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Perfect Bound: How to Navigate the Book Publishing Process Like a Pro
Gold Winner, 2014 Foreword Reviews' INDIEFAB Book of the Year AwardsSilver Winner, 2015 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards Know What to Expect When You Publish a Book! With a balanced treatment of fiction and nonfiction books as well as traditional and indie publishing, Katherine Pickett's collaborative and down-to-earth approach to the book publishing process makes Perfect Bound the ideal book publishing guide for new authors. Determine your Assess your strengths and weaknesses to find the publishing path that's right for you
Build your publishing Discover best practices for finding and working with editors and other publishing pros
Learn from the Get inside tips, advice, and real-life stories from the author and 11 Roadside Assistants--publishing professionals and other successful authors ready to help you succeed
Avoid the Identify and overcome some of the biggest mistakes new authors make
Prepare for Take steps today to create a high-quality and highly marketable book
Build your publishing Discover best practices for finding and working with editors and other publishing pros
Learn from the Get inside tips, advice, and real-life stories from the author and 11 Roadside Assistants--publishing professionals and other successful authors ready to help you succeed
Avoid the Identify and overcome some of the biggest mistakes new authors make
Prepare for Take steps today to create a high-quality and highly marketable book
- GenresWriting
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2014
6 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Pickett
8 books13 followersKatherine Pickett is the owner of POP Editorial Services, LLC (www.POPediting.net), and the author of PERFECT BOUND: Navigate the Book Publishing Process Like a Pro, Revised Edition. Her debut novel, DEBRA LEE WON'T BREAK, published in May 2025.
Katherine offers editing and coaching services to authors and publishers across the country. She has been involved in the publishing industry since 1999, including five years as an in-house production editor with McGraw-Hill in Chicago and two years with Elsevier Inc. in St. Louis.
Throughout her career Katherine has edited more than 300 titles, including nonfiction trade books; fiction; memoirs; academic books and journals; and corporate reports. She is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, the Maryland Writers’ Association, and the Authors Guild. You can find her blog at www.thePOPnewsletter.com. She lives in Silver Spring, MD, with her handsome and strong husband, Chris, and their two awe-inspiring daughters.
Katherine offers editing and coaching services to authors and publishers across the country. She has been involved in the publishing industry since 1999, including five years as an in-house production editor with McGraw-Hill in Chicago and two years with Elsevier Inc. in St. Louis.
Throughout her career Katherine has edited more than 300 titles, including nonfiction trade books; fiction; memoirs; academic books and journals; and corporate reports. She is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, the Maryland Writers’ Association, and the Authors Guild. You can find her blog at www.thePOPnewsletter.com. She lives in Silver Spring, MD, with her handsome and strong husband, Chris, and their two awe-inspiring daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 6, 2015
One thing Ms. Pickett makes clear from the get-go is that a writer is no longer just a writer. A writer is also a business manager, a marketer, a publicist, and an administrator. Regardless of which avenue to publication an author chooses, traditional publishing or self-publishing, it takes an incredible amount of work to usher a book through the publishing process.
Luckily, Pickett does an excellent job of outlining the steps. She takes you from the decision of which path to publication might be best suited for you (see her quiz on this choice in chapter one), all the way to holding a printed copy of your books in your hands and then marketing that book successfully.
In the book, she recommends that you read it through while you are in the middle of writing your manuscript, and I agree. If you have all of her ideas and steps in mind while you write, they will inform how you attack the post-writing steps.
One of my favorite aspects of the book are what Pickett terms potholes. These are the common mistakes writers tend to make and ones that she has already foreseen and details in the book. Then, she goes a step further and offers solutions and detours around the potholes so you can proceed without getting stuck on some of these common errors.
In addition to providing a wealth of information on the process, Pickett also asks the right questions. As I read the book, I was constantly surprised by the insightful questions she posed of the reader. Because of her questions, I frequently put the book down to make copious notes on how I will amend my own process for my next book.
The book mentions the funds involved in bringing a book to publication; however, one aspect it does not cover is crowdfunding. Pickett states that an author will need 5,000 to 10,000 dollars to self-publish a book. Yet, many people are turning to some of the better-known crowdfunding methods to finance these projects. Perhaps, she will take her formidable skills at detailing and presenting information and address this in a future edition of the book.
I recommend this book to anyone who needs an excellent resource on the many steps to publication. I will make liberal use of the information in the book for all of my future writing projects and will recommend it to all the writers I know.
Luckily, Pickett does an excellent job of outlining the steps. She takes you from the decision of which path to publication might be best suited for you (see her quiz on this choice in chapter one), all the way to holding a printed copy of your books in your hands and then marketing that book successfully.
In the book, she recommends that you read it through while you are in the middle of writing your manuscript, and I agree. If you have all of her ideas and steps in mind while you write, they will inform how you attack the post-writing steps.
One of my favorite aspects of the book are what Pickett terms potholes. These are the common mistakes writers tend to make and ones that she has already foreseen and details in the book. Then, she goes a step further and offers solutions and detours around the potholes so you can proceed without getting stuck on some of these common errors.
In addition to providing a wealth of information on the process, Pickett also asks the right questions. As I read the book, I was constantly surprised by the insightful questions she posed of the reader. Because of her questions, I frequently put the book down to make copious notes on how I will amend my own process for my next book.
The book mentions the funds involved in bringing a book to publication; however, one aspect it does not cover is crowdfunding. Pickett states that an author will need 5,000 to 10,000 dollars to self-publish a book. Yet, many people are turning to some of the better-known crowdfunding methods to finance these projects. Perhaps, she will take her formidable skills at detailing and presenting information and address this in a future edition of the book.
I recommend this book to anyone who needs an excellent resource on the many steps to publication. I will make liberal use of the information in the book for all of my future writing projects and will recommend it to all the writers I know.
September 14, 2014
Excellent book. I had the chance to meet this author at a book signing and she was lovely - very informed and genuinely wants to help authors succeed. Thank you, Katherine!
May 4, 2015
If you have a book you're planning to publish, this excellent guide is a must-have. It includes important information for fiction and nonfiction authors.
It covers a variety of topics, from idea to sales, with outside/expert advice along the way in the fantastic "Roadside Assistant" sections.
A bonus is how clear and engaging the writing is. It really doesn't read like a reference book.
Even if you're considering traditional publishing, this book has plenty of useful tips and information. If you'd like to come to the table with better knowledge (and more professionalism/respect because of it), this book is for you.
I highly recommend this book.
It covers a variety of topics, from idea to sales, with outside/expert advice along the way in the fantastic "Roadside Assistant" sections.
A bonus is how clear and engaging the writing is. It really doesn't read like a reference book.
Even if you're considering traditional publishing, this book has plenty of useful tips and information. If you'd like to come to the table with better knowledge (and more professionalism/respect because of it), this book is for you.
I highly recommend this book.
October 2, 2025
If you are writing a book, or even thinking about writing a book, this is a must read! I wish I had it when I first started writing my memoir. This book takes all the mystery out of publishing, editing, design, and marketing a book. Whether you are going with a publisher or self-publishing, you will find every chapter helpful in the process of writing a book. This book has won two book of the year awards. It’s that good.
The chapter “Choosing Your Route to Publication” shares the good and bad of publishing houses and the promises and perils of self-publishing. The author goes into the ins and outs of hiring an agent, or going it alone as a self-publisher. She gives a very through explanation of manuscript development, copyediting, design and layout and the final proofreading. There is so many options for printing and distributing your book. She guides you through the process and provides questions you should ask before you make a printing decision. And last, but not least, she reminds the author that they must market their book, by getting used to self promotion.
I especially liked the “Avoiding Pothole” in each chapter. She reminds the reader of those ‘potholes’ that can disrupt the writing and publishing process and how to avoid them.
I highly recommend this book to all first time authors. It will guide you in the right direction and save you a lot of time.
The chapter “Choosing Your Route to Publication” shares the good and bad of publishing houses and the promises and perils of self-publishing. The author goes into the ins and outs of hiring an agent, or going it alone as a self-publisher. She gives a very through explanation of manuscript development, copyediting, design and layout and the final proofreading. There is so many options for printing and distributing your book. She guides you through the process and provides questions you should ask before you make a printing decision. And last, but not least, she reminds the author that they must market their book, by getting used to self promotion.
I especially liked the “Avoiding Pothole” in each chapter. She reminds the reader of those ‘potholes’ that can disrupt the writing and publishing process and how to avoid them.
I highly recommend this book to all first time authors. It will guide you in the right direction and save you a lot of time.
November 20, 2024
I’d always wondered why so many people are named in book acknowledgements; now I know. I thought this would help me figure out what to do with the books I’ve written but I’m more confused than ever, with five different types of editors in the process, plus designers and proofreaders. There’s a lot of information included, but it left me feeling completely out of my depth. I’m feeling the need to reread it to see if I can make more sense of the steps I need to take.
October 19, 2022
Excellent and Entertaining
Katherine Pickett shows her expertise in a variety of relevant topics. As a new writer, her book proved very enlightening. I appreciate the many interviews she shared with professionals in the different aspects of the book publishing business.
Katherine Pickett shows her expertise in a variety of relevant topics. As a new writer, her book proved very enlightening. I appreciate the many interviews she shared with professionals in the different aspects of the book publishing business.
April 23, 2018
Very helpful for those trying to decide which publishing route to pursue.
October 14, 2016
This was just what I needed at this moment: a comprehensive overview of the book publishing process, from conception to printing to post-release marketing. There were several tidbits, particularly about e-publishing, that were entirely new to me and very helpful. I have feeling I will be referring back to this in the future.
April 16, 2015
I don’t simply recommend Perfect Bound to my editing clients: I purchase copies for them.
Pickett’s very first chapter helps writers determine which path to publication, traditional or indie, will best suit them. The publication industry has changed so very much, so very quickly, that established, best-selling authors often wrestle with this question as much as newly-fledged ones.
Each chapter thereafter details a stage of the publication process—acquisitions, manuscript development, book design, marketing—from both traditional-publishing and indie perspectives. Here Pickett distills the lessons of fifteen years as an industry insider down into just a few hundred short pages, anticipating and answering writers’ questions about each stage and, what’s more, offering concrete, practical advice to help them avoid common pitfalls.
At the time of this review, Pickett’s information is up-to-the-minute. Which social media platforms are best for promotion? Which publication professionals are trustworthy? Is there a website listing currently-available agents? Perfect Bound has those answers and more.My one qualm with Perfect Bound is that it will need to be revised often to ensure that it is as indispensable a resource five years from now as it is today.
Today? Today I believe so firmly that Perfect Bound belongs on my clients’ bookshelves that I put it there.
Pickett’s very first chapter helps writers determine which path to publication, traditional or indie, will best suit them. The publication industry has changed so very much, so very quickly, that established, best-selling authors often wrestle with this question as much as newly-fledged ones.
Each chapter thereafter details a stage of the publication process—acquisitions, manuscript development, book design, marketing—from both traditional-publishing and indie perspectives. Here Pickett distills the lessons of fifteen years as an industry insider down into just a few hundred short pages, anticipating and answering writers’ questions about each stage and, what’s more, offering concrete, practical advice to help them avoid common pitfalls.
At the time of this review, Pickett’s information is up-to-the-minute. Which social media platforms are best for promotion? Which publication professionals are trustworthy? Is there a website listing currently-available agents? Perfect Bound has those answers and more.My one qualm with Perfect Bound is that it will need to be revised often to ensure that it is as indispensable a resource five years from now as it is today.
Today? Today I believe so firmly that Perfect Bound belongs on my clients’ bookshelves that I put it there.
June 15, 2016
I must admit to having some dismay over this book. Frankly, what I would really like to do is to just write. However, this book exposes the complicated path towards publication and its pitfalls. It is all a bit overwhelming for me, especially the need to promote the finished work and all of the layers of editing.
I do think the book could be improved a bit with some rather simple flowcharts showing the sequence of things that one must do to publish. The book also seems a bit lopsided towards non-fiction. However, the author seems honest and knowledgeable. She does not advocate shortcuts, but instead insists that every level of editing is crucial. At first, I wondered whether this had to do the prejudices of her own career as an editor, but she makes the case very strongly. Unfortunately, for me, this would seem to make the process of self-publishing extremely costly (given my meager income), and it seems as though avenues of traditional publication are quite difficult to obtain. So, I am a bit bummed out. However, I am glad that I didn't read some fluffy author instead who would claim that it is all easy and fun.
I think that this book will make an excellent reference as I attempt to go through the process.
I do think the book could be improved a bit with some rather simple flowcharts showing the sequence of things that one must do to publish. The book also seems a bit lopsided towards non-fiction. However, the author seems honest and knowledgeable. She does not advocate shortcuts, but instead insists that every level of editing is crucial. At first, I wondered whether this had to do the prejudices of her own career as an editor, but she makes the case very strongly. Unfortunately, for me, this would seem to make the process of self-publishing extremely costly (given my meager income), and it seems as though avenues of traditional publication are quite difficult to obtain. So, I am a bit bummed out. However, I am glad that I didn't read some fluffy author instead who would claim that it is all easy and fun.
I think that this book will make an excellent reference as I attempt to go through the process.
April 14, 2015
Perfect Bound is aimed primarily at writers who are navigating book publishing, both traditional and DIY. Chapter 1 covers the different book-publishing routes and includes a set of questions to help readers choose the best route for them.
If you’re unfamiliar with either publishing process, this book can give you a nice overview, along with some helpful resources, such as which print-on-demand publishers to trust and which to stay away from. It also can help you understand what happens after copyediting, which will allow you to prepare files better for the next person in the process.
Read my full review on Copyediting: http://www.copyediting.com/perfect-bound-understanding-publishing-process.
If you’re unfamiliar with either publishing process, this book can give you a nice overview, along with some helpful resources, such as which print-on-demand publishers to trust and which to stay away from. It also can help you understand what happens after copyediting, which will allow you to prepare files better for the next person in the process.
Read my full review on Copyediting: http://www.copyediting.com/perfect-bound-understanding-publishing-process.
September 20, 2014
Katherine Pickett writes as an insider of both the traditional and self-publishing worlds and manages to cover almost all the bases without being overwhelming. This is packed with information and valuable tips gleaned from years of working in the publishing business. I like the focused and personable but not too chatty writing style. Interviews with publishers, editors, book designers, and a well-known book marketer add even more insight to Katherine’s expert knowledge of all aspects of publishing. Excellent guide.
January 4, 2015
*** received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads***
the book is great and I loved the topic!
the book is great and I loved the topic!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews