Last week, we discussed the number one reason why writers today choose self-publishing over and over again – CONTROL.

Via self-publishing, writers control their book titles, book covers, and book content (story and words).

After we spend countless hours in front of the computer and our notebooks researching, writing, and editing our manuscripts to perfection, why would we want to give all of this control away to others?  We don’t.

But once we’ve worked through all of the blood, sweat, and tears, and after we’ve fallen in love with our titles, our covers, and our stories, what do we do next?

Most authors choose to only publish electronically when deciding to venture down the self-publishing route.  In order to transform our pages into the properly formatted e-book versions, we must first convert our manuscripts digitally.

For arguments sake, let’s say we’ve hired Digital Content Center to help with our e-book conversion.

Before we send the DCC team our work, we must first assign an ISBN number, or International Standard Book Number (not required for Kindle).  The ISBN number uniquely identifies our published books internationally.  If we decide after publishing our e-book that we want to also print paperback or hardbacks, each published version needs its very own and unique ISBN number as well.   Next, we want to register all ISBN numbers (and book titles) with the Bowker Link Publishing Access System.

This may sound daunting, but it’s not.  By assigning an ISBN number to our publishing, we’re taking CONTROL of our stories, our products.  We’re saying that we are the publisher.

For more information on ISBN numbers, click here.

For more information about the Bowker registrations, click here.

If we’re ready to convert our manuscripts to electronic format (Kindle, Nook, and PDF) or we’re ready to print paperback or hardback copies, then we’re ready to protect our babies and should request a copyright.  Copyright protection is not mandatory but highly recommended.  The cost is minimal and it protects our work.  Isn’t protection also a form of CONTROL in a way?  We’re protecting ourselves, thus we’re taking control of our future.

For more information on how to obtain a US copyright, click here.

Now we’re ready.  We’re ready to convert.  We’re ready to self-publish.  We’re ready to take CONTROL of our story.

Want to take control of your story?