The Sacred Scribes Publishing Companion

Self-editing works best in passes, not one read-through trying to catch everything at once. Use this checklist to track where you are, and use the notes area for anything you want to remember or come back to.

Three to five beta readers is the sweet spot, more than that creates conflicting feedback that's hard to act on. Choose people who read in this genre and would genuinely benefit from the book, not just people who'll say nice things. When you brief them, give specific questions rather than an open "what did you think?" Some to consider: What was your overall experience? Was there anywhere you felt confused or wanted to stop reading? What resonated most? Did the book deliver on what the intro promised?

Most first-time authors don't need a developmental editor. For most books, self-editing plus AI-assisted editing, using Claude or ChatGPT the way this course teaches, plus a tool like Grammarly or ProWritingAid, produces a manuscript that's genuinely ready to publish. If your book carries channeled or transmission-style content, that's one more reason to be intentional here, heavy developmental editing can sometimes work against the energy of what came through. If you do want a professional pass, a proofreader ($100-$400) is the most practical investment for most first books, copyediting ($300-$1,000) is worth it if grammar isn't a natural strength, and developmental or structural editing ($1,000+) is really only worth considering if beta readers consistently flag confusion that self-editing hasn't resolved. If you decide to hire someone, track the details here.

This is the last line of defense before the manuscript becomes a formatted product. Complete every item before moving into formatting.

Your trim size affects the KDP template you'll download in the next step, so decide this first. The most common sizes for spiritual nonfiction:

• 6 x 9 inches — the standard for most nonfiction, feels substantial and professional
• 5.5 x 8.5 inches — slightly smaller, feels more personal and intimate, popular for shorter books
• 5 x 8 inches — compact and accessible, good for books under 150 pages

There's no single right answer, the best tool is the one that gets used. A practical approach many authors take: format the print interior in Word using a free KDP template, then use Reedsy or Draft2Digital to generate a cleaner ebook file.

• Word or Google Docs + KDP Template — free, most control, best for print, Google Docs has more limitations for headers and footers
• Reedsy — free, best all-around tool for both print and ebook
• Kindle Create — free, best specifically for Kindle ebook and Amazon-optimized results, more limited for print
• Draft2Digital — free, generates a clean EPUB, good if you also want wide ebook distribution

This is the order everything goes in, from the very first page to the start of Chapter 1. The only truly required elements are the title page and copyright page, everything else is optional and worth including if it genuinely serves the reader.

A connect with me page and about the author page are strongly recommended for every soul-led author, since these are the pages that carry the relationship forward past the last chapter.

KDP requires the interior as a PDF, not a Word doc, so this is the last step before it's ready to upload. Work through this before exporting.

This section isn't required, but filling it out gives you a complete brief you can hand to a DesignCrowd project, a freelancer on Fiverr or Upwork, or simply reference yourself while designing in Canva. The more specific you are here, the better any designer, including a future AI tool, can translate your vision into an actual cover.

Before designing anything, gather 3-5 book covers in your genre that feel aligned, these become your reference images. And remember the thumbnail test: readers discover books on Amazon at roughly the size of a postage stamp, so a cover only works if it's still readable and striking that small.

If DIY: Canva is genuinely competitive with a professional cover when done with real customization, strong typography, and the thumbnail test, no need for Photoshop unless you already use it. If hiring: DesignCrowd, Fiverr, 99designs, and Upwork are all workable options at different price points. Before work begins, confirm what you'll receive: a print-ready PDF (full wrap with correct bleed), an ebook JPEG (at least 1600 x 2560 px), and the source design file, and agree on how many revision rounds are included.

Four elements make a description work: the hook (a first line that creates instant recognition, not a summary), the transformation (specific, not vague phrases like "unlock your potential"), genre cues (language your soul reader actually uses), and a warm call to action. Amazon supports basic HTML, bold your key promise near the top and use paragraph breaks so it's scannable rather than one dense block.

Same four elements as the description, but tighter: hook (1-2 sentences), transformation (2-3 sentences), who it's for (1 sentence), call to action (1 sentence). Read it aloud before finalizing, if it sounds promotional rather than true to your voice, rewrite it.

Every strong bio has three elements: credibility (what qualifies you, lived experience counts as much as formal credentials), relatability (a human detail that makes you feel real, not just a name on a spine), and alignment (the bio's tone should match the book's tone). Written in third person for both versions.

This is a one-time setup, roughly 30-60 minutes, done at kdp.amazon.com. Do it fully before uploading anything, KDP withholds royalties until tax information is submitted.

Copyright is automatic the moment you write the book, no registration required for it to exist. Formal registration with the US Copyright Office (copyright.gov, $45-$65, processing takes 6 months to a year) adds legal protections and is worth considering for a flagship book, but isn't required for most first books.

The paperback and ebook are set up as separate titles in KDP, then linked to appear together on one Amazon page. Each needs its own upload.

Paperback royalty formula: (List Price × 60%) minus Printing Cost, the KDP royalty calculator shows your exact printing cost once you enter trim size and page count. Ebook royalty: 70% for books priced $2.99-$9.99 (minus a small delivery fee based on file size), or 35% outside that range, so staying in the $2.99-$9.99 window is almost always the right call. Standard paperback pricing by length: under 150 pages, $12.99-$15.99; 150-250 pages, $14.99-$18.99; over 250 pages, $17.99-$24.99. Ebooks typically run $6.99-$9.99, and should be priced lower than the paperback since there's no printing cost.

The screen previewer is good but not the same as holding the physical book. Order one before going live, common surprises include font and color shifts, tight margins, and spine text alignment.

KDP allows the ebook to be listed as a pre-order, which counts toward your bestseller push on launch day. Paperbacks can't be pre-ordered, plan for the paperback to go live 1-2 days before your official launch date so it's visible by then. The full week-by-week countdown lives in your Launch Plan tab, this is just the key dates.

IngramSpark is what makes your book returnable, and returnability is what makes bookstores, libraries, and Barnes & Noble willing to stock or order it. You'll need a purchased ISBN, the free KDP one can't be used here, plus the same interior and cover PDFs used for KDP.

Both use the file you've already uploaded, no recording equipment or fluency in another language required. Recommended order: audiobook first, then translation, since translation needs more review time.

Both are free, set-once-and-maintain profiles that significantly improve your book's discoverability.

Everything else in this tab depends on these being in place first.

Aim for 30 or more people, at 50% participation that's real momentum, at 15 people even full participation is limited. Launch team members commit to reading, reviewing, and purchasing at $0.99 to generate a verified review; ARC readers focus mainly on reading and reviewing. In practice, for most authors the two roles overlap.

This is the one place every email, post, and launch team promo points toward, and it needs to be live before any of that goes out. At minimum: cover image, a headline capturing the book's core promise, purchase buttons for every format, the description, an author bio, and an email opt-in. Options: WordPress + OptimizePress (full control, more setup), Leadpages ($37-$74/mo, easiest to set up), Wix (if you already have one), or GoHighLevel (if you want everything consolidated).

This is the actual sequence from the course. Fill in the date each piece happens, or notes on where it stands.

The first ten reviews are the hardest and most important. Off-limits: compensation for reviews, asking only people who loved it, or family reviewing it. Fine: asking anyone who's read it, everywhere.

Not every city is equally receptive to soul-led content, that's not a failure of the book, it's about finding the right rooms. Barnes & Noble requires IngramSpark returnability to even consider stocking or hosting you, and often doesn't respond regardless. Independent bookstores, yoga studios, crystal shops, wellness centers, spiritual centers, and libraries tend to be far more open, many take books on consignment or host free author talks.

List your top three target categories, these can be the same ones from Tab 1 or different ones chosen specifically because they're winnable for a bestseller push. For each, find the link to that category's actual Kindle Bestsellers page (visit Amazon, navigate to Kindle Store Bestsellers, click into the specific category, and copy that page's URL), having it ready means you can check your live rank instantly on launch day instead of hunting for it.

Every pre-order sale counts toward your first-day ranking push, the more pre-orders you generate before launch, the bigger your launch day push will be. This is one of the most important levers you have before launch day even arrives.

The first three days are typically your biggest push window if you don't reach #1 on day one. Track your highest rank reached each day in each target category. The moment you hit #1 in any category, take a screenshot immediately, that's your proof of bestseller status. If you reach #1 in more than one category, screenshot each one separately.

This is the specific sequence for launch day itself.

Most book marketing happens in the first two weeks and then stops. Evergreen marketing is the alternative, a slow sustained set of activities instead of a burst. Your back matter and Amazon metadata are already working quietly every time someone finishes the book, this section is about the handful of ongoing activities that keep momentum alive without burning you out.

This is the long game, the email list, the social presence, and the visibility that compound over time and outlast any single launch.

There's no formula here, what's aligned is the right starting point, not what looks most logical on paper. If you're already running a soul-led business, the book adds a new dimension: a credential, a doorway to higher pricing, a way to reach new people. If you're starting fresh, the book is your foundation, from there the natural next step is community, coaching, a course, or some combination over time.

A published book is a credential that opens doors nothing else can, podcast hosts and event organizers actively look for authors to feature. Before pitching, have ready: a professional headshot, a short bio, three to five suggested topics with a short description each, and your book cover and Amazon link.

A simple way to keep momentum without overcommitting.

Before moving into whatever comes next, it's worth pausing here. You came into this course with a manuscript, an idea, or a dream, and you're leaving it as a published author. That's not a small thing.