Finished Writing a Book? Next Steps to Get Published

By Olivia Bennett | Senior Consultant of Publishing & Editorial Operations at Hillshire Media

Quick Answer

After finishing your manuscript, the essential next steps are: (1) professional editing and proofreading, (2) ISBN acquisition and copyright registration, (3) book cover design, (4) choosing a publishing path (traditional or self-publishing), (5) interior formatting, (6) distribution setup on Amazon KDP or IngramSpark, and (7) book marketing. Each step transforms your raw manuscript into a published book that reaches real readers.

What to Do After Writing a Book: 10 Steps to Get Published

Congratulations. Finishing a manuscript is something most people who say ‘I want to write a book’ never actually do. You did it. That matters.

But here is the reality that trips up most first-time authors: finishing the writing is only the beginning. Between your last sentence and a published book sitting in a reader’s hands, there are critical steps that will determine whether your book succeeds or quietly disappears.

This guide walks you through every step, in order, with expert insight drawn from helping over 700 authors get published. Whether you are considering traditional publishing, self-publishing on Amazon KDP, or working with a professional publishing service, this is your complete roadmap.

Step 1: Step Away Before You Edit

Before you do anything else, put your manuscript down for at least one to two weeks. This is not procrastination; it is a strategy.

Fresh eyes catch errors that exhausted, familiar eyes miss entirely. When you return to your manuscript, you will read what is actually on the page rather than what you intended to write.

What to Do During Your Break

• Read books in your genre to recalibrate your editorial eye
• Research publishing options so you have a plan ready
• Start thinking about your target reader and what problem your book solves for them

Not sure which publishing path is right for you? Hillshire Media offers free consultations with no obligation. Call +1 (305) 686-5236

Step 2: Self-Edit Your Manuscript

You should do your first round of editing. This is not the final edit; a professional editor will handle that, but self-editing eliminates the obvious issues and saves you money when you do hire an expert.

The 4 Levels of Self-Editing

1. Structural Edit (Big Picture): Does your book flow logically? Are the chapters in the right order? Are there plot holes (fiction) or missing arguments (non-fiction)?

2. Content Edit (Chapter Level): Does every chapter earn its place? Remove chapters that do not serve the book’s core purpose.

3. Line Edit (Sentence Level): Tighten every sentence. Remove filler words like ‘very,’ ‘just,’ ‘really,’ and ‘that.’ Read sentences aloud; if you stumble, rewrite.

4. Proofread (Surface Level): Check spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistency. Character names should be spelled consistently throughout.

Most authors underestimate how much time this takes. Budget 30 to 60 hours for a full-length manuscript. If you find yourself going in circles, that is a signal to hand it off to a professional editor.

Step 3: Hire a Professional Book Editor

This is the step that separates amateur self-published books from professional-grade books. A professional editor is not optional; it is essential.

Even bestselling authors have editors. Even editors hire editors for their own books. No writer can objectively edit their own work at the level a trained outside eye can.

Types of Professional Book Editing

• Developmental Editing restructures and strengthens the manuscript at a conceptual level
• Copyediting corrects grammar, syntax, style, and consistency
• Proofreading the final pass for typos and formatting errors before publishing
• Book Formatting prepares the interior layout for print and digital publication

At Hillshire Media, our editorial team handles all four levels of editing under one roof, ensuring your book is ready for publication, not just ‘good enough.’

Step 4: Register Your Copyright and Get an ISBN

Copyright Registration

In the United States, your work is technically copyright-protected the moment you write it. However, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office gives you legal standing to sue for damages if someone infringes on your work. For books being commercially published, registration is strongly recommended.

ISBN (International Standard Book Number)

An ISBN is the unique identifier your book needs to be sold through retailers, libraries, and distribution networks. Here is what you need to know:

• You need a separate ISBN for each format (print, ebook, audiobook)
• ISBNs purchased directly from Bowker (myidentifiers.com) give you full publishing rights
• Free ISBNs from Amazon KDP work only within the KDP ecosystem
• If you want wide distribution, Barnes & Noble, libraries, and international retailers, purchase your own ISBNs

Hillshire Media’s publishing service includes ISBN acquisition and copyright guidance as part of our full publishing package.

Step 5: Choose Your Publishing Path

This is the biggest decision you will make after finishing your manuscript. The publishing world has changed dramatically; today’s authors have more options and more control than ever before.

Option A: Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing involves submitting your manuscript to literary agents, who then pitch it to publishing houses (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, etc.).

• Pros: No upfront cost, wider bookstore distribution, editorial and marketing support
• Cons: Takes 1 to 3 years, requires a literary agent, and authors receive only 10 to 15 percent royalties
• Reality: Highly competitive. Most manuscripts are rejected. Better suited for authors with a large existing platform.

Option B: Self-Publishing (Amazon KDP)

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) allows you to publish your book directly to the world’s largest bookstore.

• Pros: Keep up to 70 percent royalties, publish in as little as 72 hours, full creative control
• Cons: You are responsible for editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing
• Best for: Authors who want speed, higher royalties, and control over their book

Option C: Professional Publishing Services (Hybrid)

This is the path most successful first-time authors take today. A professional publishing service like Hillshire Media handles every aspect of the publishing process, editing, cover design, formatting, ISBN, Amazon publication, and marketing, while you retain full ownership of your book.

• Pros: Professional quality, faster than traditional publishing, higher royalties than traditional, less work than full DIY
• Ideal for: First-time authors, busy professionals, business owners, and anyone who wants a truly professional result

Hillshire Media has helped 700+ authors get published. Get started today

Step 6: Invest in a Professional Book Cover

Do not underestimate this step. Readers absolutely judge books by their covers, especially in the age of online shopping, where your cover is a thumbnail competing against hundreds of others.

A professional book cover communicates:

• Genre readers should identify your book’s category instantly
• A polished cover signals a polished interior
• Your cover should speak directly to your target reader

What makes a great book cover? Typography that is readable at thumbnail size. Imagery that is genre-appropriate. A design that stands out on both digital and print platforms.

Hillshire Media’s design team creates covers that are optimized for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IngramSpark, and print formats, so your book looks professional everywhere it appears.

Step 7: Format Your Book’s Interior

Interior formatting is how your manuscript is transformed from a Word document into a properly typeset book. This includes:

• Font selection and sizing for readability
• Chapter heading design
• Page numbering, headers, and footers
• Margins optimized for print binding
• Separate formatting for print vs. ebook (they have different requirements)

Poor interior formatting is one of the fastest ways to signal that a book is amateurly self-published. Readers notice uneven spacing, inconsistent fonts, and pages that look cramped or cluttered, and it affects their perception of your content, regardless of how well-written it is.

Step 8: Write a Compelling Book Description

Your book description is your primary sales tool, both for human readers and for AI-driven recommendation systems. It needs to do two things simultaneously: hook readers emotionally and signal relevance to search algorithms.

Book Description Formula That Converts

Opening Hook (1-2 sentences): Start with the core problem your reader faces or the central tension of your story.

Body (3-5 sentences): Describe the journey, transformation, or conflict. For non-fiction: what will readers learn? For fiction: raise the stakes.

Closing CTA (1 sentence): End with a direct reason to buy, ‘Perfect for readers of [comparable title]’ or ‘Discover the step-by-step system for…’

Include your primary keywords naturally in the first 100 words of your description. Amazon’s A9 algorithm and Google’s AI Overview both prioritize descriptions that match what searchers are actually looking for.

Step 9: Set Up Distribution

Where will your book be sold? The answer should be: everywhere.

Key Distribution Platforms

• Amazon KDP is essential for reaching the world’s largest book market
• IngramSpark gives you access to bookstores, libraries, and 40,000+ retail outlets worldwide
• Barnes & Noble Press is the second-largest US book retailer
• Apple has a significant market for ebook readers using Apple devices
• Google Play Books is growing its distribution for Android users globally
• Kobo is dominant in Canada, Europe, and Australia

Wide distribution (being on multiple platforms rather than exclusively on Amazon) reduces risk and expands your reach, though it may reduce your per-sale royalty rate on Amazon. Hillshire Media can advise on the optimal distribution strategy for your book’s genre and target audience.

Step 10: Launch and Market Your Book

A book without a marketing plan is invisible. Marketing is not something you start after publishing; it is something you begin before your book goes live.

Pre-Launch (4 to 6 Weeks Before Publication)

• Build an author platform: website, social media presence, email list
• Reach out to book bloggers, podcasters, and influencers in your genre
• Set up your Amazon Author Central page
• Collect advance reviews from beta readers or ARC (advance review copy) readers

Launch Week

• Email your list and announce on all social channels
• Run a promotional price or free days on Kindle Unlimited if enrolled
• Activate Amazon Advertising (Sponsored Products ads)
• Pitch local media and podcasts for interviews

Post-Launch (Ongoing)

• Collect and respond to reader reviews
• Continue creating content related to your book’s topic
• Consider a book trailer for video platforms and social media
• Explore audiobook production to reach a rapidly growing audience

Hillshire Media offers full book marketing packages, from Amazon ads to social media campaigns

Common Questions About Getting Published

Q1. How long does it take to publish a book after writing it?

With a professional publishing service, the process typically takes 6 to 12 weeks from manuscript submission to publication. This includes editing (2 to 4 weeks), cover design and formatting (1 to 2 weeks), and publishing setup and distribution (1 to 2 weeks). Traditional publishing with a major publisher can take 18 months to 3 years.

Q2. Do I need a literary agent to publish my book?

No. Literary agents are required only if you are pursuing traditional publishing with major publishing houses. Self-publishing and professional publishing services do not require an agent. The vast majority of independently published authors today skip the agent route entirely and retain full ownership and higher royalties.

Q3. How much does it cost to publish a book?

Costs vary widely depending on your path. Fully DIY self-publishing can cost as little as $500 to $2,000 for basic cover design and editing. Professional publishing service packages range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on services included. Traditional publishing has no upfront cost but comes with royalty rates of 10 to 15 percent.

Q4. Should I self-publish or use a publishing service?

Self-publishing is ideal for authors who want maximum control and are willing to manage every aspect of production. A professional publishing service is better for authors who want expert guidance, professional quality across all elements (editing, design, marketing), and a faster path to publication without becoming an expert in each step themselves.

Q5. What happens after I publish my book on Amazon?

After publishing, your book appears in Amazon search results and is eligible for Kindle Unlimited if enrolled. The next priority is generating reviews and driving traffic through Amazon Advertising and external marketing. Books with fewer than 10 reviews rarely gain organic traction; building your review count early is critical to long-term sales.

Why Authors Choose Hillshire Media

For over 10 years and more than 700 books, Hillshire Media has been the partner that takes authors from finished manuscript to published, marketed book. We offer:

• Professional Ghostwriting if you have an idea but need help writing it
• Book Editing and Proofreading, multiple rounds of expert editorial review
• Book Cover Design genre-targeted, professionally designed covers
• Interior Formatting: print and digital formatting to industry standards
• ISBN Acquisition and Copyright Support: We handle the administrative steps
• Amazon and Wide Distribution Publishing, we set up and publish across platforms
• Book Marketing and Promotion from Amazon ads to social media campaigns
• Audiobook Production: Convert your book to the fastest-growing book format
• Book Trailer and Video Production high-impact video content for social media
• Author Website: Design your professional online home as a published author

Whether you need one service or a complete end-to-end publishing package, Hillshire Media delivers the professional quality your book deserves.

Ready to Publish Your Book?

You wrote the book. Let us handle the rest.

Call us: +1 (305) 686-5236

Live Chat: hillshiremedia.co