Guides • Understanding Publishing
Last updated on Nov 28, 2024
How to Self-Publish a Book in 2025 [+ Checklist]
About the author
Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.
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Dario Villirilli
Editor-in-Chief of the Reedsy blog, Dario is a graduate of Mälardalen University. As a freelance writer, he has written for many esteemed outlets aimed at writers. A traveler at heart, he can be found roaming the world and working from his laptop.
View profile →Are you looking to self-publish and join the thousands of authors every year who enjoy complete creative control and a greater portion of royalties?
If so, we're here to show you step-by-step how to get your book out into the world on your terms. To self-publish a book, you need to have first written a quality manuscript. After that, you'll go through editing, cover design, and book formatting before you arrive at the big publication day.
How to self-publish a book in 7 steps:
1. Write a book with market potential
2. Edit your manuscript
3. Get a beautiful book cover
4. Prepare your book’s metadata
5. Select a book distribution platform
6. Price the book to maximize sales
7. Self-publish and promote the book
FREE RESOURCE
Self-Publishing Checklist
Boost sales by checking off the boxes on editing, design, and marketing.
Should you self-publish your book?
Before we dive into the details, let’s address two key questions: should you self-publish your book? And if so, how much will it cost?
Self-publishing offers plenty of perks, like:
- Complete creative control;
- Higher royalty rates;
- Faster publication timelines; and
- More flexibility overall.
Q: What are the most common mistakes authors make when self-publishing?
Suggested answer
From my conversations with self-publishing authors, here are some points came up most frequently:
- Cover design - trying to do it yourself if you don't have an understanding of design principles (or skimping by paying someone peanuts). Whether we like it or not, everyone is judging everything and everyone. First impressions count and good (exceptional) design, attracts attention. I myself have been known to purchase books just because of a gorgeous cover (and hoping the story will be as good!).
- Formatting - poor formatting will absolutely degrade all your efforts. Subconsciously, readers shouldn't be drawn to the layout. An exceptional one doesn't stand out (by way of - "There's something "off" with this layout"), and allows the reader to focus on the book content. Excellent formatting reflects an excellent product.
- Marketing - clearly defining who your target audience is, means you have clarity when it comes to creating your marketing content. It helps you market specifically to those most likely to purchase your book/s and develop a loyal following. Writing your book was one part of it. The marketing is as important to get it out into the world and it requires effort and a good understanding of what your specific book needs, so that it can garner the right attention.
- Audience - ignoring your audience and not engaging with them (or hearing their feedback), can be detrimental. They're your main source of importance when it comes to your reach. Truly understanding who they are (as above in marketing - your target audience), is crucial. They will want to engage with you and will reciprocate with loyalty.
- Procrastination and Perfectionism - this is probably one of the greatest issues we face (across humanity to be honest), and it's also a natural part of being human, that we must overcome. Learning how to optimize your time, carving out when you're most productive and sticking to it daily, and tracking when and how often you show up, creates your lifelong "good" habit. We want to weed out the bad habits that stop us from creating the work. Waiting for "the right time" is a fallacy and something that will blindly rob you of precious days, months and sometimes years. Show up for your future self now and develop the habits (over goals), that will compound over time and create the results needed. It's the actual action-taking that gives you clarity. You just need to start and keep going. Know one gets it right in the beginning. Just don't quit on yourself.
- Editing - after your hard work of bringing your book to life, this is an extremely important part of the writing process. We are so close to the work that we can easily miss what is right in front of us. A professional editor can whip you into shape and saving you time, effort and will elevate the quality exponentially.
The way to success is to never give up. Remember why you are doing it and enjoy the process!
Leoni is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Something I have seen quite a lot lately in the self-publishing world: trying to do everything by yourself. Thinking that you just need Photoshop to make a cover, spell-checking software to edit, a dictionary and a bit of knowledge to translate. Never underestimate the value of a human professional who has spent years studying and then honing their skills. There is more to translation than substituting one word with another, just as there is more to a cover than a bunch of drawings and a title.
Find the right professional for you and your project, and work closely with them; you won't regret the expense, I promise. Also, yes, some types of stories and tropes are very popular right now, and those seem like a safe bet, as far as marketing and selling go - but likely there are a lot of similar books out already. In traditional publishing, variety is sorely lacking, because a tried and tested product seems safer; let's avoid repeating that mistake. Write the story that's in your heart and then strategically find your niche audience. You'll find them starved for exactly your flavour of creativity.
Mariafelicia is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
One of the most common mistakes I see with self-published authors is setting unrealistic timelines for their publishing journey. Many writers plan their schedule far too tightly and only reach out to professionals—whether editors, designers, or marketers—at the very last minute.
This creates unnecessary stress on both sides: the author feels rushed and overwhelmed, while the professionals either have to decline the project or take it on under less-than-ideal conditions. In the worst case, authors struggle to even find available professionals because their preferred timeline doesn’t allow for the necessary lead time. Many professionals book out months in advance, so it’s wise to plan at least four months ahead—and in many cases, even that may not be enough time.
It’s also important to remember: as self-publishers, you are free to set your own pace. Unlike in traditional publishing, there is usually no external deadline or audience impatiently waiting for the book—especially when it’s a debut. That pressure often comes only from a self-imposed timeline. Instead of rushing, it’s far wiser to take the time to do everything properly, work with professionals without stress, and then launch the book when it’s truly ready.
Publishing a professional-quality book requires space for collaboration, revisions, and creative breathing room. When timelines are compressed, the process becomes about “getting it done” rather than “getting it right,” which can ultimately compromise the quality of the finished book. A thoughtful, realistic schedule not only reduces stress but also ensures that every stage of the process—from editing to design—has the attention it deserves.
Sabrina is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
One of the biggest traps authors fall into when self-publishing is thinking that the hard part ends once the book is written.
In reality, self-publishing is as much about production as it is about creativity, and overlooking that side can leave even the best manuscript looking unprofessional.
I’ve seen too many writers skip professional editing, try to design their own cover, or leave marketing as an afterthought, and the results are usually disappointing. But just as important, and often less discussed, are the mistakes around the actual printing and publishing process. Authors frequently go with the first printer they find rather than getting at least three quotes, which is a sure way to overpay.
Others don’t ask whether VAT will be added on top of the quoted price, only to discover the true cost later.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking mistake is not asking to see samples of the paper and materials being used; the author waits excitedly for their book to arrive, only to be handed a flimsy volume on cheap stock that feels nothing like the work they poured their heart into.
The truth is, self-publishing is about producing a product as much as sharing a story. Taking the time to ask questions, compare options, and insist on seeing exactly what you’ll be paying for can mean the difference between a book that looks like an amateur project and one you’re genuinely proud to hold in your hands and which reflects the hard work you have put in as well as the hopes, naturally enough, of your client to hold a book in their hands which is a quality item.
Edward is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
I've read a fair number of self-published books, and one thing I have noticed is that an unprofessional interior book design does impact my reading experience.
Interior book design is about all that invisible work that makes a book visually pleasant to read. If the lines break poorly, if the font is too big or too small, if the line spacing is too tight or too loose, if the font selection is one that's difficult on the eyes, especially after reading for a long time--all of this will subtly make your reader tired while reading, and, perhaps subconsciously, less likely to enjoy reading your book. They might not even know why! And by the end, they may be left with this feeling that they didn't want to pick up the book to read it as much as they have other books, which is not a feeling you want your readers to have, especially for something so easily fixable.
A well typeset book is unnoticeable. That's the point! Your reader doesn't notice the words on the page. Instead, they glide over them, immersed in the story. But a poorly typeset book stands out. Your reader's attention is pulled from the story again and again because the words are too squished together to read easily, or because there was one dangling line all by itself on the last page of a chapter and that looked odd, or because the font for the text messages was inconsistently applied.
Interior book design is an important part of the publishing process that I think a lot of self-publishing authors overlook.
Emily is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
At the same time, indie authors are also responsible for managing every part of the process themselves, often hiring professionals for tasks like editing, design, and marketing. This can be both time-consuming and costly — with the average self-publishing expense ranging from $2,800 to $5,300.
On the flip side, traditionally published authors benefit from full support from a publisher and often receive an advance payment. However, they may spend years navigating the query trenches, pitching to agents, and waiting for a chance to be picked up — only to earn a smaller share of the profits in the end.
Both paths have their pros and cons, so it’s worth taking the time to carefully weigh your options before deciding which route is right for you.
Now, assuming you’ve decided to self-publish, what should your first step be?
1. Write a book with market potential
If you’re here, chances are you’ve either just finished your manuscript or are close to wrapping it up. Either way, it’s crucial to ensure your book has market appeal. You'll want to write a story that’s both fresh and unique, while also staying true to your genre’s conventions and capturing the interests of your target audience.
This can mean:
- Researching bestselling books on Amazon to identify current trends and preferences in your genre;
- Looking for ways to incorporate (or thoughtfully subvert) popular tropes and story structures that resonate with readers; and
- Thinking about how to strike the right balance between the exact story you want to write and what tends to work within your genre.
For more guidance, check out our post on how to write a book, which covers everything from validating your idea to navigating the writing process.
Q: How can I overcome the fear that my story idea isn’t original or good enough?
Suggested answer
It's easy to walk into a bookstore, pull a finished book off the shelf, read it, and think, "Oh no. I could never write a book like this. I'm not good enough to be a writer."
This kind of thinking is a trap! As an editor, I've read hundreds of early drafts. Even the most exciting, most polished manuscripts that passed my desk needed several rounds of intense editing before they were ready for publication. And I was often seeing manuscripts after they had been through a few revisions already. It's not fair to compare your first draft to a published book that's been through many rounds of professional editing. Everyone's first draft needs work. If you expect your first draft to be on the same level as a published book, then you're going to set yourself up for a lot of self-doubt and disappointment.
However, when you pick up a book and think I could never write this, that's actually true. Not because you're a bad writer, but because your voice is uniquely and distinctively yours. You won't be the next Rick Riordan or the next Angie Thomas--but that's because you're going to be the next you!
Camille is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Even seasoned authors struggle with imposter syndrome and doubt themselves. That said, doing your homework is not a bad idea. Find out what books are similar to yours and find out if there is a glut in the market for that topic or if there is a need or hole in the market, and your book might fill a need.
The reality is that good books are not written; they are rewritten. That's why it is so important to work with an editor who can help you revise the book and take it to the next level, so it can become the best it can be.
Melody is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Once you’re confident in your manuscript’s potential, it’s time for the next step: polishing it to near perfection.
2. Edit your manuscript
Experienced authors know that editing isn’t just a tedious box to check — it’s where the real magic happens! It’s the stage where your messy, glorious first draft gets polished into a story that readers will treasure. The editing process happens in different stages:
Self-editing your first few drafts
Before anyone else gets a glimpse of your manuscript, you should aim to refine it as much as possible. For novelists, this means revisiting your drafts to perfect the storyline and ensure your characters feel ‘real’. For nonfiction writers, it could mean tightening up your chapters and re-evaluating how your central message is conveyed.
At this stage, you should also try to eliminate obvious grammar mistakes and typos. Free proofreading tools can help with this cleanup. Don’t worry too much about polishing every sentence to a shine — sentence-level edits will come later in the process. For now, aim to get your manuscript as strong and clean as possible before sending it out.
Getting feedback from beta readers
Having fresh eyes review your manuscript is also invaluable. Share your work with beta readers to receive constructive feedback — and, potentially, with sensitivity readers to get help with spotting cultural inaccuracies and biases. Integrate their suggestions as you see fit.
Hiring a professional editor (or editors)
At this point, you’ll likely want to hire professional editors. Traditionally published books undergo multiple rounds of professional editing before hitting the shelves, and you should aim for the same standard of quality.
Q: What type of editing is essential for self-published authors to ensure the quality and professionalism of their book?
Suggested answer
I like thinking about the different editorial processes in terms of how a house might get built. So a developmental edit is really going into the essentials: getting the foundations right, doing the electrical wiring, laying the bricks, building the house. A copy-edit would be about making the house liveable: installing the kitchen, carpets, blinds, the wallpaper. The proofread would be when everything is in place and you want to do a final deep clean, vacuum, sweep.
I think it really depends on the author and their strengths, but authors work so hard and so long on their books that I think it's almost impossible for them to do the final two stages - copy-edit and proofread - with any kind of objectivity. They've seen those words on the page so many times. A fresh pair of eyes here is invaluable.
Thalia is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
When you’re self-publishing, developmental editing and line editing are crucial steps to consider if you want to put out a professional, high-quality book.
Developmental editing dives into the structure of your story—checking for plot consistency, pacing, character development, and overall narrative flow. It makes sure your story holds together, that characters make sense, and that everything from start to finish engages readers. Without it, even a great concept can fall flat if there are plot holes or confusing elements.
Line editing goes a level deeper, focusing on how your story is told. It improves the clarity, flow, and style of your writing. A line editor will help tighten up sentences, enhance your voice, remove repetitive wording, and make sure every sentence shines.
For self-publishing authors, at least one (preferably both) of these edits are worth the investment. It’s what transforms a good idea into a book that readers can’t put down. Skipping them risks putting out a story that might be inconsistent, awkward, or just not polished enough to compete.
Even if you can only afford one major editing service, try to follow it up with a proofread to make sure it's as polished as possible.
Eilidh is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
There are various types of editing to consider, with the most crucial being:
💪 Developmental Editing: This type of editing focuses on addressing overarching issues in your manuscript, such as structure, plot, and character development, ensuring the foundation of your book is solid. A developmental editor typically highlights areas that need improvements, changes, or cuts — using both individual comments and an overall editorial letter.
Q: What should clients expect in terms of feedback and revisions during a developmental edit?
Suggested answer
With a development edit, what I'm giving you is a full health check and service of your novel. This is a close, hands-on edit of your story, focusing on narrative development, characterisation, dialogue, story-telling, and the clarity of your authorial voice and your prose. Essentially, my aim is to help you get the best out of your novel and give you the best advice possible. With several decades' experience working in genre publishing, I have an excellent idea as to what markets are out there and where to best place your novel.
You can expect to receive the edited novel with my changes tracked and comments included. Through the tracked changes you will be able to see my advice on what you can change and consider in revising your novel. I always track changes, as a development edit is a collaboration with the client. I'm using my extensive experience to make judgements on what works and what doesn't, but at the end of the day you have to be happy with those changes, and that they are true to your vision for the work.
As well as the full edit, I also provide my clients with a copy of the chapter and style notes I make as I edit. These are an immediate record of my process, showing my thoughts on each specific chapter. Clients also receive an editorial table, which is what I use to keep track of the spelling of names, unusual/unique terms, and places in the novel, as well as keeping track of essential characteristics, such as hair colour. I also provide my clients with a book report. This is an overview and analysis of the novel, detailing my key findings and suggestions as to revisions the client can consider and what next best steps they may also consider.
Finally, I offer to follow up with my clients in a one hour Zoom or Skype call, which is their opportunity to ask me any further questions they may have, as well as to discuss my edits in detail.
Jonathan is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
I define a developmental edit as a comprehensive review of a book’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for revision. With your manuscript, I’d read it and consider its pacing, plot, character development, voice, and other building blocks of storytelling. After reading the draft, I’d deliver to you a detailed editorial letter (no shorter than 3,000 words). The other "deliverable" from this service would be a detailed annotation of the manuscript. Using Track Changes, I would point out in-text examples of what's working, what's not, and potential paths forward as you continue shaping the manuscript. I find that this tool can be especially helpful for authors who want specific examples identified for them throughout the text. My expectation is that these two deliverables can help you improve the current manuscript while also adding to your knowledge base long-term. Hopefully, they’ll be resources you can revisit again and again.
Kevin is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
A nose-to-tail structural edit of your manuscript for authors who have taken their book as far as they can by themselves.
- Detailed recommendations to improve “big picture” concerns like characterization, plot, pacing, setting, etc.;
- Specific guidance on elements of writing craft;
- In-line suggestions and edits in the manuscript.
Brett is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
📝 Copy Editing: This editor reviews the text line-by-line to correct grammatical errors and punctuation mistakes and resolve any voice or tone inconsistencies. But that’s not all — a copy editor will also enhance your sentences with stronger wording, or restructure them for improved readability. Their goal is to both refine and polish your prose, helping it truly shine.
Q: What are the primary responsibilities and goals of a copy editor during the editing process?
Suggested answer
Copyediting is all about consistency – consistent backstories for your characters, consistent details in your setting, consistent arguments in non-fiction, consistent use of style to satisfy the publisher (and your most nitpicky readers). I think good copyediting should be almost invisible – my job isn't to change your style as a writer, it's to make sure the book is saying what you intended to say. My job isn't to change the way you tell your story, it's to make sure that you reveal each detail and thought in the order that keeps your reader as deeply engrossed in the story as possible.
Mairi is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Being a copy editor is all about catching those sneaky typos, fixing up clunky sentences, and making sure the tone stays just right so readers stay hooked and never feel lost or confused.
But it goes way beyond just being the “grammar police” or nitpicking every last comma (though yeah, I’ll totally keep an eye on those). My focus is on flow, rhythm, and making sure your message doesn’t just get across—it leaves an impact. If something feels off, I’ll tweak it back into shape, but without stripping away your voice or changing your style.
At the end of the day, it’s your story—I’m just here to make sure it shines as brightly as it deserves, keeps readers engaged, and lands exactly the way you want. My job is to let your words do the talking, but in their very best form.
Eilidh is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
I use the Reedsy definition of this role:
A “fine-tuning” of your manuscript. This includes:
- Direct edits to the manuscript on a sentence level;
- A focus on prose (eliminating repetition, purple prose, awkward dialogue, etc.);
- Corrections for inconsistencies.
I also generally can't help myself and wind up doing proofreading, as well—for which I also use the Reedsy definition:
The final stage of the editorial process. As standard, a proofreader will:
- Sweep the manuscript to catch remaining spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes;
- Make suggestions based on the publisher’s chosen style guide to guarantee a consistent reading experience.
Brett is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
👀 Proofreading: The final polish to catch any remaining typos or mistakes that may have slipped through during copy editing. Beyond that, a proofreader can also address typographical and layout issues, and crosscheck the text in your front and back matter (e.g., table of contents, foreword, acknowledgments, etc.), ensuring your manuscript is flawless and ready for print.
Q: When is a proofreader necessary after a copy edit, and how does this process differ from the editing phase?
Suggested answer
Proofreading doesn’t mean the copyeditor failed—it means the publishing process is working as it should.
At the Big Five publishers, where I’ve proofread re-releases of bestselling books that had already undergone professional editing and sold millions of copies, I’ve still found hundreds of errors—sometimes over 700 in a single manuscript. Even the most skilled editors miss things. That’s why industry-leading publishers invest in multiple rounds of editing—developmental, copyediting, slugging, proofreading, and cold reading.
For indie authors, budget often determines how many of these stages are possible. If you can only choose one, a solid copyedit can get your manuscript into excellent shape. But when feasible, combining copyediting and proofreading gives your book the clarity, consistency, and polish it needs to make a strong first impression.
Ian is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
A copyeditor is there to look at the style and tone of the work. They're traditionally wrestling with a house style guide or an academic style guide so the writer's work fits the industry standard. This is the person who polishes the writer's work – using industry knowledge writer's can't be expected to have – and gets it ready to be turned into a book. When the copyeditor's focus is on the whole of the manuscript (to note the jokes you made before, the colour of the character's eyes, and the weather outside in chapter three) it's not always possible to focus on commas too.
Proofreading should be the very final safety net, there to catch the last typos and act as a different set of eyes. They're able to concentrate on the very final detail of the text because the copyeditor resolved the vast majority of the glaring issues.
The most important thing, though, is that the proofreader should be reading the proofs. They're the person who checks the book professionally just before it goes to print, and checking for all the potential problems that were created when your manuscript went from a Word document to a PDF. When you remove the proofreader from the process, you risk all kinds of gremlins impacting the final version of your book and the impression it makes.
Mairi is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
A copy-editor often has to pay a lot of attention to wider issues, and hence may miss some small proofreading errors or inconsistencies. Also, in the publishing context, when a book has been typeset, the typesetting process often introduces errors into a book that weren't there before
John is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Depending on what your book needs the most, consider bringing in a professional with tailored editing expertise. On the Reedsy Marketplace, for example, you can search for (and request quotes from) professionals with specific experience in your genre.
The cost of editing will depend on the service you choose, your word count, your book’s genre, and the freelancer’s experience. For example, for a 60,000-word book, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 for most editing services. Try our calculator below to determine how much you’d pay for editing services.
Pricing calculator
Calculate the average cost of editing services for your genre.
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Okay — your manuscript has been edited, polished, and proofed. Now it’s time to make sure it looks as good on the outside as it does on the inside!
3. Get a beautiful book cover
Your book cover is your most important book marketing asset and a cornerstone of your overall self-publishing success. In fact, a great book cover can potentially double your sales.
Q: As a standard, how many concepts and rounds of revisions do designers offer in their quotes?
Suggested answer
I provide a minimum of three distinct initial concepts, each showcasing a unique design approach. This variety allows the author to explore different creative directions. Occasionally, if inspiration strikes, I may offer additional concepts, but three original designs are always guaranteed to start the process. Once the author selects their preferred concept, we refine it through up to three rounds of revisions, though many projects require only one or two rounds to achieve the final design. If multiple initial concepts resonate, we combine elements—such as typography, color palettes, or layouts—from several designs to create a cohesive and tailored final cover.
Rachel is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
As a standard, my process includes three main stages, each with clear steps and opportunities for feedback and revisions to ensure the final design meets the client’s expectations.
For concepts, I offer three black-and-white thumbnail sketches in the first round. These serve as the foundation for the design, allowing him to select one concept to move forward with. If necessary, he can request revisions during this stage, with up to three revision rounds included. Additional rounds are available for a fee, though most clients are satisfied with the initial sketches.
Once a concept is chosen, we move to the Detailed Sketch Round, where I refine the selected design, adding more clarity and, if relevant, suggesting a color scheme. The client is entitled to two revision rounds at this stage, with extra revisions available for an additional fee. Revisions during this phase should be smaller and align with what was approved in the previous round to avoid production delays.
Finally, during the Final Cover Round, I produce the polished, final version of the design. One last minor revision round is included to ensure all details are perfect.
This structured process allows for clear communication, minimizes unexpected delays, and ensures both the client and I are happy with the final product.
Carl is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
I’m happy to provide unlimited revisions for my clients until we create a design they absolutely love—that’s just how I like to work!
Robert is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
You can design the cover yourself with free cover templates from platforms like Adobe Express and Canva. But a truly effective cover involves more than just aesthetics. It should align with genre conventions, feature strong typography, and follow principles like visual hierarchy. Plus, it requires technical know-how to manage elements like trim sizes, spine width, and back cover design.
If design isn’t your forte, consider working with a professional designer. Reedsy connects authors with experienced designers who can bring your vision to life and handle all the technical details for you. Based on our data, the cost for a professional book cover typically falls between $500 and $800 — a worthwhile investment for a polished, market-ready product.
Q: How do you best work with clients to capture their vision for their book cover?
Suggested answer
Firstly, always listen to what the client is saying and - read between the lines - what do they really want. Read the brief. Then read it again. I don't just slavishly give the client exactly what they ask for. They are paying me for my expertise. So I will consider what they want to achieve (which is usually different than what they initially want to see). Then I will come back with ideas that will achieve their aims. Its a bit of back-and-forth between me and the client until we align on the final cover. Clients tell me all the time, they could never have expected the final cover to look how it does, and how thrilled they are with the result. Sometimes a client will come with a firm idea or element. If that serves the book then great, I will incorporate it in a way that optimises what the cover needs to communicate. Its ultimately about communicating clearly with the client.
Wayne is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
The best way to capture a client’s vision is to start by asking lots of questions. I like to find out not just about the story, but also about any concerns or fears they might have, what they do and don’t like, and how they want the book to feel on the shelf. Sometimes a video chat helps enormously to get a sense of their taste and personality.
If a client has a specific idea, I always do my best to use that and make it look professional. If I think the project could benefit from a different approach, I will suggest alternatives, but always as part of a collaborative discussion.
Stage one of my process is research and idea generation. I play around, try out unusual or even odd concepts, and see what comes from that experimentation. With every idea I present, I include variations in colour, composition, or typography so the client can see the possibilities.
Many authors actually do not know exactly what they want, and that is great too. In those cases, I cast my visual net wider, presenting lots of ideas and styles to see what resonates with the book. Once we have settled on a direction, the refining and to-and-fro can take several stages to resolve. Getting every detail right on the spine and back cover is equally important. From there, we work together to shape a cover that is both creatively exciting and commercially strong.
Clare is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Communication is key. Asking questions and asking for examples of favorite covers is a start.
After that I like to send a few different concepts. I like to make it clear that the first round is still like a shot in the dark and work in progress. Specially when the client is not sure what they want. The best way to understand what a client expectation is, for design and style, is to send a few different options first and start working from there.
Veronica is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
But don’t forget about the interior
While your book cover plays a crucial role in driving sales, whether that be through ads or as a thumbnail used by online retailers, don't overlook the importance of interior design — which encompasses the page layout and text formatting.
Reedsy has a free book formatting tool with a user-friendly interface that will have your book ready for publication in under an hour. You can simply import your manuscript and effortlessly format headings and paragraphs, insert images and endnotes, create a copyright page, and much more. Read our post on how to format your book with Reedsy’s free publishing app for further info.
FREE FORMATTING APP
Reedsy Studio
Format your manuscript for print or EPUB with a single click.
For books requiring intricate interior designs, such as photography books or cookbooks, you might consider hiring a designer. On average, this service costs between $250 and $750.
Once you’ve taken care of your book’s interior and exterior design, you want to optimize your book’s metadata.
4. Prepare your book’s metadata
Your book’s metadata is essentially all the key information about its content, target market, format, and more. It’s what helps retailers place it “on the right shelves” and show it to the right audience. This metadata also helps potential buyers/readers quickly understand what the book is about and decide whether to pick it up.
Metadata includes details such as the title and subtitle, book description, genre and subgenres, and more. Let’s break down the most important things you should optimize:
Book title
In tandem with the cover design, your title comprises your book's first impression, making it one of the most crucial pieces of metadata to perfect. It should grab readers’ attention, reflect your story’s tone, and resonate with your audience. It should also feel evocative, memorable, and, if you happen to be writing nonfiction, be optimized for Google or Amazon search. For more tips on brainstorming a great title, read our guide on the subject.
To increase your book's searchability, consider playing with its subtitle. For example, if you're writing a romance featuring a specific trope, highlight it in the subtitle (e.g., A Photo Finish: A Small Town Second Chance Romance by Elsie Silver). For nonfiction, you can use the subtitle to outline the topics your book addresses, directly answering readers' questions (e.g., Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means for Modern Relationships by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha).
Book description
If your title is your one-line pitch, your book’s blurb (150–300 words) is where you close the sale. It appears on your back cover, Amazon page, and more. Here are some tips for crafting a compelling description:
- Start with a gripping tagline. For example, a thriller’s blurb might open with: "A Village, A Murder, A Keen-eyed Sleuth" to create intrigue. A nonfiction book, like Ricardo Fayet’s How to Market a Book, starts with “Writing a book is hard. Marketing it can be even harder” — addressing an author’s pain-point head on.
- Highlight notable mentions or reviews. If a magazine or another author has praised your book, include their quote to build credibility.
- Consider using bullet points. Again, especially for nonfiction, you might list what readers will learn or take away. Check out Ricardo’s book for a good example of this.
- Make use of formatting tools. Use bold or italics to ensure the most important details stand out, and separate your text in paragraphs to make it easier to read.
For more advice, read our post on how to write an Amazon book description.
Q: What are the crucial steps to successfully publishing a book on Amazon, from manuscript preparation to marketing?
Suggested answer
Publishing a book on Amazon comes down to two key components: a high-quality book and reaching the right readers. Think of it as creating a polished final product and ensuring the right audience sees it.
Your book cover is your first impression—it should clearly convey the genre and instantly appeal to your target readers. Next, your description should emotionally connect with potential buyers, drawing them into the story and making them want to hit "Buy." Adding credibility factors like Amazon reviews, editorial reviews, or awards can help reinforce their decision.
Pricing is another important step. It needs to align with what readers expect in your genre while leaving room to adjust as your book gains traction. Finally, traffic: you’ll need a plan to bring readers to your book’s page through advertising, promotions, or organic efforts like email lists.
Each of these elements works together to create the best possible experience for your readers and give your book its greatest chance at success. I work with my clients to ensure all these pieces are aligned and optimized, giving their books the boost they need to stand out on Amazon.
Jd is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Categories (BISAC Codes)
Another important piece of information is your book’s BISAC codes. These codes classify your book’s genre and categories, making it easier for retailers to categorize and readers to find. You can look them up on the official Book Industry Study Group site, but when uploading your book to Amazon or other platforms, you’ll typically select them from a provided list.
When choosing categories, be strategic. Usually, it's good practice to select one broad category (e.g., Romance) and one specific niche (e.g., Sports Romance). For keywords, pick mostly terms not already in your title or description. This helps expand your book’s discoverability by covering a wider range of potential search queries.
ISBN number
While you don't need an ISBN number to publish your book, you may still want to purchase one. Owning your ISBN allows you to register yourself as the book’s publisher, giving you full control of your publishing rights across retailers. Note that if you plan to release multiple formats (e.g., ebook, paperback, audiobook), each format will require its own ISBN.
On Bowker, a single ISBN costs $125, but you can save by purchasing a bundle of 10 for $295. For more details, check out our guide on how to get an ISBN number.
Overall, optimizing your book’s metadata is essential for a proper book launch. This is why many authors work with specialized marketers to refine their blurbs, select effective Amazon keywords, and enhance their book’s visibility across all platforms.
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🤔 Do I need to set up a company (LLC) to self-publish a book? No — but it can be beneficial if you want to protect personal assets from legal risk (e.g., if you write a memoir), establish a bigger professional brand, or scale your publishing career overall. That said, for most first-time authors, starting without an LLC is fine.
The next step is to choose a distribution platform and prepare the files to upload.
5. Select a book distribution platform
Next up, to get your book into readers' hands, you'll need to pick a distribution platform. First, decide whether you want to offer your book as an ebook only or as both an ebook and a print edition.
If you go the ebook route, you have two main options:
- Distribute it directly through online retailers (keeping all the profits); or
- Use an aggregator to quickly publish your book across multiple platforms (but they’ll charge either a percentage of your sales or an upfront fee).
If you also want to print your book, then you’ll need to evaluate the best print-on-demand services. The two largest services in the world are Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark. Both let you upload your book and list it on their platforms for free, and they also provide comparable book products at similar printing and shipping costs.
Here’s a quick overview of the most popular book distribution platforms:
|
Platform |
Type |
Royalties |
Notable features |
|
Amazon Kindle Store |
Distributor |
70% for ebooks priced $2.99-$9.99; 35% outside this range |
Largest ebook retailer; access to Kindle Unlimited through KDP Select program |
|
Barnes & Noble Press |
Distributor |
70% for ebooks priced above $0.99 |
Integration with NOOK devices; potential in-store availability in B&N bookstores |
|
Apple Books |
Distributor |
70% on all ebooks, regardless of price |
Pre-installed on Apple devices; no exclusivity requirements |
|
Kobo Writing Life |
Distributor |
70% for ebooks priced $2.99 and higher; 45% below |
Strong international presence; promotional opportunities through Kobo Plus |
|
Google Play Books |
Distributor |
70% on all ebooks regardless of list price |
Integration with Android devices; global reach through Google Play Store |
|
Draft2Digital |
Aggregator & POD Service |
Takes 15% of net royalties |
Distributes to multiple retailers; offers free formatting tools and Universal Book Links |
|
PublishDrive |
Aggregator |
Subscription-based service (starting at $16.99/month) |
Distributes to over 400 stores and 240,000 libraries; detailed sales analytics |
|
KDP Print |
POD Service |
50%-60% of list price minus printing costs |
Excellent for Amazon sales; limited outside distribution |
|
IngramSpark |
POD Service |
45%-70% of list price minus printing costs |
Extensive global distribution network; access to bookstores and libraries |
For more details on each service, check out our complete guide to ebook distribution. You can also read our post where we tested and reviewed all the major print-on-demand (POD) book services.
Prepare your files with a formatting tool
Each service has slightly different requirements for file upload, but in general, you’ll need an EPUB file for the ebook version and a PDF file for print. As mentioned earlier, you can get both types of files for free using Reedsy Studio. Once you’re happy with how you’ve formatted your book, identify the trim size you need and simply export the files!
For the cover design, if you’re working with a professional, just let them know which platform(s) you want to use to print your book and they’ll take care of the details. If you’re making the cover on your own, read about the platform requirements for file upload and follow them carefully.
A word on audiobooks
The audio format has skyrocketed in popularity, and many self-published authors have invested in audiobooks and reaped the benefits. If you want to take advantage of the audiobook market, check out our guide on how to make an audiobook as an indie author. You’ll also find all the important details to know about how to create and distribute your audiobook files.
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Before you hit the publish button, there’s one more crucial thing to discuss: your book’s price.
6. Price the book to maximize sales
Setting your book price is a delicate balance. If you price it too high, you will profit more with every copy sold, but you may sell far fewer copies. Similarly, underpricing a book may sell more units but leave you with less money at the end of each month. So how should you price your work?
Q: What are the most common mistakes authors make when pricing their self-published books, and how can they avoid them?
Suggested answer
A big mistake I see authors make is not thinking through how their pricing affects readers. If you price your book too high, you risk scaring people off. If it’s priced too low, readers might assume it’s not worth their time. Finding the right balance—what I like to call the “sweet spot”—is so important.
The best place to start is by looking at other books in your genre. What are they priced at? This gives you a good idea of what readers are willing to pay. Temporary promotions, like dropping your price to $0.99, can help boost visibility, but I don’t recommend staying there. It’s easy to get caught in a “race to the bottom,” where constant discounts make your book feel less valuable.
As your book gains credibility—through reviews, awards, or just word of mouth—you can raise your price to reflect that value. Pricing isn’t just about numbers; it’s about showing readers that your book is worth their time and money.
Jd is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
The most common mistake authors make when pricing their self-publishing books is not pricing it so that they are covering all of their outlaid costs. Some authors only look at comparative titles in the marketplace and how they are priced. Indeed, this is an important step in figuring out what to price a book, but if you are not making a return on investment to at least to recoup your spend, not to mention a profit, then your list price is failing you.
Tara is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
My answer, as usual, is based solely on Amazon, where 80-100% of sales happen for most authors.
1. Missing KDP's thresholds for Kindle
Amazon pays you 70% of the retail Kindle price - if the price is in the range $2.99 - $9.99.
If the price is lower than $2.99 or $10 and higher - you will receive only 35% in royalties.
Kindle book which is more expensive than $10 and below $29 has no economic justification from the self-publishing point of view.
2. The same price for the paperback and Kindle
Those are two distinct products. Kindle should be cheaper than paperback. There are no production or distribution costs involved for an eBook.
Plus, Amazon customers are trained to expect cheap and discounted stuff, especially for such a flagship category like Kindle books.
3. Pricing too low
This happens more with hard copies. In 2025, Amazon introduced new royalty structure: 50% royalties for books cheaper than $9.99, and 60% for $9.99+ books.
The trick is in fine print, as usual. Those percentages are counted after deducting the printing (and distribution) fee. So, when the same book costs $8 or $12, your royalties will be dramatically different. Let's say the printing cost is $3: in the $8 scenario you will get half of the five dollars; in the $12 scenario, you will receive 60% of nine dollars ($2.5 vs. $6).
Avoid the less-than-$9.99 price range, unless you have particularly good reason to price your book so low.
With Kindle there is a dramatic difference between $2.99 book and $2.49 book because of the thresholds mentioned in point #1 (about $2 vs. 87 cents).
Personally, I find only one price point below $2.99 worth trying: 99 cents. It is good for entry point of a series or for promotional purposes.
4. Pricing too high
It applies especially to Kindle format. First, because the royalties’ thresholds penalize higher prices. Second, because Kindle readers are cheap.
First-time authors think: "It's just $5, a price of the coffee, surely people will be willing to buy my book." They forget that they don't sell coffee, but eBooks. Amazon customers have millions of other titles free or priced incredibly low to choose from.
In case of paperbacks, it is more about the subject matter and length of the book. If you try to sell your 70-page novella for $20, good luck. Non-fiction books solving specific problems are more "justified" to cost more.
In the fiction genres the competition is fiercer. Readers have plenty of alternatives, so if you overdo your price, they may skip your book and pick your competitor’s book.
5. Pricing out of market
If you aren't a household name, you'd better accommodate to market's expectations. Don't price your debut novel, or poetry book, or children book $50 - it is just too expensive.
Don't price your business manual $0.99 - people will think it's so cheap because it's trash.
Michal is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Research your market
The first prerequisite to setting your book’s price is to know your market inside out. What is considered a “normal” price for a book like yours? You can find that out by perusing the bestseller lists in your genre and looking at their prices.
Ricardo Fayet, author of How to Market a Book, points out that for many years, traditional publishers have been voluntarily overpricing ebooks in an effort to protect their print sales:
"You can’t really trust the prices of famous, traditionally published ebooks in your genre. Instead, look for high-selling titles from independent authors in your genre, and use those as a benchmark."
Needless to say, when pricing a book that you’re publishing yourself, you have the capacity to make the pricing decision that is best for you — without the external involvement of a publisher.
Lower your price to build your fanbase
As part of your wider strategy, Ricardo also mentions that a low price can be a great tool to entice readers to take a chance on your book.
“While you can certainly mimic the prices of the most famous indie authors in your category, it can also be a good idea to price your books a tad lower as a start, just to start building that fanbase.”
Once you have an established readership, they’ll have no problem paying more to get your future releases. And once you have multiple books in your back catalog, your pricing tactics can get a bit more sophisticated.
For a series, adopt a staircase pricing strategy
The most successful self-published authors are usually the ones who write one or more series. One reason for this is that it only requires the author to heavily market the first book in the series. If the reader likes that first book, they will then be inclined to buy the next book (and perhaps even pay more for it).
With a series, Fayet suggests starting with a free (or heavily discounted) ebook and then progressively raising the prices as readers get deeper into the series.
"For example, you could offer book one for $0.99, book two for $2.99, book three for $3.99, and the rest of the books in the series for $5.99. Once a reader is invested in your series — and absolutely needs to know what happens next — pricing is not as big a factor in their purchasing decision."
Q: What are the most effective ways for authors to begin monetizing their writing, particularly in the early stages of their career?
Suggested answer
At the beginning of your writing career, the best way to turn a profit is to be thoughtful and innovative when looking at your work.
Many new writers begin with self-publishing novellas or ebooks, which are inexpensive to produce and can be distributed to readers in rapid order.
Platforms like Smashwords or Kindle Direct Publishing permit the earning of royalties as well as developing a reader base.
Short stories appearing in literary magazines, anthologies, or contest publications also generate income and exposure.
Besides publishing, the majority of authors offer ancillary services—blogging, freelance, or ghostwriting—to generate a reliable flow of income and hone their writing skills.
Achievement in the beginning more likely comes from stability, reader engagement, and smart marketing: building a mailing list, establishing an internet presence, and cooperating with specialty communities relevant to your genre.
Money-making is never instant, but every action generates momentum toward a lucrative writing career.
John is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Take advantage of every single opportunity that comes your way in the beginning. Don't be too picky. If the front door is locked, go in the side door. Or find a window. I had great luck with blind queries in the beginning and that was before email, kids. I built many relationships that way, and most of all, keep believing in your talent, be agile, be diligent, and above all LEARN HOW TO SELL YOURSELF.
Bev is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
If you are a non-fiction author you can use your book as a platform to get speaking engagements even before your book is published. Once it is published, ask the business you are speaking for to purchase books for each of the conference attendees and then include this purchase in your speaking "package."
Melody is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
To learn more about using price promotions to boost your sales and ensure your publication is priced correctly in all countries, check out Reedsy’s free course on pricing books for an international audience.
7. Self-publish and promote the book
Now that you’ve exported your book and uploaded it to your retailer of choice, all that's left is to pull the trigger and... congratulations, you’ve published your book!
However, if you want to give it the best chance to thrive on Amazon and other platforms, you’ll need a proper book launch. A lot hinges on a book’s first few weeks on the market 一 your title must accumulate a healthy dose of book sales and reviews right away.
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Note that, while this is technically a post-publication step, it's important that you create an effective and timely book publicity plan weeks in advance. It takes some to plan PR activities like reviews, interviews, live readings, and podcast appearances. With that in mind, read on for a few key steps to consider.
Get book reviews
One of the key elements of sales is gathering social proof 一 people who read your book and (hopefully) give it a positive review. There are several ways to get book reviews — you could:
- Ask book bloggers to review your work;
- Send ARC copies to your friends, followers, and other potential readers; or
- Pay $50 for a high-quality review on a site like Reedsy Discovery.
For more advanced tips on how to get reviews on your Amazon’s book page before your launch day, read this post!
Keep marketing your book
Promoting your book is a long-term commitment. After publication, use analytics tools to measure how well your marketing strategies are working. Track key metrics like sales at different price points or click-through rates on ads, and adjust your creative strategy accordingly.
Beyond tracking data, get creative! There are countless ways to market your book, from joining #BookTok to hosting live readings and more. If you’re looking for inspiration, we’ve compiled over 70 book marketing ideas in another post — perfect for diving deeper into your promotional strategy.
Curate your author website and newsletter
Another cornerstone of book marketing is having a professional author website, which includes your author bio, book pitch and buy links, and other promotional information. Ideally, you should build an email list and nurture your readership over time — before and after you publish the book.
Q: What topics should authors cover in their newsletters to keep readers engaged and build a strong following?
Suggested answer
Authors can write about a lot more than just their book! Ideas to write about are:
- Top 10 favorite books - Write a blog post about your ten favorite books and then share it with your newsletter audience.
- Behind The Scenes - This is a broad category. You can write a newsletter about how you got the idea for the book, or about how certain characters came to be, their motives or any backstory that may not have been mentioned.
- Appearances and events - This should go without saying, but letting your audience know about any scheduled appearances in person or online is great to share with your mailing list.
- Ask them something! - Make your audience feel important and seen by asking for their input on something. Make sure it's something that you really want to know because the public can sometimes surprise you!
- In Depth Bio - You can write a more in-depth bio and share it with your audience. This pulls back the curtain and allows your fans to learn more about you, further strengthening their interest and trust in you / your author brand.
- A Short Story - Write a quick story and share it with your subscribers. Giving away free content is critical to gaining and keeping customers/fans these days.
This is just scratching the surface. I hope this has sparked some ideas of what authors can write newsletters about.
Chad is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Get involved in the indie community
Finally, remember that while self-publishing is an entrepreneurial journey, you don’t have to go it alone! Engaging with the indie author community can provide valuable insights and inspiration along the way.
One of the easiest ways to start is by thoughtfully interacting with fellow authors on social media. If you’re looking for more hands-on strategies, consider joining online writing communities, building your own street team, or attending writer’s retreats and conferences. These connections can make your self-publishing journey more rewarding and collaborative!
By following the steps outlined in this post, you won’t just publish your book — you’ll give it the best possible shot at success. Who knows? You might even become the next big success story in the world of self-published authors. Good luck!
