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What is Self-Publishing?

Updated: Jul 2, 2021

If you’ve ever harboured a dream of being a published writer then you’re not alone. Every writer, even closet writers imagine holding a freshly printed copy of their maiden publication.


Thanks to Self-Publishing, publishing one’s own book is becoming more than just a figment of imagination, newbie first-time authors are taking control of the creative process and turning their dreams into reality.


But what exactly is Self-Publishing?


Self-Publishing, vis-a-vis traditional publishing, puts the author in the driving seat where they take the manuscript to a print on demand service like Strmink Printworks and after a few formalities, printing begins.


That being said, the key difference between traditional and self-publishing is the absence of higher command approvals and rejections from popular publishing houses. In the usual traditional setup, a manuscript changes many hands and goes through a rigorous process of rejections and tweaks at the hands of editors and publishing giants.


Self-Publishing, on the other hand, is far more author-friendly and doesn’t follow the usual command chain of approvals.

Steps required to Self-Publish your Book

1. Find a print on demand service in your area

A simple google search will yield you numerous results of self-publishers around you.

It is a good idea to zero in on a few in the beginning based on your needs and preliminary assessment. You can narrow down and eventually pick one based on the customizations available, previous publishing experience, cost and distribution etc

2. Finalizing the Nitty Gritties

The next step is to get the finer details chalked out. Figure out whether you need your manuscript typed out, whether it requires editing or not. Next, take into account the cover art, the graphics and other non-verbal aspects. To add to that, picking a final book layout, size and thickness of the pages, colour scheme through the whole book, number of copies, type of print - digital or offset. You can ask for assistance and guidance from the publisher to make a more informed decision.

3. Book Goes into Print

This is the moment when your book, your hard work, your pride goes into print. It may come in handy to ask your publisher to print a dummy edition at first. However, it is best to check about this with your publisher beforehand.

4. Distribution of the Book

Up next comes the distribution of your newly minted book. Some publishers also tie-up with distributors, both online and offline to offer a complete solution but going with an independent distributor also works well. Take your pick based on your target audience and distribution zones.

That said, we hope that these steps nudge you on the path to your first book. The Self-Publishing scene in India is only going to get bigger.


Keep an eye out for our blogs on other updates of the publishing industry.


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