OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
The rise and rise of self-publishing has meant an influx of writers into the market, and many established authors with back-lists are also joining the fun.
There is a LOT of information out there on how to publish your book, but I still get emails every day asking me how to do it.
[Please note: this post is updated over time so the information is current]
I also get emails from people who have paid $20,000+, have been utterly ripped off and are devastated with the results. This happened to me once, although with a lesser financial impact, and I am passionate about making sure authors don't fall into these traps.
With big name publishers like Penguin/Random House and Simon & Schuster signing up with Author Solutions to further exploit this kind of vanity publishing, you guys need to know there is a better and cheaper way.
I have a whole page on Publishing options here, but I thought a round-up post was called for. There are options below for publishing ebooks and print books, with DIY options and easy, paid services, so there's something for everyone.
Before you publish
Yes, you need a great book, and I believe you need to go through an editing process, and also get a professional cover design.
If you have existing contracts for your books, and /or have been published in the past, check you have the rights before you publish. If you're a new author, you have the rights and you can do what you like. You can publish in any or all of the following ways. There are no rules and you can sell globally! [woohoo!]
How to publish an ebook – the DIY option
(1) Format your book in Scrivener to create a .mobi (for Kindle), ePub for Kobo and Smashwords (very soon) or Word, PDF or loads of other formats.
Scrivener is only $45 and the compile function is just one part of the amazing writing software, which many authors (including me) swear by. I also recommend (and use) the brilliant Learn Scrivener Fast video training program which includes formatting videos.
(2) Publish on the ebook stores
For the best royalty rates, you want to go direct to the retailers if you can and the process is easy. There's plenty of help on each of these sites.
Publish on Kindle at KDP.Amazon.com
Publish on Kobo at Kobo Writing Life. You can also watch/listen to this interview from Mark Lefebvre, Kobo's Director of Self-Publishing here.
Publish on Barnes & Noble NookPress (which opened up to UK and some European countries in March 2014)
Publish on iBooks through iTunes Connect
You can also publish to all these stores and more through Smashwords (free with % royalty per book sales) or BookBaby (costs upfront but 100% royalty paid to author, or paid option with % royalty) or Draft2Digital (free with % royalty). Here's a useful post on Bookbaby vs Smashwords so you can evaluate the services.
How to publish an ebook – the paid services option
I know that some people don't want to mess around with ebook files. I used to feel like that too, but seriously, if you're publishing a lot, then try Scrivener. It will save you loads of money.
But if you definitely want help, there are lots of services that can do this, so you should shop around, check reviews and testimonials and ask other authors what they think.
Here are some options:
- Createspace conversion to Kindle file (for Amazon only)
- Bookbaby formatting
- Smashwords list of formatters
- Ebook Launch formatting
- Ebook Architects – for more complicated books
- Bibliocrunch author concierge services – or post a job to get someone to help you
How to publish a print book
Most independent authors make more profit from ebooks, so you should only consider print if you really want it for personal reasons, or if you have a live platform to sell it (e.g. speakers). Then you should consider print-on-demand as the best option as you don't have to pay upfront printing/storage or shipping costs.
If you're going to produce a print book, then also consider interior book design. You can get a Book Construction Blueprint and reasonably priced Word templates to DIY for Print on Demand services through Book Design Templates.
Only do a print run if you have the distribution sorted out – too many authors lose money this way (I certainly did!)
If you want a DIY option, and the best financial deal, then LightningSource is probably the best bet. However, you need print ready files for your cover and interior and you have to know what you're doing.
If you want an easier DIY option, with wizards and extra help, then go with CreateSpace.com, Amazon's own self-publishing company. They also have an option to make the ebook as well. If you have your own print-ready files, it is free to publish. Here's a comparison post between Createspace and LightningSource.
If you want to do print properly, soak up everything you can from TheBookDesigner.com – one of the very best blogs for self-publishers.
In terms of premium services, there are more companies offering these every day, some of them at astronomical prices, so please be very careful.
Check out Amazon's Createspace Premium prices here. Then compare what they offer to anything else you check out, since you know if you go with Createspace that you will be able to sell on Amazon.
If you like the look of a company, then check Preditors and Editors publishing guide for red flags, because a professional online site may still mean a rip-off.
Please note that Author Solutions, which is the service Random/Penguin & Simon & Schuster have chosen is marked: Not recommended. A company that owns or operates vanity imprints AuthorHouse, DellArte, iUniverse, Trafford Publishing, West Bow, and Xlibris. Here's an article about their dishonest marketing tactics on Writer Beware,
What happens next?
Obviously once the book is available at all online book retailers, it won't fly off the shelves without some help.
Read this post for starters: Help! My book isn't selling. 10 questions to answer honestly if you aren't making enough sales.
Then check out this page for more marketing ideas.
Recommended Books
If you want to read a book on the topic, then I recommend the following:
Choosing a self-publishing service – Edited by Orna Ross from the Alliance of Independent Authors
Let's get digital: How to self-publish and why you should – David Gaughran
Self Printed: The Sane Person's Guide to Self-Publishing – Catherine Ryan Howard
APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur – Guy Kawasaki
Scrivener for Dummies – Gwen Hernandez
Writing a novel with Scrivener – David Hewson
Want to join a community of active self-publishers who help each other out with information and advice? Check out the Alliance of Independent Authors. (I'm an active member and advisor). There's also a great blog: How to successfully self-publish
Do you have any questions about publishing your book?
Please do leave questions or comments below. This is a community of LOTS of authors, new and experienced, so together we can likely answer everything! I'd also love people to recommend any services they have actually used and thought were good. (No posts from companies though – only authors!)
Top image: Big Stock Photo Ebook reader and books, Bigstock Help button,
Jill Pond says
Hi Joanna-
Thanks so much- this was very helpful!
Question for you- I’m writing a book for girls ages 9-12 regarding body health and development. Do you know, or at least know where might I find out if this demographic is reading more books in print, or more ebooks?
Many thanks!
Jill Pond
Joanna Penn says
Hi Jill – sorry, I’m not a data girl – but check out Digital Book World for resources. It also depends on where in the world or in the country – since I know in the US in some states, some schools are moving to iPads and devices for schools books so clearly those kids will be more device savvy.
CJ Schepers says
After waiting 4 years for my agent to shop my book around — and another four months to find out that my “done deal” with a publisher had fallen apart — I’m finally self-publishing! One tricky part about my book is that there’s 4-color photography inside (a daily inspirational with royalty-free photos). Do ANY of these self-publishing companies handle 4-color printing inside, and if so, which ones are the best? I’ll be doing ebooks, too. But this is the kind of book that has to be hard copy/print.
Tracey says
Thank you for this information. I have created a small book of unique photographs, the purpose of which is to lift the spirits of those facing adversity ( like cancer, which has affected my family.) I hope to get folks to giggle and to see life from a positive perspective. I have made a prototype using a big- name pharmaceutical photo center, and, according to their terms and conditions, I cannot use the book for commercial purposes. I want to know where I can create more of these photo books so that I can sell them. ( I probably would donate a lot of them, as well.) My dream would be to team up with the American Cancer Society and have some of the proceeds go to cancer research. I also would love to have a website to which people could send their photos to be included in the ” next” edition of the book. Any suggestions on how to proceed with this endeavor?
Joanna Penn says
Hi Tracey – you can have a look at Blurb.com which is great for photobooks, or also check out Createspace.com. You just need to remember that photobooks are very expensive to print, so the volume sold is often much smaller.
Donna Wilson says
hi i am new to the book writing world and i have just started a book on the medical care of guinea pigs and was wondering about how to publish at the end and how much it costs.
thank you
donna wilson
Christine Hurst says
Hi Joanna, your blog (as always) is really informative and helpful. I am venturing into the world of self-publishing – or at least I’m trying to – but man, it’s a jungle out there. I am SO OVERWHELMED with information. Every time I find something that resonates, I then find something else that conflicts the previous information. Because I write children’s books, my target audience is slightly harder to reach than some adult audiences, and the formats for children’s books are varied (picture books, early illustared chapter books, illustrated non-fiction and novels). The illustrations add levels of complexity and, of course, cost. So thank you for helping shine some light on some parts of the business of self-publishing – it all helps!
Cheers, Christine
Paola says
Hi Joanna,
Thank you for all the wonderful information. One question about self-publishing: how do you manage copyrights and ISBN numbers? I am working on a children’s book and I would like to publish it as an ebook and print on demand book. Do I need an ISBN number? Is it advisable to register the content?
One more thing: I do not have a website or blog yet. Should I have one before publishing or can I wait for afterwards?
Thanks, Pao
Patti says
Thank you for such an informative post. I am in the discovery phase of a project and learning from others is a big help. I want to create a reference book that I envision being a non-standard size, having tab separators, spiral bond, and artwork. I don’t want to say too much about the content or the audience on an open forum, but I see the book as a gift item and therefore, “the look” being important. Can you recommend a company to work with or do you still think a DIY approach would work? Thanks.
Joanna Penn says
I think Blurb.com would be a good option for you Patti.
Brittany Deal says
How do I find someone to do the interior layout of my (non-fiction) e-book?
I am looking to find someone who can help me make the layout of my e-book beautiful. For example, I want the headings to be in color, I want to have arrows in the book, beautiful photos, tables, factoid boxes and margin copy.
I’m assuming this will need to be done in Adobe InDeign, I just don’t know where to find a freelancer for this. Is is best to go with an author services company, post a job to Elance or Odesk, or are there other options? Also, any tips on appropriate rates for this type of service?
Thanks for the help!
P.S. Joanna, thanks for all that you do. Your website is amazing.
Joanna Penn says
Hi Brittany, there are several resources I recommend:
1) http://www.TheBookDesigner.com – lots of tips and resources on this as well as pre-designed layouts you can buy and do yourself http://bit.ly/11X9v6T
2) A couple of people I know who do this: http://www.tianobookdesign.com/ and http://www.jdsmith-design.com/
but yes, of course, you can check Elance etc. Formatting prices will differ depending on how complicated it is, so I can’t quote figures. All the best!
Hans Maerker says
Hi Brittany,
I realize that it is a little bit late to answer since your comment was already posted a few month ago. Yet, I guess it’s never too late and other readers may profit from this as well. There is an alternative to Adobe’s InDesign, that is probably one of the most underrated software applications. I’m talking about Serif’s PagePlus–current version is PPX7– and you should have a look at it. Apart from its capability to do the same job ID does, its price tag is a fraction of what ID cost.
I don’t know whether Joanna has rules about promoting set up for this site, so I need to be careful. I just came to this site today and I hope Joanna will have mercy with me. 🙂
However, I work with PP for many years already, and exclusively since its version 9. Why and how is a long story and really doesn’t belong here. If you, or anybody else want to know more about PagePlus, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
BTW, I’m not one of Serif’s employees. Just an editor and (now) freelance writer who published technical manuals in print and as PDF for years. In case you’re still looking for a solution for your book, I may be able to help you with it if you want to. I check the option for comments via email, so I can follow up on this.
– Hans
Abby says
Hi Joanna,
I understand the importance of print on demand, but I want a hardcover book (something that create space does not offer), who is the best option for this?
Thank you in advance for your time in answering my question.
Joanna Penn says
Hi Abby,
You can use Blurb.com or Lulu.com or one of the other services. Those will be more expensive of course, and most people only do them for a premium product.
All the best, Joanna
David Bowman says
Lightning Source does hard cover books, too.
Alyscia says
Hi Joanna,
Have you heard of First Edition Design Publishing? http://www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com If so, is this any different that BookBaby? I contacted Scrivener and was told I cannot format a photography book using the software. Please help.
Joanna Penn says
Hi Alyscia, I haven’t heard of that site, but you can compare their prices and terms & conditions yourself to BookBaby.
For a photography book, I always recommend Blurb.com as they have specific software for photobooks, or I think Lulu also does now.
All the best with it, Joanna
Abbs says
I know this is over a year later, so it might not apply anymore, but I have my eBooks published through First Edition Design Publishing, and I couldn’t be happier. For my print books, I go with CreateSpace. Getting back to First Edition, for only $149.00 they do everything for you. There is no formatting your manuscript prior to submitting to them, just some basic guidelines. They do everything for you. They also have the best distribution hands-down, as my books are everywhere! In regards to your book cover, I do mine myself, but you can find someone on Fiver to create a nice cover for your eBook, as well as your print book for about twenty bucks. Like I said, it may be way too late, but if you’re not happy with the eBook publisher you went with, next time try First Edition Design Publishing. Jessica, Karen, and Debra are fantastic to work with and don’t treat you like a number.
My two cents worth…
Alyscia says
Hi Joanna,
I’m doing exactly what you said I should do “Only do a print run if you have the distribution sorted out”. I actually read this a few weeks ago, after I already started with printing. Do you recommend sending copies to a distribution company rather than having my books in a climate control storage facility? If so, what distribution company do you recommend?
Joanna Penn says
Hi Alyscia,
Distribution is very expensive for independent authors, so I don’t recommend it – unless you have understand all the costs involved e.g. 50% discount for booksellers + distributor % + returns + shipping. It’s really only viable for publishers with larger print runs and existing relationships. Personally, I can’t recommend any as it is not a solution I would consider for my own books – BUT/ I would love to hear if it has worked for anyone in particular and what the financial return was. I would stick with print on demand.
Best to talk to the printer about that, if you have already gone down that route.
All the best with it.
Christine says
Hi Joanna,
Your blog is so helpful to those of us who are new to the business. Thank you for all that you do to help us get started.
I have a question. I have a couple of children’s books I want to publish. I have an illustrator lined up. But I need a resource for self-publishing children’s books. For example, how to incorporate the illustrations. Can you direct me?
Many thanks,
Christine
Joanna Penn says
Hi Christine – I suggest you check out Karen’s site here: http://kareninglis.wordpress.com/self-publishing-a-childrens-picture-book/
as she outlines her process.
Melissa says
I have been writing some children stories since I’ve been going through chemo therapy. Iam a stay at home mom. I also do my own illustrations. Im looking for a cheap easy way to get my stories/slash books out where I can make some money and not hurt my pocket
Claire Gray says
Hi,
I have written a true story that involves a man who has been the victim of a sociopath within a marriage. I am afraid to self publish for libel reasons, although everything is true, the lady concerned could create many problems if she recognised herself. I have changed names and places, however some scenarios would be obvious to her if she ever discovered the book. I do not want the problems that could occur in order to defend the truth within the book. How do I get around this please Thanks Claire
Doug Siva says
Hi Joanna,
Thanks for the info listed here, its looks very helpful. I am wanting to print my book of poems and a songbook.
You have given me info to think about and research, much appreciated
regards
Doug
Perth Australia
Phillip Davis says
I am looking to publish my book this year. It’s my first go. I am considering using Bookbaby for ebooks and Createspace for a print arrangement. Any tips, caveats, or considerations a first time self-publisher should consider? Thanks!
Phillip Davis