already, claim your Goodreads author profile. Add your book, your photo, and your bio. Goodreads is where avid readers discover and track books.
Set up your Amazon Author Central page
Add your photo, bio, blog feed, and social links. This appears alongside your book on Amazon and builds credibility with shoppers.
📈
Phase 3: Post-Publication
First 90 days & ongoing · Build momentum and sustain sales
0%
Reviews & Social Proof (First 2 Weeks)
Follow up with ARC readers who haven't reviewed yet
A gentle reminder email. Some people need a nudge. Aim for 10–25 reviews in the first two weeks.
Ask friends and family for honest reviews
Emphasize "honest" — Amazon penalizes fake reviews. Even 3–4 star reviews are helpful for social proof.
Add a review request in your back matter
Include a page at the end of your book asking readers to leave a review. Direct them to Amazon or your Books.by store. This is a forever source of reviews.
Submit to book bloggers and reviewers
Find book bloggers and BookTubers in your genre. Offer free copies. Their reviews drive awareness to new readers.
Advertising & Promotion (First 30 Days)
Set up Amazon Ads campaign Recommended
Start with Sponsored Product ads. Target keywords and comparable book titles. Budget $5–$10/day. Monitor for 2 weeks before optimizing.
Run a BookBub Featured Deal If accepted
Apply for a BookBub deal (competitive but high-impact). Temporary price drop to $0.99–$2.99 to drive volume and reviews. See our marketing guide.
Submit to newsletter promotion services
Written Word Media, Freebooksy, Robin Reads, and similar services promote discounted ebooks ($20–$200 per promotion).
Create Facebook/Instagram ad campaigns Optional
Target readers of comparable authors. Drive traffic to your Books.by store for maximum ROI (100% royalty vs Amazon's 35–70%).
Email List Growth
Create a reader magnet for email signups
Offer a free chapter, bonus scene, related short story, or helpful resource in exchange for email addresses. This is your #1 long-term marketing asset.
Add email signup link to back matter of your book
Every reader who finishes your book should see a way to join your list. "Loved this book? Get a free bonus chapter at [link]."
Send a welcome email sequence to new subscribers
3–5 automated emails that deliver the reader magnet, introduce yourself, share behind-the-scenes content, and mention your other books.
Ongoing Optimization (First 90 Days)
Monitor sales data weekly
Track which platforms and marketing channels drive the most sales. Books.by provides real-time analytics. Double down on what works.
Test different price points
Try different prices over 2-week periods. Some genres convert better at $4.99, others at $14.99. Let the data decide.
Update Amazon keywords and categories
After 30 days, review which keywords are driving traffic. Swap underperformers. Contact KDP support to add additional categories.
Engage with readers & respond to reviews gracefully
Thank readers who reach out. Never argue with negative reviews publicly — it always looks bad. Use critical feedback to improve your next book.
Start writing your next book Most Important
Your backlist is your best marketing tool. Each new book drives sales of your previous books. Authors with 3+ titles earn significantly more per title. Start now.
Timeline & Budget Overview
Here's what a realistic self-publishing timeline and budget look like, assuming you're starting with a finished first draft:
| Phase | Tasks | Timeline | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-edit + Beta readers | Revise manuscript, send to betas, incorporate feedback | 2–4 weeks | $0 |
| Professional editing | Copy editing (+ developmental if needed) | 2–8 weeks | $500–$3,000 |
| Cover design | Commission or purchase (runs parallel to editing) | 1–3 weeks | $200–$2,500 |
| Formatting | Interior layout for print and ebook | 1–2 weeks | $0–$500 |
| ISBN & metadata | Get ISBN, choose categories, write description | 1–2 days | $0–$125 |
| Upload & publish | Upload to all platforms, verify, go live | 1 day | $0–$49 |
| Marketing | Email, social media, ads, reviews | Ongoing | $0–$2,000+ |
$700–$5,000
Total typical budget for a professionally self-published book
The 7 Most Common Self-Publishing Mistakes
These are the mistakes we see authors make again and again. Each one is avoidable with the checklist above:
- Skipping professional editing. The #1 reason for bad reviews. No amount of self-editing replaces a professional eye. Budget $500+ minimum.
- DIY cover design. Unless you're a professional designer, don't do this. A bad cover signals "amateur" to readers instantly and kills sales before they start.
- Not researching genre conventions. Your cover, pricing, blurb, and categories need to match what readers in your genre expect. Study the bestsellers.
- Launching without an email list. Even 50 subscribers gives you a launch mechanism. Building your list should start months before your book is ready.
- Pricing incorrectly. Too cheap signals low quality. Too expensive prices out impulse buyers. Research your genre and test different price points.
- Choosing only one platform. Don't put all your eggs in Amazon's basket. Use Books.by for direct sales (100% royalties) + Amazon for marketplace + optionally IngramSpark for bookstores.
- Not asking for reviews. Reviews don't appear magically. Build an ARC team, add a review request in your back matter, and actively solicit honest reviews from readers.
How Books.by Simplifies Your Checklist
Several items on this checklist are significantly easier — or entirely eliminated — when you use Books.by as your publishing platform:
ISBN
Free & Included
No Bowker purchase needed. Free ISBNs for every format — paperback, hardcover, ebook. You're listed as the publisher.
Formatting
Built-In
Upload your DOCX or PDF and Books.by handles print-ready formatting automatically. No separate formatting tool needed.
Storefront
Instant Setup
Your own branded bookstore at books.by/yourname. No website building, no plugins, no monthly hosting fees.
Royalties
100% on Direct
Keep every dollar from direct sales. Daily payouts — not monthly with 60-day delays like Amazon.
Print-on-Demand
Integrated
No inventory risk. Books are printed and shipped when ordered. Order author copies at print cost any time.
Customer Data
You Own It
Books.by captures buyer emails automatically — growing your marketing list with every sale. Amazon never shares this data.
Ready to Check Off Every Item?
Books.by handles the ISBN, formatting, storefront, print-on-demand, and payouts — so you can focus on writing, editing, and marketing. $99/year for everything.
Start Your Books.by Store — $99/yr →100-day money-back guarantee · Cancel anytime
Frequently Asked Questions
You need a finished, edited manuscript, a professional cover, formatted interior files, an ISBN, a publishing platform, a book description, pricing, and a marketing plan. Our checklist above covers 50+ specific items organized by phase.
Self-edit → beta readers → professional editing → cover design (parallel to editing) → formatting → ISBN → book description → upload to platforms → launch marketing. Follow our three-phase checklist for the complete sequence.
4–12 weeks from finished manuscript to published book. Editing takes 2–8 weeks, cover design 1–3 weeks (parallel to editing), formatting 1–2 weeks, and the upload/publish process takes one day. Marketing is ongoing.
Skipping professional editing, DIY cover design, ignoring genre conventions, launching without an email list, incorrect pricing, using only one platform, and not proactively gathering reviews. All preventable with a good checklist.
Yes — this is the single most important investment. At minimum, get copy editing ($500–$1,500). Books without professional editing receive lower reviews and fewer recommendations. This is one item you should never skip.
Books.by provides free ISBNs, built-in formatting, print-on-demand, your own storefront, 100% royalties on direct sales, daily payouts, and automatic buyer email collection — consolidating many steps that typically require multiple tools and services.
