Ten Steps To Prep Your Manuscript for Book Production Services

You have dedicated a significant amount of time to working on your book. After completing final edits with your editor, you are now eager to submit your book to selfpublishing.com.

Outlined below are ten essential steps to prepare your book before submitting it to selfpublishing.com's Book Production Services.

1. Submit your work in a Google Document or Microsoft Word format. If you have used a different word processor, kindly convert the file to Microsoft Word yourself. This will allow you to review the document and identify any errors that may occur during the conversion process. We accept the following file types/formats: DOC, DOCX, RTF, ODT, and Pages. If you have saved your book in a different format not listed here and are unable to convert it to Microsoft Word, please inform your coach before submitting it for design. 
2. Submit your book as one complete file. This helps to avoid any issues with merging multiple files. If you need help in merging your files, please check our step-by-step instructions on how to merge multiple files

1. Avoid using "hard returns" (the enter or return key) at the end of a line. Instead, start a new paragraph and let your program break the lines automatically. If you want to learn how to check for hard returns, please see our tutorial on managing line breaks

1. Don't manually type headers, page numbers, or other information on each page. Use your word processor's header/footer function or automatic page numbers. If you want to learn how to insert a header or footer properly, please refer to our guide on document formatting

1. Layout changes will occur during the formatting process. Your formatted interior may look different than it did in your Microsoft Word or Google Doc. Your book's margins will likely change when converting your book document to a different book size.
2. Conversion errors may occur when converting your file to a usable format. These errors can include shifting characters, broken paragraphs, or added section breaks. Reviewing your final proofs carefully ensures these are caught before printing.
3. Do not submit your book as an Adobe PDF file. Our designers can only add or remove pages from these files and cannot edit the content. Therefore, it's required to submit your book as a Microsoft Word or Google Document file instead.
4. Ensure any images in your book are 300dpi (dots per inch) or higher. Please view our image resolution guide
if you want to know how to check the image quality.
5. Ensure your book includes all front and back matter. Most books include this foundational structural layout:
   • Copyright Page
   • Dedication Page
   • Lead Magnet Page (optional)
   • Table of Contents
   • Acknowledgements Page
6. Do not submit your book for Book Production Services if you're going to make further changes. If you're going to be making changes (any change, including your title, subtitle, chapter names, content changes, edits, dedications, etc.), your book is not ready for Book Production. All text must be final.