What Are the First Steps to Publishing a Book?

You’ve got a manuscript, or you’re close to having one, and now the word “publishing” feels like a locked door. The good news is that publishing a book follows a fairly predictable sequence. The order matters more than most first-time authors expect, though. Design a cover before your edits are done, or pitch agents before your draft is ready, and you’ll pay for it in time, money, or missed chances.

This guide covers the first steps to publishing a book in the order that works best, with real costs and timelines so you can plan.

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Step 1: Finish your manuscript (really finish it)

It sounds obvious, but this is where most publishing journeys stall. A finished book means a complete draft that you’ve revised at least once yourself. A strong first act doesn’t count.

A few guidelines:

Don’t chase perfection in the first draft. Getting the whole story or argument onto the page matters more than polishing chapter one for the tenth time.

Revise with fresh eyes. Let the draft sit for a few weeks, then read it straight through and look for structural problems before you fuss over sentences.

Check your length. Adult debut novels usually land between 70,000 and 100,000 words. Memoirs often run 60,000 to 90,000. Genre norms vary, but a manuscript far outside the range is harder to place with agents and publishers.

Step 2: Get outside feedback before you pay for editing

Beta readers are readers who go through your manuscript before it’s published and tell you how it lands. They’ll catch confusing plot turns, slow sections, and characters who don’t work, which is the kind of big-picture problem that’s expensive to fix once a professional editor is involved.

Aim for three to six readers from your target audience, not just friends and family. Give them specific questions (“Where did you lose interest?” “Was the ending earned?”) rather than asking whether they liked it.

Step 3: Choose your publishing path

This is the biggest decision you’ll make, and you should make it before editing. Your path determines who pays for editing, how long the process takes, and how much control you keep.

Traditional publishing. You query literary agents. An agent pitches your book to publishers, and the publisher pays you an advance plus royalties and covers all production costs.

Cost to you: $0 upfront

Timeline: Usually 2–4 years from first query to bookshelf. Finding an agent can take 3–12 months, selling the book another 2–12 months, and production typically 18–24 months after that.

Trade-offs: The publisher controls the title, cover, price, and release date. It’s very competitive, and royalty rates are lower.

Self-publishing. You act as the publisher. You hire editors and designers, buy ISBNs, and upload to platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark.

Cost to you: Roughly $1,700 to $10,000+ for a professionally produced novel. Doing some steps yourself can bring that much lower.

Timeline: Typically 3–8 months once the manuscript is finished

Trade-offs: You have full control and the highest royalty per book, but you manage every vendor, every deadline, and all of the marketing.

Hybrid publishing. A hybrid publisher combines professional publishing services with author ownership. You invest in production, and the publisher handles editing, design, distribution, and marketing support. You keep your rights and most of the royalties. Reputable hybrid presses are selective about what they publish and are open about what you’re paying for.

Cost to you: Varies by publisher and package

Timeline: Often 4–8 months

Trade-offs: Costs more upfront than doing everything yourself, but you get an experienced team without giving up rights. Vet any hybrid publisher carefully (see the FAQ below).

There’s no universally right answer. If your top priorities are a bookstore presence and no upfront cost, and you can wait years, traditional publishing may suit you. If you want control and speed, look at self-publishing or hybrid.

2026 Publishing Options Comparison · Book Publishing Quiz

Step 4: Edit, edit, edit

Every published book goes through several rounds of editing, and each round does a different job:

Editing stage	What it fixes	Typical rate*
Developmental editing	Structure, plot, pacing, character, argument	~3–4¢ per word
Line editing	Prose style, clarity, voice at the sentence level	~4–5¢ per word
Copyediting	Grammar, consistency, usage	~2–3¢ per word
Proofreading	Typos and formatting errors in the final layout	~$1,600 for an 80,000-word novel

*Approximate freelance rates based on Editorial Freelancers Association figures. Rates vary by editor, genre, and manuscript condition.

Do the stages in order. Proofreading a manuscript that still needs structural work wastes money.

If you’re going the traditional route, you don’t need to hire every type of editor. Agents and publishers will edit the book after they acquire it. You do need a manuscript polished enough to stand out in the query pile, though, and many authors invest in at least a developmental edit or a manuscript evaluation first.

Step 5: Choose a title that sells the book

Your title is the first thing readers see, so make it count. A strong title:

➜ signals the genre and tone (a cozy mystery shouldn’t sound like literary horror)

➜ is easy to say, spell, and search for

➜ doesn’t duplicate a well-known existing book (search Amazon and Goodreads)

➜ works in a small thumbnail next to a cover

For nonfiction, a clear, keyword-rich subtitle does a lot of the selling, as in Main Title: A Practical Guide to [Outcome].

Step 6: Invest in a professional cover

Your cover is a billboard for your book. Readers judge books by their covers, and online they make that call from an image about an inch tall.

Pre-made or template covers: About $35–$150. A budget option that works for some genres.

Custom covers: Commonly $220–$700+ for full print wraps from experienced designers.

Illustrated covers: Can run much higher, especially for children’s books.

Look at the current bestsellers in your genre before you brief a designer. Your book should look like it belongs on that shelf while still standing out.

If you publish traditionally, the publisher designs the cover and you usually have limited input.

Step 7: Handle the business basics

If you’re self-publishing, you’re also a small business. Before launch you’ll need:

ISBNs. In the U.S., Bowker sells one ISBN for about $125 or ten for about $295. Each format (paperback, hardcover, ebook) needs its own ISBN. Amazon offers free ISBNs, but they list Amazon as the publisher of record.

Interior formatting. You can do it free with tools like Kindle Create or Vellum (Vellum is paid software). Professional formatting is worth considering for illustrated, poetry, or design-heavy books.

Distribution accounts. Amazon KDP covers Amazon. IngramSpark reaches bookstores and libraries.

Copyright registration. Optional, but recommended in the U.S. through the Copyright Office.

Traditional and hybrid publishers usually handle these for you.

Step 8: Start marketing before launch day

The authors who sell well start marketing months before the book comes out. The basics:

➜ An author website with your bio, your book, and an email signup

➜ An email list. You own it, unlike your social media followers.

➜ A social presence on one or two platforms where your readers spend time. You don’t need all of them.

➜ Advance reader copies (ARCs) sent 2–3 months early to build reviews on Goodreads and Amazon

➜ Pitches to reviewers, podcasts, and local media, plus outreach to bookstores and libraries

Even traditionally published authors are expected to do much of their own promotion now, so this step applies whichever path you choose.

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A realistic timeline at a glance

Path	Typical timeline after the manuscript is finished
Traditional	2–4 years
Hybrid	4–8 months
Self-publishing	3–8 months

Want a personalized estimate? Try our Publishing Timeline Calculator and Publishing Cost Calculator.

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First Steps to Publishing a Book FAQ

What is the very first step to publishing a book?

Finish and revise your complete manuscript. Agents, publishers, and editors all expect a finished draft (with the exception of nonfiction sold on proposal), and every later decision depends on having one.

How much does it cost to publish a book?

Traditional publishing costs nothing upfront. Self-publishing a professionally edited and designed novel commonly costs about $1,700 to $10,000 or more, depending on how much you outsource. Hybrid publishing costs vary by publisher and package.

How long does it take to publish a book?

Self-publishing and hybrid publishing usually take 3–8 months once the manuscript is finished. Traditional publishing often takes 2–4 years from querying agents to release.

Do I need a literary agent to publish a book?

Only for most large traditional publishers. Many small presses, hybrid publishers, and all self-publishing platforms accept submissions directly from authors.

How do I know if a hybrid publisher is legitimate?

Reputable hybrid publishers are selective and turn some manuscripts away. They let you keep your rights, pay you most of the royalties, list their costs and services openly, and can show you a catalog of professionally produced books. Be cautious with any company that accepts everything, pressures you to sign quickly, or is vague about what you’re paying for.

Should I copyright my book before sending it to publishers?

In the U.S., your work is protected by copyright once it’s written down. Formal registration adds legal protection but isn’t required before you submit. Reputable agents and publishers don’t steal manuscripts.

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Ready for your next step?

Everyone’s path to publication looks a little different, but they all start the same way: with a finished book and a clear plan. If you’d like expert eyes on your manuscript and an honest conversation about your options, schedule a publication consultation or submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press. We review every submission within two weeks.

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Last Updated: October 6, 2026