How to Publish a Book in India
Do you all remember the days when publishing a book was more like a dream because of all the hustle associated with it? If not, congratulations, you don’t belong to the generation in which multiple stories were buried in a steel box or linger on pages that nobody cares to read. This digital era has made almost everything accessible to people, even publishing. However, with time, trends change, and so does the algorithm. So, the real question is, how to publish a book in India in 2025, given the multiple options and publishing houses?
A Step-by-Step Guide for Aspiring Authors
We understand that multiple authors don’t take the initiative because they don’t know where to start; keeping that in mind, we are providing a step-by-step guide for aspiring authors to publish a book in India in 2025.
Finalise Your Manuscript
The most important and daunting part of your publishing journey is your manuscript. You may deal with multiple things while finalising your manuscript, such as writer’s block, or you may finish a chapter which appeals to you initially, but when you sit to re-read it again, you might discard it altogether. But ensure to make a consistent writing schedule to stay on track. Finalising your script is the crucial part of your publishing journey; most importantly, you should be confident in your manuscript.
Although publishing houses offer proofreading services, ensure to check your grammar and errors beforehand to save time.
Choose Your Publishing Route
Before publishing your book, ask yourself one question: Whether you want entire control over the contents of your book or wouldn’t mind the intervention of a publisher in your publishing journey. If you believe in the former option, then you must consult a self-publisher for your book. But if you belong to the latter category, then your only option is to connect with a traditional publisher.
Although self-publishing is quite popular in India as it gives you full control of the book’s content, cover design, marketing plan, etc., you’re free to choose your publishing route.
Designing the Book Cover and Formatting
If you are publishing your book through a self-publisher, then you may get the services of a cover designer. Otherwise, you can create your own covers with the help of Canva or any similar tool. Or you can hire a freelance cover designer for this purpose. No matter what you choose to do, ensure that your book cover is compelling because people judge your book by its cover, and that’s a fact.
The fourth most crucial part of your book is its formatting. Proper formatting isn’t only appealing to the eyes, but it also ensures compatibility with ebook readers and Print-on-Demand services.
ISBN
ISBNs may look like just some numbers, but without one, you cannot distribute and sell your book in any offline or online bookstore. Yes, it stands for an International Standard Book Number, which in India is distributed free of cost by the Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBN under the Ministry of Education. An ISBN is generally applied only by providing all information about the book and the publisher.
Publishing Platforms
Once your manuscript is ready, perfectly formatted, along with the book cover and ISBN, the final step is to publish your book on your chosen publishing platforms, like Amazon KDP, Notion Press, Wattpad, and more. However, if you are planning to publish your book through any self-publisher, like BFC Publications, then you don’t have to worry about anything, for they will look after everything.
Distribution & Sales
Once your book is out, it’s your responsibility to check that it’s available in multiple formats, such as paperback, ebook, and hardcover. Plus, you can save yourself from the burden of inventory costs by choosing the Print-on-Demand services. Ensure your book is available across multiple distribution channels, enhancing your book’s reach.
Marketing & Promotion
Now, imagine going through all the steps mentioned above and still not getting enough sales, reaching the right audience, or attaining the spotlight your book deserves. Sounds depressing, right? Well, it is. Therefore, strategic marketing and promotion are crucial parts of self-publishing a book.
A few things you can do to market your book are: posting images, making reels of your book, or connecting with an influencer to promote it on social media. Other than that, Google reviews play a huge role in book promotion.
On a Parting Note
How to Publish a Book in India isn’t daunting but seamless. All you have to worry about is writing a compelling manuscript and marketing it strategically to maximise your book’s reach, enhancing its sales. We are not saying that you don’t have to worry about cover design, formatting, or ISBN, but these are not a hassle anymore, especially if you are publishing your book through a self-publisher like BFC Publications. With self-publishing, authors now relish the taste of full control over the contents of their book. However, if you choose traditional publishing, your book will have to go through multiple edits and changes.
So, choose wisely. Happy writing!
