17/08/2026
5 Things You Should Do Before Publishing Your First Book
Publishing your first book is exciting, but rushing the process can lead to costly mistakes. Before you upload your manuscript or send it to a printer, take these five important steps.
1. Finish and Properly Edit Your Manuscript
Don't publish your first draft.
Read through the manuscript several times and check for grammar, spelling, punctuation, repetition, unclear ideas, and inconsistencies. If possible, have another person review it.
A professionally edited book immediately gives readers greater confidence in the author.
2. Know Exactly Who Your Reader Is
Ask yourself:
Who is this book written for?
A book written for young Christians will be marketed differently from a business book, children's book, memoir, or collection of poetry.
Knowing your target reader will help you make better decisions about the title, cover, description, keywords, pricing, and marketing.
3. Create a Professional Cover
People really do judge books by their covers.
Your cover should communicate the subject, mood, and audience of the book at a glance. The title and author's name should be easy to read, even when the book appears as a small thumbnail online.
Don't simply choose a beautiful design. Choose a design that fits the book and attracts the right reader.
4. Prepare the Book for Publication
Your manuscript needs to be properly formatted for the publishing platform you intend to use.
Check the correct:
- Trim size
- Margins
- Fonts
- Chapter headings
- Page numbers
- Table of contents
- Front matter and back matter
- Paperback, hardcover, or ebook requirements
Also prepare your book description, author biography, keywords, categories, and other publishing information before you begin the upload process.
5. Have a Marketing Plan Before You Publish
Don't wait until your book is published before asking:
"How do I get people to buy it?"
Start building awareness before launch.
Tell your audience that the book is coming. Share excerpts, quotes, behind-the-scenes content, the story behind the book, and information about the problem the book solves.
Your first book should not simply be a product you upload. It should be the beginning of your author platform.
Final Thought
Publishing a book is not the finish line—it is the beginning of your journey as an author.
Edit it well. Know your reader. Design it professionally. Prepare it correctly. And plan your marketing before launch.
Do these five things, and you'll give your first book a much better chance of making a strong impression.
If you already have a manuscript and need help taking it from manuscript to professionally published book, comment 'BOOK' in the comments section and I'll show you the process.
