Introduction to Self-Publishing: An Overview

Thinking about self-publishing a book? Whether you're just getting started or already have a manuscript in progress, this class gives you a big-picture overview of how self-publishing works before you start making decisions.

This is the first class in a 6-part series that walks you through the entire self-publishing process. This session covers the overview; future classes will take a deeper dive into each topic.
The Self-Publishing Class Series:

• Class 1: Research and Planning (This Class) — An overview of how self-publishing works, including platforms (IngramSpark, KDP), ISBNs, business setup, editing, and building your plan.

Future Classes:

• Class 2: The Red Tape — Setting up your business, obtaining ISBNs, creating accounts on publishing platforms, copyright registration, and other legal and logistical steps.
• Class 3: Editing and Proofreading — The different types of editing, building your editing team, working with beta readers, and getting your manuscript polished and ready.
• Class 4: Book Design — Cover design, interior formatting, trim size and binding choices, eBook conversion, and reviewing your proofs.
• Class 5: Marketing Plan — Defining your audience, building your author website and email list, social media strategy, networking, and using keywords and categories for discoverability.
• Class 6: Publishing and Post-Launch — Uploading your files, setting up distribution, publishing your book, monitoring sales, post-launch marketing, and planning what comes next.

What We'll Cover in This Class:

• Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing
• How print-on-demand printing and distribution work
• IngramSpark and Amazon KDP, the two main platforms, and how authors use them
• eBooks, how they differ from print, and your distribution options
• Audiobooks, a brief look at what's involved
• ISBNs, what they are, where to get them, and why your choice matters
• Business setup and tax basics for authors
• The editing process and the types of editing your book needs
• Building your author platform
• Creating your self-publishing plan and budget

This class is designed for authors at any stage. You don't need a finished manuscript to attend. If you're considering self-publishing, this overview will give you a solid foundation to make informed decisions.
The class runs approximately 2-3 hours with a break.

About Your Instructor
Kimberly Martin has spent more than two decades helping authors navigate the self-publishing process through her company, Jera Publishing. Her expertise includes self-publishing consulting, interior book design, cover design, and eBook creation. Kimberly developed the Self-Publishing class series to put her knowledge into a step-by-step system that helps authors through every phase of the self-publishing process.