There was a time when publishing a book meant finding a literary agent, sending manuscripts to publishing houses and waiting patiently for someone to say yes.
These days, things are very different.
If you have written or are writing a book, self-publishing your book is an option.
Self-publishing has opened the door for writers, travellers, bloggers, coaches, creatives and experts in a certain field to publish their own books and share them with readers around the world. Thanks to modern self-publishing tools and services, some free and some paid, authors now have more control over the publishing process than ever before.
As someone who has written and published multiple travel guides over the years, I can tell you that publishing a book is no longer reserved for large publishing companies. While writing the book takes dedication and hard work, the actual publishing process is often much simpler than people expect. Particularly in the e-book format.
If you have been wondering how to self-publish a book, here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Step 1: Write and Polish Your Manuscript
Before you start thinking about book covers, on-line bookstores or marketing plans, you need one very important thing: a completed manuscript.
This may sound obvious, but many aspiring authors spend months researching publishing options before they have actually finished writing. And you can do this if you want a publishing house to publish your book, however, if self-publishing you might want to research where you can self-publish. This is covered further on in this post.
My advice is simple though: focus on getting the book written first.
Your first draft does not need to be perfect. In fact, it probably won’t be. Most books go through multiple revisions before they are ready for publication.
Once you have completed your manuscript, put it aside for a little while. Returning to it with fresh eyes often helps you spot mistakes, awkward wording and sections that need improvement.
I have found this particularly helpful when updating my travel guides. After spending months working on a manuscript, it is easy to miss things simply because you know the content so well. Taking a short break before reviewing it can make a big difference.
Step 2: Edit and Proofread Your Book
One of the biggest mistakes self-published authors make is rushing to publish before properly editing their work. Even experienced writers need editing.
Start by reviewing the manuscript yourself. Then, if possible, ask trusted friends, family members or a professional proofreader to read the manuscript and provide feedback.
If your budget allows, hiring a professional editor can be one of the best investments you make. A good editor can identify structural issues, improve readability and catch mistakes that may otherwise slip through.
Remember, readers are far more likely to recommend a well-edited book than one filled with errors. I know for fact, that mistakes can make people loose trust in your product. My partner is very good at picking up ‘typos’ in text, particularly in advertisements. He often makes comments along the lines of ‘I wouldn’t buy that product if they can’t even get the name right’!
One luxury with writing an e-book is that you can easily fix the mistake. Not so the case if you have had a few thousand copies of your book printed!
Step 3: Choose a Publishing Platform
Now comes the exciting part: deciding where to publish your book. I have put choosing a publishing platform for you manuscript before editing and designing it, as most publishing platforms have their own ways they want their manuscripts presented.
One of the things I appreciate most about modern self-publishing platforms is how much control authors now have. Years ago, getting a book published often involved waiting for approval from others. Today, authors can take their work directly to readers and manage the process themselves.
There are several self-publishing platforms available, and the best choice often depends on your goals.
Amazon KDP
For many first-time authors, Amazon KDP is the easiest place to begin. It allows you to publish both ebooks and print-on-demand paperbacks. Because Amazon is one of the world’s largest online bookstores, it gives your book access to a large audience.
One of the advantages of print-on-demand publishing is that books are only printed when someone places an order. You do not need to invest in large print runs or store boxes of books at home.
Get more details and guidelines on publishing on Amazon KDP here.
Your Own Website
You may choose to sell books directly through your own website, blog, newsletter or established audience. This gives you greater control over pricing and customer relationships, and you often keep a larger percentage of each sale. For bloggers and content creators, this can be a very attractive option.
You will need to look at how people can buy your book. E-commerce platforms include Payhip, Sellfy, Gumroad, Shopify and Woocommerce.
Other Publishing Platforms
There are plenty of alternatives available, including IngramSpark, Draft2Digital and Kobo Writing Life. Many authors use multiple platforms to maximise distribution and make their books available through online retailers, bookstores and libraries. Spend some time researching your options before deciding which platform is right for you.
Once you know the platform for your book, you can begin to edit, format and design your book.
Step 4: Formatting and Designing Your Book
Once you have edited your manuscript and are happy with it, and chosen your desired publishing platform, it is time to format and design it. Depending on where you plan to publish your manuscript you may need to design your internal pages a certain way. For instance, I self-publish most of my books on Amazon KDP. They want manuscripts and covers designed a certain way for their platform. If you plan you publish on Amazon KDP they have great information about their requirements on their website.
You may find you end up with different designed versions of your manuscript to comply with the different publishers. For me, I have usually have two versions. One I sell via my websites, which are PDFs of a Word document. And the other is my Amazon KDP version.
Yes, the editing and designing is time consuming, but hopefully worth it in the end when regular commission on sales come through.
Formatting Internal Text
Once your manuscript has been edited, it needs to be formatted correctly.
Formatting includes:
- Chapter heading
- Fonts and spacing
- Margins
- Page numbers
- Images and graphics
- Table of contents
- Front and back matter
A professionally formatted book is easier to read and creates a much better experience for your audience.
As mentioned, many self-publishing platforms provide formatting guidelines, and there are also software programs available that can simplify the process.
Step 5: Create a Professional Cover
Your book cover plays an important role in attracting readers.
When I first started publishing travel guides, I quickly realised that readers often make a decision about a book before reading a single page. A professional cover helps create a strong first impression and can encourage potential readers to learn more about what is inside.
Take some time to look at books within your genre. You’ll quickly notice patterns. Thriller covers look very different from travel guides. Children’s books look different again.
If you have graphic design skills, you may be able to create your own cover. Otherwise, consider hiring a professional designer. A professional cover can make a significant difference to your book’s success. You could find a designer on platforms such as Fivver.
Step 6: Add Metadata and Decide on Pricing
Before your book can go live, you’ll need to provide important information about it. This information is known as metadata and helps readers find your book online.
Metadata typically includes:
- ISBN – International Standard Book Number. Not all authors obtain this, particularly if just selling your ebook via your own website. However, an ISBN is a unique 13-digit commercial identifier assigned to distinct book editions and formats. It acts as a digital fingerprint, allowing bookstores, libraries, and publishers to accurately track and manage book inventory globally.
- Book title
- Subtitle
- Author name
- Book description
- Categories
- Keywords
Don’t rush this step. A strong book description can encourage readers to click through and learn more, while choosing the right categories and keywords can help your book appear in relevant searches.
You’ll also need to decide on your book’s price.
Pricing can feel a little daunting for first-time authors, but a good place to start is by researching similar books in your genre. Look at what other authors are charging and consider where your book fits within the market.
Price your book too high and readers may hesitate to buy. Price it too low and they may question its value.
The good news is that pricing isn’t set in stone. Most self-publishing platforms allow you to make changes later, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for your audience.
Step 7: Market Your Book
Publishing your book is a huge achievement, but unfortunately, publishing alone does not guarantee sales.
Readers need to know your book exists.
Some ways to promote your book include:
- Build an email list
- Post regularly on social media
- Write blog content related to your book
- Appear on podcasts
- Guest post on websites
- Run online advertising campaigns
- Encourage readers to leave reviews
Many successful self-published authors spend as much time marketing their books as they do writing them.
The good news is that marketing does not need to happen all at once. Consistent effort over time often produces the best results.
How Much Does it Cost to Self-Publish a Book?
This will depend on whether your are publishing an ebook or a printed book. But costs involve:
- Writing – your time.
- Editing/Proofreading – your time or whether you get someone to do it.
- Designing – can you design yourself or get someone to do it for you – Canva is good for self-designers.
- ISBN.
- Printing – no cost to self-publish on Amazon KDP. But they will take commission from books sold.
- Website and ecommerce running costs.
- Marketing – advertising costs
Final Thoughts on Book Self-Publishing
Self-publishing can seem overwhelming when you first begin, but every successful self-published author started with a blank page.
Take the process one step at a time. Focus on writing the best book you can, edit it carefully, present it professionally and choose the publishing platform that best suits your goals.
Publishing your first book can be a learning experience, but it is also one of the most rewarding projects you can undertake. There is nothing quite like seeing your work available for readers to discover and enjoy. And getting paid for your writing efforts is a great buzz.
Have you self-published a book or are you currently working on one? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.