4.7 KiB
4.7 KiB
Self-Publishing Standards Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your self-published book meets professional quality standards.
Cover Design
- Professional cover design (not DIY unless experienced)
- Title readable at thumbnail size
- High resolution (2560 x 1600 px minimum for KDP)
- Front, back, and spine designed (for print)
- Cover conveys book topic clearly
- Cover design appropriate for genre/topic
- ISBN and barcode included (for print)
Formatting - eBook
- Clean HTML/ePub formatting
- Table of contents with working links
- No formatting errors (extra spaces, missing paragraphs, etc.)
- Images sized appropriately for e-readers
- Code blocks formatted and readable
- Tested on Kindle (Fire, Paperwhite, app)
- Tested on Kobo/Nook (if distributing there)
- Tested on iPad/iPhone Books app
- Font choices appropriate (or use device defaults)
Formatting - Print (if applicable)
- Proper page size selected (6x9, 7x10, 8.5x11, etc.)
- Margins appropriate for binding
- Headers/footers professional
- Page numbers correct
- Chapter starts formatted consistently
- No orphans/widows (single lines at top/bottom of page)
- Images high resolution (300 DPI minimum)
- Bleed settings correct (if using bleed)
Front Matter
- Title page
- Copyright page with correct year and copyright notice
- ISBN on copyright page (if using)
- Edition statement (if applicable)
- Disclaimers (if applicable)
- Table of contents
- Preface or introduction (optional but recommended)
Back Matter
- About the author
- Other books by author (if applicable)
- Thank you / call to action (optional)
- Contact information or website
- Request for reviews (optional)
Metadata - All Platforms
- Title accurate and searchable
- Subtitle descriptive
- Author name consistent across platforms
- Book description compelling (150-300 words)
- Keywords researched and targeted (up to 7 typically)
- Categories selected strategically
- Language set correctly
- Publication date accurate
Pricing
- Price competitive with similar books
- Royalty tier considered (70% vs 35% on KDP)
- Print price covers costs + margin
- Different prices for different markets considered
- Promotional pricing strategy planned
Legal Requirements
- Copyright notice included
- ISBN obtained (if required/desired)
- No copyright violations
- Permissions obtained for quoted material
- Disclaimers appropriate for content
Quality Control
- Professional editing completed (developmental, copy, proofread)
- Beta readers provided feedback
- Errors corrected from beta feedback
- Final proofread by fresh eyes
- All links tested (URLs, email, cross-references)
Preview and Samples
- "Look Inside" / preview set up (first 10% typically)
- Preview represents book well
- No errors in preview section
- Sample chapters engaging
Platform-Specific - Leanpub
- Markdown formatted correctly
- Book.txt configured with chapter order
- Subset.txt configured for sample chapters
- Metadata complete in Book.txt
- Preview generated and reviewed
- Pricing set (minimum, suggested, maximum)
Platform-Specific - Amazon KDP
- KDP account set up with tax information
- eBook uploaded and validated
- Print book uploaded (if applicable) and validated
- Cover meets KDP requirements
- ISBN assigned (using free KDP ISBN or own)
- Preview generated and reviewed
- Categories selected (up to 2 + keywords)
- Kindle Unlimited enrollment decision made
Platform-Specific - Gumroad
- Product description complete
- Files uploaded (PDF, ePub, extras)
- Preview/sample provided
- Pricing set
- Payment processing configured
- Email delivery set up
- Thank you page configured
Marketing Preparation
- Book website or landing page created
- Social media announcements prepared
- Email list notified (if applicable)
- Launch plan in place
- Review copy strategy (ARC readers, influencers)
- Promotional materials ready (graphics, snippets, quotes)
Post-Launch
- Monitor for errors or reader feedback
- Plan for updates/revisions
- Errata page prepared (if needed)
- Review requests sent to readers
- Respond to reader questions/feedback
- Track sales and adjust marketing
Professional Standards
- Book indistinguishable from traditionally published books
- No obvious self-publishing markers (unless intentional)
- Quality equals or exceeds competing books
- Reader experience prioritized
- Ongoing improvement mindset (update based on feedback)