If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes when you decide to publish your spiritual memoir, your near-death experience, or any spiritually transformative experience story with NDI — this post will walk you through the entire journey.
This is the exact process I use with my authors. It’s simple, it’s clear, and it removes so much of the overwhelm that usually comes with publishing your story for the first time.
Step 1: Start With a Complete Outline
The very first thing you need is an outline — and not a vague outline, but a clear, fleshed-out roadmap for your entire book.
A good outline:
- Keep's your intentions clear and in view
- Removes writer’s block
- Eliminates the guesswork of “what do I write next?”
- Helps you be a clear channel and vessel for Divine to work through
- Gives your book structure
- Helps you complete your first draft quickly and easily
If your outline is done effectively, writing your manuscript becomes straightforward. You’re not thinking and struggling — you’re simply being a vessel for the message and filling in the sections you already planned.
I share the same outline template I use with my authors, and I’ll place the link to it here: https://neardeathinstitute.com/b/dNUOP
Step 2: Turn Your Outline Into a First Draft (Your Manuscript)
Once your outline is ready, it’s time to write your manuscript.
This is where everything flows. You’ll use your outline, your stories, your insights, your memories, and all the additional pieces from your outline that create a complete book.
When you are truly done adding and removing things and when the manuscript feels complete, you’re ready for the next step.
Step 3: Professional Editing
Editing is not something I recommend doing on your own. Not because you’re not capable — but because you’re too close to your own story. You won’t see the errors, and you won’t catch the patterns a trained editor will.
Before I share the different types of editing needed, one thing I must emphasize is the importance of having an editor that not only understands the subject matter you are writing about but also has an interest in it. You and I both know the sacredness of the message you share in your book and the vibration it holds is specific to what the intention is about. The editor needs to understand the importance of preserving the vibration of the message. They need to understand why you wrote what you wrote the way you wrote it.
If your editor does not get this and how important it is, you will unfortunately have many back and forths with the editor which may leave you both frustrated and defeated.
If you are looking for an editor who is not only excellent at what they do, but also understands and has a passion for spiritually transformative content, you are welcome to reach out to us at NDI and work with one of our talented editors.
So, there are different types of editing, and each plays an important role:
Copy Editing
A copy editor focuses on grammar, spelling, sentence structure, word usage and clarity.
Their job is to make your writing clean, readable, and technically correct.
Developmental Editing
A developmental editor focuses on story flow, structure, chapter order, pacing, gaps in the narrative, what needs expanding or trimming.
Their job is to make sure your story makes sense, stays engaging, and feels complete.
You can learn to do this yourself, but it takes longer and comes with a learning curve. Most of my authors prefer hiring a professional editor. And in most cases, if they choose to publish with us, a professional editor is provided as part of the publishing package.
Step 4: Cover Design in Multiple Formats
Your cover is one of the most important parts of your book, and you need it in several different formats depending on what you’re publishing: eBook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.
Each platform also has its own requirements and the dimensions are dependent on specific factors, page count being one of them. Your publishing platform of choice should provide a template calculator where you can input your specifics and download a template for your cover.
Again — you can create your own cover, but most authors prefer using a professional designer (which we also offer if needed).
Step 5: Formatting Your Manuscript
Formatting is one of the trickiest steps for authors.
If something is off — spacing, margins, headings, fonts, or image placement — the publishing platform will reject your file and you might have to go through the formatting process again.
Common formatting issues include: Fonts not embedded correctly, images not placed correctly, incorrect page margins, incorrect chapter formatting.
Because of this, I strongly recommend using a professional formatter.
If you need one, my team offers formatting as an individual service as well.
Once your manuscript is formatted, you should have a PDF print ready file and preferably an epub file ready for publishing.
Step 6: Proofreading
Once formatting is done, your book is almost ready — but now it needs a final proofread.
This usually includes: A professional proofread and a final proofread by you, the author
I always allow my authors time to go through their book line by line so that everything looks exactly the way they want it before we hit “publish.”
Step 7: Publishing on Your Chosen Platform
Whether you’re publishing on Amazon KDP, Google Play Books or IngramSpark, each platform has its own process, but it becomes easy once all your files are prepared correctly.
This is the final step — the moment your book officially goes out into the world.
Timelines: How Long Does Publishing Take?
Most of my authors publish within four months after their first draft is completed.
However, timelines can be shorter or longer depending on the length of the manuscript, the type of editing needed, how fast you approve changes, whether you need added services (like audiobook production), and your chosen publishing date.
A couple of years ago I had an author that took 10 years, literally ten years to finish her manuscript. We then published her book in 3 months. And Earlier this year I had an author come to me with her idea, and we finished her manuscript and published within 4 months.
Some authors move quickly. Others take more time. Both are perfectly okay.
Costs: What Should You Expect?
If you choose to publish with NDI, costs depend on a few factors including your manuscript length and what you choose to include, but here’s a realistic range: $4,000–$7,000 USD from start to finish.
This usually covers: Editing, cover design, formatting, proofreading, publishing, audiobook production (if you choose it) and ongoing support for future manuscript updates.
Editing and audiobook production are normally the most expensive steps. Editors charge per word, so longer manuscripts cost more. Audiobooks also depend on length and quality. This is true if you decide to self publish and just hire professionals as well.
If you choose, NDI offers an all-inclusive package that covers everything — but you can also choose individual services if that works better for you.
After Your Book Is Published (The Ongoing Relationship)
Publishing isn’t the end. For many authors, it’s the beginning. After your book goes live, we continue supporting you with book launch guidance, marketing and promotion, updates or changes to your book, additional formats and platforms. Some authors choose to turn their books into courses and workshops, which we assist them with as well.
Once you publish with NDI, you gain access to ongoing support whenever you need it.
So there you have it, this is the real, behind-the-scenes process of publishing your spiritual memoir with NDI.
It’s sacred work. It’s emotional work. And it deserves a clear, supportive process that makes you feel guided and supported every step of the way.
At the Near-Death Institute (NDI), we support spiritual authors and writers in bringing their divinely inspired messages into the world with clarity, integrity, and love. We provide conscious, heart-centered publishing services that honor the sacred nature of your story—whether you are sharing a near-death experience, a spiritual awakening, or teachings that uplift humanity. Our approach blends professional guidance with energetic alignment, ensuring that your book is not only beautifully produced but also nurtured into the world in the way your soul intended. At NDI, publishing is not a transaction; it is a collaboration, a spiritual service, and a pathway for your message to reach the people who are already waiting for it.
If your intuition is nudging you to take the next step with your book, I invite you to reach out. Let’s explore whether NDI is aligned for you and your message.
https://neardeathinstitute.com
info@neardeathinstitute.com