The Ultimate Self-Publishing Checklist for Authors: From Draft to Launch

Introduction: Why You Need a Self-Publishing Checklist

Self-publishing has reshaped the book world. Instead of waiting for approval from a traditional publisher, authors can now write, publish, and distribute their work globally using only a laptop and an internet connection. This freedom is exciting, but it also comes with responsibility: you are now the writer, project manager, production team, and marketing department all in one.

Without a clear plan, even excellent manuscripts can be held back by problems such as weak editing, messy formatting, unprofessional covers, confused pricing, or a launch that nobody notices. Readers may never discover that your content is brilliant if the packaging does not meet their expectations. That is why a structured, practical checklist is essential.

Whether you are preparing your first book or your tenth, this guide will walk you through the key steps of the self-publishing process—from finalising your manuscript and choosing a publishing platform to planning your launch and monitoring long-term performance. Along the way, we will also look at the growing role of AI, and why human proofreading services remain the safest and most credible option for serious authors.

1. Finish, Edit, and Professionally Proofread Your Manuscript

Every successful self-publishing journey begins with a strong manuscript. Before you think about platforms, covers, or marketing, your text needs to be complete, coherent, and polished. Publishing too early—before the writing is ready—is one of the most common and costly mistakes new authors make.

1.1 Self-Editing: Strengthen Your Own Work First

Self-editing is your first quality checkpoint. It will not replace professional editing, but it can dramatically improve your manuscript and reduce the cost of later stages.

• Read for structure and logic. Does each chapter have a clear purpose? Do sections follow a logical order? Are there any gaps or repetitions?
• Check language and style. Look for long, confusing sentences, cluttered paragraphs, and filler words that add length but not meaning.
• Fix obvious errors. Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation as far as you can.
• Read aloud or use text-to-speech. Hearing your words makes it easier to catch clunky phrasing or unnatural dialogue.
• Use tools carefully. Apps such as Grammarly, ProWritingAid, or Hemingway Editor can highlight possible issues, but you should always review their suggestions with human judgment.

1.2 Professional Editing: From Good Draft to Great Book

Once you have taken your manuscript as far as you can, it is time to involve a professional editor. There are several levels of editing, and you may need more than one type:

• Developmental editing focuses on the “big picture”: structure, plot or argument, pacing, character arcs, and clarity of ideas.
• Copy editing improves sentence-level writing: grammar, word choice, style, and consistency across the manuscript.
• Proofreading is the final check for typos, misplaced commas, spacing issues, and formatting glitches just before publication.

Professional editing is not a luxury; it is a core investment in your book’s quality and your reputation as an author.

1.3 Why Human Proofreading Is Safer than AI

AI tools can summarise, rephrase, or “improve” text, but relying on them heavily can be risky. Many universities, funders, and publishers explicitly prohibit AI-generated content and use detection tools and similarity checks to monitor submissions. AI rewriting and AI-based proofreading can raise similarity rates or create suspicious patterns in your writing.

By contrast, a human proofreading service offers genuine expertise: knowledge of language, discipline-specific conventions, and ethical standards. If you want to avoid problems with originality checks and maintain full academic or professional credibility, human proofreading is the safest choice.

2. Format Your Book for eBook and Print

Formatting turns your manuscript into a book that readers can comfortably navigate on screens and in print. Poor formatting—uneven spacing, broken headings, incorrect page breaks—signals amateurism, even when the content is strong. Good formatting, on the other hand, disappears: it simply lets the reader focus on the story or argument.

2.1 eBook Formatting Essentials

eBooks need to adapt to many devices and user preferences. This means prioritising clean, flexible structure over decorative layout.

• Use consistent heading styles for titles, chapters, and subheadings so that eReaders can build a clickable table of contents.
• Insert proper page or section breaks between chapters instead of using multiple blank lines.
• Keep fonts simple and standard; readers can usually choose their preferred font in the app.
• Check that paragraphs, indents, and line spacing are consistent throughout.
• Convert your file into the formats required by your platforms (EPUB, MOBI, or PDF).
• Use tools such as Kindle Create, Vellum, or Calibre to generate retailer-ready files and preview the result on different devices.

2.2 Print Formatting: Designing for the Physical Page

Print books have more fixed design constraints. You cannot rely on the reader’s device to adjust fonts or layout, so your choices matter even more.

• Choose a trim size (for example, 5" × 8" or 6" × 9") that suits your genre and audience expectations.
• Set margins and line spacing for comfortable reading and to allow for binding and trimming.
• Include page numbers, running headers or footers, and clear chapter openers.
• Position images, charts, or tables so they are close to the relevant text and large enough to read.
• Use layout software such as Microsoft Word (with care), Adobe InDesign, or Atticus to create a professional interior.

2.3 Front and Back Matter

Readers expect more than just the main text. Front and back matter add context, polish, and marketing power.

• Front matter may include a title page, copyright page, dedication, acknowledgements, foreword, preface, and table of contents.
• Back matter may include notes, appendices, an index (for nonfiction), an author biography, and information about your other books or website.

Thoughtful front and back matter not only make your book look professional; they also help readers discover more of your work.

3. Create a Professional Cover

Your cover is your book’s visual pitch. In an online store, potential readers often see nothing but a small thumbnail image and a title. Within seconds, they decide whether to click or scroll past. A strong cover instantly communicates genre, tone, and quality.

3.1 What Makes a Cover Work?

• Genre-appropriate design: readers should be able to guess the genre at a glance.
• Readable typography: the title and author name must be legible even at small sizes.
• Clean hierarchy: the eye should quickly find the title, subtitle, and author name.
• High-resolution graphics: blurry or pixelated images instantly undermine trust.
• Consistent branding: series books should share a visual style so readers recognise them.

3.2 Hiring a Designer or Designing Yourself

If your budget allows, hiring a professional cover designer is usually worth the investment. Designers understand how to combine imagery, typography, and layout for maximum impact. If you need to design your cover yourself, use platforms such as Canva or BookBrush and study top-ranked books in your category to see what works. Aim for clarity and genre fit rather than originality at all costs.

4. Write Compelling Metadata and Book Description

Your book’s metadata—title, subtitle, description, keywords, categories, and author bio—determines how easily readers can find you in online stores. Metadata is invisible while you are writing, but it becomes vital once your book is live.

4.1 Structuring an Effective Book Description

A good description does not summarise your entire book. Instead, it sells a clear promise.

• Hook: start with a bold sentence or question that captures attention.
• Set-up: briefly introduce the main character (for fiction) or the central problem (for nonfiction).
• Conflict or benefit: show what is at stake or what transformation the reader can expect.
• CTA: invite the reader to buy or start reading now.

4.2 Keywords, Categories, and Author Bio

• Choose keywords that match phrases your target readers might type into a search bar.
• Select categories that accurately represent your book and give it a chance to rank among similar titles.
• Write a concise author bio that highlights your expertise, personality, and any relevant credentials.

5. Select Your Publishing Platforms and Distribution Strategy

Next, decide where your book will be available. There is no single “best” platform; the right choice depends on your goals, audience, and genre.

5.1 Key Self-Publishing Platforms

• Amazon KDP for eBooks and print-on-demand, dominant in many markets.
• Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble Press for reaching readers outside Amazon’s ecosystem.
• Aggregators such as Draft2Digital to distribute to multiple retailers at once.
• IngramSpark for wide print distribution to bookshops and libraries.

5.2 Exclusive vs Wide Distribution

• Exclusive programmes (such as KDP Select) may offer higher royalties and promotional tools, but restrict your eBook to one platform.
• Wide distribution allows you to sell through many retailers, building a broader and more resilient readership.

Think long term: do you want to rely heavily on a single retailer, or spread your risk and income across several platforms?

6. Set Pricing and Understand Royalties

Pricing is both strategic and psychological. The right price makes your book attractive without undermining its perceived value.

6.1 Research and Strategy

• Compare prices of similar books in your genre, length, and format.
• Consider a lower introductory price for new authors to encourage trial.
• Use temporary discounts or free promotions to generate early reviews and momentum.

6.2 Knowing Your Royalties

Each platform offers different royalty options depending on price, territory, and exclusivity. Use royalty calculators to test scenarios and choose a price that aligns with your goals—whether that is maximum reach, maximum income, or a balance of the two.

7. Prepare the Legal and Administrative Foundations

Professional authors also handle the behind-the-scenes details that protect their rights and income.

• Understand copyright rules in your jurisdiction and keep records of your work.
• Decide whether to purchase ISBNs or use those provided by your platform.
• Complete any necessary tax forms on publishing platforms to avoid unexpected withholding.
• Track expenses such as editing, cover design, and advertising for accounting purposes.

8. Build Your Marketing Foundation

Publishing your book is not the end of the process; it is the beginning of your relationship with readers. Marketing does not have to be loud or pushy, but it does need to be deliberate.

8.1 Essential Marketing Assets

• Author website: a simple, up-to-date site with your books, bio, and contact details.
• Email list: a direct, algorithm-free way to talk to your readers about new releases and promotions.
• Social media presence: choose platforms that fit your niche and communication style; focus on consistency rather than perfection.

8.2 Reviews and Advertising

• Recruit early readers or a launch team to read advance copies and leave honest reviews.
• Encourage readers to post ratings and reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and other platforms.
• Experiment with small, targeted advertising campaigns once your book has at least a few reviews.

9. Plan and Execute a Focused Book Launch

A well-planned launch can boost your visibility and generate early sales that improve your ranking on retail platforms.

9.1 Pre-Launch Steps

• Upload your book files and double-check metadata, pricing, and categories.
• Set up pre-orders if your platform allows it, so readers can commit in advance.
• Share sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes posts, and countdown announcements with your audience.

9.2 Launch Week Activities

• Run limited-time discounts, bundles, or giveaways to encourage early purchases.
• Host virtual events such as live readings, Q&A sessions, or interviews.
• Remind readers to leave reviews and share your book with friends or colleagues.

10. Monitor Performance and Optimise Over Time

Self-publishing is a long game. Once the initial excitement fades, your book continues to live online—and small changes can still make a big difference.

10.1 Track the Right Metrics

• Sales and page reads over time.
• Number and tone of reviews and ratings.
• Ad performance and return on investment.

10.2 Iterate and Improve

• Update your description, keywords, or categories if your book is not being discovered.
• Consider a new cover or revised interior if feedback suggests that presentation is holding the book back.
• Release updated editions for nonfiction if your topic evolves or you have significant new material.
• Apply what you learn to future books, turning each project into a step towards a sustainable author career.

Conclusion: Turning a Checklist into a Career

Self-publishing is more than a one-off project; it can become a long-term creative and professional path. This checklist is designed to guide you from raw draft to polished, published book, helping you avoid common pitfalls and present your work with confidence.

By investing in careful self-editing, human proofreading, professional formatting and cover design, strategic metadata, thoughtful platform choices, and ongoing marketing, you dramatically improve your chances of being read, recommended, and remembered.

Most importantly, you protect your reputation in a world where AI-generated content is increasingly monitored and restricted. A carefully crafted, human-edited book stands out not just for what it says, but for the care and integrity behind it. Use this checklist as both a map for your current project and a blueprint for building a sustainable, credible self-publishing career.