Decide the best publishing method for your memoirs. Self-publishing through a printer is a tried-and-true choice for those who want a small number of books published and intend to give them to family and friends as gifts. Unless an author is able to execute self-promotion of his book, this publishing method is risky for those hoping for commercial success. A different option for self-publishing is a print-on-demand publishing house that offers packages that may include lay-out, design, printing and marketing. Understand that sales are usually low and plan to supplement with additional forms of promotion to help sell your book. You can also take advantage of today's growing interest in digital publishing and download your memoirs to Amazon Digital Text Platform and offer your book for sale in the Kindle store. There is no cost to download, but you do not receive 100 percent profit and are responsible for your own promotion. Finally, if you hope to sell your manuscript to a traditional book publisher, know this will likely be the most challenging path due to the large volume of manuscripts being submitted to pushlers for consideration. Consult a reputiable publishers guide such as Writer's Market if you pursue traditional publishing. Writer's Market is recognized as the leading source for information about publishers, including the genres they represent, how to contact them, submission requirements and current needs.
Polish your manuscript before submitting it to be printed or reviewed for acceptance by a publisher. Whether you self-edit, trust the job to a friend or relative or hire a professional, it should be proofed and corrected for style, grammar and content. This is vital if you hope to sell it to a traditional publishing house. Sloppy, ill-prepared manuscripts are met with rejection. Confirm that anyone mentioned in your memoirs has had the opportunity to read them and is comfortable with their portrayal.
Prepare your lay-out. Self-publishing through a printer will require a good amount of legwork on your part, but also puts control of the layout and design in your hands. You will need to decide what size you want your book to be and lay it out accordingly. Digital publishing will also put responsibility for cover design, back and jacket copy and chapter lay out in your hands. Format your manuscript according to the site's requirements to make sure the document downloads correctly. Submitting to a print-on-demand or traditional publishing company requires the manuscript be prepared to their standards and requirements as explained in their submission guidelines. Besides being found in publisher's guides, this information is usually on company websites.