How to Republish Your Already Published Book?

Have you published a book before but want to republish it for some reason? Maybe you want to revise the content, add new information, or improve the cover design. Whatever your reasons are, republishing can be a daunting process, especially when it comes to legal matters such as ISBN and copyright. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to republish your already published book without any legal repercussions.

What Does It Mean to Republish a Book?

Republishing a book means releasing a new edition or version of a previously published book. It could involve adding new content, updating the design, or making corrections to the original text. The goal is to offer readers an improved version of the book that they can enjoy or learn from.

Do You Need to Reapply for an ISBN?

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number, a unique identifier assigned to each published book. If you want to republish your book with significant changes, then you need to apply for a new ISBN. However, if the changes are minor, such as correcting typos or updating the cover design, then you can continue using the same ISBN.

Do You Need to Reapply for Copyright?

Copyright is a legal right that protects the owner’s work from unauthorized use or reproduction. If you own the copyright to the book, then you don’t need to reapply for it when republishing. However, if you have transferred the copyright to someone else, then you will need to get their permission before republishing.

When Should You Republish Your Book?

There are several reasons why you might consider republishing your book, such as:

• Updating outdated information: If your book contains information that has become inaccurate over time, then you might want to update it and republish.
• Improving the cover design: If your book’s cover design is not visually appealing or doesn’t reflect the book’s content, then you might want to redesign it and republish.
• Adding new content: If you have additional information that you think will benefit your readers, then you might want to add it and republish.
• Fixing errors: If your book contains errors that need correction, then you might want to fix them and republish.

How to Republish Your Book?

Now that you know what republishing entails let’s look at how to go about it:

1. Revise the content: Go through your book and identify areas that need updating or correction. Make necessary changes and save the new version.
2. Design a new cover: Create a new cover design that reflects the book’s content and appeals to the target audience.
3. Apply for a new ISBN: If the changes made are significant, then you need to apply for a new ISBN. You can do this through the ISBN agency in your country.
4. Format the book: Format the book according to the publishing platform’s requirements. You can use software such as Microsoft Word or Adobe InDesign.
5. Publish the book: Upload the revised book on your chosen publishing platform, such as Amazon KDP or IngramSpark. Follow the guidelines provided to ensure that the book meets their standards.

Pros and Cons of Republishing

Republishing has its advantages and disadvantages, which include:

Pros

• Updated information: Republishing allows you to update outdated information and provide readers with accurate and relevant information.
• Improved design: A new cover design can attract more readers and increase the book’s visibility.
• Additional income: Republishing can generate additional income from new sales and royalties.

Cons

• Legal issues: Changing significant elements of the book could affect copyright and require legal permissions.
• Costly: Republishing involves costs such as applying for a new ISBN, redesigning the cover, and editing the content.
• Time-consuming: The process of republishing can be time-consuming, especially when making significant changes.

Alternatives to Republishing

There are alternatives to republishing that you might consider, such as:

• Re-release the book with a new marketing campaign.
• Offer an updated edition in eBook format.
• Sell the rights to someone else who will republish it.
• Release an audiobook version.

Tips for Republishing Your Book Successfully

Here are some tips to help you republish your book successfully:

• Research the market and determine if there is still demand for your book.
• Hire an editor to review the revised content.
• Test the new cover design with a focus group to ensure it appeals to the target audience.
• Use relevant keywords and categories when publishing the book for better visibility.
• Promote the book through social media, email marketing, and other online platforms.

The Best Republishing Platforms

Some of the best republishing platforms include:

• Amazon KDP
• IngramSpark
• BookBaby
• Smashwords

Conclusion

Republishing your already published book is a great way to update and improve it. However, make sure you understand the legal issues involved, such as ISBN and copyright, before proceeding. Remember to research the market, revise the content, design a new cover, and follow publishing platform guidelines for a successful republishing process.

FAQs

1. Do I need to get permission from my previous publisher to republish my book? It depends on the details of your previous publishing agreement. If you retained the copyright to your book, then you can republish it without permission. However, if you transferred the copyright to your previous publisher, then you need to get their permission to republish.

2. Should I hire a professional editor before republishing my book? Yes, hiring an editor is essential before republishing your book. They will help you identify areas that need improvement, correct errors, and ensure that the revised content is of high quality.

3. Can I use the same cover design when republishing my book? You can use the same cover design if it is still relevant and visually appealing. However, if you want to attract more readers, you might consider redesigning the cover or making minor adjustments to reflect changes in the book’s content.

4. How much does it cost to republish a book? The cost of republishing a book varies depending on the changes you want to make. However, some common costs include applying for a new ISBN, editing, designing a new cover, and formatting the book for publishing platforms.

5. Will republishing affect my previous sales and reviews? Republishing should not affect your previous sales and reviews unless the changes made significantly alter the book’s content or structure. In that case, it might be better to release it as a new edition rather than republish it.