How to Publish & Launch Your Book

Learn how to turn your manuscript into a professionally published book - without the confusion, costly mistakes or overwhelm.

You’ve finished your manuscript (or you’re getting close). But now come the BIG questions.

Do I need an editor?
How much should editing cost?
Where do I find a good cover designer?
What on earth is typesetting?
Do I need an ISBN?
Should I use Amazon KDP or IngramSpark?
How do I actually get my book into bookstores?
And when should I start planning my launch?

How to Publish & Launch Your Book is an online course that takes you through the publishing process, step by step, so you know exactly what needs to happen - and in what order.

No publishing jargon. No fluff. Just practical advice to help you publish your book properly.

Whether you're planning to DIY your publishing or bring in professionals along the way, this course will help you understand the entire process so you can make informed decisions about your book.

You'll learn:

The different publishing pathways and how to choose the right one
How to self-edit and prepare your manuscript for publication
The different types of professional editing and what your book actually needs
How to find and work with a good editor
What makes a professional, genre-appropriate book cover How to find and brief a cover designer
The basics of professional typesetting and book interiors ISBNs, print-on-demand and book pricing
Amazon KDP vs IngramSpark — and when to use each
How book distribution actually works
How to prepare and check your book before hitting publish
How to plan your book launch
How to create your own publishing timeline and roadmap

You'll get access to practical video lessons plus downloadable checklists, templates and planning tools you can use for your own book.

Work through the course at your own pace and come back to the lessons whenever you reach the next stage of your publishing journey. You'll also have the option to access professional editing, cover design, typesetting and publishing support through The Rural Publishing Company if you'd rather not tackle everything yourself.

There's no obligation to use our services - we'll show you what to do either way.

The Rural Publishing Company helps authors across Australia turn their manuscripts into professionally published books. From editing and design through to publishing, distribution and launch, we work alongside authors through the entire publishing journey — so we know what works, what doesn’t, and where authors commonly get stuck.

Founded by Sarah Walkerden (bestselling author and multi award-winning copywriter with 20+ years experience in websites, marketing and publishing) and husband, Toby Billing (historical expert, researcher, YouTuber, consultant).

We’ve taken the knowledge, tips, shortcuts and hard-earned lessons we use every day with our publishing clients and packed them into How to Write & Launch Your Book — giving you access to real publishing expertise at a fraction of the cost of having it all done for you.

No fluff. No confusing publishing jargon. Just practical, real-world guidance to help you finally publish your book.

Who is this course for?
This course is for authors who want to understand how to take their manuscript from finished draft to professionally published book.

It's particularly useful for first-time authors who are feeling overwhelmed by editing, cover design, typesetting, ISBNs, publishing platforms, distribution and launching their book.
Does my manuscript need to be finished?
Not necessarily.

You can join while you're still writing, but you'll get the most value from the practical parts of the course once your manuscript is finished or getting close to completion.
Is this only for self-published authors?
No. We explain the different publishing pathways at the beginning of the course so you can make an informed decision about what's right for you.

The majority of the course focuses on self-publishing and supported self-publishing, giving you the knowledge to manage the process yourself or bring in professional help where you need it.
What types of books does the course cover?
The course is suitable for authors of fiction, non-fiction, memoir and most other general book genres.

We'll also discuss where the publishing process differs for children's books and other specialised formats.
Do I have to do everything myself?
Absolutely not.

One of the main purposes of the course is to help you understand what you can reasonably DIY and what might be better handed over to a professional.

You can do the entire publishing process yourself, outsource individual stages, or use a supported publishing service. We'll help you understand your options.
Do I have to use The Rural Publishing Company's services?
No.

Our professional editing, cover design, typesetting and publishing services will be available if you'd like some help, but there's absolutely no obligation to use them.

We'll also teach you what to look for when choosing your own editors, designers and other publishing professionals.
Will you teach me how to use Amazon KDP and IngramSpark?
Yes. We'll explain the role of Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, how they differ, print-on-demand, distribution and the practical steps involved in getting your book published.

We'll also talk about what "global distribution" really means and the difference between your book being available to bookstores and actually being stocked by bookstores.
Will the course teach me how to market my book?
We'll cover the essentials of planning and launching your book, including your launch timeline, reviews, author platform, publicity and launch activities.

Long-term book marketing is a much bigger subject in its own right, so this course focuses primarily on getting your book successfully published and launched.
Is the course live or self-paced?
The Founding Member intake will be released progressively, with online lessons, practical resources and live Q&A opportunities.

You'll be able to work through the lessons in your own time rather than needing to be online for every lesson.
Why isn't the whole course available immediately?
You're joining the very first intake of How to Publish & Launch Your Book.

We're releasing the course progressively so our Founding Members can work through the publishing journey with us — and their questions and feedback can help us make the finished course even better.

That's also why Founding Members receive a significantly reduced price.
What do I get as a Founding Member?
You'll receive access to all course modules as they're released, downloadable templates, checklists and resources, live Q&A opportunities, plus ongoing access to the completed course.

You'll also receive any additional lessons or resources we add to the course as a result of the first intake.
How long will I have access to the course?
Founding Members will receive ongoing access to the completed course, so you don't need to rush through the material.

You can return to the relevant lessons as you reach each stage of publishing your book.
How much is the Founding Member price?
The Founding Member price is $297 AUD including GST.

The planned standard price for the completed course is $497 AUD including GST.

The Founding Member price is our way of thanking our first group of authors for coming on the journey with us while we roll out and refine the program.
Are there any additional costs involved in publishing my book?
Potentially, yes.

Your course fee covers the training and included resources. Depending on how you choose to publish, you may also decide to pay for services such as professional editing, cover design, typesetting, ISBNs, printing or other publishing services.

We'll explain these costs throughout the course so you can make informed decisions and create a realistic publishing budget.
Will you publish my book for me as part of the course?
No. This is a training course designed to teach you how the publishing process works and help you manage your own publishing journey.

If you decide you'd rather have professional help, The Rural Publishing Company also offers individual publishing services and complete supported self-publishing packages.
I'm completely new to publishing. Will I understand it?
Yes — that's exactly who we've created it for.

We don't expect you to know what an ISBN is, understand the difference between copyediting and proofreading, or have the faintest idea what IngramSpark does.

We'll take you through it step by step, without the publishing jargon and overwhelm.
What if I still have questions?
That's one of the advantages of joining the Founding Member intake.

You'll have opportunities to ask questions during our live Q&A sessions, particularly when you hit one of those inevitable "Okay… but what the bloody hell do I do here?" moments.

Be one of the first authors to join How to Publish & Launch Your Book.

Our first intake will begin in October (13th), with modules released progressively as we work through the publishing journey together.

Founding Members receive the complete course, downloadable resources, live Q&A opportunities and ongoing access to the finished program.

Founding Member Price: $297 inc. GST

Future price: $497 inc. GST

Founding Member pricing ends midnight, 11 October 2026. After that date, the $297 disappears.

P.S. While you wait for the course to start, you can gain access to the extra resources.

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