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The Discovery Leg

Book Publishing Checklist / Questionnaire

Whether you’ve finished your book or are just starting it, the points and tasks to consider as an author can seem endless in today’s post-traditional publishing world. ​

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You can think about this journey in five legs, which can and should overlap:​

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  1. Discovery​

  2. Writing & Editorial​

  3. Production​

  4. Publishing​

  5. Marketing​ & Sales

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The checklist below focuses on the Discovery leg, which means there are questions. Some of these are questions we’d ask you in a meeting. Others will help you define your work and where to take it.​

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Some of these questions are hard. You don’t need all the answers or expect yourself to do every conceivable task. However, the better you can define your project and your ability to support it, the stronger your position is to publish the book you want.​

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This Discovery phase is a starting point. It dives into the status of your work, your audience, and more to help you evaluate where you're at, what kind of help you need, and how to achieve your personal or business goals. ​

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You can also download the checklist as a PDF.

 

In addition to this questionnaire, you can explore the entire publishing journey and determine where you need the most assistance. ​

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Good luck!​

Discovery Leg: Checklist for Authors

download as PDF

What is the title / subtitle of your work? Have you researched your title? ​

What is the genre of your work (e.g., business, memoir, children's picture book, horror)? ​

What is the status of your work (e.g., idea phase, partial manuscript, edited manuscript)? ​

When do you want to finish writing? ​

How do you describe your book in a sentence or two? (The "elevator pitch.") ​

What sets your work apart? (What's your angle or superpower?) ​

Do you have (or need) expertise to write about this subject? How does your work add to the conversation? ​

Who is your audience? ​

What are your goals for this book? What outcomes do you want to see?  â€‹

Why is this work important to you? Your motivations or inspirations? ​

What do you want people to gain from reading your work? ​

What themes do you want to convey? ​

Who is your competition? Have you researched your title or topic on Amazon?    â€‹

Do you care if there is a lot of competition in your niche? ​

How important are book sales to you? ​

What stories do you love to tell about your book and its/your unique journey? ​

Do you have a publishing plan or roadmap for this book? ​

What is your current digital footprint? For example, how many LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok connections do you have? Do you have an email list or website? ​

What time or resources do you have to promote your work and connect with your audiences (e.g., website, blogs, social media, reviewer outreach, advertising budget, book and library readings, speaking engagements)? More on this in the Marketing Leg Checklist. ​

What problems are most pressing for you to solve along the publishing journey, such as writing or editorial needs, book cover art, production details, publishing options, distribution, or content marketing?​

ImagineHouse provides publishing services for individuals and organizations who have a book in them. We also act as a publisher for a select few authors.​

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Contact us.​

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