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    The Write Path Publishing Checklist

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    fumac Usman (FUMAC)
    This document outlines the steps for traditionally publishing fiction, memoir, or nonfiction books. It begins with developing a book idea, choosing a publishing path (traditional or self-publishing), writing drafts and editing the manuscript. Later steps include finding an agent, working with publishers, and preparing for book promotion and publication. The process for nonfiction differs in requiring a book proposal prior to writing the full manuscript.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    The Write Path Publishing Checklist

    Uploaded by

    fumac Usman (FUMAC)
    22 views37 pages
    This document outlines the steps for traditionally publishing fiction, memoir, or nonfiction books. It begins with developing a book idea, choosing a publishing path (traditional or self-publishing), writing drafts and editing the manuscript. Later steps include finding an agent, working with publishers, and preparing for book promotion and publication. The process for nonfiction differs in requiring a book proposal prior to writing the full manuscript.

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    This document outlines the steps for traditionally publishing fiction, memoir, or nonfiction books. It begins with developing a book idea, choosing a publishing path (traditional or self-publishing), writing drafts and editing the manuscript. Later steps include finding an agent, working with publishers, and preparing for book promotion and publication. The process for nonfiction differs in requiring a book proposal prior to writing the full manuscript.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    22 views37 pages

    The Write Path Publishing Checklist

    Uploaded by

    fumac Usman (FUMAC)
    This document outlines the steps for traditionally publishing fiction, memoir, or nonfiction books. It begins with developing a book idea, choosing a publishing path (traditional or self-publishing), writing drafts and editing the manuscript. Later steps include finding an agent, working with publishers, and preparing for book promotion and publication. The process for nonfiction differs in requiring a book proposal prior to writing the full manuscript.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 37

    YOUR WRITE PATH

    CHECKING
    YOUR PATH TO
    PUBLICATION

    by
    YOUR WRITE PATH
    HOW THIS WORKS
    This is an interactive
    checklist to help you
    find out where you
    currently are in the
    publishing journey
    and what your next
    steps are.
    Ready to get
    started?

    YES, LET'S GO »
    Step 1: Come up
    with a Book Idea!
    Don’t have a book idea yet?
    Here's a free guide:
    30+ Better Book Ideas

    Scroll to continue »
    Check In: What kind of
    book are you writing?
    This will affect your
    publishing path.

    Fiction
    A novel about imagined events or
    events "based on a true story"

    Memoir
    A completely true account of your
    personal experiences

    Nonfiction
    An informational or inspirational
    book about real-life topics
    Step 2: Choose your
    publishing path
    Click the path you want to
    take.

    Traditional Publishing
    Fiction or Memoir
    You're writing fiction or memoir and
    want to publish with a traditional
    publisher.
    Click to choose »

    Traditional Publishing
    Nonfiction
    You're writing nonfiction and want
    to publish with a traditional
    publisher.
    Click to choose »

    Self-publishing
    You're writing any type of book and
    want to self-publish
    (fiction/memoir/nonfiction)
    Click to choose »
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Step 3: Develop Your


    Story Idea
    Before you start writing,
    develop your story idea.

    Summarize your story as


    a 1-sentence premise

    Optional: Outline your


    plot

    Create a book plan


    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Step 4: Write Your


    First Draft
    Once you've developed your
    book idea and created a
    plan, start writing!
    Don't worry too much about
    making everything perfect.
    The goal of the first draft is
    simply to get the story down.
    Need help? Get coaching on
    writing your first draft in
    100 Day Book.
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Step 5: Write a
    Second Draft
    After you've finished your first
    draft, it's time to rewrite your
    book as a second draft
    focusing on big-picture
    changes to the plot and
    structure.
    You may also focus on
    strengthening your
    characters or themes and
    improving the pacing of the
    story.
    Don't worry too much about
    proofreading at this point.
    That's next.
    Need help? Get coaching on
    writing your second draft in
    100 Day Book.
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Step 6: Edit Your


    Book
    Now that you have a strong
    second draft, it's time to edit.
    This involves making
    smaller-scale changes like
    correcting grammar and
    punctuation errors, improving
    sentence structure, and
    refining your language and
    style.
    Need help? Get coaching on
    editing your book in
    100 Day Book.
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Optional: Hire an
    Editor
    It's always a good idea to
    have a professional editor
    review your manuscript.
    They can give you fresh
    perspective, teach you more
    about story structure, and
    maybe spot issues you might
    have missed.
    Need an editor? Inquire
    here.
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Step 7: Write a
    Query Letter
    A query letter is a one-page
    letter that pitches your book
    to literary agents. It should
    include a brief summary of
    your story, some information
    about you as an author, and
    why you think your book
    would be a good fit for the
    agent.
    Query Letter Guide »
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Step 8: Submit to
    Literary Agents
    Send your query letter to
    literary agents who represent
    books in your genre.
    Be sure to follow each agent's
    submission guidelines
    carefully.
    How to Find a Literary Agent »
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Step 9: Work with


    Your Agent and
    Publisher
    After you submit, much is out
    of your hands. If you find an
    agent you like and you both
    agree to work together, they
    will submit your book to
    publishers, and if picked up,
    they will give you next steps.
    If you don't make progress,
    you may choose to self-publish
    (click to switch to self-
    publishing path, otherwise
    continue).
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Step 10: Prepare for


    Publication

    Identify your author


    brand

    Build an author website

    Start an author
    newsletter

    Promote your author


    newsletter (social media,
    direct ask to friends and
    family, etc)

    Create a book marketing


    and promotion plan
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Before Publishing
    Review the Steps
    1 Come Up With a Story
    Idea
    2 Choose Your
    Publishing Path

    3 Develop Your Story Idea

    4 Write Your First Draft

    5 Write a Second Draft

    6 Edit Your Book

    Optional: Hire an Editor

    7 Write a Query Letter

    8 Submit to Literary Agents

    9 Work With Your Agent


    and Publisher
    10 Prepare for Publishing

    Next, when you're ready, move to the


    final step!
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Step 11: Publish

    Congrats! You did it.


    Getting published is a huge
    accomplishment. Don't forget
    to celebrate.
    Now that you've published
    traditionally, your publisher will
    handle producing and
    distributing your book. They'll
    also assist with marketing and
    promotion, but they'll expect
    you to promote yourself as well
    (see step 10 activities).
    Congratulations again!
    Path: Traditional Publishing Nonfiction

    Step 3: Develop Your


    Book Idea
    Before you start writing,
    develop your book idea.

    Summarize your story as


    a 1-sentence premise

    Outline your book


    Path: Traditional Publishing Nonfiction

    Step 4: Write a Book


    Proposal
    To traditionally publish a
    nonfiction, before you write
    the book you must create a
    book proposal. This includes
    a detailed outline, information
    about you and your target
    audience, as well as two to
    three sample chapters.
    Learn how to write a book
    proposal here.
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Optional: Hire an
    Editor
    Book proposals are very
    specific documents, and you
    might not be sure if you've
    done it right. It's a good idea
    to have a professional editor
    review your proposal before
    you submit.
    They can give you fresh
    perspective, teach you more
    about story structure, and
    maybe spot issues you might
    have missed.
    Need an editor? Inquire
    here.
    Path: Traditional Publishing Nonfiction

    Step 5: Submit to
    Literary Agents
    Send your book proposal to
    literary agents who represent
    books in your genre.
    Be sure to follow each agent's
    submission guidelines
    carefully.
    How to Find a Literary Agent »
    Path: Traditional Publishing Nonfiction

    Step 6: Work with


    Your Agent and
    Publisher
    If you find an agent you like
    and you both agree to work
    together, they will submit your
    book to publishers, and if
    picked up, they will give you
    next steps.
    If you don't make progress,
    you may choose to self-publish
    (click to switch to self-
    publishing path, otherwise
    continue).
    Path: Traditional Publishing Nonfiction

    Step 7: Write Your


    First Draft
    Once you've developed your
    book idea and created a
    plan, start writing!
    Don't worry too much about
    making everything perfect.
    The goal of the first draft is
    simply to get your ideas
    down.
    Need help? Get coaching on
    writing your first draft in
    100 Day Book.
    Path: Traditional Publishing Nonfiction

    Step 8: Write a
    Second Draft
    After you've finished your first
    draft, it's time to rewrite your
    book as a second draft
    focusing on big-picture
    changes to structure.
    Don't worry too much about
    proofreading at this point.
    That's next.
    Path: Traditional Publishing Nonfiction

    Step 9: Edit Your


    Book
    Now that you have a strong
    second draft, it's time to edit.
    This involves making
    smaller-scale changes like
    correcting grammar and
    punctuation errors, improving
    sentence structure, and
    refining your language and
    style.
    Need help? Get coaching on
    editing your book in
    100 Day Book.
    Path: Traditional Publishing Nonfiction

    Step 10: Prepare for


    Publication

    Identify your author


    brand

    Build an author website

    Start an author
    newsletter

    Promote your author


    newsletter (social media,
    direct ask to friends and
    family, etc)

    Create a book marketing


    and promotion plan
    Path: Traditional Publishing Fiction or Memoir

    Before Publishing
    Review the Steps
    1 Come Up With a Book
    Idea
    2 Choose Your
    Publishing Path

    3 Develop Your Book Idea

    4 Write a Book Proposal

    Optional: Hire an Editor

    5 Submit to Agents

    6 Work With Your Agent


    and Publisher

    7 Write Your First Draft

    8 Write a Second Draft

    9 Edit Your Book

    10 Prepare for Publishing

    Next, when you're ready, move to the


    final step!
    Path: Traditional Publishing Nonfiction

    Step 11: Publish

    Congrats! You did it.


    Getting published is a huge
    accomplishment. Don't forget
    to celebrate.
    Now that you've published
    traditionally, your publisher will
    handle producing and
    distributing your book. They'll
    also assist with marketing and
    promotion, but they'll expect
    you to promote yourself as well
    (see step 10 activities).
    Congratulations again!
    Path: Self-Publishing

    Step 3: Develop Your


    ✔ Book Idea
    Before you start writing,
    develop your book idea.

    Summarize your story as


    ✔ a 1-sentence premise

    Optional: Outline your


    plot or nonfiction book

    Create a book plan


    Path: Self-Publishing

    Step 4: Write Your


    ✔ First Draft
    Once you've developed your
    book idea and created a
    plan, start writing!
    Don't worry too much about
    making everything perfect.
    The goal of the first draft is
    simply to get your ideas
    down.
    Need help? Get coaching on
    writing your first draft in
    100 Day Book.
    Path: Self-Publishing

    Step 5: Write a
    Second Draft
    After you've finished your first
    draft, it's time to rewrite your
    book as a second draft
    focusing on big-picture
    changes to the plot and
    structure.
    Don't worry too much about
    proofreading at this point.
    That's next.
    Need help? Get coaching on
    writing your first second draft
    in 100 Day Book.
    Path: Self-Publishing

    Step 6: Edit Your


    Book
    Now that you have a strong
    second draft, it's time to edit.
    This involves making
    smaller-scale changes like
    correcting grammar and
    punctuation errors, improving
    sentence structure, and
    refining your language and
    style.
    Need help? Get coaching on
    editing your book in
    100 Day Book.
    Path: Self-Publishing

    Highly Recommended!
    Hire an Editor
    It's always a good idea to
    have a professional editor
    review your manuscript,
    especially if you are self-
    publishing.
    They can give you fresh
    perspective, teach you more
    about book structure, and
    maybe spot issues you might
    have missed.
    Need an editor? Inquire
    here.
    Path: Self-Publishing

    Step 7: Choose Your


    Publishing Platform
    There are many platforms
    you can use to self-publish
    your book depending on your
    needs and goals, including
    direct-to-market channels like
    Amazon's KDP, distributors
    like Draft2Digital or Ingram
    Spark, hybrid publishers like
    Paper Raven books, or
    audiobook publishers like
    ACX.
    Path: Self-Publishing

    Step 8: Assemble
    Your Publishing
    Materials
    Create your publishing
    materials using contractors
    (see our preferred publishing
    contractor list here) or your
    own efforts.
    Book Cover

    Book Description &


    Author Bio

    Formatted Book File for


    eBook and Print (see
    Book Formatting
    Software)
    Path: Self-Publishing

    Step 9: Prepare for


    Publication

    Identify your author


    brand

    Build an author website

    Start an author
    newsletter

    Promote your author


    newsletter (social media,
    direct ask to friends and
    family, etc)

    Create a book marketing


    and promotion plan
    Path: Self-Publishing

    Before Publishing
    Review the Steps
    1 Come Up With a Book
    Idea

    2 Choose Your
    Publishing Path

    ✔ 3 Develop Your Book Idea

    ✔ 4 Write Your First Draft

    5 Write a Second Draft

    6 Edit Your Book

    Recommended: Hire an
    Editor

    7 Choose Your Publishing


    Platform

    8 Assemble Your
    Publishing Materials

    9 Prepare for Publishing

    Next, when you're ready, move to the


    final step!
    Path: Self-Publishing

    Step 10: Publish

    Congrats! You did it.


    Getting published is a huge
    accomplishment. Don't forget
    to celebrate.
    Now that you've published,
    you will need to market and
    promote your book (see step 9
    activities).
    Good luck and congratulations
    again!

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