Everything you need to know about book layouts, print runs, book launches and more!
This week at my house we have been enjoying watching the Olympics.
For my children, it is basically the first one they remember, and they are very vocal in support!
However, for the athletes they have waited and trained for five years for this event.
Indeed it can feel a long time to plan, create and polish an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.
But you are on the home straight when you hit the publishing stage!
So to help you clinch victory I’ve put together this ultimate publishing guide.
It is part four in the ‘ultimate series’, which includes the ultimate guide about planning to create life stories, the ultimate guide of life-story tips for new creators and the ultimate guide to polishing your life story.
Publishing formats
Format ideas
A reminder there are many ways to publish a life story that will be enjoyed and cherished. Certainly these vary according to time, effort and money invested. For example, choose from an: interview transcript, email file, digital file (text, audio, video), presentation, ebook, photo book, scrapbook, movie, feature article, print book, website, etc.
Related article – Writing challenge – part 3: How to fast track, finish and celebrate your family stories!
Read article – Life in pictures: Make a life-story scrapbook album in 3 easy steps
Related article – Feature article guide: Helping you write a life story super fast!
Book layout
Master book interiors and publish a book you love. Therefore consider: trim size, margins, fonts, front and back matter, running heads, chapter style, and book layout templates.
Related article – Book layout: Don’t start a book layout without these 7 book-design tips!
Publishing design
Publishing high-resolution images
Firstly clear the tech fog and grasp photo resolution for printing like a boss. So to publish top-quality pictures: save images at 200-300dpi, double-check your image file sizes before printing, and resize if required using a photo-editing app or software.
Related article – Ask Nicola Q&A: How to take the headache out of high-resolution images
Book covers
Secondly, create a memorable and enticing book cover without stressing. For example, spend time selecting the correct image, words and layout for your book cover.
Related article – Book covers: How to create a memorable cover design
Back covers
Get motivated to make a book back cover today! This includes preparing: written elements, design elements, and thinking about whether you will do the design yourself or get help.
Related article – Ask Nicola Q&A: Secrets to creating a super book back cover
ISBN
Know instantly if you need an ISBN and where to get an ISBN online. In short, an ISBN is a unique identifier needed to sell a book version and must be bought in your home country.
Related article – ISBN: What you should know about book ISBN numbers and ISBN registration
Book dedication
Finally, sit down to write a heartfelt dedication with clarity. Therefore, get an understanding of what is a book dedication, the different types, how to write one and check out some examples.
Related article – Book dedication: How to do book dedications in 5 minutes
Printing
Print decisions
Understand and clearly pick the print options for your book. For example, organise and decide: book trim size; paper colour, type and weight; and paperback or hardcover.
Related article – How to get your own book printed without stressing!
Print run
Stress less and save money by printing the right number of books. So consider: print run copies for proofreaders, friends and family plus the wider community.
Related article – Print run: Decide how many books to print like a boss
Errors in print
Relax, smile and survive publishing book errors. In short, manage any disappointment of spotting an imperfection by: focusing on what went well, let time pass, remember your reader and know you can reprint if needed.
Related article – Errors in print: Who else wants to get over book typos and misprints
Final publishing points
Turning a book into an ebook
Feel excited to make an ebook and increase the shareability of a life story. Certainly things to keep in mind if you are making a manuscript into an ebook are: add handy hyperlinks, make the first page your cover image and save the ebook as a PDF.
Related article – Ask Nicola Q&A: 4 tips to remember when turning a book into an ebook
Book launch
At last, look forward to celebrating your finished book with family and friends! Therefore get organised by: deciding who should come, the type of party, when and where to hold it, sending out invites, choosing a theme, readying copies of your book, plus thinking about some creative extras like toasts, a reading, and speeches.
Related article – Book launch: A toast to 8 book party tips to try
Final say: Publishing
The final step of a life-story project is publishing.
Certainly it is very exciting to reach this stage after much hard work.
In short, publishing considerations include: format, design, printing and celebrations.
However, this is all worth it when you hold your published story in your hands.
Indeed you will be smiling like you just won Olympic gold.
Happy writing!
Free gift!
Want to interview a loved one about their life? I show you how in the Your Family Stories System. Get the first few sections for free. Sign up here!
Your say
Are you about to publish a life story? I always love hearing from different people. Drop me an email or leave a reply in the comments section at the end of this article.
Get in touch
Got a question or an idea for a future article? You can let me know here!
Don’t miss an article
Sign up here to get instant notifications when new material is published.
