The Simple Steps to Self-Publishing a Book

There was once a stigma that self-publishing is somehow inferior to traditional publishing, but this has long since fallen to the wayside. I used to say that unless you are Tom Cruise or Oprah Winfrey, self-publishing is the only way to go. Yet, now I see that Taylor Swift has self-published her last book, so even mega-stars are seeing the benefits of self-publishing. What was once a fringe concept is now the norm. 

Self-publishing has revolutionized the literary world, allowing authors to bring their stories and ideas to life without traditional publishing gatekeepers. However, navigating the process can be overwhelming for first-time authors. Here’s an overview of what to expect at every stage of self-publishing, from completing your manuscript to seeing your book in readers’ hands.

The process begins with your manuscript, the heart of your project. Once you finish writing, it’s essential to refine it through revisions and editing. Many authors start with self-editing. Tools like Grammarly can help spot surface-level errors, but a professional editor is necessary for a high-quality book you can be proud of. Depending on your needs, you will hire a content editor (big picture stuff), a line or copyeditor (for sentence-level refinement), or a proofreader (for the final error check).

Once the text of your manuscript is finalized, attention turns to the book’s design. Interior formatting ensures the manuscript looks professional and readable in both digital (usually an ePub file) and print formats (usually a PDF file). The cover design is arguably the most critical aspect of your book’s visual appeal. Your eBook cover will most likely be a jpg file and the full front, spine, and back cover will be a PDF file. A professionally designed cover tailored to your genre helps attract readers and sets the tone for their experience with your book. There are many cover design options, and the one I use can be found at http://100covers.com/?ref=37

The next step is deciding on the platforms for publishing and distribution. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) (https://kdp.amazon.com/) is a popular choice, offering both eBook and paperback options. IngramSpark (https://www.ingramspark.com/) is another distributor that offers access to libraries and bookstores, complementing Amazon’s services with distribution to booksellers like Barnes & Noble and Target. You can publish with both of these distributors simultaneously.

To Publish your Book, you’ll upload the books interior, cover, book description, keywords, categories, author, book size & color details, pricing, and distribution information to KDP and/or IngramSpark. Once you hit “publish,” you, my friend, are officially an author. At this stage, make sure you set up an Author Central profile in Amazon.

Marketing plays a pivotal role in ensuring your book reaches its audience. Building an author platform on social media lets you connect with readers and share your creative journey. Email newsletters are another powerful tool for keeping your audience engaged, whether you’re announcing your launch or sharing updates. Advertising through platforms like Amazon Ads or BookBub can also help boost visibility.

After publication, monitoring your book’s performance is a great idea. You can monitor your book’s sales in the KDP or IngramSpark accounts you’ve set up to publish your book. Encouraging early readers to leave reviews on sites like Amazon and Goodreads builds credibility and encourages new readers to give your book a chance.

Self-publishing may feel complex if not daunting, but when approached step-by-step, it’s a doable and rewarding process. With the right strategies, you can take your manuscript from an idea to a published work in no time at all. And, once you put in the effort to finish your first book, you will have done something many people only dream of. Be driven by the image of yourself holding your very own book. You can do it!