Publishing a Book

Summary

In this video, Amal, founder of Karmic Kindness, shares her personal journey of publishing her book 'We to Me: A Story of Love, Loss, and Liberation.' She discusses the stages of writing, editing, and publishing, highlighting her experiences with developmental editors, book formatting, and cover art creation. Amal also explores her decision to bypass certain publishing programs, opting for a more hands-on approach with the help of trusted professionals. She offers valuable insights into publishing platforms, such as Book Vault and Amazon KDP, and emphasizes the importance of connecting with readers through personal websites for greater control over the publishing process.

Takeaways

• 😀 The book writing journey is a labor of love, requiring both dedication and passion from the author.
• 😀 Editing is a crucial phase, and the author chose to retain control over their story while addressing technical issues like punctuation and formatting.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding the right editor, one who understands the story but ensures clarity and consistency in the manuscript.
• 😀 Choosing the right publishing route is important, and the speaker opted for a more independent, flexible approach, avoiding hybrid publishing at that time.
• 😀 The speaker stresses that while editing can be tough, it is necessary to ensure the final book is polished and reader-friendly.
• 😀 Book cover design and formatting are important aspects of publishing, and the speaker used a variety of methods to find the right design and format for their book.
• 😀 Websites like Fiverr can provide affordable alternatives for book cover design and formatting if the budget is tight.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the value of publishing platforms like Book Vault, which offers quality print and a user-friendly integration with websites, though some technical challenges exist.
• 😀 Direct sales through personal websites allow for better engagement with readers and control over the sales process, compared to relying solely on third-party platforms.
• 😀 The speaker shares their positive experience with Book Vault, despite some integration issues, emphasizing good customer service and reasonable pricing.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's book?

The book centers around the themes of love, loss, and liberation, aiming to inspire and support individuals on their journey toward self-discovery and healing after a challenging relationship.

Why did the speaker choose not to go through the full publishing program offered by their writing program?

The speaker did not want their book to be altered significantly by the editor and preferred to maintain full control over the content. Additionally, the cost of the program was outside their comfort zone.

What is the role of a developmental editor in the book-writing process?

A developmental editor focuses on the structure, content, and flow of the manuscript, providing guidance on making the story more engaging, coherent, and readable.

What did the speaker mean by 'editing the book was harder than writing it originally'?

The speaker found the editing process challenging because it involved fine-tuning the content, ensuring everything was clear and well-organized, and addressing details like punctuation, grammar, and formatting.

How did the speaker find their editor, and what type of editing did they need?

The speaker was introduced to an editor through a friend. They needed a line editor who could review their book for punctuation, grammar, and overall clarity, without making drastic changes to the content.

What were some challenges the speaker faced while searching for a cover designer?

The speaker initially explored hiring a professional designer but found the cost a bit high. Afterward, they turned to Fiverr and other platforms to find an affordable option, though they later received a favorable offer from a friend who worked in advertising.

How did the speaker approach the publishing process, and what company did they choose?

The speaker researched different publishing options and ultimately chose Book Vault, a UK-based company that also serves the US market. They appreciated its quality, pricing, and the ability to have their book available for sale on Amazon and other platforms.

What integration challenges did the speaker face with Book Vault?

The speaker encountered issues integrating Book Vault with their website, especially if not using WordPress or Shopify. They noted that while Book Vault's support team is helpful, there were lead-time issues due to their small size.

Why does the speaker recommend setting up a book sales page on a personal website?

The speaker recommends having a dedicated page on your website to sell books because it allows you to gather information from potential customers, build relationships, and create opportunities to share more resources and offers.

What other publishing platforms did the speaker explore before settling on Book Vault?

The speaker explored Barnes & Noble and Amazon's KDP program but faced difficulties with both, leading them to switch to Book Vault for its better fit for their needs.