Check the legal requirements for your community. See if you need any licenses and if there are any restrictions on having a business in your home.
Decide on a name for your publishing company. Register your business name with the appropriate state agency.
File papers of incorporation if you plan to incorporate.
Design a logo so your company will be easily recognizable.
Purchase a block of International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) from R.R. Bowker. Each book will have a specific number linking it back to your publishing company.
Select a software program in which to lay out your books. Microsoft Word, WordPerfect or Microsoft Publisher work well.
Pick a software program to design the cover of your books. PageMaker, Quark Xpress or Adobe InDesign work well. You can always hire a graphic artist for this too.
Join an organization for small publishers, such as Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN).
Sign up with a book distribution company such as Baker & Taylor. This will get your books into more stores and libraries.
Look for printing companies that will print small runs. Many can be found through SPAN.
Read books on marketing, such as "1001 Ways to Market Your Books" by John Kremer.