Do you have a story burning inside you that you’re desperate to share with the world? Or perhaps you’ve written a non-fiction book packed with knowledge and insights that could truly benefit others? Whatever your motivation for wanting to become a published author, one thing is certain – the literary world has changed dramatically in recent years, making it possible for writers to self-publish their works with greater ease than ever before.
For Nigerian writers in particular, self-publishing presents an incredible opportunity. Not only does it allow you to circumvent the often daunting and highly competitive process of trying to secure a traditional publishing deal, but it enables you to get your book out into the world on your own terms.
Whether your book is written in English or one of Nigeria’s many other rich languages, self-publishing empowers you to share your voice with readers both at home and abroad.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the five key steps to successfully self-publish your book as a Nigerian author. From preparing your manuscript and creating an eye-catching cover to determining the best distribution channels and marketing your book, we’ve got you covered.
So grab a pen, a fresh notebook (or fire up your laptop), and let’s get started on your self-publishing journey!
Step 1: Prepare Your Manuscript
Before you can even think about publishing, you need to ensure that your book manuscript is in tip-top shape. This crucial first step involves a few key elements:
Editing: Hire a professional editor or, at the very least, have friends, family members or fellow writers thoroughly proofread and provide feedback on your manuscript. An extra set of eyes is invaluable for catching typos, grammatical errors, inconsistencies in the plot or factual inaccuracies.
Formatting: While ebook formatting can typically be handled during the publishing process, if you plan to create physical copies of your book, you’ll need to format the text in a specific way. Stick to a standard book layout with chapters, consistent spacing, pagination and specified trim sizes.
Legal essentials: If your book contains copyrighted material like song lyrics, poems or images, be sure to secure the proper permissions to avoid legal issues down the road.
Once your manuscript is polished and ready for primetime, it’s time to…
Step 2: Create Your Book Cover and Description
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but let’s be real – incredibly compelling cover designs have stopped many of us in our tracks while browsing a bookstore. And in the self-publishing realm where readers are discovering your book online, a captivating cover (along with an enticing description) is absolutely essential for grabbing potential readers’ attention.
For the cover, unless you have professional design skills and experience, it’s wise to hire a graphic designer. Provide them with the book’s title, your author name, and any other text or design elements you’d like incorporated. For effective covers, high-quality custom illustrations or compelling photography tends to work best.
As for your book description, this concise but impactful bit of marketing copy could quite literally make or break a reader’s decision to purchase your book. Study the description on the back cover or online listings for some of your favorite novels or non-fiction works to get a sense of how to entice potential readers with an engaging hook while providing enough intrigue about the core story or subject matter.
Step 3: Choose Your Publishing Platform
Once you have your polished manuscript and cover design ready to go, it’s time to select the self-publishing platform that best suits your needs and goals. There are both free and paid services to explore – each with their own unique pros and cons:
Free platforms:
• Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) by Amazon: Ideal for ebooks, but also offers print book options. User-friendly interface but less customization.
• Draft2Digital: Distributes to multiple ebook stores beyond just Amazon. More flexibility in pricing models.
Paid platforms:
• IngramSpark: Extremely robust print-on-demand services for physical book distribution. Higher fees but greater global availability.
• BookBaby: All-in-one solution with editing, design, distribution and marketing services. Pricier but very convenient.
There are plenty of other platforms to consider, but the ones listed above are among the most popular and reputable options for Nigerian self-publishers. Do your research, compare key factors like formatting support, pricing models, royalty rates and distribution channels before deciding which route makes the most sense for your book.
Step 4: Publish and Distribute Your Book
Once you’ve selected your preferred publishing platform and completed all the necessary setup steps like uploading your files, writing compelling metadata (book description, categories, keywords, etc.), setting your price point and so on, it’s finally time to hit that “Publish” button!
But the work doesn’t stop there. Next, you’ll need to ensure your book is available for purchase across all the major distribution channels relevant to your target audience. For ebook distribution, most self-publishing platforms make it relatively straightforward to have your book listed on Amazon’s Kindle store, as well as other big ebook retailers like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and more.
When it comes to physical distribution for print copies, you have a few options to consider:
• Online stores: Have your print book available for sale on major online retailers like Amazon, Lulu, Barnes & Noble, etc. Most self-publishing platforms can facilitate this.
• Local Nigerian bookstores: Approach physical bookstores across Nigeria about selling your book on their shelves. You may need to purchase inventory upfront.
• Your own online store: Sell print copies directly to readers through your own website or an e-commerce platform.
No matter which distribution methods you choose, be sure to frequently monitor your book’s availability across all sales channels. It’s also wise to purchase copies from various stores to check print quality.
Step 5: Market and Promote Your Book
Now for perhaps the toughest but most crucial step – marketing and promoting your self-published book! With more than 1 million new titles published each year through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing alone, the competition for readers’ attention is fierce. A strategic, multi-pronged promotional approach is an absolute must.
Social media: Leverage the power of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and more. Share excerpts, video readings, behind-the-scenes peeks into your creative process. Run targeted ads to grow your audience.
Book blog tour: Identify influential book bloggers and negotiate reviews, interviews or paid shoutouts on their platforms. Amazing for tapping into already-established reader communities.
Local readings/events: If you have a novel perfect for readings, look into setting up events at local Nigerian bookstores, coffee shops, libraries or other venues. Also explore opportunities at book fairs, literary festivals and other cultural events.
Email marketing: Build an email list on your website and through in-person events to keep readers updated on book news, promotional deals and upcoming projects. Leverage this direct line to your biggest fans.
Paid advertising: Look into paid book promotion sites like BookBub or social media advertising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to reach new readers through targeted paid campaigns.
See Also: 10 Things to Make and Sell Online in 2024
In summary, successful self-publishing requires dedication, strategic planning and a multi-pronged promotional approach – but the payoff of sharing your book with the world makes all the effort worthwhile! By following these five key steps, you’ll be well on your way as a self-published Nigerian author.
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