How to Self-Publish a Book: Complete Guide + Costs (2025)

Traditional publishing accepts only 1% to 2% of the manuscripts that are sent to them, leaving many talented authors behind.

That’s why so many authors are asking a different question: How do I self-publish a book? Today, self-publishing makes it possible to keep your rights, control your creative vision, and even earn more per book.

We spoke with Julie Broad, author of Self-Publish & Succeed and founder of self-publishing service Book Launchers, about the benefits of self-publishing and how to get started.

What is self-publishing?

Self-publishing means you take full control of bringing your book to life—writing, editing, designing, publishing, and selling—without handing the reins to a traditional publisher.

In traditional publishing, you pitch your manuscript to agents or publishers, and if it’s accepted, they handle distribution, cover design, and marketing. In exchange, you give up some creative control and a chunk of your royalties (often 85% to 90%).

If you choose the self-publishing process, you’re in charge of every step—from hiring an editor to choosing the cover design to deciding where and how to sell. 

You keep more of the profits, move faster, and retain complete creative freedom. The flip side? The responsibility (and upfront costs) are yours.

Why self-publish your book?

Keep your intellectual property rights

“With traditional publishing, the author sells their intellectual property rights to the publisher,” Julie says. Some authors are comfortable with this arrangement, but it can be problematic for others—especially nonfiction authors.

“If you’re a business owner who spent 20 years developing a methodology, you don’t want a publisher to own that methodology,” Julie says. The same applies to authors with personal stories. “They don’t want to be told how their story has to be presented.” For these writers, keeping their intellectual property rights is a key benefit of self-publishing.

Make more money per book sold

In traditional publishing, sales go to the publishing company, which then pays royalties to the author. These royalty fees can be small. “You’re lucky if you get a dollar per print book sold,” Julie says.

With self-publishing, you’ll pay distributor fees, but without a publishing company taking a large cut, you’ll make more money on each book—about $5 to $6 per print book sold, according to Julie.

Control your business and creative decisions

As a self-published author, you decide what to do with your book. “You can give it away for free if you want to, you can sell it in bulk at a discount, you could trade books for magazine coverage or space on a stage,” Julie says. Publishers often restrict these kinds of promotions, since their revenue depends on each book sold.

You can even sell your self-published book to a traditional publishing company later. “Some authors will self-publish their book and then they’ll get a traditional deal and it will make sense for them to take it,” Julie says. “You’re never tied to self-publishing.”

How much can self-published authors make?

According to self-publishing company Spines, here’s what you can expect to make as a published author if you go the traditional publishing route:

• Hardcovers: Typically 10% to 15% royalties.
• Paperbacks: Around 6% to 8%.
• ebooks: Between 25% and 40%.
• Agents take 15% to 20% commission: And you might lose out on an advance until it’s earned out.

But Written Word Media’s 2024 Indie Author Survey paints a much more profitable picture for self-published authors:

• Ebooks: Royalty rates typically range from 70% to potentially 100%, depending on platform and pricing.
• Print (paperback/hardcover): Usually runs around 60% to 100% per sale, especially with print-on-demand setups.

Also, platforms like Amazon KDP, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble Press commonly offer approximately 70% for ebooks.

In 2024, the median self-published author income sat at around $12,800—more than double of what you can make with traditional publishers, with a growing slice earning $50,000 or more annually.

💡Did you know? Robert Kiyosaki first self-published Rich Dad Poor Dad in 1997 after being turned down by publishers. Within a few years, it became a global bestseller—selling more than 32 million copies, translated into 51 languages, and distributed in 109 countries. Today, it’s one of the most successful self-published business books of all time, and the foundation of a personal finance empire.

How to self-publish your book in 8 steps

Every self-publishing author’s journey is different, but these core steps will guide you through the process:

1. Know your reader

“You should be thinking about how you’re going to market your book before you’re done writing it,” Julie says. That doesn’t mean creating a complete marketing strategy—it’s about understanding your reader.

“Get as specific as you can,” Juie says. “Don’t write for everybody—really identify a reader and speak to them with the words they use.” Having a clear reader in mind makes writing and publishing easier. “A lot of people write their book and then try to figure out how to market it. But it can be really hard to make a book marketable after it’s already done.”

This clarity will save you headaches later when deciding how to self-publish a book in a way that reaches the right audience.

2. Work with the right editors

Your book will compete with traditionally published books in the same stores and marketplaces. To make your book just as polished, work with these types of editors, in this order:

• Content editor: Reviews your manuscript and suggests structural changes, like cutting or adding passages.
• Fact checker: For nonfiction books, verifies your claims and research.
• Copy editor: Polishes your manuscript with grammar and spelling suggestions.
• Proofreader: Provides a final review to catch any remaining errors before publication.

“A lot of people end up getting the wrong edit at the wrong time because they don’t realize there are different kinds of editors,” Julie says.

As a self-published author, you choose your own editors. Find freelance editors through talent marketplaces like:

You can also work with a service like Julie’s company, Book Launchers, to get matched with editors, or other self-publishing companies that bundle editing, formatting, and marketing support.

3. Create an eye-catching cover

Your cover is your book’s main visual selling point across retailers, marketplaces, and your online store. When designing your cover or working with a designer, think like a marketer:

• Design for thumbnails: Your cover will appear smaller in most online stores.
• Make your title easy to read: Help readers remember your book. 
• Consider the spine and back cover: Important for print book sales.

Find cover designers through the same freelance platforms you used for editing. If you have design experience, try free tools like:

4. Pick your publishing platform

Your manuscript’s polished. Your cover’s ready. Now comes the big decision: where (and how) you’ll actually publish your book.

Print-on-demand vs. traditional printing

With your polished manuscript and cover ready, it’s time to publish. You might use several platforms depending on how you plan to sell your book.

Julie uses multiple platforms for different purposes:

Most of these platforms offer print-on-demand services, where books are printed and shipped at the point of sale. This approach helps keep costs low, eliminates expensive inventory storage, and saves you time by outsourcing manufacturing and distribution. 

Other print-on-demand options include Lulu Direct, which integrates with Shopify, and Blurb, which includes design tools for photo books.

The two main options—print on demand (POD) and traditional offset printing—come with very different trade-offs.

If you’re just starting out, POD lets you publish with almost no upfront risk. Offset only makes sense once you know you can move hundreds or thousands of copies.

💡Pro tip: Self-publishing isn’t just about print and ebooks anymore. Spotify recently launched a publishing initiative for self-published authors, inviting submissions of short-form stories (10,000 to 20,000 words) in genres like romance, mystery/thriller, and sci-fi/fantasy. Selected works receive an advance, full audiobook production, and distribution to major retailers. Authors keep control of their audio rights, and Spotify is also encouraging uploads via Findaway Voices—lowering the barrier for indie authors to break into audiobooks.

How to publish a book on Amazon

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the most popular self-publishing platform—it’s widely recognized as the world’s leading choice and commands a massive share of the ebook market.

Here’s how it works:

1. Set up your KDP account: Go to kdp.amazon.com, sign in with your Amazon account, and add your payment and tax information.
2. Add a new title: Choose Kindle ebook or Paperback, then fill in details like title, subtitle, author name, description, and keywords.
3. Upload your manuscript: Accepted formats include DOCX, EPUB, and PDF (for print). KDP also provides a preview tool to check formatting.
4. Upload your cover: Design your own or use KDP’s free Cover Creator tool.
5. Set your pricing and royalties: For ebooks, KDP pays 35% or 70% royalties depending on price and territory. Paperbacks typically earn around 60% of list price minus printing costs.
6. Publish and distribute: Once approved, your book appears on Amazon within 24 to 72 hours.

💡Pro tip: Many indie authors use KDP + another POD service (like IngramSpark) to maximize reach. KDP covers Amazon sales, while IngramSpark gets your book into libraries and bookstores.

5. Format your book

Before publishing, you’ll need to prepare your book with professional formatting. Research platform requirements early, as they may differ between publishers.

Most self-publishing companies need two files: your manuscript file for interior pages and your cover file for the outside of your book (front cover, spine, and back cover). 

When formatting your manuscript, include these key elements:

• Trim and margins: Set your page height and width (trim) according to platform options, then determine margin sizes.
• Half-title page: Place this on the first right-facing page with just your book’s title—no page numbers.
• Title page: Include your name and subtitle on this page. You can add your logo, but it’s optional for self-publishers.
• Copyright page: Place this on the first left-facing page after the title page with your copyright information. If you’re not sure what to include, use this handy template.
• Dedication page: Keep this short—one or two sentences on the next right-facing page, without page numbers or headers.
• Table of contents: List your chapters and sections with their corresponding page numbers. 
• Chapter title pages: Start each chapter with a title page. Include page numbers but skip headers. 
• Body pages: On regular pages, add headers with your name on left pages and book title on right pages. 
• Bibliography and references: Include these for non-fiction books to credit your sources. 
• Author bio: Add your photo and a brief biography. 
• Index: For non-fiction books, list topics alphabetically with their page numbers at the end.

6. Get an ISBN

Your book needs an International Standard Book Number (ISBN): a 13-digit code that identifies your book’s edition, publisher, and physical properties. 

ISBNs help track your book across platforms, libraries, and marketplaces. They also prove your ownership of the content, making them vital for self-publishers. 

Many self-publishing platforms provide free ISBNs. If yours doesn’t, you can get a universal ISBN online.

Book metadata and BISAC codes

Once your book is ready to sell, metadata is what makes it discoverable. Think of it as your book’s digital fingerprint: title, subtitle, author name, description, ISBN, keywords, and categories.

One crucial part of metadata is the BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications) subject code. These are standardized categories used across the publishing industry—from Amazon to bookstores—to shelve and recommend books. 

The right BISAC codes ensure your book is competing in the right category. Pick too broad, and you’ll drown in competition. Pick too narrow, and readers won’t find you.

For example, if you’re writing a business or entrepreneurship book, here are some BISAC codes you might use:

• BUS027000: Business & Economics/Entrepreneurship
• BUS060000: Business & Economics/Small Business
• BUS024000: Business & Economics/Education
• BUS008000: Business & Economics/Business Communication/General

Authors can (and should) select multiple BISAC codes—usually up to three—so your book appears across different, but relevant, categories.

7. Create a Shopify store

Set up an online store to sell your book, even if you use other distribution channels like Amazon or local bookstores.

“One of the reasons why we encourage our clients to sell direct is because Amazon and bookstores don’t tell you who’s buying your book,” Julie says. “When you sell directly, you’re not only making more money per book sold, you’re also getting your customers’ contact information. That’s a huge advantage over just selling through Amazon and never actually knowing who bought your book.”

Julie sells her book through her Shopify store. “We’ve tested a lot of different platforms and we love how Shopify really sets an author up for success,” Julie says. “Once it’s set up, it’s easy for an author to manage. Shopify handles a lot of the storefront pieces that an author doesn’t necessarily want to be bogged down with,” like bundling and upselling. 

8. Market your book

If you want people to actually find and buy your work, knowing how to self-publish a book is only half the equation—you also need a smart marketing plan.

“It doesn’t matter how good your book is, you have to market that book,” Julie says. 

Try these approaches: 

• Share excerpts on social media platforms: Post samples of your writing to engage readers, then link to your book’s purchase page.
• Build reader reviews: Connect with your first readers and ask for honest reviews. Use apps like Opinew and Trustify that work with both Shopify and Amazon to manage reviews.
• Partner with social media influencers: Work with influencers whose audiences match your target readers to expand your book’s reach.
• Connect with literary media: Reach out to online publications and podcasts in your genre for interviews or reviews. Follow relevant outlets in your niche to build relationships.
• Create valuable content: Add a blog to your Shopify store to attract readers. Develop an SEO content strategy to improve your visibility in search results.

How much does it cost to self-publish a book?

When people ask how to self-publish a book, the real follow-up is almost always: How much will it cost?

Here are some of the areas of self-publishing that are likely to cost money:

Editing

Editing fees depend on the type of editing needed, ranging from copy editing to developmental edits, which can cost upward of $7 per page. For a typical 60,000-word novel, total editing fees could exceed $2,500.

Jacket design and formatting

Professional cover design can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on your designer’s reputation. Typesetting, meanwhile, can be handled using free or low-cost software, like Vellum and Atticus.

ISBNs

An ISBN is a must if you plan to sell your book in stores or online. In the United States, a single ISBN bundled with a barcode costs $150, while a 10-pack (with barcodes) costs $320—bringing the per-ISBN cost down significantly. Prices may vary in other countries, and it’s worth researching the cheapest way to obtain an ISBN before making a purchase.

Book printing and shipping

For authors printing physical books, factors like size, paper, color, and binding have a big impact on cost. A black‑and‑white paperback of 24 to 108 pages printed through KDP costs $2.30 per copy, while a standard 300-page paperback runs closer to $5 per book with KDP.

Marketing

Lastly, the task of promoting your book is unlikely to be free, even if you do your own marketing. Costs for online and print ads range from a few dollars for basic social media ads to thousands for space in well-regarded literary magazines.

How to self-publish a book FAQ

What’s the average cost to self-publish a book?

The cost to self-publish depends on your book’s size and content complexity. If you take a DIY approach, expect to spend around $5,000 to $6,000. If you want your book to match the quality of traditional publishing, you may spend $15,000 to $20,000.

How hard is it to self-publish a book?

Self-publishing moves faster than traditional publishing, but you’ll manage all publishing tasks yourself—from hiring editors to marketing your book. If you want to self-publish a book that will sell, plan to invest significant time, energy, and money into the process.

Do I need to copyright my self-published book?

Under United States copyright law, your self-published book is automatically copyrighted when you publish it. Some authors choose to file an optional copyright certificate to protect their work in countries that don’t recognize automatic copyrights and to make their work eligible for inclusion in the Library of Congress.

Can I self-publish my book for free?

Yes. Platforms like Amazon KDP, Apple Books, and Kobo let you upload and sell your book without upfront fees. The main costs come from professional services—editing, cover design, and marketing. You can publish for free, but investing in quality makes your book far more likely to sell.

Do self-published books make money?

They can—and many do. Monthly income varies widely, from under $500 to over $10,000. Success depends on factors like genre (romance and thrillers often perform best), how many books you publish, and how well you market them.

How long does it take to self-publish a book?

If your manuscript is polished, you can go from upload to live on Amazon in 24 to 72 hours. But the full process—writing, editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing prep—usually takes several months to a year, depending on how fast you move and how polished you want the final product to be.