The Self-Publishing Guide

A guide to self-publishing along with information on how to work with Troubador Publishing to achieve your publishing goals.

0116 2792299 books@troubador.co.uk

Contents

Why Should You Read This Guide?

Who Are Troubador?

Our Values

Trusted by Authors, the Book Trade and Industry Experts

Understanding Your Publishing Goals

How Much Does It Cost?

Example Pricing

The Publishing Essentials

The 5 Stages of Book Production

Marketing Your Book

Printed Book Distribution

Digital Publishing

Ebook-Only Publishing

Audiobook Publishing

Your Publishing Journey, Guided by Experts

Resources for Authors

Start Your Self-Publishing Journey Today

Author Resources

The Annual Self-Publishing Conference

Why Should You Read This Guide?

Hello! I am Alex Thompson, Managing Director of Troubador Publishing. Thank you for requesting a copy of the Self-Publishing Guide – I hope you find it useful. This guide is all about helping authors work out what is best for them. In it, the Troubador team have combined their expert knowledge to provide detailed guidance on self-publishing, exploring the options available to you as an author and helping you identify the best path to achieve your publishing goals. A clear understanding of why you want to self-publish and what you aim to accomplish will inform you on the various self-publishing choices you will need to make. The goal of this guide is to help anyone considering self-publishing gather as much information as possible before making a decision, ensuring you can make informed choices and have a realistic view of what’s achievable for your book.

Managing Director, Troubador Publishing

In this guide we cover the full scope of self-publishing, including potential costs, various self-publishing formats, distribution options, selling to bookshops, discoverability and the technical aspects of book production and marketing. Additionally, we explain how

Troubador’s self-publishing approach stands apart from other author service companies – an approach that has earned our services a strong reputation since our founding in 1996. With the help of this guide, I truly wish you all the best on your self-publishing journey.

Who Are Troubador?

Troubador Publishing partners with independent authors to produce, market, sell and distribute their books from our headquarters and distribution centre in Leicestershire, UK. Our expertise and extensive range of services are unmatched in the self-publishing industry, and we are dedicated to high standards of quality and service. Our experienced team is here to support authors every step

of the way, helping them realise their publishing goals. We offer

a variety of publishing options, covering quality production, marketing, digital publishing and distribution services, all while providing exceptional customer service. We take pride in providing honest, insightful advice drawn from many years of experience in the publishing industry. While this guide may help you determine whether Troubador is the right publisher for you, we hope you will consider joining the hundreds of authors who trust us each year to bring their work to readers.

Our Values We work with authors to design, create, market and sell quality books in all formats, placing our customers at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to innovation allows us to continually enhance our services for authors by keeping abreast of changes and developments in the publishing industry, while our events programme provides valuable education to help authors make informed publishing decisions.

Authority Our experience and expertise allow us to offer honest, tailored advice that meets each author’s unique needs.

Author Care We support and guide authors throughout the publishing process, from manuscript submission to publication and beyond.

Quality We maintain the highest standards at every stage, ensuring each book is crafted with care and attention to detail.

Trusted by Authors, the Book Trade and Industry Experts

Experienced author seeking a long-term partner? We work with established authors, offering a full range of services to publish, distribute and sell their books. We produce books to the highest possible standard in a variety of different formats. Our design and production processes are in line with industry standards and we use many of the same UK-based printers used by the top commercial publishers, ensuring that every book we produce looks right at home on bookshop shelves, giving them the best possible chance to sell. Our commitment goes beyond quality production. We’re dedicated to excellent customer service, striving to make each author’s self-publishing journey rewarding. Don’t just take our word for it – see what our authors have to say in their Google and Trustpilot reviews.

We collaborate with a wide range of companies, organisations and author groups to provide the high- quality self-publishing experience that authors deserve. Whether you’re a first-time author, a returning self- publisher or a seasoned writer looking for a long-term publishing partner, we offer comprehensive support to help you achieve your goals. New to self-publishing?

We give clear, honest advice on all your options so you can confidently choose the best path for your book. Published before but

looking for expert input? If you’re unsure of what you need next, our team brings a vast amount of self-publishing experience, honed throughout our many years working with authors, and industry expertise to help guide your project forward.

“It wasn’t complicated, it was easy. It wasn’t expensive.” Ailsa Bains Yonderworld Tales

“I felt their help was great...” Terry Brennan Never Give Up

“Excellent at every stage and in every way.” Mike Smears The Unremembered “A very high-standard, professional book.” Mike McKiernan Art and Occupation

Understanding Your Publishing Goals

Authors who are clear about their publishing goals tend to make the most informed decisions on how to proceed. Self-publishing offers several pathways, each with its pros and cons, depending on what you’re hoping to achieve. Are you looking to share copies with family and friends? Or perhaps aiming for wider distribution? Maybe your goal is to build a brand as an author. Your objectives will guide the best approach for your book. If you’re primarily publishing for personal reasons and want to keep costs low, Print on Demand (POD) may be a good option. This allows you to print a few copies as and when orders are placed, so you only pay for what you need. POD keeps upfront costs down while ensuring your book is available for purchase online – ideal for an entry-level approach to self-publishing. However, the quality of the printed product that comes with POD- produced books is often inferior to that of a short print run and with

more limited print options. POD distribution also generally excludes the possibility of your book being stocked in physical bookshops, owing to the high unit print cost and the fact that POD books can’t be bought on a sale or return basis. POD is suitable for selling online or directly but may not be practical if broad distribution is your goal. For authors looking to keep costs even lower, publishing an ebook might be a good choice for you. Some authors like to publish an ebook first to test the audience reaction ahead of publishing a print book, whereas others pursue self-publishing in ebook format only. This is a good option if you see your market as primarily online, but may not be suitable if your book is highly illustrated or if your audience is more likely to prefer a printed format. If you’d like to see your book on bookshop shelves but want to minimise financial risk, printing an initial run – typically 100–300

copies – can be a smart move. This approach ensures that stock is available for retailers to purchase without a major upfront investment. If demand grows, you can always print more, and if not, you’ve kept your outlay manageable. For authors exploring this option, you’ll likely need help with the production and design of the book to ensure the end product is as good as it can be and set-up and management of the crucial metadata to ensure that your title is visible and accessible to the book trade. Going one step further, you may be looking to maximise your book’s visibility in bookshops, in which case you’ll likely require additional support. In addition to seeking help to get the book created and visible to the trade, you might want to get your book edited, commission an initial print run of 500 copies (accessing a lower unit cost), actively market and sell the book to retailers as well as publish an ebook alongside to access the worldwide market.

Crucial to this approach to self- publishing is distribution. There’s no point producing a beautiful book if you have no idea how retailers will source it. You will require help from an organisation that has direct relationships with retailers like Gardners, Amazon and Waterstones alongside independent bookshops and a direct selling capability, as Troubador does. You will want to know that any order handling, stock management and invoicing to the trade is all being taken care of. If your goal is to establish yourself as an author and optimise sales potential, you will require comprehensive support. This includes everything discussed so far, plus you may opt for a dedicated marketing campaign at launch and a custom-built author website to help you showcase your work and build your brand.

Understandably, authors want clarity about the costs of self-publishing. So, let’s address that right away. The honest answer is that it depends. Costs vary based on factors like the length of your book, print run, use of colour, choice of hardcover vs paperback, the need for editorial support, what sort of marketing and whether you want distribution taken care of for you. There are so many variables that a realistic estimate requires understanding your specific needs and goals. We believe that transparent pricing and authors knowing exactly what they are paying for is essential. So, to make this as clear as possible, we provide each author with a detailed, no-obligation quote based on their manuscript and objectives. This quote outlines all available services with totally transparent pricing, empowering authors to make an informed decision about moving forward and selecting the exact How Much Does It Cost?

services they require. Our approach is tailored to each author and we do not package our services together as that only means authors will end up paying for something they may not need. Having said all that, we also understand that having a general sense of costs is helpful before requesting a personalised quote. So, on the next page as well as on our website we’ve provided pricing examples featuring the most commonly selected groups of services, each suited to different publishing goals. This gives a realistic idea of what to expect based on typical author choices.

Pricing examples on the next page!

Example Pricing These examples provide a general idea of self-publishing costs with Troubador based on a standard novel format. Our authors often customise services to suit their unique needs. If these examples align with your goals and budget, that’s great! If not, we’re happy to discuss a tailored solution for your project.

Example 1 £650

Example 2 £3,000

Make my book available as an ebook Gets your book ready for publication and available as an ebook internationally.

Get my book printed and out into the market A step up that prioritises quality printing and makes your book available through bookshops.

Example 1 plus:

Publish an ebook only Professional cover design ISBN registration International retail availability

Proofread Print file production High-quality 200-copy print run A vailability to the book trade

We’ve based these examples on a manuscript of up to 75,000 words containing text only. Production and printing costs vary depending on a book’s complexity, which is why we always supply a written no-obligation quotation based on your manuscript.

Example 3 £6,000

Example 2 plus:

500 high-quality printed copies Professional copy edit Active marketing to the book trade Dedicated publicity campaign

Get my book into bookshops For authors wanting their books to be actively promoted to bricks-and-mortar bookshops.

Example 4 £7,500

Example 3 plus:

Bespoke author website D igital marketing activity Marketing material production

Get maximum exposure for my book For authors wanting maximum exposure for their book through a variety of marketing activities.

SEE MORE ON THE WEBSITE AND GET STARTED

troubador.co.uk/get-started

Troubador’s book distribution facilities at our warehouse near Market Harborough, from where we pick, pack and despatch books to retailers on a daily basis.

Seek help from the experts

For an author new to the world of self-publishing, the above can all sound very daunting. That is why we encourage authors to reach out to publishers, service providers and other authors to ask as many questions as they can before making their choice on how best to publish their book. Our team is friendly, approachable and ready to answer any questions, no matter how small, and we want to make your publishing

experience enjoyable and pressure- free, even if you choose to opt for another publishing route instead of working with us. Our author ambassadors are also willing to discuss their experiences of self-publishing with Troubador directly with prospective authors. For more information about our author ambassadors, please see our website.

Our commitment to quality and service

In a competitive book market, quality matters. Too often, self- published books lack the polish needed to catch a retailer’s eye. We hold our titles to the same standards as any major publisher and it shows in our relationships with bookshops and wholesalers. A family-run business, we’re dedicated to supporting authors

through each step, from concept to finished product. With many of our authors choosing to publish with us time and time again, our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction speaks for itself.

The Publishing Essentials Publishing, distributing and marketing a book is a multifaceted process that involves various specialised skills. Below, we outline each stage and show how we can support you every step of the way. Book Production Whether you want to oversee every detail or leave the entire process to us, the core of any publishing journey is the production of the book itself. With many ways of publishing a book now available, the approach can be very different from author to author. Many authors self-publishing without the use of individual specialists or a full-service provider like Troubador often try to take on too much of the process themselves, overlooking crucial areas such as editorial, typesetting and design where an expert eye can be beneficial to the overall quality of the book. We provide a full suite of publishing services – from copy editing, design and typesetting to printing, ebook conversion and

metadata management to help navigate authors through this complex process. Marketing and Sales For authors wanting greater visibility, active marketing to give your book exposure is crucial. Self-published book marketing is made up of a wide range of elements, from an author’s own efforts on social media, events they attend and using their networks to market the book, seeking professional help to market to the book trade, running a bespoke publicity campaign or commissioning paid advertising through Google and Facebook. Our seasoned trade marketing and publicity teams leverage industry expertise to raise awareness about your book and generate buzz. We have a trusted reputation with wholesalers and retailers, making high-street bookshops, libraries and online retailers our primary sales channels. As well as more traditional forms of marketing, we

can also help authors with their book’s online presence by building them a website, promoting their title across paid advertising through Google and Facebook, as well as generating reviews and interest on platforms like NetGalley. Digital Publishing Today’s readers expect to find books in multiple formats, including ebooks and audiobooks, which we produce and distribute globally. Digital publishing opens up new ways to reach audiences, whether you want to test the market with an ebook first or release digital and print versions simultaneously. We work closely with authors to choose the best format strategy and deliver high-quality digital versions for readers worldwide. Sales and Distribution How will my books actually get to bookshops, wholesalers and, ultimately, readers? Without knowing the answer to this question, authors publishing their books in a print

format will struggle to generate sales for their book. Authors wanting to sell their books through these channels need to ensure they have a distribution partner to guarantee them visibility where it matters. With our unique in-house distribution centre, we offer unmatched flexibility and control over our authors’ books. Our warehouse stores and distributes hundreds of thousands of copies of books every year and maintains direct relationships with wholesalers like Gardners, high-street bookshop chains like Waterstones and online retailers like Amazon. This dedicated infrastructure gives our authors’ books the best possible chance of widespread availability and eliminates the issues that can often arise with authors distributing their own books. Quality Matters To succeed in the book trade, your book must be professionally produced and presented in a format that aligns with trade standards. If you’re aiming for significant sales, quality of content and production is

crucial. This goes for all elements of your title, with quality editorial, design and printing all crucial to helping your book stand out from the crowd. While no publisher can guarantee bestseller success, we do guarantee that your book will meet the same production quality standards as any commercially published title. Our professional approach ensures your book has the best possible presentation, improving its chances in a competitive market. Publishing for Fulfilment Not every author intends to sell through bookshops. For some, it’s about preserving family history, compiling a poetry collection or simply realising a personal dream. These objectives are no less valid than those authors who want to sell as many copies as possible, and we believe that publishing these books is just as important as any other. We’re here to support these projects too. Every book, even if it’s just for personal enjoyment, deserves to be created to the highest standard, and

we bring the same commitment to quality to these works as we do to widely distributed titles. Embracing Independence Being an independent author is rewarding but can sometimes feel isolating. As you will have read so far, the number of different elements that go into successfully self- publishing a book is daunting for any author, especially if they are looking to execute some or all of them solo. That is why authors should seek out honest advice from other authors, publishers and professionals who know what they are talking about. Backed by years of experience, organisations like Troubador are dedicated to supporting you throughout the journey, giving you the freedom to enjoy the process while leaving the heavy lifting to the professionals. We also encourage authors to share their experiences with us and with other authors – because every story adds to the vibrant world of self-publishing and inspires others along the way. You can see some examples of success stories on our website.

The 5 Stages of Book Production

reaches its highest quality ahead of publication. You’ll have the final say, as all changes are sent back for your approval before publication. 3. Typesetting First impressions matter, and a professionally designed interior can make all the difference. Our typesetting team applies a typographic design to your text, arranges images and graphics, and sets the style of each page, from font size to page layout. This process not only enhances readability but also gives the book a polished look. You’ll receive a style proof, showing the typesetting style our production team proposes to use for your book, for you to make amendments to and ultimately approve, ahead of the full typeset being completed. You’ll then have the opportunity to make any revisions to the proofs, as well as have a proofread, before approval of the final text file.

1. ISBN Registration For a book to be sold in UK bookshops, it needs an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), a unique identifier that’s essential for listing in sales channels. We can provide an ISBN if we are handling your publication in the UK, and to ensure that your title complies with the EU’s GPSR legislation, or you may choose to obtain one yourself. 2. Editing You’ve crafted your manuscript with care, double-checked facts and ensured spelling accuracy. Perhaps friends have reviewed it and you’ve gone through it countless times. Yet even with all this effort, it’s normal for errors to slip through. When you’ve spent so much time on a project, it’s easy to overlook mistakes like incorrect captions, image placements, inconsistent spelling or grammatical errors. Our expert editors ensure that your manuscript

challenging to market to bookshops. Short-run digital printing is ideal for limited quantities (up to around 1,000 copies) as it is flexible and allows for a smaller financial commitment. Alternatively, an author can opt for lithographic printing for larger print runs (usually over 1,000 copies) as it often produces a higher-quality finish, especially for colour work. We work with a range of UK-based printers to ensure the best quality and price for each project. Our team also advises on print effects, such as foil blocking, embossing or special laminates, to create a visually striking book. These enhancements can help your book stand out on crowded bookshop shelves. We have extensive experience in producing books of all types and genres, from paperback to hardback and from traditional to speciality formats. We’re always happy to discuss options and help you make choices that align with your goals and budget.

4. Cover Design Contrary to the common saying, readers do judge a book by its cover, making it a crucial aspect of book production. We design original covers from scratch tailored to your vision, using your artwork if available or sourcing high-quality images to suit your genre and audience. Alternatively, if you prefer original artwork, we can commission an illustrator. This option allows you to own the artwork and gives your cover a unique, professional edge. 5. Printing Thanks to ever-evolving technology, printing has never been more accessible or had more options available for self-published books. The methods of printing vary wildly in cost and quality of the end product. Print-on-demand books are printed only when ordered, typically through online retailers. While economical for low-volume sales, POD titles are

Marketing Your Book

Your book may be published, but how do bookshops know about it? How do potential readers discover it? While it is often difficult to attribute a book’s success to one element of its marketing activity, it is clear that without visibility your sales will be limited. We execute a comprehensive range of marketing services to ensure your book reaches the right audience. We offer multiple options for promoting your book through different mediums to help you spread the word. If you opt for any of our marketing services, our marketing department will handle the promotion of your book to the retail and wholesale trade as well as the media. This includes ensuring accurate bibliographic data is communicated to retail buyers, classifying your book correctly and ensuring it’s available for easy order fulfilment from bookshops.

Retail Set-up and Distribution

to your book’s sales information and historic royalty statements through our dedicated Author Hub. For authors storing their books in our warehouse, we will use the stock of your book to fulfil direct, online and trade sales, and we take care of invoicing, returns and the despatch of orders on your behalf. We also host a monthly webinar for all authors opting for our trade marketing services, where our marketing team will discuss the work that has been done for your book ahead of publication, what to consider post- publication and give authors a chance to ask any questions. Trade Marketing and Sales Representation For authors who are seeking the fullest trade release of their title, active sales and marketing is crucial to get your book noticed and purchased. For authors wishing to give their book the best possible chance of selling through high-street retailers, we offer full trade sales representation through a variety of sales channels. We work with retailers’ head offices, local stores and other book retail outlets in the run-up to a book’s

Setting your book up for distribution to retailers is essential if you want to see your book available for sale with UK-based retailers. We write the key marketing text for your book’s retail set-up such as the blurb, author biography, key selling points and keywords, then assign subject classification codes to your book, which retailers use to find books. Finally, we assign a Troubador ISBN to the title, unless you choose to use your own. Good-quality metadata is essential for a title to be discovered and purchased by retailers. For authors using a Troubador ISBN, we handle metadata management for the lifetime of the book. Our metadata is sent electronically via enhanced Onix-3 feeds regularly to ensure retailers are kept completely up to date with the titles we have available. We’ll also notify wholesalers and retailers about your book via digital data grids, and daily through live price and availability feeds. We list your book for sale in our online bookshop as well as create a dedicated author profile. You will also receive access

publication date to give it the best possible chance of being purchased. In addition to the digital metadata work that we do, managing the key data about your book and sending that to bookshops and wholesalers, we also create a Troubador-branded Local AI (Advance Information) sheet, listing all the key information about your book – blurb, biography, publication and ordering information – sent digitally to local bookshops (UK only), with a PDF copy provided for your own use. Media Marketing If you are an author looking to create a media buzz for your book with a concentrated publicity campaign around its launch, a media campaign is what you are looking for. For those authors choosing to work with the Troubador publicity team, an experienced in-house publicist will create and manage your bespoke publicity campaign in the run-up to your book’s publication date and extending for four weeks after, helping you gain traction when you need it most. This begins with a webinar all about your publicity campaign, where authors are invited

to meet our publicists and listen as they run you through how we conduct the campaign and answer any questions you may have. Alongside this, you will have access to your publicist throughout the campaign, who will be able to answer questions and support and guide you throughout. During the month of publication, your publicist will create a press release about your book and you as its author. You get the final sign-off on the content of the press release, and a copy in PDF format for your use. We also create a bespoke media contact list using our extensive industry- leading media database, identifying UK national and local journalists and media outlets (including print, audio, visual and digital media) who may be interested in your book. We collaborate with authors to identify key angles on the book to pitch and will use our experience to target the appropriate journalists to maximise the chances of getting you coverage. We will also send out a digital review copy to every recipient on the media list, aiming to start a dialogue with them about the book. As with the press release, you approve the media list before the campaign begins.

Your publicist will also conduct a follow-up on the media list, to encourage as much interest as possible. We will liaise with you over coverage and send you any features as we receive them. Digital Marketing Digital marketing is focused on maximising the visibility of your book online and generating consumer reviews on retailer platforms and book recommendation websites. Using NetGalley, one of the world’s largest book review platforms, we encourage advanced readers to read and review your book, giving it a boost in online visibility during the first few weeks following publication. We will run either a four or eight- week managed listing on NetGalley for exposure to influencers, media, librarians and book professionals. NetGalley members will be invited to request a digital copy and leave a review. We will monitor and respond to all requests that come in. You will receive a report at the end of the four or eight-week listing with a review summary and key statistics, including a round-up of reviews currently received, feedback on the

cover and a breakdown of what readers found appealing about your book.

The Troubador team will follow up with readers personally to encourage them to leave reviews on review platforms. We will send reviewers links to major retailers to make it easier for them to find your book online to leave their reviews on those platforms. Targeted Online Advertising An online paid advertising campaign is an effective way to position your book directly in front of a targeted audience of potential readers using Google, Facebook and Instagram ads. By leveraging advanced digital paid advertising strategies, we craft visually compelling ads that capture attention and generate interest. Using advanced AI-operated targeting tools, readers will be identified who are most likely to resonate with your book’s themes, genre, and content and ads are strategically displayed to readers who are already searching for or engaging with similar books and topics, ensuring your book gets noticed by the right audience.

Once engaged, the ads drive traffic to key retailer sites, such as Amazon and the Troubador online bookshop, ensuring your book gets maximum exposure and leads potential readers directly to the purchase pages. This strategy enhances both the visibility and accessibility of your book, increasing the likelihood of driving sales and contributing to long-term success. Throughout the campaign, the ads are continuously monitored and refined to optimise performance. You’ll receive a progress report halfway through the campaign at the two-month mark, and another final report before the campaign concludes at four months. At that time, you’ll have the option to renew the advertising campaign for additional months, extending its reach and potential for even greater results. This approach ensures your book gets the attention it deserves in the competitive digital landscape. Enhanced Discoverability Getting your book noticed is vital. One means of enticing readers is to let them read some of your book first, beyond the short synopsis.

Think of this service as the digital version of a reader browsing in a bookshop, where they can dip into the text and get a feel for a book. Our Enhanced Discoverability service places your book on both Amazon’s ‘Search Inside’ and Google’s ‘Search in a Book’ platforms, so that potential readers can browse your book. Both platforms make a percentage of a book available to view, although never all of it. Amazon customers have a ‘Buy’ button on the same page as the ‘Search Inside’ function, allowing easy purchases for their customers. Google’s search platform includes links to your book on various retailers’ websites to help easy purchase by Google browsers. Author Websites Having an author website is an ideal option for authors looking to have everything to do with themselves and their books in one place and easy for readers to find. On a dedicated website, an author can showcase their work and include links to buy the book, as well as featuring interviews, videos, blog articles and images.

Our Author Website services provide cost-effective and flexible solutions, with a bespoke website design created for you by a professional web developer. It is a collaborative process where you will have input on layout, content and colour schemes while having the guidance and support of a professional web developer.

Printed Book Distribution You’ve published and are now marketing your printed book, but how does it get distributed to readers, the book trade and beyond? This is a question that authors often don’t ask until after publication, which can be too late if certain objectives are being targeted by an author. For authors who are not interested in being stocked in bookshops, and simply want books available for purchase online for those looking for it or require international

availability, Print-on-Demand (POD) can be a good option. Books that are distributed using the POD model exist only as entries on online retailers’ websites, until such a time as a copy is bought by a reader. This avoids the need to print copies in advance, but it does limit the sales of POD books to online retailers as bookshops prefer the flexibility of sale or return supply. For authors wanting their books to be stocked by wholesalers and bookshops, POD-only publishing is not an option. For authors to have the best chance of achieving that goal, a short print run will need to be commissioned to ensure stock is available for the retailer to order, and the availability and distribution of

those books need to be managed by a distributor with storage space to hold the stock and with existing trade relationships to sell it to on an author’s behalf. Uniquely among self-publishing companies, we have our own dedicated

In addition to bookshops, wholesalers like Gardners and retailers like Amazon place orders with us daily, which we pick, pack and despatch on-site within agreed timescales. As a result, we fulfil thousands of orders every year. We store up to 300 copies of a book in our purpose-built warehouse for two years following publication free of charge, but can also store far larger quantities where required. Authors that commission a short print run often choose to take delivery of a percentage of their books for their own use, leaving the rest with us to sell on their behalf.

UK distribution facility. We store thousands of books on behalf of

authors and directly supply bookshops and online retailers every day. We have long-standing trading relationships with wholesalers and retailers and accounts are set up with new retailers regularly. We send our key trade partners daily data feeds so that any bookshop or retailer in the UK can check on our stocks and place an order.

Digital Publishing

Some authors like to release an ebook in advance of the book, to test the audience reaction, while others publish both formats simultaneously. Either way, we’ll guide you through which route suits you best using our years of expertise in digital publishing. As digital publishing becomes more and more popular, retailers have more control over how the titles are formatted, uploaded and distributed to the market. Many ebook retailers have strict rules on the ebook formats that they accept, for example, making it hard for solo self-published authors to get the publishing process right the first time. Through the constant process of keeping our eyes on any shifts or patterns in the world of ebook publishing, we ensure that our ebooks are compatible with the widest range of formats demanded by the retailers, and we’ve worked hard to establish a distribution network for our ebooks that is unparalleled.

Having a digital version of your book available, either alongside your printed one or standalone, is now both expected by readers and crucial for authors to maximise the reach of their work. There are many routes to ebook publication, from DIY to outsourcing ebook conversion, and as a self- publisher, you have a choice in how you publish. Yet to get the best ebook conversion and the widest ebook distribution, even the most dedicated self-publisher will be unable to rival the abilities of a publisher like Troubador. We work with authors to produce ebooks and audiobooks to the highest standards and then distribute them to retailers around the world. To a reader, having the option to buy a new title in one of three formats (printed book, ebook or audiobook) is taken for granted, so we encourage our authors to view digital books as just another format that they should make available to their readers.

Ebook-Only Publishing There are many considerations to take into account as an author looking to publish an ebook as the

experienced in making the most of the limited and smaller space that’s available to give your ebook cover visual impact and attract attention. Once the book has been created, it needs to be converted into the correct file type for uploading onto retailer platforms. If you have some knowledge of computing then you may be able to convert it to an ebook file, but if not, it’s best left to a specialist. There are several processes to undertake before creating your ebook, though. Troubador offers a range of services, which authors are free to pick and choose depending on their requirements. Our authors benefit from our extensive distribution network, both in the UK and overseas. We make your ebook available through all the major ebook retailers, including Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Scrib’d, OverDrive and Kobo, among others. We can also ensure availability overseas through hundreds of other international retailers, and offer access to the huge ebook library market through our distribution links with wholesalers and specialist

only format of their book. In the rush to get an ebook

published, authors can overlook the fact that they must make sure their manuscript is 100% ready to publish from an editorial perspective. While many authors choose to self- edit their work, consider getting professional help, whether through Troubador or elsewhere, to ensure that your book will be error-free. Similarly, with cover design, the importance of a high-quality, eye-grabbing cover cannot be underestimated. An ebook cover will be sat among many others of the same genre on the digital search pages, so it must achieve maximum impact at a glance. Ebook cover design tends to differ from regular book cover design because of the limitations of the online sizing available with most retailers. Our team of in-house designers are

ebook library suppliers. We take care of the distribution of ebook files to all of the retailers and manage the bibliographic data for an ebook on an ongoing basis.

Audiobook Publishing

Audiobooks are growing in popularity fast, especially among those on the move. Audiobooks present an opportunity to make the most of an evolving market. Producing an audiobook is a complex process that, if not done correctly, can result in a poor-quality end product. We offer a high-quality

audiobook publishing and distribution service to help authors access the growing audiobook market. Historically, this market has proven difficult to enter due to the high cost of production and the technical challenges that creating an audiobook poses, but our audiobook service gives access to professional actors and sound engineers to create files to meet the complex technical requirements demanded by audiobook retailers. Our audiobooks are sold via a wide range of sellers and streaming services, including Audible, Amazon, Apple,

Spotify, YouTube, Google, Barnes & Noble and more. We offer a range of professional vocal talents and give you the choice of which voice actor suits your project most. The recording of an audiobook takes place over a few sessions and, once complete, a copy is sent to you for checking. While recording takes place, we create your audiobook cover to the specifications needed by retailers. Overall, the production process usually takes around six weeks, but this can depend on studio and actor availability.

Your Publishing Journey, Guided by Experts

At Troubador, we’re a friendly, customer-focused team passionate about publishing high-quality books and providing authors with an exceptional self-publishing experience. Since 1996, we’ve helped authors bring their stories to life, ensuring every project meets the highest publishing standards. Our skilled UK-based team includes specialists in editorial, design, production, digital publishing, marketing, sales and distribution. Over the years, we’ve developed a streamlined approach that mirrors traditional publishing while empowering authors to understand the complexities of the process. We guide authors every step of the way, helping them make informed decisions tailored to their goals. Personalised support at every stage From contract signature to publication, each author works with a named production

controller who oversees the entire production process, ensuring seamless communication between departments. If you choose to market your book, produce a digital version or outsource your distribution to us, you’ll also be introduced to a relevant specialist to provide targeted expertise. Whenever you need assistance, a team member is just a phone call or email away. Our commitment to your success We understand that publishing a book is more than a project – it’s a significant milestone in a writer’s life. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing bespoke guidance and unwavering support throughout your journey. From production to marketing and distribution, our team works tirelessly to ensure you achieve the best results for your work, whatever success looks like for you.

Our unique Author Hub Our Author Hub is a one-of-a-kind online resource, designed to keep authors informed and engaged throughout their publishing journey. Through the Hub, you can: • Access an extensive library of resources on all aspects of self-publishing. • Manage your services, update your bookshop public profile and purchase marketing materials. • Take advantage of exclusive offers and updates. • Track sales data for each format of your book, see what royalties you are due and access historical royalty statements. Whether you’re navigating pre-publication tasks or focusing on post-publication promotion, the Hub is your go-to platform for information, tools and support.

Resources for Authors

Whether you choose to publish with Troubador or not, our website offers a wealth of free resources for every author. From our regularly updated blog filled with industry insights to

our packed events schedule featuring valuable learning opportunities, there’s plenty to support you on your publishing journey.

Start Your Self-Publishing Journey Today

Ready to bring your book to life? The first step is simple – get in contact! There are several ways to get in touch with us. If you want to submit your manuscript to get a no-obligation quote, the easiest way is to head to our website, click Get Started and fill in our short online contact form. Once we’ve received your details, one of our publishing experts will get in touch to learn more about your book and your goals. They’ll guide you through the process, answer any questions you have – whether about our services or self-publishing in general – and discuss how we can help turn your dream into reality. If you’d prefer to chat before

submitting your manuscript, no problem! You can give us a call or schedule a one-to-one video consultation through our website at a time that suits you. Your personalised quote After gathering the necessary information, we’ll create a free, no-obligation, personalised quote tailored to your needs. We’ll work with you to refine it until you’re completely satisfied, ensuring the plan aligns perfectly with your goals.

0116 2792299 books@troubador.co.uk troubador.co.uk/get-started

Author Resources

For authors wanting to continue their research and learn more about self- publishing, we have a wide variety of resources available to you. Visit our blog for weekly articles on self- publishing topics, attend one of our free webinars or in-person events or dive into the success stories of authors we have worked with to learn how they achieved success.

The Self-Publishing Conference

As well as publishing hundreds of titles a year, Troubador also hosts the UK’s leading self-publishing event for authors, bringing them together with experts to learn, network and be inspired. The conference offers authors a chance to find out about a wide range of publishing options, to hear from and question those who work within the thriving self-publishing world and to network with fellow authors, many of whom will already be experienced self-publishers. The day is structured so that delegates can choose the sessions that are the most relevant to them, and your ticket will get you access

to a wide range of expert-led sessions and workshops, keynote speakers, networking opportunities, a 5-star lunch, refreshments throughout the day and a drinks reception in the evening.

For more information

0116 2792299 conference@troubador.co.uk conference.troubador.co.uk

0116 2792299

troubador.co.uk

books@troubador.co.uk

Troubador Publishing partners with independent authors to produce, market, distribute and sell their books. We offer a full suite of publishing services under one roof, making it easier for authors to bring their literary visions to life and connect with their target audience. We support authors at every stage, whether you are a first-time writer, an experienced author or working on a personal project. Whether you aim to sell through high-street retailers,

online bookshops or direct channels, our expertise ensures your book meets the highest publishing standards. We take pride in the positive feedback we receive daily from authors who have successfully achieved their publishing goals with our help. This comprehensive guide to self- publishing explores the process of bringing your book to market using the trusted services we have been providing to authors since 1996.

0116 2792299 books@troubador.co.uk

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