If you’ve ever asked yourself how to self publish a book and still keep full control of your words, your profits, and your creative vision, you’re asking the right question.
Success comes from knowing what to do and when to do it.
I remember the first time I tried to publish my own book. I was lost in a sea of information, some helpful and some not so much. I made mistakes that cost me time and money. I don’t want that to happen to you.
This guide will walk you through the self-publishing process from start to finish. I’ll share what works, what doesn’t, and how to make smart choices with your time and money. By the end, you’ll have a clear path forward for your book.
Why Choose Self-Publishing?
The publishing world has changed a lot in recent years. What was once seen as a last resort for rejected authors has become a first choice for many writers.
The Money Makes More Sense
When you go with a traditional publisher, you give away most of your book’s earning power. You might get an advance of $5,000 to $25,000 (most first-time authors are on the lower end), but after that, you only earn about 10-15% of each sale. The rest goes to the publisher.
With self-publishing, you keep up to 70% of your book sales. Your book sells for $10? You keep $7. That adds up fast once your book starts selling well.
You Control Everything
Want to change your book cover next month? You can. Need to fix a typo someone found? Done in minutes. Want to run a sale or make your book free for a week? It’s your call.
This control extends to your content too. No one will tell you to cut chapters or change your ending to make it more marketable. The book stays true to your vision.
Speed to Market
Traditional publishing moves slowly. Even after you get a deal, it might be 18-24 months before your book hits shelves. With self-publishing, your book can be for sale in a matter of days after you finish the final draft.
This speed lets you respond to trends, build on momentum, or just start earning from your work much sooner.
The Complete Self-Publishing Roadmap
I’ve mapped out the complete journey from raw manuscript to published success story so you don’t have to wander in the dark. Let me walk you through each step.
Step 1: Get Your Book Ready for the World
Before you upload anything, let’s make sure your book is truly ready for readers. Skipping these steps is the biggest mistake new authors make.
Writing and Rewriting
You’ve finished your first draft, but that’s just the beginning. Most books go through multiple rounds of revisions. Read your book out loud. It helps you catch awkward phrasing and flow issues.
Ask a few thoughtful readers in your genre to read it, but be clear about what feedback you want. Do you need help with the plot? Character development? Look for blind spots in your story.
Editing Is Not Optional
Even the best writers need editors. There are different types of editing your book might need:
- Developmental editing focuses on structure, flow, and the big picture.
- Line editing sharpens your prose.
- Copyediting cleans up grammar and spelling.
- Proofreading gives your book a final polish before launch.
At minimum, get a professional proofread. Nothing says “amateur” like a book full of typos. You can find editors on sites like Reedsy, Upwork, or Fiverr. Costs vary widely, but expect to pay at least $500-1000 for a full book edit.
Test out editors with a sample chapter first. You want someone who improves your work while keeping your voice intact.
I made the mistake of hiring an editor for my whole book without a trial. We had different visions, and I ended up paying for work I couldn’t use.
Formatting for Different Formats
Your book needs different formatting for ebooks and print books. For ebooks, you need clean, simple formatting that works on various screens and devices. For print, you need proper margins, headers, page numbers, and more.
You can format books yourself using tools like Atticus or Vellum (Mac only), or hire someone to do it for you. Budget $50-200 for professional formatting.
Step 2: Create a Professional Package
Your book will compete with millions of others. The way it looks matters more than you might think.
Your Book Cover
The harsh truth: people absolutely judge books by their covers. Your cover is your most important marketing tool. It needs to look professional, fit your book’s genre, be a small thumbnail online and stand out while looking like it belongs.
Unless you have design experience, hire a professional cover designer. Expect to pay $200-500 for an ebook cover and a bit more if you need a full print wrap (front, back and spine).
Look at bestselling books in your genre and notice patterns. Romance covers look different from thrillers which look different from business books. Your cover should tell readers what kind of book they’re getting.
Write a Compelling Book Description
Your book description is your sales pitch. It needs to hook readers and make them want more. Study the descriptions of bestselling books in your genre.
For fiction focus on the main character, their problem and what’s at stake without giving away the ending.
For non-fiction explain the problem your book solves and why you’re the person to solve it.
Pro Tip: Keep sentences short. Use strong verbs. Create curiosity. And always end with something that makes readers want to look inside.
Step 3: Choose Your Publishing Platforms
Now it’s time to decide where to publish your book. There are several options, each with pros and cons.
Amazon KDP
Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing is the biggest self-publishing platform. You can publish both ebooks and print books. The main benefits are huge reach with millions of potential readers, easy publishing process, print-on-demand for paperbacks so you don’t need inventory, and marketing tools like countdown deals.
The main decision you’ll face is whether to enroll in KDP Select which makes your ebook exclusive to Amazon for 90 day periods. In exchange you get inclusion in Kindle Unlimited where readers can borrow your book, access to promotional tools like free book days and higher royalties in some countries.
If you’re just starting out KDP Select can be a good way to focus your marketing efforts.
Going Wide: Beyond Amazon
If you don’t want all your eggs in the Amazon basket, you can publish on multiple platforms:
- Apple Books
- Barnes & Noble Press
- Kobo
- Google Play Books
You can upload to each platform directly or use a distributor like Draft2Digital or Smashwords, which will send your book to multiple stores for a small percentage of sales.
Going wide gives you more places to sell but requires more marketing work to succeed on each platform.
Print Options
For print books, your main options are Amazon KDP Print and IngramSpark. KDP Print is easy to use and gets your book on Amazon quickly. IngramSpark reaches more bookstores and libraries but has setup fees and a steeper learning curve.
Many authors use both: KDP Print for Amazon sales and IngramSpark for wider distribution.
Step 4: Set Up Your Book for Success
Before you hit publish, you need to set up some technical details that will help readers find your book.
ISBN Numbers
An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) identifies your book in databases worldwide. In the US, you buy ISBNs from Bowker (myidentifiers.com).
Do you need an ISBN? It depends. For ebooks, they’re optional on most platforms. For print books, they’re required.
ISBNs cost about $125 for one or $295 for ten. If you plan to publish multiple books or formats, buying in bulk saves money.
Some platforms offer free ISBNs, but there’s a catch: the platform becomes the publisher of record, not you. For maximum control, buy your own.
Categories and Keywords
Amazon lets you choose two categories directly, but you can request up to eight more after publishing. Look for specific subcategories where you can rank higher.
For keywords, think about what readers would type to find a book like yours. Use all seven keyword slots Amazon gives you, with specific phrases rather than single words.
Publisher Rocket is a valuable tool that shows you which categories have less competition but good visibility. It also helps identify keywords actual readers are using to find books like yours.
Pricing Strategy
Your price affects both sales and profits. Look at similar books in your genre as a guide. $2.99-$4.99 for new authors.
For print books, use Amazon’s printing cost calculator to ensure you make a profit. Most print books are priced between $9.99 and $14.99.
Start low to gain readers, then raise the price once you have reviews.
Step 5: Publish Your Book
Set up your accounts on the platforms you want to publish on. For Amazon KDP, you’ll need tax information, a bank account for royalties, your author name or pen name, and an author bio and photo.
Take your time to fill out your author profile completely. Readers will check this before buying.
Upload Your Files
Each platform has its own file requirements. Generally, you’ll need a book cover (JPG for ebooks, PDF for print covers) and your formatted book file (EPUB for most ebooks, PDF for print).
Use the platform’s previewer to check how your book looks before publishing. For print books, always order a proof copy to check the physical product.
Set Your Metadata
This includes your book title, subtitle, description, categories and keywords. Get this right the first time as some elements are hard to change later.
Write your book description in plain text, then add simple HTML for formatting if the platform allows it. Bold important points and break up long paragraphs.
Click Publish
After reviewing everything, hit the publish button! Most ebooks will go live within 24-72 hours. Print books take a bit longer, often 3-5 days for review.
Once your book is live, grab the links to all versions. You’ll need these for your marketing.
Step 6: Market Your Book
Now you need to get your book in front of readers.
Your author platform is how you reach readers. This might include a website or blog, social media accounts, an email newsletter, podcast appearances and speaking engagements.
Start building this before your book launches. Even a simple website with a way to join your email list is better than nothing.
Your email list is your most valuable marketing asset. These are people who have given you permission to contact them directly. Treat this list with care.
Launch Strategy
A strong launch helps your book’s visibility on Amazon and other platforms. Plan ahead by setting a launch date at least 30 days out. Get advance reviews from beta readers. Create social media graphics. Write guest posts for relevant blogs. Plan a price promotion.
On launch day, email your list, post on social media and ask friends to share. The first week’s sales help determine Amazon’s promotion of your book.
Ongoing Marketing
Book marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. After your launch, run occasional price promotions. Get book reviews from bloggers.
Try Amazon ads or Facebook ads. Cross promote with other authors. Speak at events or on podcasts. And start writing your next book. It’s the best marketing for the first one!
Set aside time each week for marketing activities. Consistency beats big, sporadic efforts.
Step 7: Build an Author Career
Readers who like one book want more. A series gives you built-in marketing for later books, higher return on marketing spend, more engaged readers and higher lifetime value per reader.
Plan your series before publishing the first book. This helps with consistent branding and marketing.
Diversify Your Formats
Don’t stop at ebooks and print. Consider audiobooks through ACX or Findaway Voices, large print editions, hardcover editions, foreign language translations and book bundles.
Each new format reaches different readers and creates new income streams.
Track What Works
Use tracking links to see where your sales come from. Tools like BookLinker.com create universal book links that work worldwide.
Keep records of your marketing efforts and results. What was your ROI on that Facebook ad? Did that newsletter promotion sell books? Use this data to make better decisions next time.
Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from others’ mistakes so you don’t have to make them yourself.
Rushing to Publish
Take your time to get your book right. A bad first impression is hard to overcome. Wait until you have professional editing, a professional cover, proper formatting and a marketing plan.
Falling for Vanity Presses
Beware of companies that charge thousands to publish your book and keep most of the rights and royalties. True self-publishing means you keep all rights, you keep most royalties, you control pricing and marketing and you pay only for specific services you need.
If someone wants a big upfront fee plus a cut of sales, walk away.
Neglecting Marketing
“If you build it, they will come” doesn’t work for books. Even great books need marketing. Set aside time and money for this crucial part of publishing.
Giving Up Too Soon
Building an audience takes time. Many successful authors didn’t see significant sales until their third or fourth book. Keep writing, keep learning and keep going.
The Financial Side of Self-Publishing
Let’s talk money, both what you’ll spend and what you might earn.
Startup Costs
A professionally published book typically costs: Editing ranges from $500-2000. Cover design ranges from $200-500. Formatting ranges from $50-200. ISBN costs $125 for one or $295 for ten. Website costs $0-300 per year. Initial marketing costs $200-500.
| Category | Typical Cost | Actual Range |
| Editing | $500–$2000 | $1,920–$4,720 for 80k words; varies by editing type |
| Cover Design | $200–$500 | $0–$2,000; $300–$700 typical for professional design |
| Formatting | $50–$200 | $30–several hundred; complex formatting costs more |
| ISBN | $125 (1), $295 (10) | $29–$129 per ISBN; packages cheaper per ISBN |
| Website | $0–$250/year | Free to ~$240/year typical |
| Initial Marketing | $200–$500 | Reasonable starting budget |
Total investment for a well-produced book ranges from $1000-3500.
Potential Income
Most self-published books sell fewer than 100 copies. Success stories vary wildly: Many authors make $500-2000 per book. A few breakout hits earn six figures or more.
The key factors in earnings are book quality, genre popularity, publishing frequency, marketing efforts, plus luck and timing.
Pro Tips & Tools
The early part of your publishing journey can get chaotic if you don’t create a system that keeps you on track. Smart organization tools help you avoid a mess when it’s time to launch.
Start by building a master document, either in Google Docs or a spreadsheet, where you keep all your key publishing info.
It should include your:
- Metadata (title, subtitle, and description)
- Keywords and categories
- Pricing for different markets
- ISBN numbers (if you’re using your own)
- Links to your book on different platforms
- Marketing plans and schedules
Having it all in one file saves you hours later when you’re uploading your book to multiple platforms. If you’re planning to publish more than one book, this file becomes your control center.
If you’re working with editors, designers, or proofreaders, cloud tools like Dropbox, Google Drive, or even Trello can make collaboration easier. You can leave comments, share versions, and avoid digging through old email threads.
Final Thoughts
Publishing a book is one thing. Building a writing career is another. And that second part doesn’t happen overnight. The writers who last are the ones who stay consistent. They keep showing up, refining their process, improving their skills, and listening to their readers.
You don’t have to try everything at once. Focus on the basics. Write books people care about. Design them well. Publish them where readers are. Promote them in ways that feel honest. And don’t burn yourself out trying to do it all perfectly.
What matters most is staying focused on your readers. When you treat them like real people and deliver value with every book, you build trust. That’s what makes a reader come back. That’s what creates momentum.
You don’t need permission to publish your book successfully. All you need is a clear path. And the willingness to follow it. You’ve got that now.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to publish a book for free as a beginner?
You can publish your book for free using platforms like Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital or Google Play Books. These platforms don’t charge any upfront fees. Once it’s live you earn royalties from every sale.
2. How to self publish a novel on Amazon?
To self publish a novel on Amazon create an account on Kindle Direct Publishing. Upload your manuscript, set your price, select your categories and keywords and publish.
3. What are the best self publishing companies?
Some of the most trusted self publishing companies are Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital and Barnes & Noble Press. These platforms let you publish without giving up ownership.
4. How much does it cost to publish a book?
The cost to self publish can range from zero to a few thousand dollars depending on how much you DIY. If you handle formatting and design yourself you can publish for free. But if you hire professionals for editing, design and promotion expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $3,000.
5. Where to self-publish your book?
If you’re publishing digitally, Amazon KDP is the top choice. You can expand reach by adding Draft2Digital for wide eBook distribution and IngramSpark for print.
6. How many pages does a book have to be to be considered a novel?
Most novels are around 40,000 words which is roughly 150 to 180 pages in print. For romance that might be enough. For fantasy or historical fiction it’s more like 80,000 to 100,000 words. There’s no hard and fast rule but a novel is generally longer than a novella and has a complete story.
