You just wrote a novel. Congratulations: you’re already amazing. But you might be grappling with the inevitable followup question: What now?
If you’ve dipped your toes into the world of traditional publishing, you’ve probably noticed it’s not for the faint of heart. Between the endless pitching, the waiting, the rejections, and the inevitable realization that even if you do land a deal, you might have little control over your own work—it’s enough to make any writer consider other options. Not to mention, there’s no shortage of companies and so-called “experts” ready to take advantage of hopeful authors, promising the world as they drain their wallets.
All of this might have led you to consider self-publishing, which is increasingly popular among budding writers. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding how self-publishing stacks up against traditional publishing to getting your book polished, choosing the right platform, and setting yourself up for marketing success. Let’s get into it.
Self-publishing versus traditional publishing: What to know
Both of these paths have their advantages and challenges, and the right choice depends on your goals as an author. Let’s break it down.
Pros and cons
Self-publishing gives you full creative control, faster turnaround times, and significantly higher royalties—often 70 percent or more compared to the 10-15 percent most traditionally published authors earn.
You also get to decide everything: the cover, the formatting, the pricing, the release date. But that also means you’re responsible for every step of the process, from editing to marketing. And without an established publisher backing you, visibility can be a challenge.
On the other hand, the traditional route offers prestige, professional editing, design, and built-in distribution to bookstores and libraries. There’s also the benefit of industry connections and the potential for an advance.
However, the process is notoriously slow—sometimes taking years—and even after landing a deal, many authors have little say over their covers, titles, and pricing. Plus, royalties are often lower, and the competition to even get a foot in the door is fierce.
Success stories from both camps
Plenty of authors have found success on both sides. Colleen Hoover started out self-publishing before being picked up by a traditional publisher, proving that indie success can lead to major opportunities. On the flip side, Brandon Sanderson, already a traditionally published author, made headlines when he crowdfunded over $40 million for his self-published books, showing that even established names are recognizing the benefits of going indie.
Self-publishing puts the power in your hands, while traditional publishing offers structure and support—but this comes at the cost of creative freedom.
Your pre-self-publishing checklist
Whether you’re self-publishing or not, there are a few crucial steps you need to take to ensure your book is polished, professional, and ready to compete with traditionally published titles.
Here’s what you need to know, especially if you’re DIY-ing the process.
Editing
No matter how skilled you are, every writer needs an editor. Typos, plot holes, and clunky sentences can pull readers out of the story, and in the world of self-publishing, a poorly edited book can make or break your reputation. There are three main types of editing to consider:
Developmental editing – Focuses on big-picture elements like plot, pacing, character development, and overall structure.
Copy editing – Fine-tunes grammar, sentence flow, consistency, and word choice.
Proofreading – The final polish to catch any lingering typos or formatting issues.
Professional editing can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on your book’s length and the level of editing needed. If you’re on a budget, you might consider beta readers, critique partners, or AI-powered editing tools to help refine your work before hiring an editor.
Cover design
Like it or not, people judge books by their covers. A professional, eye-catching cover can be the difference between someone clicking "buy" or scrolling past. And if you're serious about sales, investing in a high-quality cover is essential.
To find a designer, check out platforms like 99designs, Fiverr, or Upwork for experienced cover designers who specialize in your genre. And if you’re going the budget route, tools like Canva or Adobe InDesign can help you create your own—just be sure to research design trends in your genre so your book looks competitive and clean.
Formatting
A clean, professional layout makes for a seamless reading experience. Different platforms require different formats, so you'll need to prep your book accordingly.
Ebooks (Amazon KDP, Apple Books, etc.)
Formats like EPUB or MOBI are standard, and tools like Vellum, Scrivener, and Kindle Create can help format your ebook effortlessly.
Print Books (Paperback & Hardcover)
PDFs formatted to specific trim sizes are required. For print-on-demand services like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, make sure your manuscript meets their guidelines.
Pro tip: If formatting sounds overwhelming, you can hire professionals on sites like Fiverr, or use Draft2Digital, which offers free formatting tools.
Choosing the right platform to sell
Now that your book is ready to go, it’s time to pick the platform that will get it in front of readers.
Amazon KDP
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is by far the most popular self-publishing platform, and for good reason. With millions of readers browsing Amazon every day, it’s one of the fastest ways to reach a massive audience.
KDP’s massive marketplace can get your book in front of readers worldwide. You can also earn 70 percent royalties on Kindle ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99. KDP also offers print copies of your book, making it a one-stop-shop for both ebooks and paperbacks.
Still, there are some drawbacks to note: If you choose to enroll in KDP Select, your ebook must be exclusive to Amazon for a 90-day period, limiting distribution elsewhere. Also, because of its popularity, the marketplace is quite saturated, making it hard to stand out.
IngramSpark
IngramSpark is a leading self-publishing platform for print books, offering a wide distribution network that goes beyond Amazon. The platform distributes to over 40,000 retailers and libraries worldwide, including Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and indie bookstores. It also comes with a wide selection of print formats, including hardcovers, paperbacks, and special bindings, and unlike KDP, IngramSpark allows you to publish your book on multiple platforms without limitations.
On the flip side, IngramSpark charges fees for both setting up print books and revisions, which can add up. Also, the royalties are lower for print copies compared to KDP, especially when distributing through third-party retailers.
Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital (D2D) is a great option for authors who want to distribute their ebook across multiple platforms with ease. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and smooth upload process, and it sends your ebook to retailers like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more. The platform also offers free, automatic formatting of your ebook for various platforms.
Drawbacks of D2D include the fact that the platform sets certain pricing guidelines, which may limit your flexibility. Also, D2D focuses solely on ebooks, so you’ll need to use another platform (like KDP or IngramSpark) for print copies.
Platform Comparison Chart
Platform | Features | Royalties | Distribution Reach | Print Options | Fees |
Amazon KDP | Ebooks & POD, Kindle Unlimited | 70% for ebooks | Amazon, global reach | Yes (POD) | No upfront fees |
IngramSpark | Print & ebook distribution | 45-60% for print | 40,000+ retailers worldwide | Yes (POD & Hardcover) | Setup fees |
Draft2Digital | Ebook distribution to multiple stores | 60-70% for ebooks | Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble | No | No upfront fees |
Marketing basics
Self-publishing isn’t just about writing and publishing—it’s also about getting your book into the hands of readers. Marketing is crucial for success, and while it can feel overwhelming, building a strategy around your author platform and book launch will help you stay on track.
Building an author platform
Before you even release your book, you need to start building your author platform. This is your personal brand and a way to connect with readers, followers, and other authors. Think of it as your digital “home” where people can find out more about you, your writing, and your work.
Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook are great for engaging with readers, sharing your writing journey, and building a community. Regularly post about your process, share snippets of your book, and interact with fellow authors and readers.
You should also have a professional website (sort of like this one!), and an email list, which is your most direct line to your audience. Encourage people to sign up with freebies, exclusive content, and updates. Email marketing can help you sell books, promote launches, and keep your audience engaged over time.
Book launch strategies
A successful book launch can make a huge difference in your book’s long-term success. Here are some effective strategies to create buzz before and during your release.
Pre-orders
Set up pre-orders as early as possible. This builds momentum, gives your book a ranking before it even launches, and encourages readers to commit in advance.
Giveaways
Hosting a giveaway, especially in collaboration with other authors or influencers in your genre, can spark excitement and generate word-of-mouth buzz. You can give away digital copies, signed paperbacks, or exclusive swag.
Collaborations
Team up with other authors or influencers in your niche for joint promotions, social media shout-outs, or even group events like virtual launch parties. This way, you can tap into each other's audiences.
Ongoing marketing
Once your book is launched, the work isn’t over. Here are some strategies to keep your book visible and continue growing your readership:
Create a blog (or guest blog on other sites) to share writing tips, personal stories, and book updates. Blogging helps with SEO, builds your author brand, and keeps readers coming back for more.
Attend virtual or in-person author events, conferences, and workshops to network with other writers, publishers, and influencers. Building connections in the literary world will help you grow your audience and open up opportunities for future collaborations.
Platforms like Amazon Ads, Facebook Ads, and BookBub Ads can be incredibly effective for reaching new readers. Targeting the right audience with ads can help boost visibility, especially if you have a backlist of books to promote alongside your new release.
Self-publishing is filled with challenges and rewards. It’s a path that allows you to take full control over your work and connect with readers on your terms. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to publishing, the freedom and creative control that come with self-publishing are unmatched.
So, take the leap. Your story deserves to be heard, and you have everything you need to make it happen. Whether you’re launching your first book or your fifth, the experience will shape you as an author, and the journey will be worth it.
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