{"id":3947,"date":"2021-06-21T08:45:57","date_gmt":"2021-06-21T13:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/?p=3947"},"modified":"2025-08-01T09:34:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T14:34:48","slug":"a-novel-idea-how-to-self-publish-a-book-with-smartpress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/blog\/printspiration\/a-novel-idea-how-to-self-publish-a-book-with-smartpress","title":{"rendered":"A Novel Idea: How to Self-Publish a Book with Smartpress"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--the_content--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-6\"> <p>That novel you\u2019ve dreamed of publishing? Make it a reality with Smartpress! From design to layout to finished product, we put self-publishing in your hands with premium custom book printing. Sound too good to be true? Check out our tips for how to self-publish a book and hear what author <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/jasonheaton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jason Heaton<\/a> says about choosing paper stocks, cover art and marketing your own novel.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <\/span><\/p> <h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2> <ul> <li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">To self-publish your own book, <a href=\"#plot-points-for-how-to-self-publish-a-book\">be sure to design the front and back cover on the same piece of paper and include the spine,<\/a> avoid crossovers and add a coating or laminate to the cover for protection.<\/span><\/li> <li><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Author Jason Heaton successfully built anticipation and engagement through a dedicated website, Instagram account, newsletter and podcasts, demonstrating how <a href=\"#q-&amp;-a-with-jason-heaton\">early and consistent self-promotion is key to reaching readers and driving sales,<\/a> even for self-published books.<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <figure class=\"figureContainer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/jason_heaton_perfect_bound_book_stack_detail.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=4123f596e58e1dc7cedc78d40598eea3\" alt=\"Five paperback novels standing one in front of the other with Depth Charge printed on the cover.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption style=\"width: 66.6666666667%;\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">PERFECT BOUND BOOK: 100# COATED MATTE WHITE COVER WITH 70# UNCOATED SMOOTH WHITE TEXT PAGES, FLAT MATTE UV COATING ON COVER, 5.5 X 8.5&#8243;<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>  <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-top-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2 id=\"plot-points-for-how-to-self-publish-a-book\">Plot Points for How to Self-Publish a Book<\/h2> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether fiction or nonfiction, for genre fans or the masses, paperback book printing begins with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/product-resources\/how-to-choose-the-right-book-binding\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">perfect binding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As you prepare your novel for online printing, here are three things you need to know:<\/span><\/p> <ol> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/offering\/perfect-bound-book\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perfect Bound Booklets&#8217;<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> covers wrap around the interior pages to create a seamless square spine. As such, be sure to design the front and back cover on the same piece of paper and include a spine between them. (Check out our templates under Project Resources on the product page.)<\/span><\/li> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/printing-basics\/how-to-print-with-crossover\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">crossovers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (when text or artwork crosses the spine from the left page to the right page). Your content can be very difficult to line up, so we do not recommend it.<\/span><\/li> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/specialty-features\/uv-coating\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UV coating<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/specialty-features\/soft-touch-laminate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soft Touch laminate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are available on the covers only. This includes the front, back and spine and is strongly encouraged to protect your book from frequent handling and daily use.<\/span><\/li> <\/ol> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><em><strong>Hint: <\/strong><\/em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want more tips on how to self-publish a book? Find them after the Q&amp;A with Heaton.<\/span><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--><!--block-empty--> <!--block: 50-50-image --><div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-10\"><div class=\"row center-xs\"> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-top-sm blockOffset-right-sm raisedLeft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/176231629_450927742662442_703034193979170752_n.jpg\" alt=\"A man sitting in a chair reading a book on a porch overlooking a forest of trees.\"   \/><\/div><\/p> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-bottom-md\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/195504375_191355629524080_6947363482589365939_n.jpg\" alt=\"Jason Heaton\"   \/><\/div><\/p> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-top-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10\"> <h2 id=\"q-&amp;-a-with-jason-heaton\">Q&amp;A With Jason Heaton,<br \/> Author of \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/jasonheatonauthor.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Depth Charge<\/a>\u201d<\/h2> <p><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <\/span><\/b><\/p> <p><strong>Why did you decide to self-publish your novel?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> <p><em><strong>Heaton: <\/strong><\/em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAfter speaking to a few agents and publishing houses, I opted to self-publish my first novel because I felt that I had the know-how, contacts, reputation and reach to make a go of it, based on a decade of freelance writing for a number of popular publications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI hired an editor with whom I used to work, a graphic designer offered his services for the cover, some marketing images and animations, and a music producer friend even composed a musical theme for the book.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe ability to print locally with Smartpress [in Chanhassen, Minnesota] saved on shipping, allowed my own quality control of a hard proof and high-quality books.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--block: 50-50-image --><div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-10\"><div class=\"row center-xs\"> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-top-sm blockOffset-right-sm raisedLeft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/139541747_313074396804568_5196909288917116848_n-1.jpg\" alt=\"A book called Depth Charge next to a cup of coffee on a wooden table.\"   \/><\/div><\/p> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-bottom-md\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/jason_heaton_perfect_bound_book_front_and_back_cover.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=1396b0a8a31e4e5e3c32a53e375094e0\" alt=\"Two paperback books with a perfect binding printed with Depth Charge in red on the cover.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/div><\/p> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <\/span><\/b><\/p> <p><strong>What was the design vision for the \u201cDepth Charge\u201d cover?<\/strong><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMy designer, Paul Andrews, and I met weekly for about three months to hone the design for the cover. We started with basic themes and inspirations from old movie posters, favorite classic thriller novels and elements from \u201cDepth Charge\u201d itself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSince the book is set in Sri Lanka, I knew I wanted the coastline to be used in some way, almost like a nautical chart, but Paul had the idea to make it also look like an underwater wall dive that gets darker as the diver goes deeper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBecause Sri Lanka is an island, the coastline wraps around the spine so that the western coastline is on the back cover. A subtle red crosshair marking [the] location is a nod to an element of the plot and accurately positioned according to the story itself.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm pullQuote\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10\"> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;I wanted this to be a paperback in the style of all the great airport\/beach\/vacation books.&#8221;<\/span><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--block: 50-50-image --><div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-10\"><div class=\"row center-xs\"> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-top-sm blockOffset-left-sm\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/jason_heaton_perfect_bound_booklet_detail.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=cf002438537847383cb6e632aa207eb6\" alt=\"A stack of three custom booklets printed as paperback novels with a perfect binding and Depth Charge printed on the spine.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/div><\/p> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-bottom-md raisedRight\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/jason_heaton_book_detail.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=7ea8fe0a4ac082bae71479a5da568320\" alt=\"A novel laying open with black text on each page, Depth Charge printed at the top of the left page.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/div><\/p> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--><\/span><\/b><\/p> <p><strong>Why did you choose the Perfect Bound Booklet format for your book?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI knew from the start that<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I wanted this to be a paperback in the style of all the great airport\/beach\/vacation books<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">from Ian Fleming, Clive Cussler and other thriller authors. It\u2019s meant to get a little dog-eared and damp with use and [for] the cover [to get] white around the edges and torn. A hardcover takes itself too seriously.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>How did you determine the <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/stocks-substrates\/text-weight-vs-cover-weight\">text and cover weight<\/a> for your pages?<\/strong><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI wanted the cover to feel like the paperbacks on my shelves at home so it would fit right in. Honestly, I would have gone with lighter than 70# <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/stocks-substrates\/small-format-paper-stocks\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">paper<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the interior, but that was the thinnest Smartpress offered. In the end, it feels higher quality.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>What was the benefit of adding a flat matte UV coating to the cover?<\/strong><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019m not a fan of shiny covers and the UV coating will keep that great color interplay rich and true as the book ages.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <p><strong>What was the <a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/ordering-shipping\/how-to-use-a-print-proof\">proofing<\/a> process like? How did a hard proof help you get to the final product?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBecause I had a professional proofreader do a thorough going-over of the final typeset PDF, I didn\u2019t need to read the hard proof for that level of detail. But I wanted to make sure that the even\/odd pagination looked right in the hand and that the weight and brightness of the paper was easy to read and handle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI actually changed to a lighter paper weight and had to reconfigure the layout slightly so the copyright page was on the left, so I\u2019m glad I opted for a hard proof.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>Tell us about your experience communicating and collaborating with Smartpress\u2019 Customer Service and Prepress teams.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/ordering-shipping\/how-to-order-at-smartpress\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ordering<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> interface is fantastic and dead simple to use &#8211; I appreciate the messaging function right within the project screen. Responses from the project team were extremely prompt and the flexibility for me to collect my hard proofs from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/ordering-shipping\/shipping\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24\/7 lobby<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the books from the dock made pickup easy.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/novel_sitting_on_chair.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=e36452a604cd1873e04f23c579248d5c\" alt=\"A paperback book on a wicker chair on a black and white checkered rug next to a black side table with a plant on top.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--><\/span><\/b><\/p> <p><strong>How are you promoting the book? What are your distribution plans?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI started promoting \u201cDepth Charge\u201d over a year before its publication. I set up a dedicated website to collect email signups from people keen to get updates and ordering information and a dedicated Instagram account to tease out elements from the book, cover design evolution and excerpts after the book was published.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI also hosted an Instagram Live event on launch day [and talked] about the book creation, plot and availability. I\u2019ve been a guest on podcasts promoting the book, offered excerpts and pre-ordering to subscribers to my newsletter, reached out to local and national publications and booksellers and am planning a local book signing event as COVID-related restrictions are lifted.<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMy strategy all along was to use the Smartpress-printed books to sign myself and ship from home using FedEx and an e-commerce site. For unsigned copies and cheaper shipping, people can also buy the book from other wider distribution channels.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <p><strong>Why did you want to print a physical novel in addition to a digital version?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cTo me, the classic thriller is the kind of physical book you stuff in a backpack to take on a plane, to a cabin or a hammock in the backyard. A physical book was never in doubt.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>When would you recommend a writer self-publish?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNowadays, all the tools a writer needs to self-publish are there: social media for marketing, affordable printing, powerful layout tools and creative freelancers often willing to help with editing and design.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe publishing landscape has changed and often the big publishing house model doesn\u2019t fit everyone. All that holds a writer back then, is his or her own discipline, drive and a good story to tell.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm pullQuote\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row end-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10\"> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNowadays, all the tools a writer needs to self-publish are there.&#8221;<\/span><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--><!--block-empty--> <!--block: 50-50-image --><div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-10\"><div class=\"row center-xs\"> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-top-sm blockOffset-right-sm raisedLeft\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/jason_heaton_signing_books.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=cd756198fc543268233dd42417960e4b\" alt=\"A man signing a book with two stacks of more books in front of him.\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/div><\/p> <p><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6 no-pad blockOffset-bottom-md\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/jason_heaton_perfect_bound_book_stack_detail.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=4123f596e58e1dc7cedc78d40598eea3\" alt=\"Five paperback novels standing one in front of the other with Depth Charge printed on the cover.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/div><\/p> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <\/span><\/b><\/p> <p><strong>What feedback have you received from your readers and fans?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cReviews since launch have been overwhelmingly positive. I get daily messages, comments and emails from readers who have bought the book &#8211; I\u2019ve sold copies as far away as Bali, Hungary, Dubai and New Zealand! The launch has been so popular, I\u2019m now on my third 500-book run from Smartpress, and that\u2019s only for the signed copies I\u2019m sending out.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><strong>What impressed you most about the final product and Smartpress as your online printer?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWithout prior printing experience, I didn\u2019t know what to expect from the publishing process, but Smartpress\u2019s pricing, interface, proofing process, friendly project staff and final product have been incredibly reassuring, empowering and inspiring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p>&nbsp;<\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cEven after signing and sending over 1,000 copies, I still get a little thrill every time I catch the cover and crisp pages of \u201cDepth Charge\u201d when I open a new box of freshly-printed books.\u201d<\/span><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-bottom-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/smartpressblog.imgix.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/jason_heaton_close_up_book_front_page.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=900&s=b94aabb2dd0d3b3a67a54b24c903e7ad\" alt=\"The front cover of a paperback book rolled open with Depth Charge on the first page.\"   data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <!--graybar--><div class=\"ltGrayBkgd-md\"><\/div><!--\/graybar--><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs blockOffset-top-sm\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-10\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <h2>More Tips for How to Self-Publish a Book<\/h2> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><!--block-empty--> <div class=\"row center-xs\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-11 col-md-8\"> <div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"> <\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still not sure about how to self-publish a book? Before you self-publish paperback books or any <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">custom booklets<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, dive into more expert recommendations and take full advantage of our online printing services:<\/span><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--> <!--block: 50-50 --><div class=\"row center-xs\" ><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8\"><div class=\"row\"> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--><\/span><\/b><\/p> <ul> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Spine<\/span> <ul> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thickness can be as thin as 0.10&#8243; and up to 2&#8243;.<\/span><\/li> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can see the spine thickness update in real time as you enter your book specifications on the Perfect Bound Booklets product page. Find it under Finishing &gt; Binding.<\/span><\/li> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you add text to the spine, make sure it doesn\u2019t touch the corners, as spine thickness can fluctuate slightly from what was estimated.<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Glue<\/span> <ul> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spine glue requires two days to cure and dry. (If you were to open your book before the glue was completely cured, the spine would crack and be unfixable.)<\/span><\/li> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you plan your project, please keep this extra time in mind.<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Book Size<\/span> <ul> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer a range of predetermined sizes for your book. If you\u2019d like a custom size, please submit a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/pages\/custom-quote\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Custom Quote<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/product-resources\/what-is-an-isbn-number\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ISBN Numbers<\/a> <ul> <li>Be sure to purchase yours ahead of time and include your number in your print-ready file. We&#8217;ll then print the barcode for you.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <\/ul> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-6\"><!--[col]--> <ul> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/smartpress.com\/support\/printing-basics\/how-to-count-pages-and-sheets\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pages vs. Sheets<\/span><\/a> <ul> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perfect Bound Booklets require you to know the sheet count and add two more for the cover.\u00a0<\/span><\/li> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just remember: One sheet equals two pages (a page is one side or face of a piece of paper).\u00a0<\/span><\/li> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To calculate the number of sheets, divide the number of pages by two.<\/span><\/li> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Count your pages correctly like this: Page one is the front cover, page two is the inside of the front cover, page three is the first interior page, etc.<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <\/ul> <ul> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Text Weight vs. Cover Weight<\/span> <ul> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a \u201ctraditional\u201d paperback look and feel, we recommend using a coated cover stock (one side only, also called C1S) and uncoated, 70# text interior pages.\u00a0<\/span><\/li> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cover stocks cannot be more than 100# cover weight.<\/span><\/li> <li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interior pages can be text weight stocks only, with 100# text being the thickest.<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <\/ul> <!--[\/col]--><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div> <!--\/block--> <!--block--><div class=\"row center-xs\"><div class=\"col-xs-12 col-sm-8\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-12\">\n<p><em><strong>Hint:<\/strong><\/em> Dive even deeper into custom book printing:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/on-press\/hardcover-book-printing-for-storytelling-marketing-memories\">Hardcover Book Printing: For Storytelling, Marketing &amp; Memories<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/on-press\/perfect-binding-the-sophisticated-choice-for-custom-booklets\">Perfect Bound: Print Booklets with a Sophisticated Binding<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/on-press\/how-to-choose-the-right-paper-stock-for-your-booklet\">Choosing the Right Paper Stock for Your Booklet<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--\/block--><!--\/the_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"That novel you\u2019ve dreamed of publishing? Make it a reality with Smartpress! From design to layout to finished product, we put self-publishing in your hands with premium custom book printing. Sound too good to be true? Check out our tips for how to publish your own book and hear what author Jason Heaton says about choosing paper stocks, cover art and marketing your own novel.","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":3951,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-printspiration"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Novel Idea: How to Self-Publish a Book with Smartpress<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wondering how to self-publish a book? 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