Step-by-Step Guideline to Christian Book Publishing (Free Essential Checklist Included)

This post is all about Christian book publishing

Are you looking for self-publishing information or Christian book publishing in general? Then this post is precisely for you! I wrote a blog post titled: 4 Lessons I Learned re: Publishing a Christian book! And it was well-received.

Since numerous people are curious about the steps to self-publishing, I created a free self-publishing checklist that you will find at the end of this blog post.

But first, I want to go over a couple of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).

Ready? Let’s go….

Christian books that need to be written

Wondering what Christian book to write? Well…if God is instructing you to write one, then it’s already in you. It’s in your Spirit. I believe you need to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and write it out as the Spirit leads.

I authored the book: Made of Still, and as one of the layout designers said, it was “unique.” Did I come up with the book concept? No! I just followed the instruction of the Lord.

So, if you are wondering what book needs to be written, my answer is simple- the one that is already in you.

You aren’t writing “just another book.” You are writing as a ministry, a book that will potentially set someone free. Someone is connected to the destiny of your book. So please don’t take it for granted and don’t feel overwhelmed. The book is already inside you.

How to publish a Christian book for free

People usually ask, “is it possible to publish a Christian Book for free?”.

Well, yes! It is 100% possible. Do I recommend it? Technically no, because I believe in collaborating with other people, i.e., Christian proofreaders. Why? To improve the overall quality of your book and for them to catch any errors, you might overlook.

This doesn’t mean that you will have to pay an astronomical amount. It just means that you are opting for the best possible price (next to free) without hurting your pocket. You can shop around and pick services that reasonably fit your budget.

So, my answer to publishing a Christian book for free or at a very reasonable price is Christian Self-publishing. The definition of Christian self-publishing is undertaking many responsibilities when publishing your book. You dictate your deadlines too! You control your budget and ultimately publish and launch your book.

The following are some costs you may have to anticipate when self-publishing:

-Book cover design.

-Book proofreading.

-Book layout and formatting.

Is traditional Christian publishing for me?

Traditional book publishing means that you are essentially working with a publishing house or a 3^rd party to release your book. They effectively manage everything for you.

The only downside is that traditional self-publishing is competitive, and sometimes it’s challenging to get a book deal. Why? Because some publishers don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts. So, in essence, some people feel that there is a red tape or “gatekeeper” element.

I had a friend who attempted to go through the traditional publishing route, and she told me she was quoted several thousand dollars for her book to be published. So that’s another downside, traditional book publishing can be expensive. If you don’t have the budget, self-publishing may be a better option for you. You can dictate and be in control of your budget. It takes a lot of hard work, but I’m living proof that it is doable!

Amazon KDP is a popular print-on-demand platform that most self-publishers use, and it requires NO upfront cost.  They subtract your printing costs from your royalties. So you don’t need to buy your books and sell them. Amazon KDP handles everything for you- from printing to shipping or e-delivering your book!

With that being said, I would love to work with a traditional Christian book publisher down the line. My next book concept is somewhat complex, and I may benefit from a book publisher once I get the green light to move forward from God.

If you are in that place where you want a team to work on your book, click here to get a list of traditional Christian publishers.

Do I need to take free Christian writing courses online?

If English isn’t your native language, you may feel a bit self-conscious when writing. For me, the reason why I got a proofreader is that I heavily write in British English and archaic British words or British slang that people may not understand. So, to date, I do depend on a spell checker to convert my writing to American English.

So, whether you are concerned about your English fluency or the technicalities of grammar, don’t worry! That’s why proofreaders are there.

Writing is a skill that can be challenging to master. Some people are naturally gifted and anointed in this area; others may need time to learn how to write.

So, I will say…You can take a free writing course online or read a book on how to improve your writing…. but… it’s not necessary!

Here is my caveat, though…. I don’t encourage anyone to read other published books when writing your own, especially if you want a refreshing and unique book idea. You don’t want to borrow an idea from someone else unconsciously.

How to write a Christian book pdf

The following Christian self-publishing essential checklist was the blueprint I followed in writing and releasing my book. I wrote my book in 15days and released it with neither a social media following nor an active social media presence.

This would have been the blueprint I wished someone had given me when I embarked on my journey. It would have helped my book process go so much more smoothly.

All you need to do is hit the “click to download” button.

And that’s it, folks, my Step-by-Step Guideline to Christian book publishing

I hope that you have been able to download the free essential checklist. It’s 28 pages of pure solid information. If you have any questions, please reach out to me.

Hugs,