How to Self-Publish a Book: The Complete Guide
As technology continues to reshape how we consume literature, self-publishing has become a powerful avenue for writers looking for greater control, flexibility, and direct access to their audience. However, publishing a book can feel like a monumental task, especially when you do it on your own. There’s a whole world of design choices, marketing strategies, and printing options that you need to navigate before your book finds its audience. Count on Palmetto Publishing to guide you along the way. In this complete guide, we’ll explore how to publish your own book and how Palmetto can help every step of the way.
Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing
When it comes to publishing your book, authors can use traditional publishing or self-publishing services. Here’s what these processes entail and how they differ.
What Is Traditional Publishing?
Traditional publishing is the time-tested method where authors submit their manuscripts to literary agents who act as intermediaries between authors and publishers. If accepted, the publisher handles the entire publishing process, including editing, cover design, printing, distribution, and marketing. Authors usually receive an advance against royalties, but a significant portion of the book’s earnings go to the publisher, literary agent, and intermediaries. While traditional publishing provides the support of an experienced team, it often involves a longer timeframe and less control for the author.
What Is Self-Publishing?
Self-publishing is a more independent approach where the author takes charge of the entire publishing process. Authors can use self-publishing platforms and services to publish their work in digital, print, and audio formats. With self-publishing, authors typically earn higher profit margins per sale, retain ownership of their work, and can bring their books to market much faster than traditional publishing. While it involves more hands-on involvement from the author, self-publishing provides greater creative autonomy and the potential for increased financial returns.
Benefits of Self-Publishing
It’s not always easy to decide between traditional publishing and self-publishing a book. On one hand, traditional publishers give your book a certain level of credibility. A contract from a publishing house tells booksellers that someone knowledgeable has backed your idea. But that credibility can come at a cost. Here are some reasons why self-publishing a book may be a better option.
No Gatekeepers
In the traditional publishing space, authors often must convince literary agents or publishing houses to take on their work. Self-publishing eliminates this hurdle, letting authors bring their stories directly to readers. This freedom enables a diverse range of voices and stories to find their audience without being filtered through the subjective judgments of industry gatekeepers.
Higher Margins
Self-published authors tend to enjoy higher profit margins compared to traditional publishing. With traditional publishing, many book sales go to publishers, literary agents, and distributors. According to Writer’s Digest, traditionally published authors only keep 10% to 15% of a book’s profit. Self-published authors can keep up to 100%, depending on arrangements with sellers. This financial advantage provides authors with greater control over their income and the ability to invest in future projects.
More Control
Self-publishing not only provides higher profit margins but also gives authors more control over the creative process. In traditional publishing, decisions on editing, cover design, and marketing are often delegated to a team. However, with self-publishing a book, authors can choose their editors and designers, ensuring their work aligns with their artistic vision.
Maintain Rights
In addition to creative control, authors retain full rights over their works when they self-publish. Unlike traditional publishing contracts, which often require authors to relinquish a significant portion of their rights, self-published authors maintain ownership. This allows authors to explore alternative publishing avenues, adaptations, and licensing opportunities without constraints.
Timeline
Traditional publishing processes involve submission, review, editing, and production, which can be very time-consuming. It can take months or years to even find a literary agent. However, with self-publishing, authors can set their own pace and get their books into the hands of readers in just a matter of weeks.
Equal Quality
The perception that self-published books don’t match the quality of traditionally published ones is quickly fading away. Thanks to the availability of professional editors, designers, and formatting tools, self-published authors now have the means to create premium books. Many accomplished self-published authors make wise investments in professional services to guarantee that their work not only meets but surpasses industry standards. Consequently, self-published authors are rightfully earning the recognition they deserve.
How to Self-Publish a Book
The appeal of self-publishing has made it the fastest-growing segment in book publishing, according to the Alliance of Independent Authors. It’s still not an easy road, but you can navigate it with the right guidance. Following these steps, will provide everything you need to know on self-publishing a book.
Step 1 Writing
If you have a finished book ready for publication, congratulations! You’re ready to move on to editing. If not, that’s okay. It’s easy for authors to get excited and start thinking about publishing before the book is finished — or even started. Here are some tips for finishing your book.
Keep the Momentum
Use your excitement to fuel your writing. Focus on why you want to publish a book and what you want to communicate with it. Clearly define the purpose behind your book — whether it’s to share a compelling story, inspire change, or offer valuable advice. By maintaining a sharp focus on your purpose, each word becomes significant, and your narrative gains a compelling direction.
Make an Outline
If you’re struggling to make progress, create an outline. List the sections you want to include. It’s for your eyes only, so don’t worry about formatting or structure. Just get your ideas on the page.
Then, take it one piece at a time. Set goals for yourself, like finishing a chapter by a specific date or writing a certain number of pages per day.
Ask For Help
Some people find it helpful to have “writing buddies” who can check in on progress and offer feedback on artistic choices. Having someone read an excerpt of your book can calm lingering doubts and show you the book’s next step.
If you want more professional support, there are several avenues to explore. Joining a writing group provides a collaborative environment where you can share your work, receive fresh perspectives, and engage in constructive discussions. Attending a writing camp or workshop offers an immersive experience to refine your craft, learn new skills, and connect with fellow writers. For a personalized approach, hiring a writing coach can provide targeted guidance, tailored feedback, and mentorship that aligns with your specific writing goals.
Feedback during the writing process is optional, but you’ll definitely need someone to read your finished draft.
Step 2 Book Editing
A first draft is never ready for publication, nor is a second. It takes multiple read-throughs and various degrees of re-writing before a book should go to print. Here’s the process the pros use.
Self-Editing
Your first draft should be for your eyes only. It’s possible to give your raw first draft to a beta reader, but you’ll get more useful feedback if you’ve given it a self-edit first. However, you shouldn’t self-edit right away. Instead, put your manuscript aside for at least a few days. A week is even better. (According to The Write Life, Stephen King waits for six weeks!) By giving yourself some time, you ensure that when you pick your book back up again, you’ll be looking at it with fresh eyes.
When self-editing, make sure:
- The first few pages grab the reader’s attention.
- The language is vivid (show, don’t tell!).
- You don’t overuse certain words.
- You don’t use complex words where simple ones would do.
Most importantly, don’t worry about making the first draft perfect. You still have several rounds of edits and plenty of time to make changes.
Beta Reading
Beta readers are volunteers who read your manuscript and offer feedback. We don’t provide beta readers at Palmetto, but if you can find one, they can provide valuable feedback to refine your final draft. The Write Life recommends beta readers who are:
- Part of your target audience. If you wrote a YA novel, ask a friend’s teenager to be your beta reader. If you wrote a nonfiction book for entrepreneurs, choose a business owner.
- Not too close to you. Family members and friends make enthusiastic beta readers. But they’re inclined to boost your ego. Acquaintances, coworkers, and friends of friends are more objective.
- Willing to be honest. Only take beta readers who are explicitly okay with offering constructive feedback.
- Not too busy. Reading an entire book takes time. You want someone who will get back to you in a timeframe that works for you.
Ideally, you’ll have multiple rounds of beta reading and more than one reader per draft. Send your first self-edited draft to two or three people at first. Implement their suggestions, then send it out again to two more people. Repeat until you’re ready to show your draft to a professional.
Professional Editing
For most writers, this is the first big financial investment you’ll make in your self-published book. It’s also arguably the most important.
A professional editor will look at your manuscript and turn it into a polished product. Editors know industry standards and what resonates with readers, and they’ll make sure your book is as good as it can be. They’ll also catch errors that a writer or beta reader can easily miss. There are several different types of professional book editing services. The major ones are:
Developmental Editing
A higher-level assessment of the manuscript’s plot, structure, and point of view.
Copy Editing
Sentence-level, more mechanical editing that looks at grammar and usage and checks for errors.
Line Editing
More specific feedback on language usage and style, including word choice and prose quality.
When self-publishing a book, you choose your editing services. Top-level publishing companies like Palmetto will have editors experienced in all three types of editing. The Palmetto editing team can help you determine which form or forms of editing will serve you best.
If you wrote a children’s book or a book with images, work with your editor to break up the text into pages or determine where images should be placed.
When working with Palmetto, make sure to save your manuscript in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. This is the best way for our editors to provide feedback and suggestions.
Step 3 Professional Book Design
Don’t underestimate the power of a great book design concept. When in the market for a new book, your audience will be faced with hundreds of choices. Focus on these items when designing a book to engage your reader visually and mentally:
Font and Typesetting
Page Layouts
The Book Title Page
Images and Illustrations
Front and Back Cover Design
Book Cover Design
Everyone says, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but we all do — including your future audiences. If your book doesn’t look professional and polished, discerning readers may pass it by. A professional book cover design helps you put your best foot forward, capturing the attention of potential readers and signaling the care and quality they can expect within the pages of your book.
Interior Book Design
Book interior formatting matters, too, especially if you publish digitally. Your book needs to be readable across a range of devices. Proper formatting makes that happen.
Readers also look for signs of quality in print books. That includes:
- Page size
- Paragraph construction and line spacing
- Font size and type
- Margins and page breaks
- Chapter title styling
Images
If you want to use your own images or illustrations for your book, ensure they’re high-quality. You’ll also want to ensure you own the rights to all the images you use. Consider your book’s trim size as well. Check out our Complete Guide to the Perfect Book Layout to learn more about trim sizes and book dimensions.
Step 4 Book Metadata
Paying attention to your book’s metadata is a critical step that can impact your book’s discoverability and appeal to readers. The metadata consists of essential information that helps potential readers, distributors, and retailers understand what your book is about and how it fits into the market.
Book Title
Your book’s title is the first interaction readers have with your work, making it a crucial element of your book’s identity. It should be catchy, memorable, and reflect the essence of your book. A well-crafted title can pique curiosity and entice potential readers to explore further.
Book Description
Your book description should be engaging and informative to convince readers to open your book. This brief yet powerful text should provide a snapshot of your book’s theme, main characters, and the unique elements that set it apart. A captivating description encourages readers to delve into the world you’ve created.
ISBN
Securing an ISBN is a fundamental aspect of book metadata. These identifiers are assigned to individual books and are essential for proper cataloging and identification in the publishing industry. Palmetto will help you obtain your ISBN.
For copyright protection, please visit copyright.gov to register your work and protect your intellectual property.
BISAC Codes
BISAC codes help categorize your book by genre and subject. Choosing the most relevant BISAC codes increases your book’s visibility in online retailers and libraries, making it easier for readers to find. Palmetto will discuss these codes with you to help you choose one that accurately represents the content in your book.
Step 5 Publishing
When you feel like your book is polished, it’s time to arrange your book for printing. You can publish your book in several formats. When it comes to printing physical books, your most budget-friendly option is to print on demand.
Why Make Your Book Available in All Formats?
Making your books available in various formats, like print, audiobooks, and e-books, gives your readers a variety of ways to enjoy your book. Using all three formats helps you meet people where they are and how they like to experience a good read. Some people love the feel of a physical book in their hands, while others want the freedom of listening to an audiobook during their daily commute. E-books offer digital versatility, appealing to readers who appreciate the convenience of having their library at their fingertips.
Where to Self-Publish
Palmetto makes it easy to publish your book in any format. With us, you can ensure your book reaches your readers in whatever format they prefer!
Step 6 Distributing Your Book
Distribution is how your book makes it into the hands of readers. Your most affordable option is to handle the process yourself, working directly with retailers.
Where to Distribute
When it comes to distributing your books, the first step is to put yourself in your readers’ shoes. Where are they most likely to buy your book? Does your reader prefer online shopping or visiting a brick-and-mortar store? Will you have better luck finding them in bookstores or boutique shops?
If you’ve decided to go the brick-and-mortar route, be aware that it’s not always easy to claim shelf space. We recommend building a good relationship with independent sellers who can take your book under their wing. The better your relationship with store owners, the higher your chance of snagging a spot on their shelves.
When distributing your book to physical stores, consider buying them in bulk. Also, be aware that it’s standard for retailers to get a 30–55% discount on the price of your books.
The Benefits of Outsourcing
When you handle distribution, you keep more in your pocket per sale, but all the logistics and negotiations fall on your shoulders. It can be extremely stressful, especially if you lack industry experience.
Another option is to outsource your distribution. If you print through Palmetto, we work with retailers on your behalf. Palmetto distributes print books to more than 40,000 retail stores and libraries across the world, including Barnes & Noble and Amazon. E-books also make it to the top platforms, including:
When you outsource, you also have the option to print on demand. As discussed above, this is one of the most cost-effective solutions for authors.
Step 7 Marketing
As with distribution, the first step in the marketing process is to consider your audience and where they’re buying from. Actively promote your book on your social platforms to engage readers and build a community around your work.
Below are some tips for reaching out to your audience, depending on where they are. For additional marketing advice, check out our Marketing Guide.
Guerilla Marketing
One of the best ways to market your book is to establish genuine connections. Consider reaching out to local bookstores and inquire if they would be willing to feature your book on their shelves. Creating this personal connection increases your book’s visibility and fosters support from the local community.
To expand your book’s reach, consider checking out local markets. These spaces can attract diverse audiences and provide an excellent opportunity to introduce your book to new readers. Placing your work in unconventional yet relevant locations can introduce it to a larger audience.
For direct engagement with your audience, visit book festivals, comic cons, or literary festivals. These events offer a platform to connect with readers, build a community around your work, and generate excitement. Attendees at these types of events are often passionate about literature, making it a great environment to create a buzz around your book and leave a lasting impression.
Social Media
Whoever your readers are, they’re probably on social media. More than four and a half billion people around the world use social platforms like Facebook and Instagram — a 10% increase in just a year.
As it grows, social media has become a gathering place for readers. Book lovers have created BookTube on YouTube, BookTok on TikTok, and #bookstagram on Instagram.
Communities like these allow authors to build connections and market their books for free. If you engage with creators, you can ask for reviews when your book hits shelves. You can also buy ads to increase your exposure with people who haven’t seen your work before.
Author Website
Every book project needs an internet home. Your author website will be a resource for anyone interested in your book, whether they hear about it on the radio or watch a reviewer discuss it on YouTube.
Your website is where you can tell your story as the author. Talk about your “why.” What made you decide to write your book? What inspired your story? Sharing details about yourself can help you create genuine connections with your readers.
Your website should also feature:
- Your biography
- A contact page
- Opportunities to buy your published works
- Links to your social media pages
You can design and publish your website yourself or hire an expert. Palmetto’s designers are ready to help. You can also check out this blog for more advice on improving your website.
Press Releases
Traditional media still matters. With a good press release, you can get interviews and write-ups from local and industry journalists, podcasters, and bloggers.
Palmetto offers press release writing and distribution a la carte or as part of a book marketing package. Drawing on a network of more than 780,000 media outlets, Palmetto’s professionals will send your announcement to as many as 1,000 media outlets.
Reviews
Reviews are another critical part of marketing because they can significantly influence potential readers. Positive reviews provide social proof of a book’s quality and act as endorsements that can build trust with readers. Word of mouth has a significant impact on book sales, and authentic reviews, whether on online platforms, blogs, or traditional media, contribute to organic promotion.
We don’t offer review services at Palmetto, but we suggest including them in your marketing efforts. Consider asking your readers to go to your favorite platform to leave reviews for your book. You can also pay for book reviews through companies like Kirkus Reviews.
Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs)
ARCs are pre-publication copies that let authors share their work with a select group of readers, including influencers, book reviewers, and enthusiasts, before the official book launch. They can help create a buzz around an author’s upcoming release, generating excitement. Keep in mind that if you want ARCs, you may have to push your release date out to ensure your readers have time to read the early release.
Author Events
Author events and conventions allow authors to directly connect with their audience and create lasting impressions. Whether it’s a book signing at a local bookstore or a panel discussion at a literary festival, these platforms let authors engage with readers, showcase their personalities, and build a genuine connection. Besides direct sales, these events contribute to brand building, letting authors establish themselves as accessible and relatable people in the literary community.
What Does It Cost to
Self-Publish A Book?
The cost of self-publishing a book depends on the services you choose and the complexity of your book’s design. You can check out our comprehensive pricing guide to get a better idea of the cost for your specific project. Our guide provides more detailed insights into the costs associated with self-publishing and gives a breakdown of expenses related to our editing, cover design, formatting, and other services.
Pricing Your Book
Setting the price for your book requires a thoughtful approach. While there’s no one-size-fits-all formula, it’s important to consider developmental costs, publishing expenses, and royalties. Here are some other factors that should influence your book price.
Assess Competitive Book Prices
Research and analyze the prices of similar titles in your genre, particularly those from new or first-time authors. By comparing rates and considering the number of reviews and ratings, you gain insights into industry standards and reader expectations. Try to set a competitive yet reasonable price that aligns with your book’s values and the market it caters to.
Consider Your Publishing Goals
While setting the price for your book, think about what you want to achieve during your publishing journey. Take a look at how much time, effort, and money you’ve put into writing, publishing, and promoting your book. If you want to get your story into as many hands as possible, consider setting a lower price. On the other hand, if you see your book as a premium choice, a higher price tag may be better.
For more comprehensive advice, check out our blog about setting the right book price.
How Much Do Authors Make?
The amount of money authors make can vary widely depending on the type of book, publishing costs, and the market. However, according to the Alliance of Independent Authors, you’re more likely to make a living if you self-publish. In 2022, the medium revenue for self-published authors was $12,749, increasing by 53%.
Getting Started with Publication
The world of self-publishing is much easier to navigate with a knowledgeable partner like Palmetto Publishing. Palmetto is a top-tier company with expert staff in all aspects of book publishing, from copy editing to book marketing.
Working with Palmetto lets you focus on what you know best — your book and its audiences. You have the freedom to market and print with Palmetto or handle those aspects on your own, trusting us with only the essentials of interior formatting and cover design.
Reach out today to learn about our author services. You’ve worked hard on your book, and you deserve a publication process that’s as easy as possible.
More Resources
The Complete Guide to Writing Non-Fiction
The Complete Guide to Writing Fiction Books
The Complete Guide to Writing Short Stories
The Complete Guide to Book Marketing
The Complete Guide to Book Editing
The Complete Guide to Writing a Memoir
The Complete Guide to the Perfect Book Layout
The Complete Guide to the Book Writing Process
The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing a Book