It all starts with writing down your book idea- fiction or non-fiction. In order for your self-publishing journey of authorship to begin, you must write down your idea quickly before it goes away. That’s just how my own self-publishing journey began in 2012. I had an idea come to me for a children’s book, and I wrote it all down. At the time I had no idea that I’d be here working on to publish multiple titles, and showing people a way to get their own book published, no less. Frankly, I managed to write and publish all my books through a process of trial and error. Because all books and their origins are not the same, and the industry changes so frequently there isn’t a singular formula to fit all authors. Nor is there a fixed timeline. But the sooner you write it, the sooner you can hold the book in your hands. And then your readers will be holding your book with their noses buried in it.
After you have created an Ingram Spark account
Once your book is fully completed and you have both the interior and exterior files you’re ready to upload them. Uploading the files brings you one step closer to being a published author. Ingram used to charge for this service, but now it is free to upload. But each revised upload to that follows will cost $25. Simply log into IngramSpark.com, scroll down to, “Upload a Title”, then select from format options: a, b, or c.
- Print & Ebook
- Print Book Only
- Ebook Only
Note: If you have published an e-book with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) for Kindle must wait to publish with Ingram Spark last 365 days .
If you don’t have the ready yet
No problem, if you don’t have the ready yet. When prompted: “Do you have the files ready to upload?”, You would need to choose the option that reads: “No, but I will enter my title information and submit files later” to move on to the next step. If you do have them then select, “Yes, all my files are ready”. After that select, “Print, distribute, and sell book”. Next, follow the rest of the prompts, and fill in the data about your book in the right sections. You can simply transfer the data from your master metadata document. Then, you’re ready to upload the files. Proceed to upload your sets of exterior and interior files for the formats you choose to publish in. That would be two PDF files for print book, and a JPEG and EPUB for ebook. You may opt to copy a link that allows your freelancer to complete this part of your book files upload. Once you have copied the link, send it to the freelancer who agrees to complete the upload on your behalf. They would need to follow the link to a set of instructions for uploading the book files for you.
Set the Date
On the calendar on the next page, circle a date that’s at least 3 months out from today. Remember the further out the date the more time you give yourself to perfect the book, and get book pre-orders. Then do the following:
Begin the process of uploading your book files and metadata to IngramSpark’s website and follow the prompts for two dates. Choose the same publication date as on-sale-date (as far out as 365 days). Add that date for both, “publication date” and “on-sale-date”. Publication date is when book is available for the public to buy. On-sale date is for retailers to know when they can start selling the book. Be sure you “enable distribution” so retailers, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org are notified.
Note: Remember to choose the On-Sale Date, you must click the, “Show more fields to improve book optimization” arrow under the Publication Date. They must be the same date to get pre-orders for your book.
Inspect Eproof
Keep in mind all the following steps in the process, necessary to publish, before you choose a date that’s less than 12 months away. Ask yourself, “Can I totally complete my book in that time frame?”
IngramSpark will validates your files, after an initial digital scan and human quality inspection. You’ll either get an error message or you’ll receive the eproof in an email. Do not, I repeat, do not approve the eproof until you have inspected the files and caught those harder to see mistakes in the book. At this point, you can make the fixes/revisions needed and upload file again. IngeamSpark does not charge an additional upload fee for more file uploads, yet. Only after you have approved the eproof do they charge a fee for additional uploads. When it is all looking good, then approve the eproof.
Note: After eproof is approved, you can still make changes to your book. But the for then on IngramSpark will charge a $25 fee per upload.
Inspect Bound Proof
After the eproof is approved you are allowed to order the bound proof. This is a physical copy of your book. You can order as many as you need. Also known as the author’s copy, bound proof, uncorrected proof, and advance reader copies (ARC), these books serve a few purposes. Use them to check the print quality, marketing tools, giveaways to book reviewer, check for typos and grammar mistakes. Spotting typos may be even easer in the physical copy. You can, also, keep one for a keep sake.
But this is the best time to inspect the physical copy of your book and upload any revisions. Remember, the additional uploads have a fee here. As well do any additional orders of your book.
Note: Ten days before the on-sale-date IngramSpark starts printing and shipping out the pre-orders that come in for your book. So, it is important that the book be completed and uploaded well before the publication date.
