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Publishing a book for the first time? We know that the process of creating, printing and selling a book can seem a bit overwhelming at first. That’s why we created this step-by-step guide to help. If you love lists and need a little guidance for publishing your next book, we’ve put together this checklist to help you stay on track for a successful and lucrative publishing experience.

STEP #1: Build Your List

If you’re thinking of writing a book, or have been working on your manuscript, building an audience who will be first in line to buy your book is one of the best things you can do to ensure sales success. Start blogging, send out emails, write newsletters, and start collecting email addresses to build a database list that will become your biggest fans – and buyers! – and help to spread the word when you release your new book.

STEP #2: Choose Your Publisher

There are companies out there who offer “one-button” solutions that make it all look super easy – just send them your manuscript and they print your book and sell it on Amazon for you, easy-peasy. What they don’t tell you is that by handing the book over to Amazon for sales, you are also handing your customers over to them as well.

We appreciate the fact that everyone shops on Amazon, but we offer a way to sell your books on Amazon without denying yourself access to your customers and their valuable contact information (see STEP #1). When you use Vervante, we give you the best of both worlds – your own solution where you sell the book from a site you control, collect customer contact information critical for building your business, and we handle printing and shipping. PLUS we list your book for sale on Amazon as an additional purchasing option. It’s a win-win solution: You have access to your customers’ data AND your book will be available on Amazon. Want more information on how this works? Check out this article: The Difference Between Vervante and CreateSpace.

STEP #3: Finish Your Manuscript

The world needs that special gift you have, so what’s holding you back? Join a writer’s group, sign up for a book-writing challenge, join an author mastermind, assemble all those blog articles, or even hire a coach or ghostwriter if that’s what you need. You can do it!

STEP #4: Edit Content

Your book is your reputation. For best quality, and no embarrassing errors, add a professional copywriter or proofreader to your team. Ask other authors for referrals, survey your trusted connections online, or check with us about copyediting services.

STEP #5: Gather Quotes / Create an Author Account

Once you have an idea of the size, length and style of book you want to publish, reach out to us at sales@vervante.com for a free quote. You can also create a free author account for access to many of our author tools, expert guides, and to upload files, place orders and watch your account activity after you start publishing.

STEP #6: Get An ISBN & LCCN

ISBN’s are required for retail sales. Do it yourself or let us handle it for you by clicking on Purchase ISBN in your Vervante author Dashboard.

LCCN’s make your book eligible for library cataloging. If you want an LCCN, we offer that service as well, you’ll find it under the Services menu on our site.

STEP #7: Format the Interior & Design Your Cover

Professional formatting for your book content (the interior pages) creates a better experience for the reader. Look at some of your favorite books for ideas about everything from page numbering to chapter headings to photos, graphs, and charts.

Attractive cover design invites readers to dig in. It’s best to use a professional designer with book cover experience. Ask your colleagues, reach out on social media, or you can check with us for referrals and ideas. Don’t forget, book cover design includes front, back and the spine.

STEP #8: eBook Conversion

If you have a book – you can have an ebook too! Just think of how many more readers you can reach by offering your book to e-reader audiences who are hungry for new titles to add to their digital library. Be sure to choose a reputable ebook conversion specialist who can provide the services you need. And feel free to reach out to us for recommendations as well.

STEP #9: Upload Files & Order a Copy for Yourself

It’s ready! Upload print-ready text and cover files for your book using the Send Files link on your author Dashboard home page. Once the file shows up in your author account you can place orders from there. If you have something special in mind, such as bulk orders for a special event or book signing, let us know by emailing sales@vervante.com.

Once the book appears in your author account, order a copy (or 2) from your author Dashboard page for a final check – and congratulate yourself!

STEP #10: Copyright Registration

Don’t skip this important step to legally protect your book. You can do it yourself, or let our copyright experts handle it to make sure your work is protected. We can set it up for you, just log into your Vervante author account and click on the Copyright registration link on the author Dashboard. Here’s a great article with lots more details about Copyrighting a book.

STEP #11: Build Landing Page & Set-Up Shopping Cart

Set up sales pages and make sure your shopping carts are integrated with our system. Follow the instructions on our Order Processing Page (link at the bottom of our website pages) and Vervante will be automatically notified.  From the order confirmation email generated from ANY shopping cart, we’ll print and ship your book to your customer. for sales and shipping.

STEP #12: Retail Sales & eBook Listing

We will handle all of the details of listing your book and eBook on Amazon, processing and shipping orders.  We don’t take a percentage of the retail or any processing fees.

If you’re ready to get your book out there and share your brilliance with the world, we’re here for you. Be sure to sign up for our Vervescence newsletter and you’ll receive valuable special offers, priceless tips from the pros, and all the support you need for creating and publishing book and products that will truly help your business grow. And if you have any questions, we’re always here to help. You can email us at sales@vervante.com or schedule a live phone call with one of our publishing experts at https://vervante.youcanbook.me/.