The Complete Self-Publishing Launch Checklist
Self-publishing a book involves more sequential steps than most new authors anticipate — and more interdependencies than experienced authors sometimes remember. ISBN decisions affect cover and platform choices. Page count affects spine width. Spine width affects cover files. Cover files must be correct before print proof, and print proofs must be approved before distribution goes live.
This checklist sequences every task from manuscript finalization through post-launch maintenance, in the order that avoids rework and minimizes delays. Use it for every title, new or returning — the sequence is the same.
Phase 1: Manuscript Finalization
Final developmental edit complete — structure, pacing, and story are locked
Line edit and copy edit complete — prose is clean, grammar and continuity are correct
Proofreading complete — final pass for typos, formatting errors, and missed corrections
Author review of final proofread manuscript complete — you have read and approved the final text
Final manuscript saved as a clean document with consistent formatting (consistent heading styles, paragraph breaks, no tracked changes)
Pronunciation guide created if any unusual names exist — needed for audiobook production
Phase 2: Title and Metadata Decisions
Make all metadata decisions before any production begins — changes later cause cascading rework.
Title and subtitle finalized — this is what goes on the cover and in every platform's title field
Series name finalized — use the identical string across every platform you publish on
Volume number confirmed for series titles
Author name / pen name confirmed — consistent across all platforms
Publisher/imprint name confirmed — appears on copyright page and in ISBN records
Publication date set — at least 90 days in advance for pre-order strategies; at least 30 days for standard launches
KDP Select decision made — this determines your distribution architecture and must be known before platform setup
BISAC category selection researched and confirmed — check your genre's top titles on retail platforms to validate category choices
Keywords researched — use Amazon autocomplete, Publisher Rocket, or comparable tools to identify target search phrases
Phase 3: ISBN Assignment
Assign ISBNs before any platform setup — platforms ask for ISBN during title creation.
ISBNs purchased from Bowker (US) or national ISBN agency if not already on file
Separate ISBN assigned for each format being published:
— Ebook ISBN assigned (optional on most platforms except Apple Books and Google Play, but recommended)
— Paperback ISBN assigned
— Hardcover ISBN assigned if publishing hardcover
— Audiobook ISBN assigned if producing audiobook
All ISBNs registered in Bowker's MyIdentifiers with complete title metadata (title, author, publisher, format, pub date, BISAC, description)
⚠ Register your ISBNs in Bowker before you publish — not after. Bookstore ordering systems and library catalogs pull ISBN records when fulfilling orders. An unregistered ISBN creates an incomplete trade record that makes your book effectively unfindable in professional ordering systems.
Phase 4: Cover Production
Cover production requires knowing your final page count and chosen trim sizes — it must happen after manuscript is final and page count is confirmed.
Trim size confirmed for each print format (paperback, hardcover) — this locks your interior formatting
Interior formatted to the confirmed trim size
Final page count from formatted interior document
Cover brief or design direction prepared for designer (or cover template selected if designing yourself)
Cover designed for ebook (6:9 portrait, minimum 2,400 × 3,600 px)
Square audiobook cover designed if producing audiobook (1:1, minimum 2,400 × 2,400 px)
KDP Print cover template downloaded using final page count, trim size, paper type
IngramSpark cover template downloaded separately (different spine width calculation)
BookVault cover template downloaded separately if using BookVault
Print cover(s) designed over correct platform template(s)
All covers reviewed for safety zone compliance — critical content inside safety zone lines
Barcode area on back cover clear for each platform's barcode placement
Phase 5: Interior File Production
Interior formatted in your chosen tool (Vellum, Atticus, InDesign, or Word)
Interior PDF exported at correct trim size with correct margins and gutter
All fonts embedded in the interior PDF
All images at 300 DPI minimum at final print size
Color mode correct: Grayscale for B&W interior, CMYK for color
Transparency flattened
Interior PDF page size verified against trim size (plus bleed if applicable)
Gutter meets platform minimum for your page count (see Print Formatting guide)
Phase 6: Ebook File Production
ePub file produced using Vellum, Atticus, or equivalent formatting tool
ePub validated with IDPF validator (validator.idpf.org) — zero errors
Functional table of contents verified — all chapter links resolve
Visual table of contents present (for nonfiction and longer fiction)
Front matter complete: title page, copyright page, dedication
Copyright page includes: copyright year, author name, publisher name, 'All rights reserved', ISBN if applicable
Back matter complete and optimized:
— Author note
— Also by the author list with Books2Read universal links (not platform-specific links)
— Series read-next with universal link to Book 2
— Newsletter sign-up link (reader magnet delivery URL)
— Review request with direct link to review page
Back matter links verified — all URLs live and correct
Kindle Previewer review complete for any KDP submission — formatting looks correct on Kindle devices
Phase 7: Platform Setup and Upload
Upload in this sequence: ebook platforms first, then print (which has longer review timelines), then aggregators.
Ebook Platforms (Direct Accounts)
Amazon KDP ebook: manuscript uploaded, Kindle Preview reviewed, categories and keywords entered, KDP Select decision applied, pricing set
Kobo Writing Life: ePub uploaded, BISAC category set, territory pricing confirmed, Kobo Plus enrollment decision made
Apple Books for Authors: ePub uploaded (passes quality review), ISBN entered, genres set, editorial submission considered
Barnes & Noble Press: ePub uploaded, metadata complete, pricing set
Google Play Books: ePub uploaded, ISBN entered, country-specific pricing configured
Print Platforms
Amazon KDP Print: interior PDF uploaded, cover PDF uploaded, preview reviewed, pricing set, Expanded Distribution decision made
IngramSpark: ISBN entered, interior PDF uploaded, cover PDF uploaded (IngramSpark template — not KDP's), wholesale discount set to 55%, returnability set, pricing configured
Physical proof copies ordered from both KDP Print and IngramSpark if using both
Proof copies received and reviewed — cover colors, text quality, binding, paper
Any file corrections made and re-uploaded if proof reveals problems
Print titles approved for distribution after proof approval
Ebook Aggregators
Draft2Digital: ePub uploaded, distribution channels configured (all direct platforms deselected, library channels enabled), back matter template configured, Books2Read universal links set up
PublishDrive: ePub uploaded, distribution channels configured (all direct platforms and D2D-handled channels deselected, Storytel/Bookmate/Dreame/Perlego enabled)
StreetLib: ePub uploaded, European retail channels enabled (La Feltrinelli, FNAC, Casa del Libro, etc.), overlapping channels deselected
Phase 8: Pre-Publication Preparation
Books2Read universal link created and verified — links to all retail platforms where the book is live
Amazon Author Central updated: book claimed under your author profile, author page current
Goodreads book listing added or claimed — series linked, description populated
Author website Books page updated with new title, cover, and description
Payhip product created for direct ebook sale (if using Payhip)
Shopify product created for direct ebook and/or print sale (if using Shopify)
Newsletter announcement email drafted
Social media announcement content prepared
Launch newsletter and promotional materials ready to send on publication day
ARC (advance review copy) distribution complete — readers have had time to read and post reviews
BookBub, Chirp, and other promotional applications submitted (with appropriate lead times)
Phase 9: Launch Day
Verify all platforms show the book as live before sending any promotional emails
Amazon listing live and Buy button functional
Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, B&N listings live
Payhip or Shopify direct purchase link working (test purchase completed)
Launch email sent to full email list
Social media posts published
Any coordinated promotional partner posts go live
Any paid newsletter features (BookBub, Freebooksy, etc.) delivering on schedule
⚠ Never send your launch email before verifying that your book is actually purchasable on every platform you're directing readers to. A launch email that sends readers to a page where the book isn't yet live wastes launch momentum and frustrates readers. Verify all links first.
Phase 10: Audiobook Production (if applicable)
Audiobook production runs in parallel with or after ebook/print publication — it does not need to be simultaneous.
ACX project created and audition post live (if using ACX for US/UK/Canada/Ireland)
Narrator selected and contract executed
Pronunciation guide sent to narrator
Chapter-by-chapter review completed with specific, timestamped correction notes
Final audio files reviewed against ACX/Findaway technical specs (RMS, peak, noise floor, CBR bitrate)
ACX: exclusive vs. non-exclusive distribution decision made
Findaway Voices: square cover uploaded, files uploaded, distribution channels configured, Chirp application submitted
Audiobook live on Audible/Amazon/Apple (via ACX) and Spotify/Hoopla/OverDrive/Libro.fm (via Findaway)
Phase 11: Post-Launch Maintenance
ScribeCount accounts connected for all platforms — royalties syncing into unified dashboard
First month sales data reviewed across all platforms — any platform showing anomalies investigated
Category ranking monitored — consider requesting additional categories through KDP support if rankings are strong
Reviews requested from email list 2–3 weeks after launch (giving readers time to finish the book)
Back matter links in ebook updated if any URLs change — re-upload revised ePub if necessary
Series read-next promotional strategy activated: series starter may be set to permafree or discounted on Kobo/Apple if it's Book 1 of an ongoing series
ScribeCount dashboard reviewed monthly — identify which platforms are growing, which are underperforming
ScribeCount is the operational infrastructure that makes a wide publishing strategy manageable. Connecting every platform account to ScribeCount — KDP, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, B&N, Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, ACX, Findaway, Payhip, Shopify, and others — creates the unified income view that replaces ten separate dashboards with one. Every launch adds to a growing multi-title, multi-platform catalog that ScribeCount tracks comprehensively.
The Sequence That Prevents Rework
The most expensive mistakes in self-publishing come from doing things out of order:
Designing the print cover before knowing the final page count — spine width is wrong, cover must be rebuilt
Uploading to IngramSpark before registering your ISBN in Bowker — incomplete trade record
Sending your launch email before verifying all platforms are live — wasted launch momentum
Setting up the audiobook distribution before deciding on ACX exclusivity — retroactive changes are painful
Uploading the same cover file to IngramSpark that you used for KDP — different spine widths cause rejection
This checklist sequences every step to avoid these errors. Save it, use it for every title, and check off each item before moving to the next phase.
Self-publishing a book is a production process with real interdependencies. The authors who execute it smoothly aren't doing anything fundamentally different from authors who hit constant problems — they're just doing the steps in the right order with the right preparation at each stage. This checklist is that order. Use it from your first title through your fiftieth — the sequence doesn't change even as the individual steps become second nature.
-Randall Wood