There are two routes you can take as an author to get your book from an MS Word File or a Google Doc. Traditional Publishing or Self-Publishing

-Trad Pub Process – for traditional publishing, I am going to give you the HIGH level for fiction. Non-fiction is a little different.

Write the book, make it the best you can
Query an agent, sign with the agent you feel will best represent you, your book, and your career as an author
Work with the agent to make the book better
The agent sends the book to publishing houses and editors. Don’t refresh your email all day.
Book deal! The editor wants to acquire your book.
Editor sends edits to improve the book
Cover design and formatting
Sales and Distribution
On the shelves/ online retailers for readers.

YAY! Jazz hands. Told you it was high level. For non-fiction, you would query based on a proposal, and then once you got the deal, you would write the book. It’s tricky.

-Self-Pub Process
Write the book, make it the best you can
Get feedback from beta readers and/or a developmental editor. Also, do some copy editing
Edit it until you hate it.
Pick which self-publishing platforms will get YOUR book to the best audience for it. Research and MAKE A PLAN before you upload anywhere or make dozens of redundant logins. Some of these platforms get you to one retailer. Some get you everywhere. Which do you need?
Cover design and formatting
Upload and market!
Online retailers for readers. You will need to pound some pavement and contact local bookstores to get on the shelves. (Also IngramSpark is the main provider who can open that door for you.)

YAY! Jazz Hands.

That is it. I’m going to let this stand as a high level video because I have TONs of videos that go into the nitty gritty. I’ve been self-publishing since 2015. I signed with an agent in 2023. I’ve had two book deals since then. I have answered probably every question on both sides and if i haven’t please put your question in the comments below and I’ll answer it for you.