The Final 10 Steps to Publishing and Launching Your Book

This is the second half of the 20-step process to write, publish, and launch your nonfiction book. The first 10 steps focused on the writing phase — from clarifying your purpose to completing your manuscript and preparing it for editing and design.

What follows is the publishing and launching phase. This is where you turn your manuscript into a finished product, get it out into the world, and start using it as a growth tool for your business.

Step 11: Draft Your Book Description and Blurb

Your book blurb is what appears on the back of your paperback.
Your book description is what appears on your Amazon sales page.

The description is sales copy — short, sharp, and designed to sell the transformation. Include:

• What the reader will walk away with

• The clarity it provides

• The promise it delivers

Your blurb, on the other hand, is less salesy. It’s a third-person overview of what the book is about — roughly 100–200 words. It’s designed to inform, not hard-sell.

Use examples from bestselling books in your genre as a reference. And keep in mind: if you’re publishing a paperback, your cover designer will need your blurb early on, so it’s likely you’ll write this while finalising the design.

Step 12: Build Your Launch Team

A launch team is a group of early supporters who get an advance copy of your book and agree to leave a review and help promote it when it goes live.

You can invite clients, peers, friends, and anyone in your network who wants to support your work.

In exchange for a free copy (digital or print), ask for:

• A review on launch day

• A social media share

• Honest feedback

This builds early momentum, social proof, and credibility — especially important for launch week visibility.

Step 13: Format Your Book

Formatting prepares your manuscript for print and digital distribution.

You have two options:

• Format it yourself using tools like Vellum (Mac) or Atticus (Windows)

• Hire a professional formatter

Formatting creates the files you’ll upload to Amazon (PDF for print, ePub for Kindle). It also gives you a preview of what your book will look like before it’s in the reader’s hands.

Unless you plan to publish multiple books and learn the software, outsourcing is usually faster and cleaner.

Step 14: Price Your Book

Your pricing strategy depends on your goals.

• If your priority is lead generation and reach, a $0.99 Kindle launch works well

• If you want to maximise royalties or position the book as premium, go higher

• If you don’t yet have an audience, a free Kindle promo can generate downloads, reviews, and exposure

Set your pricing based on what the book is meant to do — not just what others in your category are charging.

Step 15: Research Categories and Keywords

Amazon is a search engine. Your job is to help the right readers find your book.

Choose:

• 3 categories that accurately reflect your book’s topic and goals

• 7 keywords based on what your ideal reader is typing into the search bar

Avoid broad or generic terms. Instead of “productivity,” try “productivity for small business owners” or “time management for creatives.”

Use books in your genre as benchmarks. Scroll down their Amazon listings to see what categories they’re in and how they rank.

Step 16: Upload to Amazon KDP

Once your files are formatted, categories and keywords set, and pricing confirmed — upload everything to Amazon KDP.

You’re not publishing yet. This upload gives you:

• A preview of your book

• A chance to catch layout or cover issues

• An opportunity to order proof copies

Order physical proofs (up to 5) to check final quality and make any last changes before launch. You’ll see how your book feels, looks, and reads — and have a copy in hand to send to others if needed.

Step 17: Launch Your Book

Your launch strategy should match your business goals.

There are two common approaches:

• Free launch (for reach and reviews): Set the Kindle version to $0 and drive as many downloads as possible

• $0.99 launch (for sales and leads): Generate low-cost sales and guide readers into your business using lead magnets inside the book

Either way, your focus during launch week is momentum. Track:

• Sales/downloads

• Keyword rankings

• Amazon category placement

• Number of reviews

Make it easy for your audience to share the book, leave reviews, and talk about it.

Step 18: Host a Book Launch Event

A book launch event — in person or virtual — is a great way to celebrate and connect with your community.

You can sell tickets (and include a book), invite a local MC or musician, or just hold a Q&A where you talk through your writing journey and answer audience questions.

Keep it simple, personal, and fun. It's a great moment to acknowledge what you’ve built and thank the people who supported you along the way.

Step 19: Repurpose Your Book into Content

Your book isn’t just a finished product — it’s a foundation for more content.

Break it into:

• Social media posts

• Weekly emails

• Podcast episodes

• Course modules

• Lead magnets

• Workshop content

Almost everything you’ve written can be reused. The ideas are already structured, proofed, and aligned with your expertise — now it’s about amplifying them.

Step 20: Keep Talking About Your Book

After launch week, keep your book in rotation. Mention it in conversations, content, DMs, podcast interviews, and discovery calls.

Use it as a tool to serve others. Give it away generously when it makes sense. Recommend it if someone’s facing a problem your book solves.

This isn’t just a one-time project. It’s a long-term asset — and it should keep working for you long after it’s published.

Final Recap

Here are the final 10 steps of the publishing and launch process:

11. Draft your book description and blurb

12. Build your launch team

13. Format your book

14. Price your book

15. Research categories and keywords

16. Upload your book to Amazon

17. Launch your book

18. Host a book launch event

19. Repurpose your content

20. Keep talking about your book and be generous

If you’ve followed all 20 steps, you now have a book that’s written, published, launched, and ready to make an impact — both for your audience and your business.

If you haven’t started yet and want help doing this right the first time, schedule in a book strategy call and we’ll help you become an author so you can create more impact in your industry.