Book launch checklist

Every step from finished draft to after launch, each with the guide or tool that covers it. Tick them off as you go: your ticks stay in this browser, and nothing is sent anywhere.

Before you publish

Get feedback from beta readers Readers who aren't your friends, and what to ask them. Finding beta readers
Budget the essentials What editing, covers and the rest cost, and what you can skip. What self-publishing costs
Decide on ISBNs Free or bought, and the traps that tie a book to one platform. ISBNs without the traps
Make the back-cover barcode Only if you design the back cover yourself: KDP adds one free if you leave the space. ISBN barcode generator
Choose Kindle Unlimited or wide It decides where else your ebook can be, including advance copies. Kindle Unlimited or wide?
Write the blurb Then check it against KDP's rules and format it. Blurb checker
Set your price What you earn per sale at each price. KDP royalty calculator
Pick keywords and categories How readers search, and what KDP says to leave out. KDP keywords and categories

Getting readers ready

Start your email list The one audience no platform can take away. Build your email list first
Plan your advance copies A dated plan worked back from your release day. ARC launch timeline
Find ARC readers without paying Where they are, and how to ask. Get ARC readers free
Know Amazon's review rules What you can ask for, and what gets reviews removed. Amazon reviews within the rules
List the book and add chapter 1 Readers can try the opening, and you see where they stop. List your book free

Launch

Upload and check every format Ebook, paperback and the mistakes that get books bounced. Publishing on KDP, step by step
Tell your team and your list it's out One email to your readers; on Bervet, one button for your ARC team. For authors
Share your book everywhere you have readers Your newsletter, your socials, your reader groups on their promo days. Your share kit is on your book's page

After launch

Consider a promotion What promo sites cost and what to expect from them. Book promotion sites
Avoid predatory services The signs of a service that profits from authors, not books. Spotting predatory services
Watch where readers stop Your chapter 1 numbers show the paragraph where readers leave. For authors

Written a book? List it free.

Your cover, blurb and store links, a first chapter readers can try, and numbers on where they stop. Host your advance copies free too.

List your book free