Follow the journey of a book from manuscript to store shelves and learn about the importance of book publishing along the way.
Life has few greater pleasures than getting lost in a good book.
Stories that take us on a journey.
Through a well-written book, we become the characters and see the world through their eyes and travel alongside them through their trials and tribulations, and we have a unique opportunity to look at ourselves and our world in a new and often beautiful way.
We can even learn about the many exciting things this world and universe has to offer, whether it’s how to look after ourselves, our environment, or venturing into the stars.
However, while words can carry us to far-off worlds and into the hearts of others, how often have you put yourself in the shoes of the book itself?
The hard copy of a book that you buy in a store – the vessel of the words you can fall for so deeply.
It’s for sure a lengthy and incredible journey that a book takes from its initial conception as an idea to finally being displayed on store shelves. It’s a unique and fascinating experience for every author, and if you’ve ever wondered what that looks like, then you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s dive straight in!
Every book, good and bad, starts with an idea.
An idea that the author has that they want to share with the world.
This could come in many shapes and sizes, from wanting to share an experience, explore a message from the heart, entertain and enthrall, or even just act as the author’s own sense of therapy from the things going on in their world.
George Orwell’s 1984 was a stark message about the direction of society and how the world was changing, acting as a cautionary tale about the impending dangers of a totalitarian society and a government in total control of its people.
Conversely, Sapiens, by Yuval Nari Harari, details the history of when mankind took its first steps to the present day, giving a historical and philosophical overview of our evolution.
The core of every book has an idea, and the first step to developing such a book is to understand the idea and nurture it. Fanning the embers of the idea to turn it into a roaring flame that can create something truly special.
With a core idea in mind, it’s time to flesh it out.
For most authors, this means brain-dumping all their thoughts, researching the idea, and gaining more insight.
For example, if you wanted to write a story set during the sugar rush of Hawaii in the late 1800s, you’d take time to research this period, learning the ins and outs of the time, what life was like, and basically everything you’d need to know to bring the story to life.
Depending on the genre, this process can take anywhere from several months to years to complete. During this time, authors may need to conduct their own interviews or fact-check for accuracy as well as craft compelling stories or content that will draw in readers.
It’s only really now that the writing will begin.
It’s a time of intense creativity and hard work, with the goal of crafting an excellent manuscript that will be ready to present to publishers.
However, the process isn’t as simple as just sitting down and writing out a polished script.
More often than not, it’s going to take dozens of write-throughs. It takes writing the first draft, then writing it again, and again, and again. It means taking certain pieces of the book and pulling them apart, rewriting them from the ground up, and removing certain aspects entirely.
There’s no hard and fast process because every writer is different, but it’s painful and testing on the psyche.
This part of the process usually takes the longest, and it’s where most writers fall.
Not only are you battling with perfection and fear of what others will think about your work, but there’s also Imposter Syndrome and doubt. Doubt that plagues you into thinking that you’re not good enough and your work will fall flat in the eyes of the world.
Then there’s the art of cutting out large chunks of writing that don’t fit the final piece’s purpose, even if you love this part of your writing.
It’s a battle in many senses, and it takes many writers in the process.
Once the author is confident in their manuscript, they begin reaching out to potential publishers or literary agents who can help them get their work into bookstores. This process usually involves sending query letters or submitting the manuscript directly to literary agents.
These are agencies or people with contacts within the publishing industry who pass on talented manuscripts. Publishers tend to specialize in certain niches or industries.
For example, Big Sky Publishing is known for its self-help books, whereas Ladybird Books focus heavily on children’s books.
This can take a while since manuscripts need to be accepted by literary agents (most agencies will specialize in genres too), then accepted by publishers, and then taken through a whole process to ensure the publisher wants to proceed.
Writing and getting published is a wildly competitive industry, and while self-publishing on platforms like Amazon is becoming increasingly popular for indie authors, 500,000 to one million books are published every single year (four million if you include self-publishing).
It may sound like a lot, but over 90% of queries and manuscripts are rejected and ignored yearly.
However, if a writer finds themselves in the top 10% and a publisher is interested in the manuscript, they‘ll enter into negotiations with the author or literary agent and may request some editing or revisions before finally offering a contract.
Once an agreement is reached and a publishing date is set, it’s time for the real magic to begin!
Publishers will work with the author to create a book cover, interior design, and format that looks great. In some cases, they may also hire professional editors to help refine the content and ensure it’s up to their standards of excellence.
Finally, the book is ready for print!
Depending on the logistics, books may be printed in-house or sent to a third-party printer. Once the books are complete, sellers within the publishers will have already been in contact with retailers and suppliers, who will then get the books shipped off to bookstores and online retailers for sale.
As you can see, the journey of a book is an incredible one, filled with creativity, hard work, and dedication from both the authors and publishers alike.
The process is long and arduous, but it’s a magical journey that has blessed the world with many beautiful creations, and it’s a testament to how excellent books are.
They connect us all and make the world a better place.
And if you’re looking for a revolutionary way to access new and exciting books in all genres, discover Go Hard Cover.
Go Hard Cover is a new decentralized library where you can share books with your friends, family, and networks in a free and liberating way. Access new books your social circles love, and discover new favorites along the way.
Check out Go Hard Cover today, and enjoy books like never before.