211 lines
4.4 KiB
Markdown
211 lines
4.4 KiB
Markdown
<!-- Powered by BMAD™ Core -->
|
|
|
|
# Self-Publish Prep
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
task:
|
|
id: self-publish-prep
|
|
name: Self-Publish Prep
|
|
description: Prepare book for self-publishing on Leanpub, Amazon KDP, or Gumroad
|
|
persona_default: book-publisher
|
|
inputs:
|
|
|
|
- target-platform
|
|
- book-files
|
|
- cover-design
|
|
steps:
|
|
- Choose platform (Leanpub/Amazon KDP/Gumroad)
|
|
- Format manuscript for platform (Markdown/DOCX/PDF)
|
|
- Optimize images for platform requirements
|
|
- Create book metadata (title, description, keywords, categories)
|
|
- Design or acquire cover image
|
|
- Set pricing strategy
|
|
- Create ISBN if needed (KDP provides free ISBNs)
|
|
- Format for ePub/PDF/Kindle
|
|
- Verify platform-specific requirements
|
|
- Upload and test preview
|
|
- Run execute-checklist.md with self-publishing-standards-checklist.md
|
|
output: self-publish/{{platform}}/{{book-name}}-ready/
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Purpose
|
|
|
|
Prepare a complete, professional book package for self-publishing platforms, ensuring quality presentation and discoverability.
|
|
|
|
## Workflow Steps
|
|
|
|
### 1. Choose Platform
|
|
|
|
**Leanpub:**
|
|
- Markdown-based
|
|
- Good for technical books
|
|
- Built-in email marketing
|
|
- Flexible pricing (minimum/suggested/maximum)
|
|
|
|
**Amazon KDP:**
|
|
- Largest audience
|
|
- Print-on-demand available
|
|
- Kindle format required
|
|
- Free ISBN provided
|
|
|
|
**Gumroad:**
|
|
- Simple, flexible
|
|
- PDF/ePub distribution
|
|
- Direct customer relationships
|
|
- No review requirements
|
|
|
|
### 2. Format for Platform
|
|
|
|
**Leanpub (Markdown):**
|
|
|
|
```markdown
|
|
# Chapter 1: Introduction
|
|
|
|
{book: true, sample: true}
|
|
|
|
This chapter introduces...
|
|
|
|
## Section 1.1
|
|
|
|
Content here...
|
|
|
|
{class: code}
|
|
```python
|
|
# Code example
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
**KDP (Word/ePub):**
|
|
- Use heading styles
|
|
- Insert page breaks
|
|
- Format code blocks
|
|
- Embed images
|
|
|
|
### 3. Create Metadata
|
|
|
|
**Title and Description:**
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
Title: Mastering Web APIs: A Practical Guide to REST and GraphQL
|
|
|
|
Subtitle: Build, Secure, and Scale Production-Ready APIs
|
|
|
|
Description:
|
|
Learn to design, build, and deploy production-ready APIs with this hands-on guide.
|
|
Covers REST, GraphQL, authentication, rate limiting, and more. Includes 50+ code
|
|
examples in Python and Node.js.
|
|
|
|
What you'll learn:
|
|
• RESTful API design principles
|
|
• GraphQL schema design
|
|
• JWT authentication
|
|
• Rate limiting and caching
|
|
• Production deployment strategies
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
**Keywords/Categories:**
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
Keywords: API, REST, GraphQL, web development, Python, Node.js, authentication
|
|
|
|
Categories:
|
|
- Computers > Programming > Internet
|
|
- Computers > Web > Web Services
|
|
- Computers > Languages > Python
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
### 4. Cover Design
|
|
|
|
Requirements:
|
|
|
|
- **KDP**: 2560 x 1600 px minimum
|
|
- **Leanpub**: 1600 x 2400 px recommended
|
|
- **Readable thumbnail**: Text visible at small sizes
|
|
- **Professional**: Use Canva, 99designs, or hire designer
|
|
|
|
### 5. Set Pricing
|
|
|
|
Pricing strategy:
|
|
|
|
**Leanpub Pricing Model:**
|
|
```
|
|
Minimum: $9.99 (reader can pay more)
|
|
Suggested: $29.99
|
|
Maximum: $99
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
**KDP Pricing:**
|
|
```
|
|
eBook: $9.99 - $29.99 (70% royalty tier)
|
|
Print: $39.99 (based on page count + margin)
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
### 6. ISBN (Optional)
|
|
|
|
- **KDP**: Provides free ISBN
|
|
- **Self-purchase**: $125 for single ISBN from Bowker (US)
|
|
- **Not required** for eBooks on most platforms
|
|
|
|
### 7. Format for Distribution
|
|
|
|
**ePub (KDP, Gumroad):**
|
|
- Use Calibre or Pandoc for conversion
|
|
- Test on multiple e-readers
|
|
- Validate with ePub validator
|
|
|
|
**PDF (Leanpub, Gumroad):**
|
|
- High-quality PDF export
|
|
- Embedded fonts
|
|
- Optimized images
|
|
|
|
**Kindle (KDP):**
|
|
- Upload DOCX or use Kindle Create tool
|
|
- KDP converts to .mobi/.azw
|
|
|
|
### 8. Platform-Specific Requirements
|
|
|
|
**KDP:**
|
|
- Copyright page required
|
|
- Table of contents with links
|
|
- "Look Inside" preview (first 10%)
|
|
|
|
**Leanpub:**
|
|
- Subset.txt for sample chapters
|
|
- Book.txt for chapter ordering
|
|
- Metadata in Book.txt
|
|
|
|
### 9. Upload and Preview
|
|
|
|
Test before publishing:
|
|
|
|
- Upload to platform
|
|
- Generate preview
|
|
- Test on multiple devices (Kindle app, iPad, PDF reader)
|
|
- Check formatting, images, code blocks
|
|
- Verify table of contents links
|
|
|
|
### 10. Run Quality Checklist
|
|
|
|
- Run execute-checklist.md with self-publishing-standards-checklist.md
|
|
|
|
## Success Criteria
|
|
|
|
- [ ] Platform selected
|
|
- [ ] Manuscript formatted correctly
|
|
- [ ] Images optimized
|
|
- [ ] Metadata complete (title, description, keywords)
|
|
- [ ] Professional cover design
|
|
- [ ] Pricing set
|
|
- [ ] ISBN acquired (if needed)
|
|
- [ ] ePub/PDF/Kindle formats created
|
|
- [ ] Preview tested on target devices
|
|
- [ ] Self-publishing checklist passed
|
|
|
|
## Next Steps
|
|
|
|
1. Publish to platform
|
|
2. Set up marketing (email list, social media)
|
|
3. Monitor sales and reviews
|
|
4. Plan updates and revisions
|