From Finished Manuscript to Published Book

A first-time author’s guide to beta readers, literary agents and ISBNs

If this is your first book, the publishing process can seem confusing because there are several different routes you can take — and some of the things you may eventually need to do should not be done yet.

The most important thing to understand is this:

You do not need an ISBN in order to finish your manuscript, send it to beta readers or approach literary agents.

In fact, if you are hoping to find a traditional publisher, there is no reason to buy ISBNs at this stage.

Think of the process as a series of stages.

1. FINISH THE MANUSCRIPT

Your first priority is the book itself.

Before worrying about publishing platforms, ISBNs, cover design or audiobook production, you need to get the manuscript as good as you can make it.

This means:

• completing the manuscript;
• reading it critically from beginning to end;
• checking its structure, pacing and consistency;
• making your own revisions;
• checking the beginning particularly carefully;
• and making sure you understand what the book is trying to do.

Don’t worry yet about making it look like a published book.

You are writing a manuscript, not manufacturing a book.

2. SEND IT TO BETA READERS

Once you have a reasonably mature manuscript, you can ask selected readers to read it as beta readers.

A beta reader is not necessarily an editor. You are asking for a reader’s response to the book rather than a line-by-line correction.

Useful questions include:

• Where did you become particularly interested?
• Where did your attention wander?
• Were there places where you became confused?
• Did any character behave in a way that didn’t make sense?
• Did the ending feel earned?
• Were there sections you wanted to skip?
• What stayed with you after you finished?

Don’t give a manuscript to twenty people simply because you can.

A handful of thoughtful readers who understand what you are trying to achieve can be much more useful than a large number of people offering contradictory opinions.

Remember:

Beta readers are part of the writing process, not the publishing process.

You do not need an ISBN before sending them your manuscript.

3. REVISE AFTER THE BETA READS

This is an important stage that first-time authors sometimes rush.

Don’t assume that every suggestion from a beta reader should be acted upon.

Instead, look for patterns.

If one reader says, “I didn’t understand why she did that”, you might disagree.

If four readers independently say the same thing, you probably need to investigate.

Use the feedback to identify problems you may have become too close to the manuscript to see.

Then revise.

You may go through several rounds of:

write → read → feedback → revise → read again

before you have the manuscript you want to submit.

4. THEN THINK ABOUT LITERARY AGENTS

If your aim is traditional publication, the next stage is usually to approach literary agents.

The agent is your potential representative to publishers.

You will normally need some combination of:

• a query/cover letter;
• a synopsis;
• sample chapters or the opening of the manuscript;
• a brief description of the book;
• information about you as an author.

The exact requirements vary from agent to agent, so always follow the individual agent’s submission guidelines.

At this stage you still do not need:

• an ISBN;
• an audiobook;
• a finished audiobook recording;
• a commercial book cover;
• a publishing company;
• an Amazon listing;
• a barcode;
• or a print-ready PDF.

You are submitting a manuscript for consideration, not putting a finished product on sale.

The Association of Authors’ Agents is a useful place to understand the professional role of literary agents and to find its member agencies.

5. WHAT HAPPENS IF AN AGENT WANTS THE BOOK?

If an agent offers representation, you have reached a completely different stage.

The agent may then help you:

• refine the manuscript;
• position the book for the market;
• identify suitable publishers;
• prepare it for submission to publishers;
• negotiate with publishers;
• and ultimately negotiate the publishing contract.

If a traditional publisher acquires the book, the publisher will normally deal with the ISBN and publication metadata.

So you do not want to spend money setting yourself up as a self-publisher before you know whether that route is necessary.

6. WHAT IF NO AGENT TAKES IT?

This is where you have a decision to make.

Rejection by agents does not automatically mean the book isn’t publishable.

There are many possible reasons for rejection, including:

• the agent already represents something similar;
• the market is difficult;
• the agent isn’t the right person for the book;
• the submission wasn’t quite right;
• the manuscript needs more work;
• or the agent simply doesn’t fall in love with it.

You can continue querying appropriate agents while also considering your alternatives.

One of those alternatives is self-publishing.

7. IF YOU CHOOSE SELF-PUBLISHING

Self-publishing is a completely legitimate publishing route, but it means that you become responsible for many of the things a traditional publisher would normally handle.

These may include:

• editing;
• proofreading;
• cover design;
• interior/typesetting;
• ebook preparation;
• printing;
• distribution;
• metadata;
• ISBNs;
• and potentially audiobook production.

This is the point at which ISBNs become relevant.

8. WHAT IS AN ISBN?

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.

It is a unique identifier for a particular book edition/product.

Think of it as the book trade’s identification number for your particular edition.

It is not:

• a copyright registration;
• a quality mark;
• proof that you wrote the book;
• or permission to publish.

The UK ISBN Agency confirms that an ISBN is a product identifier used by publishers, booksellers and libraries; it is not a legal requirement and does not provide copyright protection.

9. IF YOU SELF-PUBLISH, YOU WILL NEED TO THINK ABOUT ISBNs

For a UK self-publisher, ISBNs are obtained through the UK ISBN Agency, Nielsen.

urlNielsen ISBN Store – UK ISBN Agencyhttps://www.nielsenisbnstore.com/

If you are producing several different editions of the same book, each format is normally treated separately.

For example:

Nielsen specifically states that different formats, such as paperback and ebook, require different ISBNs when each is being assigned an ISBN.

In other words:

One title does not necessarily mean one ISBN.

The ISBN identifies the particular edition/product.

10. DON’T BUY ISBNs JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE WRITING A BOOK

This is the part I particularly want first-time authors to understand.

If you are currently:

writing → beta reading → revising → querying agents

you have no need to buy ISBNs yet.

Your manuscript does not need an ISBN.

Your beta readers don’t need an ISBN.

A literary agent doesn’t need an ISBN in order to consider your submission.

Buying ISBNs at this point simply means taking a publishing decision before you know which publishing route you are going to take.

11. WHAT ABOUT AMAZON?

If you eventually self-publish through Amazon KDP, you will encounter Amazon’s own identifiers, including the ASIN.

Don’t confuse an ASIN with an ISBN.

They are different systems.

Amazon confirms that an ASIN is its own product identifier, while an ISBN is the industry identifier for a book. Amazon also states that an ISBN is not required for KDP ebooks, whereas it is required for KDP paperback and hardcover publication unless the applicable KDP ISBN option is used.

If you buy and own your own ISBN, you can use that ISBN on KDP and, where appropriate, with other publishing services.

12. WHAT ABOUT THE AUDIOBOOK?

An audiobook is a separate format.

If you eventually produce one, it should be treated as a separate publication/product for ISBN purposes where an ISBN is being used.

But again:

You do not need to produce an audiobook now.

Don’t commission an audiobook simply because you have finished writing the manuscript.

First find out whether you are going down the traditional or self-publishing route.

13. WHAT ABOUT THE COVER?

The same principle applies.

If you are querying literary agents, you do not need to commission a professional commercial cover.

An agent is interested in the book and its potential, not whether you have already produced the finished package.

A traditional publisher may ultimately commission a completely different cover.

If you self-publish, however, the cover becomes your responsibility and you will need to think about professional design at the appropriate stage.

14. THE TWO POSSIBLE PATHS

At this point, it is useful to imagine the process as two roads.

ROUTE A: TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING

Write manuscript
↓
Beta readers
↓
Revise
↓
Prepare query package
↓
Query literary agents
↓
Agent representation
↓
Submission to publishers
↓
Publisher acquires book
↓
Publisher handles publication

Your ISBNs are not your immediate concern.

ROUTE B: SELF-PUBLISHING

Write manuscript
↓
Beta readers
↓
Revise
↓
Final editing/proofreading
↓
Decide to self-publish
↓
Choose publishing/imprint arrangements
↓
Obtain ISBNs
↓
Prepare paperback/ebook/audiobook editions
↓
Create metadata and distribution arrangements
↓
Publish

Here, ISBNs become part of the publishing preparation.

15. YOUR CHECKLIST RIGHT NOW

If you are currently preparing your first book, your immediate checklist is simply:

• Finish the manuscript.
• Read it critically yourself.
• Send it to a small number of carefully chosen beta readers.
• Consider their feedback.
• Revise the manuscript.
• Get the manuscript professionally edited if appropriate.
• Research suitable literary agents.
• Prepare your query letter and synopsis.
• Follow each agent’s submission requirements carefully.
• Begin querying.
• Do not buy ISBNs yet unless you have decided to self-publish.

THE GOLDEN RULE

Don’t do the publishing work before you’ve decided which publishing route you are taking.

At this stage, your job is not to manufacture a book.

Your job is to make the manuscript as good as it can possibly be.

The decisions about ISBNs, covers, printing, ebooks, audiobooks and distribution come later.

And if you eventually decide to self-publish, you can deal with those things systematically — one step at a time.

For now: write the book, test the book, revise the book, and then decide how you want the book to reach readers.

One final point

Use official sources and the submission guidelines of each individual literary agency rather than relying on generic internet advice. Publishing procedures and platform requirements can change, so check the current requirements when you reach each stage.

FURTHER READING:

ISBNs and self-publishing

• Nielsen UK & Ireland ISBN Agency — the official ISBN agency for the UK and Ireland. This is the place to go when you are actually ready to purchase ISBNs and learn about allocating them to your publications.
  Nielsen ISBN Agency
• Nielsen ISBN Store – FAQs for New Publishers — particularly useful for understanding what an ISBN is, when you need one, and why different formats require different ISBNs.
  Nielsen ISBN FAQs
• Nielsen BookData – Publishing and self-publishing information — guidance on buying and allocating ISBNs, barcodes and supplying publication information.
  Nielsen BookData – Publish

Literary agents

• Association of Authors’ Agents (AAA) — the professional body representing literary agencies in the UK. Its members’ directory is useful when researching legitimate agencies.
  Association of Authors’ Agents

Amazon and ISBNs

Amazon KDP: Get an ISBN — explains the ISBN options available when publishing through KDP.
Amazon KDP – Get an ISBN

Amazon KDP: What is an ISBN and Imprint Name? — useful if you eventually decide to self-publish through Kindle Direct Publishing. It explains the relationship between ISBNs, Amazon’s ASIN and your publisher/imprint.
Amazon KDP – ISBN and Imprint

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