Step 1: Let the manuscript rest, then self-edit
Set the manuscript aside for at least a week or two before re-reading. You'll catch structural issues, repeated words, and weak scenes that were invisible while you were writing. Do this pass before spending money on a professional editor.
Step 2: Professional editing
Editing usually has three levels:
- Developmental editing — big-picture structure, story, argument, pacing.
- Line/copy editing — sentence-by-sentence clarity, style, and grammar.
- Proofreading — the final pass for typos and formatting.
Not every book needs all three, but almost every book benefits from at least copy editing and a separate proofread.
Step 3: Interior formatting
Once the text is truly final, it gets formatted for print (fixed layout with proper margins, running headers, and page numbers) and for ebook (a reflowable file with a working table of contents). Print and ebook are two separate files and should be built separately.
Step 4: Cover design
Cover design usually happens in parallel with formatting. You'll need an ebook cover (single front image) and a full print cover wrap sized to your final page count and trim size. A cover that works as a small Amazon thumbnail is the goal.
Step 5: Metadata and category research
Title, subtitle, author name, description, categories, and keywords are what actually make your book findable. This is often overlooked and it's the difference between a book that gets discovered and one that quietly sits at the bottom of search results.
Step 6: Publishing setup — Amazon KDP and IngramSpark
Amazon KDP handles Amazon distribution (paperback, hardcover, Kindle). IngramSpark adds bookstore and library distribution through Ingram's wholesale channel. Most authors publish on both. For a step-by-step of the KDP side, see our KDP publishing guide.
Step 7: Proof, launch, and post-launch
Always order a physical proof before going live. After launch, check your Amazon listing the way a reader would — cover thumbnail, description, "Look Inside" preview, and category placement — and fix anything that reads weakly. Reviews and marketing come after this, not before.
Where we come in
If your manuscript is finished and you want a clear plan for the steps above, submit your manuscript. You can also read about our full book publishing services.
Related on Global Publishers House
- Learn more about our book publishing services for U.S. authors.
- Ready when you are — submit your manuscript for a free publishing plan.