Frequently Asked Questions

And a few quick Terms to Know at the end!

How long does it take to make a book from start to finish?

Excluding the writing process, the production timeline for a book is based on a wide array of factors, but the most significant thing that will affect your schedule is the book’s format. For example, children’s books generally take longer as each page will need to be illustrated then typeset. With most formats, the process can commonly take up to a year or more when done the traditional route. While in comparison, self-publishing can take just a few months when working with a number of freelancers. So it’s important to remain consistent in communication with your team as this will help the process to run more smoothly without losing time along the way.

Along with the format of your book, additional steps in the process should be considered, like editing, proofreading, design, marketing, and production.

However, if you're using a self-service platform like Amazon, once the manuscript is ready, the process could take just a few days to complete. But overall quality might be sacrificed for time and cost.

Do I actually need an editor?

Yes, it is highly recommended! Writers tend to be too close to their work to really take a step back, see the bigger picture, and analyze the overall structure to make the proper adjustments. Although it may seem perfect once you’re finished writing, that usually kicks off the revising and refining stages with the help of a professional to improve upon your work. So it's the best it can be for eager readers.

Some editors also offer copyediting and proofreading services. For more insights into why editing is truly crucial, check out Editing section of our website.

Do I need a copyeditor and a proofreader?

Again, we’d highly recommend this. And oftentimes, there are some folks who do both. When looking at the same text over and over for a long period of time, your eye understandably starts to miss things. And that’s where these meticulous folks come in to catch those mistakes and any inconsistences, because publishing a book with grammatical errors and typos doesn’t help it to succeed. 

For a deeper look into this portion of the process, take a look at our Copyediting page.

What’s the role of a designer?

Your designer will handle everything related to the styling of the overall text. They’ll use their expertise to create an appealing cover design and a cohesive and standard interior. Designers can also give feedback and direction to an artist if one is involved.

Some designers are also illustrators, so when looking for the right one, be sure to ask if they would handle any necessary illustration work along with the design (unless you’ve already hired an artist). And be aware that design work and illustration work are two separate fees. 

Do I need to hire an illustrator?

If you’re developing a picture book, yes. An illustrator will need to create the artwork for all the interior pages and cover. Alternatively, if you’d like an illustrated cover for your novel, an artist should be hired (unless your designer is also an illustrator as well and has offered to do that portion of the project). Copyright should also be discussed with your illustrator to agree on who will hold the rights to the artwork: you or the artist. 

How do I set up an ISBN?

This site gives a breakdown of how to get one!

Can I use one ISBN for different formats of my book?

No, each format will need its own ISBN to properly identify them at point of purchase. Visit bowker.com to learn more about setting up separate ISBNs.  For example, an e-book and paperback are two different ISBNs, not one.

Should I copyright my work?

YES! Your text is your intellectual property, which needs to be registered and protected before publishing. Visit copyright.gov to get started. This process can also take a while to process, so it’s recommended to get moving on it as early as possible. 

What’s an independent publisher?

A small press not associated with or housed within a larger company, where you can usually submit a manuscript without an agent and have more autonomy over the production process.

 

How much will it cost to self-publish a book?

You’ll need to take into consideration all aspects of the process and which ones you’d like to pay a professional to handle or do yourself. 

Separate fees are needed to cover:

  • Obtaining the ISBN(s)
  • Copyrighting your material
  • Hiring an editor
  • Hiring a book designer
  • Printing and distribution

And optional fees include:

  • Hiring a copy editor and/or proofreader
  • Hiring an illustrator
  • Working with a marketer for advertising and promotion
  • Partnering with a publicist for media coverage

    How will I know what format and size my book should be?

    We’d recommend visiting bookstores and looking at other books you admire. Are they jacketed hardcover or paper-over-board? Are they a bigger trim size of 6" x 9" or a more standard 5.5" x 8.25"? Or maybe they’re a unique size altogether! Make a note of these aspects and check out your personal library or buy a few new books! Books that fall outside the standard sizes and formats seen in the market usually cost more to produce and print.

     

    How do I market my book once it's finished?

    Andrew E. Colarusso, published author and owner of Taylor & Co. Books, has written a wonderful blog post titled The Afterlife of a Book to address that burning question!

     

    Terms to Know

    Trade: Books created for the general public with a larger readership. They’re mostly seen in and distributed to libraries, online retailers, and brick-and-mortar bookstores. Trade books cover many genres, including novels, nonfiction, cookbooks, and children’s books. Educational reads like textbooks and those used by specialty practitioners are not included in the trade category. 

    Mass-market: Unlike trade books, mass-market reads are sold in more untraditional spaces like airports, supermarkets, novelty stores, and newsstands. Their size is usually smaller or more unique from standard trims. 

    Imprint: A smaller press or publisher housed within a larger publishing company that usually specializes in a specific genre. Books are typically published under the brand name of the acquiring imprint rather than the larger publishing house itself.

    Format: This term can encompass the physical size of a book as well as the type of book. Some common formats include e-books, hardcovers, paperbacks and paper-over-board. 

    Trim size: The physical size of your book.

    Copy: Another word for text.

    Have a question that hasn’t yet been answered? Or want us to define a common term?