The Author's Edge

I founded Babysteps Publishing in 2008.

Since then, we’ve helped authors around the world turn their ideas and manuscripts into professionally published books, including more than 700 #1 Amazon bestsellers.

Fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, business books, children’s books and deeply personal stories. First-time authors and experienced writers.

And after 18+ years, there is one thing I know for certain:

Getting a book published successfully isn’t just about writing a good book.

There are decisions made before, during and after the writing process that can make an enormous difference to the finished book and what happens to it once it enters the world.

So, for the first edition of The Author’s Edge, I want to share some of the most important lessons those 18 years have taught me.

Writing the book is only part of the job

Many authors spend months, sometimes years, concentrating entirely on the manuscript.

And of course the writing matters.

But a finished manuscript is not a finished book.

Editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, positioning, pricing, distribution and the launch all influence how readers perceive the finished product.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that a great manuscript deserves an equally professional publishing process.

• Write the best manuscript you can.
• Treat editing, design and formatting as part of the book, not extras.
• Think about how the book will reach readers before publication day.

Your cover is a sales tool

We are told not to judge a book by its cover. Readers do it every day.

Your cover has seconds to communicate what kind of book this is, who it is for and whether it deserves a closer look.

One mistake I’ve seen repeatedly is authors designing a cover around what they personally like rather than what will appeal to the reader.

A professional cover should look right alongside the bestselling books in your category. It needs to work as a full-size paperback, but it also needs to work as a tiny thumbnail on Amazon or a mobile phone.

• Design for your reader, not yourself.
• Study successful books in your category before designing.
• Make sure the cover works at thumbnail size as well as full size.

Publishing makes your book available. It doesn’t make it visible.
— Kevin Long, Founder of Babysteps Publishing

Publishing day is not the finish line

Authors naturally focus on publication day. It feels like the destination.

It isn’t.

Publishing makes your book available. It doesn’t automatically make people discover it, buy it or recommend it.

The books that perform well usually have something happening around them: a launch strategy, reviews, social content, interviews, podcasts, events, reader recommendations or simply an author who continues talking about the book long after publication day.

Your book needs a life after launch.

After more than 18 years in publishing, perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned is this:

Your book deserves to be treated as more than a file uploaded to Amazon.

You’ve invested your ideas, experiences, imagination and time into creating it. Give the publishing process the same care.

That is what The Author’s Edge will be about each week: practical lessons from the real world of writing, publishing and launching books.

No unnecessary jargon. No theory for theory’s sake. Just useful advice to help you create a book you can be proud of and get it into the hands of readers.

Until next week,

Kevin Long
Founder, Babysteps Publishing