The Self-Publishing Checklist: From Manuscript to Launch Day

Publishing your own book is one of the most empowering things you can do as a writer. But between finishing your manuscript and seeing your book live on Amazon or in bookstores, there's a lot of ground to cover. A solid checklist keeps you from skipping critical steps, and from the panic of realising you forgot something important the night before launch.

This guide walks you through every major stage of the self-publishing process, from your final editing passes all the way to launch week tactics. Bookmark it, print it out, and check off each step as you go.

Step 1: Editing Passes

No matter how talented you are, your manuscript needs professional editing before it reaches readers. Skipping this step is the single biggest mistake new indie authors make. Plan for multiple rounds, each with a different focus.

Developmental Edit

A developmental edit (also called a structural edit) looks at the big picture: plot, pacing, character arcs, chapter structure, and overall narrative logic. If your story has holes or your non-fiction argument lacks coherence, this is where you fix it. Hire a developmental editor or work with a trusted beta reader who can give you honest, high-level feedback.

Line Edit

Once the structure is solid, a line edit focuses on prose quality: sentence rhythm, word choice, clarity, and voice. This is where your writing gets polished from good to great. A line editor isn't just fixing errors; they're helping your writing sing.

Copy Edit

A copy edit catches grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency errors. Your copy editor will also flag continuity issues (your character's eyes changing colour halfway through) and ensure your style is consistent throughout. This is a non-negotiable step before formatting.

Proofreading

Proofreading is your final quality check (ideally done on a formatted proof of the book, not the raw manuscript). A proofreader catches any errors introduced during formatting and any last typos that slipped through earlier rounds. Never skip this step, even if you've read the manuscript a dozen times yourself.

Step 2: ISBN Registration

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifier for your book. Each format — ebook, paperback, hardcover — requires its own ISBN. Here's what you need to know:

• Bowker (myidentifiers.com) is the official ISBN agency in the United States. A single ISBN costs $125; a block of 10 costs $295. If you're serious about publishing multiple books, buy in bulk.
• IngramSpark offers a free ISBN when you publish through their platform, but that ISBN is tied to IngramSpark as the publisher of record.
• KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) also provides a free ISBN for print books, but similarly, Amazon appears as the imprint.
• Draft2Digital assigns free ISBNs for ebooks distributed through their network.

Pro tip: If building your own publishing imprint matters to you — and it should if you're thinking long-term — purchase your own ISBNs through Bowker. This gives you full control and makes your books look professionally published.

Step 3: Formatting Your Manuscript

Formatting transforms your Word document into a beautifully typeset book. Interior formatting for print and ebook are two different tasks with different requirements.

Print Formatting

Print books require precise margins, gutters, headers, footers, and consistent chapter styling. Common trim sizes include 5×8, 5.5×8.5, and 6×9 inches. Your formatted file will typically be exported as a PDF.

Ebook Formatting

Ebooks are reflowable, meaning readers can adjust font size and style. Your ebook file needs to be clean and well-structured, typically exported as an EPUB file. Avoid complex layouts, tables, or fixed formatting that won't translate well to e-readers.

Recommended Tools

• Vellum (Mac only): Beautiful, intuitive, and produces stunning results for both print and ebook. The gold standard for many indie authors.
• Atticus (Windows & Mac): A powerful all-in-one writing and formatting tool that's a strong Vellum alternative for PC users.
• Reedsy Book Editor — Free, browser-based, and produces clean EPUB and print-ready PDF files. Great for authors on a budget.
• Microsoft Word / Google Docs — Workable for basic formatting, but requires more manual effort to meet platform specifications.

Step 4: Uploading to Platforms

Once your files are formatted and your cover is ready, it's time to upload. Here are the major platforms and what to know about each:

KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

KDP is Amazon's self-publishing platform and the most important stop for most indie authors. You can publish both Kindle ebooks and KDP Print paperbacks (and hardcovers) here. KDP accepts EPUB for ebooks and PDF for print. Enrol your ebook in KDP Select if you want access to Kindle Unlimited — but note this requires 90-day exclusivity on the ebook.

IngramSpark

IngramSpark gives you access to Ingram's vast distribution network, which supplies bookstores, libraries, and online retailers worldwide. This is essential if you want your book available for brick-and-mortar stores to order. IngramSpark accepts PDF for print and EPUB for ebooks. There is a setup fee (though it's often waived during promotions).

Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital is a distribution aggregator that gets your ebook into Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, libraries, and more — all from a single upload. They take a small percentage of royalties in exchange for handling distribution. It's an excellent complement to KDP if you're not in KDP Select.

File requirements checklist:

• ✅ EPUB file (validated, no errors)
• ✅ Print-ready PDF (correct trim size, bleed settings, embedded fonts)
• ✅ Cover image (front cover only for ebook; full wrap with spine for print)
• ✅ Book description (metadata)
• ✅ Keywords and categories selected
• ✅ Author bio

Step 5: Pricing Strategy

Pricing your book correctly can make a significant difference in both sales volume and royalties earned. There's no single right answer, but here's a framework to guide your decisions.

Ebook Pricing

Ebook prices typically range from $0.99 to $9.99. On KDP, you earn 70% royalties on ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99, and only 35% outside that range. Most indie fiction ebooks are priced between $2.99 and $5.99. Non-fiction and longer works can often command $7.99–$9.99.

Competitive research: Browse Amazon's bestseller lists in your genre and note what comparable books are priced at. Price too high and you'll lose impulse buyers; price too low and you may signal low quality.

Print Pricing

Print pricing is largely driven by your printing cost, which depends on page count, trim size, and whether you're printing in colour. KDP and IngramSpark both show you the minimum price you can set to earn any royalty. Add a reasonable margin on top — typically $2–$5 for paperbacks — and check that your price is competitive with traditionally published books in your category.

Launch Pricing

Consider launching your ebook at a discounted price (e.g., $0.99 or $2.99) for the first week to drive volume, reviews, and algorithmic momentum. You can raise the price after the launch window closes.

Step 6: Launch Week Tactics

A strong launch week sets the tone for your book's long-term performance. The more momentum you build in the first seven days, the better your chances of ranking well and attracting organic discovery.

Build Your ARC Team

ARC (Advance Review Copy) readers receive your book before launch in exchange for an honest review posted on or around release day. Aim for at least 10–20 ARC readers. Use platforms like BookSirens, NetGalley, or simply reach out to engaged readers in your community. Reviews on launch day are gold.

Activate Your Email List

Your email list is your most valuable marketing asset. Send a pre-launch announcement, a launch day email with a direct purchase link, and a follow-up a few days later. If you don't have a list yet, start building one now — even a small, engaged list outperforms a large social media following.

Leverage Social Media

Share your journey in the weeks leading up to launch: cover reveals, behind-the-scenes content, reader testimonials, and countdown posts. Use relevant hashtags and engage with your community authentically. Don't just broadcast — have conversations.

Assemble a Launch Team

A launch team is a group of enthusiastic readers and supporters who agree to help spread the word on launch day. They share posts, leave reviews, tell friends, and create buzz. Recruit from your existing readership, social media followers, and personal network.

Use Promo Sites

If you're running a discounted launch price, submit to ebook promotion sites to amplify your reach:

• BookBub: The most powerful, but competitive to get featured
• Bargain Booksy: Great for genre fiction at $0.99–$2.99
• Freebooksy: For free promotions
• Robin Reads, The Fussy Librarian, eReader News Today: All solid mid-tier options

Submit to these sites 2–4 weeks in advance, as many have lead times.

You're Ready — Now Launch

Self-publishing is a marathon, not a sprint, but launch day is your starting gun. Every step in this checklist exists to give your book the best possible foundation — a clean, professionally edited manuscript, a beautiful cover, a well-formatted interior, smart pricing, and a launch strategy that gets eyes on your work from day one.

Don't wait for perfect. Perfect is the enemy of published. Work through this checklist methodically, give each step the attention it deserves, and then hit publish with confidence.

Your readers are out there waiting. Go find them.