Self-publishing
You have a story to share with the world. One that will entertain people and change their lives. You’ve decided to take things into your own hands and self-publish. How much will it cost? What are the steps involved? What are your options?
Read more about self-publishing with Liquid Type below, or get in touch for a quote.
Self-publishing a quality book can be costly. Depending on your particular project, you might need to factor in the costs of editing, book production, proofreading, ebook conversion, and cover design. A rough estimate for self-publishing a book of 70 000 words with a simple layout is R50 000 (print and ebook). However, this would include top-quality services at each step (editing, book production, proofreading, professional cover design, and uploading to retail platforms, but excluding printing).
Publishing your own book requires hiring professionals such as editors and designers. You could opt to do many of the steps yourself, but this could mean your book will be of inferior quality. It is particularly important to hire a good editor and a specialist cover designer. These pros can help transform your book from an average- or low-quality product into a great one.
Once you’ve decided to invest in your book and make the commitment to self-publishing, how do you know your manuscript is ready for publication?
Sometimes, authors may be unaware of problems that need to be addressed before publishing. For example, their book might have structural weaknesses and be poorly written, confusing, incomplete, or contain plagiarism.
A manuscript evaluation can help you find out your strengths and weaknesses, your readiness to self-publish, and what you still need to do to fix your manuscript.
Sometimes, authors may be unaware of problems that need to be addressed before publishing. For example, their book might have structural weaknesses and be poorly written, confusing, incomplete, or contain plagiarism.
A manuscript evaluation can help you find out your strengths and weaknesses, your readiness to self-publish, and what you still need to do to fix your manuscript.
When you’re ready to self-publish, the first step is usually copy editing. This involves detailed line editing of your book to correct errors and prepare the manuscript for the second step, book production.
Your book’s pages are designed and the text is laid out. Liquid Type uses a digital-first workflow that enables us to produce the print book and the ebook at the same time. We also commission a cover designer to do mock-ups. We work together with you to produce a cover that proudly represents your work.
The third step is proofreading. This involves a last, meticulous sweep for errors remaining after copy editing. It also focuses on catching any formatting errors made during book production.
The fourth step is implementing the proofreading corrections and finalising the files (including the ebook).
The fifth step is distribution. If your package includes printing, we use the finest printers to produce a beautiful print edition. Typically, we upload your ebook to retailers such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
Your book’s pages are designed and the text is laid out. Liquid Type uses a digital-first workflow that enables us to produce the print book and the ebook at the same time. We also commission a cover designer to do mock-ups. We work together with you to produce a cover that proudly represents your work.
The third step is proofreading. This involves a last, meticulous sweep for errors remaining after copy editing. It also focuses on catching any formatting errors made during book production.
The fourth step is implementing the proofreading corrections and finalising the files (including the ebook).
The fifth step is distribution. If your package includes printing, we use the finest printers to produce a beautiful print edition. Typically, we upload your ebook to retailers such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
Liquid Type only works with authors and organisations who are serious about producing quality books. These authors and organisations are willing to pay for top-quality services because they are inspired to create exceptional books. Liquid Type takes on self-publishing projects with considerable merit. These are books that will change people’s lives. They are good enough to compete with books published by traditional publishers.
There are many self-publishing services providers. Why should you choose Liquid Type? One reason is that Liquid Type is currently one of only a few self-publishing services providers who uses a digital-first workflow to produce books and ebooks. This allows us to output print and digital versions at one click, cutting out the need for costly typesetting and ebook conversion. This saves you money and time.
Another reason to use Liquid Type is our focus on quality. We only use the best designers, editors, and other professionals.
Another reason to use Liquid Type is our focus on quality. We only use the best designers, editors, and other professionals.
It takes anywhere from three to six months to self-publish a quality book, depending on the nature of the project and the work involved.
Liquid Type is committed to fine attention to detail, exceptional services, honesty, and the highest production standards.
I aim to:
I aim to:
- provide the best-quality services at reasonable, industry-standard rates
- help harmonise the author’s creative genius with the reader’s sense to create a seamless reading experience
- guide authors in making good publishing decisions
- provide honest advice and feedback
- be professional in working with authors to ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable experience, and
- use my personal experience of more than fifteen years working in the publishing industry to always keep the practicalities of book publishing in mind.
Get in touch and provide me with as much information as you can about the services you need. If you feel comfortable sharing, please send me a few sample chapters of your work.
The self-publishing experience has been very exciting and fulfilling. I have learned a lot about the various stages involved in the production of the book. Liquid Type Publishing Services is the best and I will always consider them when I publish my third book.
