Self-Publishing 101

Self-Publishing 101: Things to Consider Before Publishing Your Book in Print is a course designed to help you reach your publishing dreams!

Do you want to become a published author? Are you looking forward to seeing your books for sale in online places such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble? Would you like to hold your published books in your hands and share them with others? If yes, this course may be for you!

This course is for anyone interested in publishing a book but has no idea where to begin with the self-publishing process and for authors of any genre interested in learning more about self-publishing a book in print. Does that describe you?

There is A LOT to consider when choosing to self-publish a book! Instead of spending countless hours aimlessly searching for information about self-publishing, this course is designed in an easy-to-follow format to guide you in the right direction.

Divided into a total of 33 videos including the introduction, each video is presented with a slide show presentation as well as a downloadable transcript for your convenience. Handouts are also included with many videos to provide additional resources and information to help you with your publishing journey.

Before deciding if this course is for you, please check out what is covered within this course below. You are also welcome to watch the course video, introduction, and the video about print-on-demand publishing before choosing if this is the right course for you.

To your publishing success!

Please note: this course is not being continuously updated. Some links and resources may no longer be available or may be outdated. With that being said, most of the information presented in this course is still relevant. Thank you for understanding.

Section 1

Lecture 1: Introduction

Expansion of information presented in the course video

Brief introduction of instructor

List of what students should learn by the end of the course

List of what this course will not teach

List of who this course is for

Reference to the course Choosing the Best Publishing Option for You and Your Book

Brief overview of the publishing options: traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, and self-publishing

List of what is needed for this course

Some additional publishing tips

Break down of this course

Disclaimer and copyright information for this course

Information about the included handouts

Lecture 2: Print-On-Demand Publishing

Overview of print-on-demand printing

Pros of print-on-demand

Cons of print-on-demand

List of print-on-demand companies

Brief discussion of offset printing

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Note: Some print-on-demand companies have changed their policies since this course was created. For example, as of May 2023, IngramSpark no longer charges for book setup fees.

Section 2: Copyright and Legalities to Consider

Lecture 3: Copyright

What copyright is

How long copyright lasts

How to register for copyright

What may not be copyrighted

How to show copyright

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 4: Other Legalities to Consider

Explanation of disclaimers with samples

Being an authorpreneur - business considerations

Taxes and permit considerations

Keeping records considerations

Mention of one resource all self-published authors should consider having

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Section 3: Sections to (Possibly) Include in a Book

Lecture 5: Sections to Include in a Book Overview

Brief overview of front matter sections

Brief overview of body sections

Brief overview of back matter sections

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 6: Front Matter Part 1: Title Page

What is included on a title page with samples

What is included on a half title page

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 7: Front Matter Part 2: Copyright and Dedication

What is included on a copyright page with samples

Explanation of a dedication with samples

Brief explanation of a CIP data block

Lecture 8: Front Matter Part 3: Table of Contents

Explanation of a table of contents with samples

Tips for creating a table of contents

Video with Step-by-Step Instructions for Inserting Table of Contents Included

Lecture 9: Front Matter Part 4: Accolades and Reviews

Explanation of a foreword with a sample

Explanation of accolades with samples

Brief explanation of an advance reader copy (ARC)

Lecture 10: Body Overview

Explanation of an introduction with a sample

Explanation of a prologue with a sample

Considerations for the main text of a book

Explanation of an epilogue with a sample

Explanation of an afterword

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 11: Back Matter Part 1: Author Bio and Choosing a Name

Explanation of an author bio with samples

Explanation of an illustrator bio with samples

Considerations when choosing an author name

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 12: Back Matter Part 2: Acknowledgments and Additional Options

Explanation of acknowledgments with samples

Explanation of a promotional page with samples

Explanation of a glossary with sample

Explanation of an index with samples

Explanation of a bibliography with samples

Explanation of permission information with samples

List of extra back matter ideas

An additional tip in place of back matter

Section 4: Editing

Lecture 13: Editing Overview

Possible reasons to have an editor

Explanation of developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading

Tips for self-editing

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 14: Finding an Editor

Explanation of alpha readers, beta readers, and critique partners

Tips after having your work edited or critiqued

List of possible questions to ask yourself when deciding to hire an editor

List of possible places to find an editor

Explanation of the cost of an editor

Explanation of what to do if your book is published with errors

Handout with Additional Resources and Handout with Questions Included

Section 5: Illustrations, Photos, and Fonts

Lecture 15: Illustrations, Photos, and Fonts Overview

Brief explanation of copyright issues

Examples of when the instructor has contacted others for permission

Explanation of the difference between black and white interior vs color interior

Explanation of bleed and no bleed

Lecture 16: Illustrations Part 1

Tips before hiring an illustrator

Information about dummies

Possible places to find an illustrator

Questions to consider when choosing an illustrator

Additional tips and considerations with illustrations

Handout with Additional Resources and Handout with Questions Included

Lecture 17: Illustrations Part 2

Explanation of illustration notes

A break down of the instructor’s experience with the illustrator of her first two picture books

Lecture 18: Illustrations Part 3

A break down of the instructor’s experience with the illustrator of her third picture book

Lecture 19: Photos

Possible places to find photos

Additional tips and considerations for photos

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 20: Fonts

Brief explanation of fonts

Possible places to find fonts

A possible place to create your own font

Tips for having fun and being creative with fonts

Additional tips and considerations for fonts

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Section 6: Metadata

Lecture 21: Metadata

What metadata is

Considerations/explanations/tips for choosing keywords, book titles, categories, price, and the publication date

Tips for writing and formatting a book description

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 22: ISBNs and Barcodes

Facts about ISBNs and Barcodes

How many ISBNs you need

When a new ISBN is required

Where to get an ISBN (in the United States)

Whether or not you should purchase your own ISBNs

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Section 7: More Details

Lecture 23: Trim Size and Additional Considerations

Explanation of trim sizes

Tips for choosing a trim size

Explanation of additional interior considerations such as paper thickness, paper color, running heads, running feet, and page numbers

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 24: Book Covers

Explanation of book cover considerations such as hardcover vs softcover, matte vs glossy, and cover consistency

Tips and resources for creating your own cover

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 25: Self-Publishing Expenses to Consider

Explanation of cost to self-publish

List of expenses to consider when self-publishing

List of ways an author can save money when self-publishing

A break down of the cost to publish the instructor’s most recent book

Considerations about profiting on a self-published book

Section 8: Publishing with KDP Print

Lecture 26: KDP Print Overview

Brief recap of print-on-demand

Overview of KDP Print

Handout with Additional Resources Included

* Please note: KDP Print has made some changes since this course was created, but most of the information presented is still relevant. For example, KDP Print now offers a hard cover option for some books.

Lecture 27: Expanded Distribution with KDP Print

Explanation of expanded distribution through KDP Print

A break down of possible book royalties through KDP Print

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 28: KDP Print Tips

Tips for using KDP Print

Explanation of proofs

Handout with Additional Resources and Handout with Step-by-Step Upload Instructions Included

Section 9: Publishing with IngramSpark

Lecture 29: IngramSpark Overview

Overview of IngramSpark

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Please note: IngramSpark has made some changes since this course was created, but most of the information presented is still relevant. For example, as of May 2023, IngramSpark no longer charges for book setup fees.

Lecture 30: Additional IngramSpark Information

Explanation of wholesale discounts

Brief explanation of publisher compensation calculator and print and ship calculator

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Section 10: Using Both KDP Print and IngramSpark Together

Lecture 31: Using Both KDP Print and IngramSpark Together

Tips for using both KDP Print and IngramSpark together with examples

A break down of author copy costs

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Please note: Both KDP Print and IngramSpark have made some changes since this course was created. For example, as of May 2023, IngramSpark no longer charges for book setup fees. KDP Print also now offers hard cover options for some books.

Section 11: Even More Information

Lecture 32: E-books and Audiobooks Overview

Overview of e-books

List of possible benefits of e-books

List of possible options for publishing e-books

Brief explanation of KDP ASIN

Brief explanation of DRM

Brief explanation of KDP Select

Brief mention of audiobooks

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Lecture 33: Just a Few Marketing Ideas

List of a few more considerations before publishing a book

List of nine inexpensive publicity/marketing ideas

A reminder as the student moves forward with own publishing journey

Thank you!

Handout with Additional Resources Included

Who This Course is Not For

Someone expecting to get rich fast by publishing a book

Someone expecting to learn writing techniques

Someone expecting to learn specific book formatting techniques