How to Assemble Books

• 1). Cultivate an idea for your book. Your solid idea should include multiple sources, blocks of text and editorial processing. Maybe the base idea for your book is already formed.
  
  
• 2). Complete the legwork for your book. You'll need to build off the idea with a professional outline that details sub-ideas of your main thesis. Another part of your legwork will include contacting multiple sources and completing the research necessary to complete your book. Remember, research is necessary even if your book is fiction.
  
  
• 3). Write your book. For some writers, this step will take the most time. For others, this step will be short and painless. However, for all writers, this step is the most important. If you are not under deadline, take as much time as you need. Rework your outline as needed and do not hesitate to delete and rewrite material that does not work.
  
  
• 4). Approach a publishing company about your book. If you do not have a publishing company that is already interested, begin to search for companies that will. Many authors handle business proposals themselves, but if you are not comfortable with that portion of the literary market, follow the next step.
  
  
• 5). Search for a literary agent. Many authors acquire literary agents by sending out hundreds of “query” letters. Often, query letters are made up of brief personal information about the author and a request to send completed work. However, some authors will send completed work with the query letter.
  
  
• 6). Assemble a team of professionals. Work with a publishing company to decide which department will handle the early stages of your book. More often than not, the design department will be put in charge of the formative stages. The design department will be tasked with the decision of your book's size, shape, font size, cover art and design, and layout. The design department also takes responsibility for shaping your block of words into a pleasurable reading experience.
  
  
• 7). Bring your book to the layout department for further aesthetic improvement. The design department handles the early stages of your book's “look and feel”; the layout department assembles the finished product. The layout department will work closely with the art department to form final gallows that will be sent to the final stage of publishing. Layout department responsibilities include the management of book blurbs, quotations, citations, cover art and future soft cover responsibilities.
  
  
• 8). Market your book. Well, not quite yet – but send your book to the marketing department for early analysis. Remember, the marketing department will need to develop an early strategy for your book. The marketing department will decide who your target demographic is and will know the best way to reach that demographic.
  
  
• 9). Produce your book. Your book's gallows are finished and its marketing campaign is heating up, so now it is time to send your book to mass production. After the final editorial process is completed and the publishing company's top people have looked at the finished product, your book will find its way to mass production. Often, the marketing department will have a large hand in mass production, as it is the department that decides how many books are produced and to what markets they are delivered.