How to Publish a Book in New Zealand
If you've written a book, one of the first questions you'll probably ask is:
"How do I publish a book in New Zealand?"
The answer isn't always straightforward.
There are several different ways to publish a book, and the right option depends on your goals, your budget, your timeline, and what you hope to achieve.
At Mary Egan Publishing, we've spent decades helping authors bring their books to life. We've worked on everything from memoirs and company histories to children's books, novels, cookbooks and coffee-table books. While every project is different, there are some common themes that apply to almost every author embarking on the publishing journey.
Start With the End in Mind
Before you think about publishers, printers, editors or book launches, take a step back and ask yourself a few important questions:
Who is the book for?
How will you reach those readers?
Is the book primarily for friends and family, or do you hope to sell it more widely?
Do you already have a network that might support the book?
What does success look like to you?
This might sound backwards, but the most successful books are often planned from the end rather than the beginning.
A book, no matter how well written, won't sell itself.
The reality is that publishing is a competitive industry. Every year thousands of books compete for attention from readers, booksellers, reviewers and the media. Understanding your audience and how you'll reach them is just as important as writing the manuscript itself.
Is Your Manuscript Ready?
One of the biggest mistakes first-time authors make is rushing into publication before the manuscript is truly ready.
Finishing a manuscript is a huge achievement, but it's rarely the end of the writing process.
Before spending money on editing, design or printing, we strongly recommend investing in a professional manuscript assessment.
A manuscript assessor will provide independent feedback on what's working, what isn't, and where improvements could be made. Think of it as a health check for your book.
A good manuscript assessment can save authors thousands of dollars and months of frustration by identifying problems early in the process.
Even authors who eventually secure traditional publishing deals often start with an assessment.
The Different Ways to Publish a Book in New Zealand
Traditional Publishing
Traditional publishing is what most people think of when they imagine becoming an author.
Large trade publishers such as Penguin Random House, Allen & Unwin and Hachette invest in books they believe have strong commercial potential. They cover the costs of editing, design, production, printing, distribution and marketing, and pay the author royalties on sales.
The obvious advantage is that the publisher takes on the financial risk.
The challenge is that traditional publishing is extremely competitive. Publishers receive far more submissions than they can publish, and many no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts.
For every book accepted, many others are declined.
Independent Publishing
Independent publishing sits somewhere between traditional publishing and DIY self-publishing.
This is the model we use at Mary Egan Publishing.
Authors invest in the professional production of their book while retaining ownership of their copyright and keeping the profits from sales.
The book still goes through the same professional publishing process used by commercial publishers, including editing, design, proofreading, printing, publicity and distribution.
For many authors, independent publishing provides the best balance between creative control, ownership and professional support.
DIY Self-Publishing
Some authors choose to manage every aspect of the process themselves, using platforms such as Amazon KDP or other print-on-demand services.
This can be a cost-effective option for books intended primarily for family and friends, or for authors comfortable managing editing, design, production and marketing themselves.
However, producing a book that can compete alongside professionally published titles requires considerable expertise and experience.
The Publishing Process
Regardless of how you choose to publish, professionally produced books generally follow the same production process.
Manuscript Assessment
Independent feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript.
Copy-Editing
A copy-editor reviews the manuscript for clarity, consistency, grammar, spelling, punctuation and readability.
This is one of the most important stages in the entire process and should never be skipped.
Design and Typesetting
Good book design is often invisible.
A professional designer carefully considers typography, spacing, margins, chapter openings and page layouts to create a seamless reading experience.
Whether readers realise it or not, good design makes a book easier and more enjoyable to read.
Proofreading
Once the book has been designed and laid out, a proofreader reviews the finished pages and catches any remaining errors.
Even the best manuscripts benefit from a fresh pair of eyes at this stage.
Cover Design
Like it or not, readers absolutely judge books by their covers.
Your cover is often your most important marketing tool.
A strong cover immediately communicates genre, tone and quality while helping your book stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Printing
Authors today generally choose between printing locally in New Zealand or overseas.
New Zealand printing offers shorter turnaround times and simpler logistics.
Overseas printing, particularly in China, often provides higher production quality, more binding options and lower unit costs on larger print runs.
The best option depends on the book, the budget and the quantity required.
How Many Copies Should You Print?
This is one of the most common questions we receive, and unfortunately there's no universal answer.
Every book is different.
Some books sell a few hundred copies. Others sell several thousand.
The key is understanding your audience and being realistic about how many people are likely to buy the book.
We've seen niche books significantly outperform expectations because the author understood their audience and worked hard to reach them. We've also seen excellent books struggle because the author assumed readers would somehow discover them on their own.
Distribution and Publicity Matter
Publishing a book and selling a book are two very different things.
A professionally produced book still needs readers.
Distribution makes the book available through bookstores and online retailers. Publicity helps people discover it.
Book launches, media coverage, reviews, social media, speaking engagements, community groups, industry organisations and personal networks can all play an important role in helping a book reach its audience.
One of the biggest misconceptions in publishing is that the publisher does all the marketing.
In reality, the most successful books are almost always supported by authors who actively promote their work and engage with readers.
Final Thoughts
Publishing a book is a significant investment of time, money and energy.
Whether you're pursuing a traditional publishing deal, exploring independent publishing, or considering a self-publishing route, the most important thing is understanding the process before you begin.
Invest in professional advice.
Take the time to understand your audience.
Don't cut corners on editing, design or proofreading.
And remember that publishing a book is only the first step. Helping readers discover it is where the real work begins.
If you're considering publishing a book and would like to discuss your options, we'd love to hear from you. Our team has helped hundreds of authors navigate the publishing process, and we're always happy to point people in the right direction.