Getting Your Book on Sọna Part 1: How to Upload Your Book

Step 1: Book Details (Metadata)

Required Fields

• Title: Your book's full title
• Author Name: the name that will appear on the book page (can be a pen name)
• Blurb: your book description. This is what readers will see, so make it compelling
• Publication Date: the date your book goes live (or a future date if you are doing a pre-order)

Optional Fields

• Language
• Publisher Name (required for publisher accounts)
• Series Name and Book Number (if part of a series)
• ISBN

Click Next when you are done.

Step 2: Categorisation

Help readers find your book by selecting the right genres and tags.

• Genres: Choose between 1 and 3 genres from the approved list. You must select at least one.
• Tags: Add comma-separated keywords that describe your book (e.g. "enemies to lovers, Lagos, coming of age")
• Age Rating: Choose either General (all ages) or Adult 18+ (for mature content)

Choose your genres carefully, they determine where your book appears in the catalogue and search results.

Step 3: Upload Your Manuscript

• Accepted formats: EPUB or DOCX
• File size: 10 KB to 10 MB
• If you upload a DOCX, Sọna will automatically convert it to EPUB. Make sure your chapters start with a Heading 1 style so the chapter breaks come out correctly

Drag and drop your file or click to browse.

Step 4: Upload Your Cover

• Minimum size: 1200 x 1800 pixels
• File size: 50 KB to 1 MB
• Formats: JPG or PNG

Step 5: Pricing, Distribution, and Regional Settings

This step covers how your book is sold, where it can be accessed, and which regions can see it.

Pricing

• Price (₦): Set your base price in Nigerian Naira. Sọna shows readers a checkout total that includes the relevant payment processing gross-up. Readers outside Nigeria can still purchase with supported cards, and their card issuer may convert the Naira charge into their local currency
• Free Book: Toggle this on if you want your book to be free
• Discount: Enable a limited-time promotional discount with a discounted price, start date, and end date
• Pre-Order: Enable this if your publication date is more than 14 days away. Readers can buy in advance and automatically receive access on release day

Distribution: Where Can Readers Access This Book?

You choose where readers can read your book:

• App & Web: readers can access your book on both the Sọna Reader mobile app and the Sọna website in their browser.
• App Only: readers can only read your book inside the Sọna Reader mobile app. This offers stronger content protection, including screenshot prevention and a more controlled reading environment. Readers will still purchase the book through the Sọna website, then access it in the app.

Most authors should choose App & Web for easier access. App Only is better if you want stronger protection around how your book is read.

Regional Restrictions (Territorial Rights)

If your publishing agreement includes territorial rights, meaning you only hold rights to sell in certain countries, you can restrict access by region.

• By default, your book is available globally.
• You can select specific countries to block from purchasing or accessing your book.
• This is entirely optional. Most self-published authors and independent publishers leave this open to all regions.

See the full guide to territorial rights: Territorial Rights and Regional Restrictions on Sọna.

Step 6: Free Sample

If your book is not free, you can offer readers a free first-chapter preview.

• Toggle Enable free sample to on
• Readers will be able to read the opening of your book before deciding to purchase
• Free books are not eligible for the sample feature, as the full book is already accessible

Step 7: Preview

Before submitting, preview your book as readers will see it in the Sọna reader.

Check that:

• Chapter breaks appear correctly
• Formatting looks right (fonts, spacing, special characters)
• The cover displays properly
• There are no obvious errors or layout issues

Once satisfied, check the confirmation box and proceed.

Step 8: Submitted

Your book has been submitted for review.

What Happens Next:

1. Your book status changes to Under Review
2. The Sọna team reviews your submission
3. You will receive an email when your book is approved or if changes are needed
4. If approved, your book goes live on your publication date (or immediately if that date has already passed)

You can check your book's status at any time from the Books page in your Publish Dashboard.

Tips for a Smooth Approval

• Make sure your cover meets the minimum dimensions
• Double-check your EPUB formatting before uploading, especially if converted from Word
• Write a compelling blurb; it is one of the first things readers and the Sọna review team look at
• Set your age rating accurately for your content

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