As an author who has self-published since 2015 and who signed with an agent in 2023 and had my first traditionally published book come out in 2025, I am letting you know at the top of every video who this is for, and honestly: it’s for all authors. Whether you self-publish or want to traditionally publish, you need to know how to make the book into a document that others can read.

Let’s go through each phase of creating the book:
Drafting – I know some authors who like to keep each chapter as a separate document. It is easier for them to see how long it is, they can focus on that one chapter at a time. I get it. Some authors, like myself, want everything in one document. Personally, I like that because I can do a quick search to see if I’ve already used a phrase too much. Did I already address this plot beat? Some like their drafted books as separate chapters. When you are drafting and it is just for you, do what feels good for you.

Editing – When it is time to edit or revise, and someone else is reading this book. Maybe a critique partner before you query, maybe it is a beta reader or developmental editor before you self-publish – when you invite someone else in to look at your book, it needs to be one document. Don’t make it harder for this person to piece together the order and go in and out of dozens of files. Especially if you are paying an editor, make their job easier. One document.

Querying – When you query an agent to be traditionally published you need to have one complete document and then you’re going ot have to break it out again in 5 page, 10 page, 15 page, 50 page increments depending on what the agent wants. When they request the full manuscript, you send it as one document. They may ask for supporting documents like your synopsis, but the book should be one document.

Formatting – If you self-publish, when it is time to turn your word document into an ePub file or a PDF for print, you send them ONE COMPLETE document so they can make you one complete interior file. Your cover files for ebook or print are always separate files.

Audiobook – the exception to all of this is your audiobooks. When your audiobooks are created, by you or if you sell the rights, a production team, each chapter will be its own audio file.

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Music from: Wondershare Filmora Sounds: “Something Cheer You Up”
Stock video and images from Wondershare Filmora and Pexels