Hello there, fellow writers! 👋

Are you planning to publish a book series but don’t know where to start? Congratulations! You have come to the right place. In this article, I will guide you through the step-by-step process of publishing a book series. 📚

Step 1: Write Your Manuscript

The first step to publishing a book series is to write your manuscript. Keep in mind that writing a book series usually requires a lot more planning and organization than writing a standalone book.

Make sure you know your story’s direction, characters, and themes before starting. Outlining your story and characters can help you keep track of plotlines and character arcs.

Once you finish your manuscript, take a break, come back to it later with fresh eyes and revise it multiple times.

A person sitting in front of a laptop, writing

Step 2: Find a Literary Agent

Before submitting your manuscript, it’s best to find a literary agent first. They typically represent authors in book publishing and negotiate the best deals for their clients.

When submitting to a literary agent, make sure to follow their submission guidelines and personalize your query letter. Research which agents represent your genre to ensure a higher success rate.

Be patient; it might take a while for an agent to respond. In the meantime, you can use that time to plan and write the subsequent books in your series.

A person holding a phone, searching for a literary agent

Step 3: Sign a Publishing Contract

Once you’ve found a literary agent, they will handle the contract negotiation on your behalf. Ensure to read and understand every detail in the contract before signing it.

Make sure to include clauses regarding royalties, publishing rights, deadline, and the number of books in the series. If anything feels off, don’t hesitate to ask your agent to renegotiate the terms.

A person holding a pen, about to sign a contract

Step 4: Work with an Editor

Once you’ve signed a publishing contract, your book will be assigned to an editor. They will work with you to polish your manuscript and prepare it for publication.

Make sure to have an open dialogue with your editor to ensure that you’re meeting their expectations as well as yours. They will help you improve the book’s pacing, character development, nuances of dialogue and plotlines that may need tweaking.

An editor with a red pen correcting a manuscript

Step 5: Design Your Book Cover

Your book cover is the first thing readers will see. Make it count! Ensure your book cover is well-designed, eye-catching, and representative of your series.

Consult with your publisher’s design team to design a cover that will attract your target readers. Not only should it be aesthetically pleasing, but it should also communicate the genre, the mood of the story, and the protagonist’s personality.

A person with a laptop designing a book cover

Step 6: Market Your Book Series

Nowadays, marketing plays a huge role in book sales. It’s crucial to promote your book using a mix of traditional and digital marketing strategies.

Host book events, attend book fairs, notify your readers through your social media presence, email marketing, advertising and collaborate with other authors to reach new readers.

Consider hiring a publicist who can help create buzz around your book.

A group of people at a book event

Step 7: Release Your Book Series

Once everything is in place, your book series is now ready for release. Congratulations! But, wait, don’t just stop there. It’s essential to continue promoting your book series once it’s released.

Maintain active communication with your readers by responding to their reviews and feedback, keep up with your social media presence, and cross-promote your series. And also, don’t forget to celebrate with friends and family!

A person holding their newly published book with a crowd celebrating in the background

And, that’s it! Follow these steps to successfully publish your book series. Best of luck with your series! 🤞