Here is an Author CHECKLIST once your manuscript is ready to be turned into a book:

1. Finalize your manuscript, get it copyedited, or go over it yourself with a fine tooth comb to make sure there are no typos. Create table of contents or index if your project requires this.

2. Think about your audience, for whom are you publishing? Is if for friends and family or do you want a wider audience? and with that in mind, choose a printer; Lulu, Blurb, The Book Patch, Amazon Createspace, Magcloud, and more. Each of these have pros and cons depending on the focus of your project.

3. Think about your cover, find some books whose covers you really like to use as templates/inspiration.

4. Gather your final details:

an author photo

an author bio for the back cover or inside

a dedication page or contents page

some reviews, if you have gotten advanced copy reviews from friends/colleagues

get a copyright

get an ISBN

arrange with your book designer to get everything put together in the right format for the printer you have chosen

decide on an e-book format, e-pub or PDF

5. Set yourself up on social media to talk about your book: create accounts on Good Reads, Facebook, Linkedin, Google+, start a blog to talk more about your topic, set up an author page on Amazon, visit other people’s blogs with similar topics and start a dialog.

6. Throw a launch party, or give away ten copies of your books on Good Reads and ask for reviews. Celebrate your accomplishment!