9 Publishing Roles Every Self-Published Author Should Know About

The world of publishing can confuse anyone these days. If you want to publish your book but are unsure where to start, below, I summarize nine important roles in the publishing industry.

Some of these roles you can take on yourself and others you should or must hire out.

Role # 1: The Agent

If you want to be published traditionally, you’ll need an agent. An agent represents authors to get the best deal from the best publisher. If you are going to self-publish, you don’t need an agent.

Role #2: The Publishers

Publishers take your book from the final manuscript to print-ready (or eBook these days). They have editors, designers, and marketers along the way who help bring the book to fruition. If you are going to self-publish, then you are the publisher.

Role # 3: The Distributors

Distributors get the book on the shelves of the bookstores – even if you are self-published, you will need a distributor as you don’t want to deal with every bookstore that might sell your book. Can you imagine the travel bill?

Traditional publishers can also act as distributors but don’t always.

Role # 4: The Printers

Printers do the actual physical printing of your book. They take it from a file on your computer to ink on paper. If you are going to self-publish, you will have to get your book printed one way or another unless you will only distribute the eBook.

Role #5: The Editors

Editors get your book reader ready. They help you with the big picture right down to the typos, depending on what type of editor you hire. You’ll need a few different ones. For more on editing, check out my video on the four types of editing.

Role # 6 The Cover Designer

Cover designers create the whole cover of your book-everything from the front, back and of course, the spine. Their job is to make sure your book stands out visually on the shelves.

Role # 7: Book Designers

Book designers format the inside of the book. They make sure the experience on the inside is as pleasing as the cover is to the reader.

Role # 8: The Publicist

Publicists get your book out into the hands of the right people—for example, media, reviews, readings, etc. Publicists help you get publicity. As a self-published author, you’ll likely start as your own publicist.

Role # 9:The Book Sellers

Book sellers are retail outlets, both the physical stores and online. Book sellers are anywhere consumers go to buy your book. In today’s world, many companies merge these roles to serve self-published authors. As an author, understanding all the roles will help you maneuver through the industry. Download Author Nation’s Publishing Checklist to help you determine which roles you will be in charge of fulfilling and which you’ll hire out.

– Keep writing

Melody Ann

Download the Author Nation Publishing Checklist to get started on publishing your book.

Author Nation is your go-to resource for becoming a successful nonfiction author, from planning to promotion and everything in between. Download the resource for the stage you are in.

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