Protect your work by getting copyright, which prevents other parties from passing off your work as their own. You can register for copyright at copyright.gov by submitting the signed manuscript and the correct fee. Get your manuscript in as good a condition as possible before applying; making changes to copyrighted material will incur a cost. While a copyright for original works of art is automatic, registering your book's copyright provides more protection in cases where your copyright is infringed and litigation is required.
Select the publisher most suited to your needs. You can use one of two options: eBooks and print-on-demand. An eBook is the creation of a digital file that readers can buy online and read on digital devices such as the Nook and Kindle. Both Amazon and Apple have dedicated programs for sale through their websites that allow authors to create eBooks. Print-on-demand publishers produce paper copies on request that you pay to print, but the setup is usually free. Popular print-on-demand companies include lulu.com, xlibris.com and mimeo.com.
Convert your manuscript into the format that the publisher requires. Some publishers, such as Amazon, which owns Kindle, have their own software that converts your manuscript from a Microsoft Word document directly into an eBook. Print-on-demand publishers typically require a pdf document. Pay attention to required format specifications, such as font size, type and line spacing.
Design a cover for your book. Both eBooks and print-on-demand have covers, which can be key elements in selling your book. Many online companies for both digital and paper books have software to help you design the cover. They may also offer complete book-making packages that include designing the cover, editing the text and even marketing tools, although such packages are usually supplied for a fee. You can also supply your own cover, if it fits the company's requirements, such as file format and size.
Decide on a price and royalty rate for your book. For eBooks sold through Amazon, you can set the price low, which will of course affect the amount of revenue you receive, as Amazon will take a percentage of the sale price. Ebook retailers will take a royalty (a percentage of the price of each book sold), which is often more in the author's favor than traditional publishers. However, consumers tend to expect eBooks' price to be considerably cheaper than paper copies. Print-on-demand companies such as lulu.com will charge a fee for each copy of the book they produce; the fee will vary according to the specifications of the book.
If you wish to sell your book through third-party retailers, such as bookstores or online retailers like Amazon and Apple, you need to purchase an ISBN number, the unique cataloging number assigned to your book. You can purchase an ISBN number through isbn.org, with prices beginning at $125 for a single title, at the time of publication.