Writing and Publishing Checklist
This is for Nikki, who sent me an email request for this, but didn’t put her email address on my website form:
Valerie Ihsan’s Writing/Publishing Checklist
Updated 27 October 2022
Determine character (with flaw), premise, and setting of the new novel or memoir. Write a Pixar Pitch for it.
Use Max Neef needs to determine needs of the protagonist and create a Story Hypothesis. (Storyhypothesis.com)
Write outline of novel or memoir using a combo of techniques from the books Take Off Your Pants (character flaw), The Three Story Method (Global 3Cs and Act 3Cs), and Fast Draft Your Memoir (main moments of a life).
Create scene cards in Scrivener.
Write rough draft without editing. (Use dictation software when you can for speed.)
Let manuscript rest for two to four weeks without looking at it. (At least one. Do publishing
and admin-y things during this time.)
Set a date for an Alpha Readers Club meeting for this manuscript. (Have them use the Story
Rubric for it.) And/or schedule a Story Diagnostic with a Three Story Method.
Print out manuscript in full and do a 1stst read-through with colored pens and highlighters.
And do a Story Diagnostic on it myself. (Make notes.)
Make initial changes into Scrivener. and revise scenes (or add) to address Diagnostic results.
Then, run scene analysis on all the major scenes in the book--making notes on Scrivener
scene cards, identifying the 3Cs in each one. Re-write scenes as necessary.
Send your manuscript to a Three Story Method Editor for Story Diagnostic, and/or Alpha
Readers Club.
Send out requests for book blurber and schedule them.
Schedule copy/line editor. (Use TALC member.)
Pick out cover art and schedule with cover designer.
Purchase ISBN (if haven’t already). (Use bowker.com.)
Research and finalize the title (and subtitle).
Apply for a Library of Congress number.
Make changes in Scrivener based on comments from Story Diagnostic. (Do you need to do
anymore scene analysis?) (Do you need to add any new scenes or change anything?)
Put manuscript through ProWriting Aid's reports.
Make changes according to the reports.
Send manuscript to the line editor.
Research and determine keywords and sales categories (use Publisher Rocket software); put
them in a research folder on Scrivener.
Use Amazon Book Description Generator at https://kindlepreneur.com/amazon-book-
description-generator/
Research and determine prices for each format and country. Keep a copy of this in an easy to reach place, either hardcopy or a research folder in Scrivener. You will need this information multiple times.
Email this to your cover designer.
Write dedications and acknowledgments page. Include patrons!
Write the book club questions.
Make line editor changes in Scrivener document.
Run manuscript through Pro-Writing Aid again.
Send copy to book blurbers.
Create a deleted scenes pdf and e-files for the mailing list (free gift to build suspense for the
book launch). Use Vellum (or D2D’s free book editor) and Book Funnel for this.
Write front and back invitations and calls to action with a link to your mailing list. Add
graphic of free reader magnet gift.
Write review request page with universal book link. Use in back book matter. And/or send
to list.
Write book description and back cover copy (or hire out)—adding the blurb (when you get it
back from the blurber), author bio and pic, and publishing logo in one document.
Finalize e-book and audiobook cover design. (Approve the proof from the designer.)
Send manuscript to proofreader if using one. (Same as your line/copy editor? Use software
instead?)
Review proofread notes and resolve any and all issues.
Create epub and mobi files with Vellum (or D2D’s free book editor).
If doing an audiobook, begin narration process, or hire it out. (Edit files as you go.)
Proof the digital files on multiple devices if that is available to you.
Send digital copy of your book to your street team or advanced readers for review purposes
and more quotes. Use Book Funnel for this.
Set up Advanced Readers Giveaway through LibraryThing.com.
Interior layout design with Vellum or D2D’s free book editor.
Decide on marketing strategy and distribution strategy. (KDP Select or Wide?)
Set up pre-orders with publication date. (You are now available to set up author events.)
(You might want to set up pre-orders with all places except Amazon, due to ranking issues.
Other authors love setting pre-orders on Amazon.)
Tell Kobo about new book to see if you can get on a new release/coming soon list.
Set date for launch party if doing one.
Schedule author events if doing them.
Pitch podcasts for interviews. (Need a topic besides "I have a new book".)
Update author page on Goodreads, LibraryThing, LinkedIn, Patreon, website, FB, BookBub,
Twitter, Instagram, Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, Indie Bound, Powell’s, and all other retailers.
Do a cover reveal for Patrons first, then mailing list subscribers, then social media (FB and
Instagram for me!) a week or two later. (Patrons and mailing list always get special perks.)
Create book landing page for website with pre-order (affiliate) links to all retailers with
universal book link (available from books2read.com). Use early review quotes on landing
page.
Review interior designed pages for errors or format issues (and approve them if you’ve hired out this job).
Send spine size, ISBN (request bar code from cover designer) and print price for each
format to cover designer.
Approve final print cover: dust jacket, pb, workbook.
Create graphics for social media and website use. (Use Canva.com -- or images from cover
designer, but make sure you have this kind of permission from the designer. Or hire out the
process.) Ask your street team to use them on launch day.
Assign ISBN on myidentifiers.com—if you’ve already bought them on Bowker.com.
Upload print files to Ingram Spark, D2D Print, and KDP Print.
Order physical proof copies from all three places, and decide where you'll upload print files.
Upload digital files direct to online retailers (Amazon KDP, Kobo, Publish Drive, and Draft
to Digital) and set prices for all countries.
Order FreeBooksy or BargainBooksy ads for the book launch week. Stack with Fussy
Librarian and Book Bub and Amazon ads. (If you are a new author, I wouldn’t try Facebook
ads for this yet, unless you really want to spend some time on this.)
Release early copies to patrons, if their tier allows it.
Set up soft launch for mailing list, street team, and patrons. (Tell your mailing list about the
launch day and the 99 cent special for the first day only. Consider soft launching for Patrons and mailing list at 99 cents on Day 1 with a Bargain Booksy ad, then hard launch on Day 2-4 at 2.99 with ad stacking with the other three platforms, and then put it up 4.99 regular price on Day 5 with another Amazon ad or Book Bub ad.)
Set up e-book launch Mark Dawson style. (99 cents for the first day to get reviews from street team, and then regular price after that.)
Obtain affiliate links for each retailer to add to universal link maker on Books2Read. (Amazon, Kobo, Nook, iBooks, Powell’s, etc.)
Create links or html for my website for each store. Preferably affiliate links.
Update store on website and FB.
Update Amazon Author Page. (You can only do this after your book is uploaded with them.)
Link your print and e-books and audiobook on Amazon. (You can do this through Amazon
Author Central.)
Order print copies from Ingram Spark (or whichever proof you liked best) for launch party
(if having one) and for upcoming events.
Brainstorm other author event opportunities. Talks, readings, lunches. Support local
businesses while doing it. Literary events.
Post on social media about the launch day sales.
Follow ranking and sale numbers during launch week and especially around any paid
advertising you’ve done.
Send email to mailing list (and advanced readers team) three weeks later asking for reviews
again with links.
Check Kobo promos to ride out the Launch Month.
Pitch more podcasts.
Change email signature to include title and link of new book.
Consider additional author events. Link with other authors of same genre.
Send reels and videos to mailing list and Patreon.
Do a Giveaway on social media as a One-Month Launch Anniversary Gift.
Continue editing audio files if not done yet.
Upload audio files to ACX and Findaway voices.
Send sample clips through Book Funnel to street team and Patrons to promote audio release.
Send out audio ALCs wherever you can.
Apply for book awards and contests.
Print out another one of these lists and start the next book!
