What should be in a self-publishing checklist?
- A complete checklist runs six phases in order.
- Editorial: developmental, line, copy edit, and proofread.
- Design: interior layout and cover for every format.
- Metadata: title, categories, keywords, description, ISBN.
- Distribution, launch, and post-launch QA finish the sequence.
A self-publishing checklist should run six phases in order: editorial (developmental, line, copy edit, proofread), design (interior layout and cover for each format), metadata (title, subtitle, categories, keywords, description, ISBN), distribution (retailer and aggregator setup), launch (preorder, ARCs, launch team, release day), and post-launch (QA, corrections, reviews). Each phase is a gate — finishing it before starting the next is what prevents the out-of-order mistakes that derail indie launches.
Chapter i·Why it matters
Self-publishing fails most often not from a missing skill but from a skipped or out-of-order step — formatting before the copy edit is final, setting metadata after launch, sending ARCs the week of release. A phased checklist makes the sequence explicit so nothing is forgotten and nothing runs early. It converts a sprawling, easy-to-botch process into an ordered list you can actually complete.
Chapter ii·What to include
- Editorial: developmental, line, copy edit, proofread.
- Design: interior layout and cover for each format.
- Metadata: title, subtitle, categories, keywords, description, ISBN.
- Distribution: retailer and aggregator accounts and uploads.
- Launch: preorder, ARCs, launch team, release-day tasks.
- Post-launch: QA, corrections, reviews, and reporting.
Chapter iii·Example
A first-time self-publisher works a six-phase checklist top to bottom. She does not touch interior layout until the proofread is done, does not set up retailers until the files and metadata are final, and does not consider launch until distribution is live. Because each phase gated the next, she never has to redo work — the layout matches the final text, and the listing matches the final files.
Chapter iv·Related questions
WriteLoom's Sell studio lays out the full six-phase self-publishing checklist and gates each phase, so you work the steps in the right order.
Get the checklist