The Self-Publishing Journey
- Julia Tilson
- May 27, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 16, 2023
Serving half as a reminder to myself for my next project, and half as information for anyone else looking to self-publish, here are some of the steps I've collected for the self-publishing journey:
You have finished your book. You've edited it and had it reviewed by a colleague, and you're ready to publish it.
It is not enough just to print the book and start distributing it. You want to make it officially available for readers as a registered "book." To do this, you will require an ISBN. (Like a social insurance number, but for your book.) The ISBN identifies each edition of your book as one entity, and you need a unique ISBN for each version of your book (e.g. print, audiobook, ebook). You must create an account with the Library and Archives of Canada (I'll talk more about them later...) and from there, you can get your ISBNs for FREE! They are officially registered with the government.
Make sure you COPYRIGHT your story. There is a $50 fee for each story you copyright, but it is well worth the power of protecting your rights and distribution of the book. You will need to make an account on this site. Once approved, you will receive a copyright certificate in the mail.
Canadian publishers must deposit copies of their book to the Library and Archives legal deposit program. Send a digital copy of your ebook and print copies with a completed form. The library will infinitely store your books, to preserve them for future generations.
It can feel overwhelming, but it is important, especially for indie authors, to protect their stories and intellectual property. I will be referencing all of these steps myself for my future projects. 😀
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