::I originally wrote this for a Reddit post. It has good information so I am publishing it here with some additions and edits.::
There are plenty of people who can do a better job telling you how to write, create, and promote a book. Sometimes, a "step-by-step how-to" guide is helpful amid all the theoretical suggestions. Even better, these tips are free.
Everyone has a different process, but I wanted to share mine from start to finish to help anyone who might need help or have questions about one of many potential processes that could be used to create a print or ebook. There are many ways people create their books, and this is one I have used.
Overview: I have published my books on Blurb for years. There weren't as many options back when I started self-publishing. Blurb puts out an excellent product and handles the ISBN, and I just accepted that they were more expensive and that to have big full-color paperback books, I would not make a big profit. Last year I started a children's mystery series, used Blurb, liked the first book result, went back to upload the second and...surprise. They no longer offered the economy black-and-white interior paper. That instantly doubled the cost of my book, and Blurb is now off my option list. After much searching later, I settled on Draft2Digital (whose print books are printed through Ingram/Lightning and are of that quality). This is now the process I use.
1. Write in Google Docs.
Since I've used GD for decades as a freelancer, it's what I'm most used to. The sidebar clickable table of contents (TOC) makes it easy to manage your document there. Plus, I'm working on the most updated copy on whatever device I use.
I create a document with a title page, copyright page, dedication, TOC, and chapter content. I make sure there is a page break at the end of each chapter, but I don't fuss with layout (e.g., line breaks before chapter headings) because I'm only creating a text document that will flow into other systems.
[Grab a copy of a sample Google Document for writing a book.]
I also use OneNote for story management, i.e. the place where I drop ideas for plots, track characters and locations, save photos that might be a future location, etc. The triple layer of Notebook/Section/Page gives me three levels of organization that I very much like.
2. Export a Rich Text Format (RTF).
Before using Draft2Digital's system, I export a "chapters only" RTF file from Google Docs so I didn't have any front matter (e.g. title, copyright). I make sure the first line of every chapter isn't indented. I had to make sure any comments I made in that GD file were removed as well (or switched to Viewing mode and exported that file), as they sometimes show up as footnotes depending on the software you use to create an ebook.
Google Docs exports a clean RTF. I know many like to work in Word and other software, but I've had some bad RTF files from others and Google Docs has proven to be very simple.
3. Create the cover file
I illustrate my book covers, so I use my artwork. I design them in various software, working from a scanned image of a drawing or painting. However, D2D does have some basic cover layout options for you.
4. Create the ebook.
Before using the D2D ebook creation system, this was my literal list of making the ebook.
Import RTF into Kindle Create to generate EPUB and KDF (use the classic theme)
Import EPUB (or RTF) into Calibre to generate MOBI
With Draft2Digital, though, I simply upload my RTF file and create everything in their web-based system.
It is incredibly simple. They create all the necessary ebook files, which you can download and save to your own computer. Plus, amazingly, you can also have them automatically list your ebook everywhere an ebook could be listed. (Note: Amazon requires special permissions, but D2D walks you through it.)
Through D2D's system, you can manage your ebook so simply despite it being listed everywhere. It's almost unreal.
5. Create the print book.
Blurb allowed for economy B&W as well as color interior. D2D only has B&W. For art books, I will still probably use Blurb.
For most of my Blurb books, I've used InDesign with their plugin, which sets up the template easily. When you're done, it generates a cover based on page count to ensure the spine fits the thickness of the book. They also have free Blurb Bookwright software you can use, though it is not always easy for text-heavy books.
So the old process looked like this:
Import RTF (chapters only, no front content) into Blurb Bookwright to create the book OR
Import RTF (chapters only, no front content) into Adobe Indesign
However, with D2D, here's what I do:
Use the Blurb InDesign plugin to generate an InDesign template for the size book I want.
Add front page matter, etc., manually in InDesign, according to the design I want.
Import the RTF file and flow it through the pages, adding titles, page numbers, etc. (To import RTF files, create or select the text box, hit CTRL-D, and import the chapters-only RTF file you created.)
Use the Blurb InDesign plugin to generate the cover because it does the spine calculation for you. If you want full control, you will have to design the front, spine, and back covers, though D2D does allow basic back and spine cover generation if you only want to bother with the front design. (Tip: D2D places their ISBN at the bottom right on the back cover, while Blurb does the middle, so you must experiment to get it right.)
Export both PDFs (the interior page files and the cover files) and use those in D2D.
Now, with D2D, you don't have to use InDesign or Bookwright or anything else. You can literally create the interior of your print book in their system just like you did the ebook (and the cover, too). But I wanted more layout control. For the most part, Blurb's generated layout for both interior and cover fit D2D well (I used the 5x8 trade size).
Again, D2D can list your book globally and order author copies. You can also manage your print, ebook, and audiobook from one dashboard, easily changing prices and distribution options.
D2D did not ask me to write any of this; I am simply a customer who has used their system and liked it.
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