There are so many details to cover when you are a new author. I’ve never found anywhere else which covers each and every detail of how to get started and walk you through each of the marketing stages.
When I needed my first ISBN I went to the library and asked a librarian how I could get one. They had no idea. Three hours of research on line and I finally found the one and only resource to get the ISBN.
At the time, in 2000, I was forced to get 10 for $200. Today you can buy one at a time for $30 and you can also get the barcode along with it for another $25. That is a great deal and will save a great deal of time.
Getting the book cover designed and a professional photo has to be a priority early on. It can take six to eight weeks to get a book cover designed.
Early copies need to be distributed to reviewers to make sure there are enough reviews to pick and choose from. Also radio producers need to get pre-press copies or at least a .pdf document to pre-arrange radio interviews.
It’s also important to set up speaking engagements early on so when the book is released there is a platform ready to launch.