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is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date.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,
Jim Kelly says
Hi, I teach at the college level and am interested in turning extensive notes already in Word or Publisher into a text……..Is it my fate that I might have to retype this material into a program such as Scrivner> And if so, how sophisticated is this program? Just thinking of the learning curve. Any other suggestions for my field would be appreciated….
Thanks,
Jim
Joanna Penn says
You can import from Word into Scrivener – you don’t need to re-type.
I recommend Learn Scrivener Fast to get through the learning curve quickly – http://thecreativepenn.com/scrivener
Markus Thayer says
Congratulations Joanna for your job.
I am reading your book “How to Market a Book” and I am loving it! When I finish I’ll post a review.
I’m a writer and a kind of TI consultant (Data base and Web developer). I have a paperback book published in Brazil (written in Brazilian Portuguese) and now starting the digital journey.
Thank you for your tips and advices.
Markus Thayer
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Markus 🙂
Kristelle says
Hello, thanks for all the great resources! I am self-publishing my first book in the spring. It is in the finishing stages but not yet complete. Does the book have to be completely finished to have my cover designed (I wanted a cover for both ebook and Create Space)? I wanted the cover image so I could begin working on my website. Also, I’m thinking of using 99Design and was wondering what files should I request?
Joanna Penn says
You can have the cover designed anytime – as long as you know the title, genre and what you want on the back if you want print – although for the spine size for print, you need to know how many pages. For 99 Designs, you can request .jpg, .png for sharing on the web and a resizeable vector file or the original file so it can be changed later and a print ready PDF
Raqiah says
as a wrier who enjoys everyday of life wondering around just to experience things and write about them , I have always had trouble publishing my poems and stories . I been writing since I was 10 and did nothing with it . I am hoping you would give me ideas how to publish my poems and stories.
Mark Bragg says
I have been a reporter, political consultant and businessman for many years. My view of what the government and Wall Street have done to our economy caused me to write Economic Conservative/Social Liberal which is being published by Amazon (CreateSpace) and Kindle this month. I couldn’t be more pleased with their services. Also, I have been fortunate to hire JKS Literary Publicists, and they are doing a magnificent job. My concern is distribution. While I continue to research through your material (which is excellent), is there a direct route to distribution in airports? Kindle says my 107 pages takes only 90 minutes to read, and it’s very current. Business people are particularly interested. I’m already submitted to B&N, but have not heard back from them as yet. Many thanks for all your support to the author community.
Joanna Penn says
Have a look at Ingram Spark for print distribution, but it will be pretty expensive to try and get into airports. They are mainly dominated by traditionally published books. I’d focus on ebooks, which is how most indies make their money.
Mel says
Hello, I’m an authors assistant and we’re looking for a reputable ghostwriter. Any suggestions for one, or things I should be aware of?
Thanks
Mel.
Chris says
Hello.
I have a question regarding publishing as an ebook, followed by a print book. Say for instance I publish an ebook and have moderate success, before I publish it as a print book would you recommend having it edited professionally? Or rather, would a publisher insist on having it edited professionally, and if so, would that not result in the original ebook being totally different from the printed book, whilst both are going under the same title? I hope that makes sense.
Thanks for any help in advance!
Joanna Penn says
You should have it edited professionally before you publish in ebook format – then the print book is just another format. Here’s some recommendations: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/editors/
Carole says
HI Joanna
I am 3/4 of the way through my first fiction book and really enjoying it (much more fun than writing non-fiction : ) ) . I would like to know if I should set up an author website now, or after it’s finished?
I also have websites (just hit by Penguin ahhhh) for the 3 ebooks I have on Kindle, and which I am now hoping to transfer to CreateSpace using Scrivener. Is this easy to do, and have you written an article on doing it?
Thanks
Carole
Joanna Penn says
Here’s some info on why and how to build author website: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/authorwebsite/
On Createspace, here’s info on how to publish a print book: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/how-to-self-publish-a-print-book/
shia says
Fantastic article! my inquiry : does everyone copyright before publishing or are there ways to have this done through ebook filing? thank you
Joanna Penn says
check this out for info on copyright http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/07/05/a-guide-to-rights-orna-ross/
Carole says
Great! thanks so much Joanna – lots to print out and read this weekend.
Last night I found the following videos (one of the links on edditto leads to Joseph Michael and you 2013!).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMLq0wegC10
http://edditto.com/how-to-publish-a-manuscript-from-scrivener-to-createspace/
I want to see what a book published by CreateSpace looks like, so just ordered ‘One Day in New York’ from the Book Depository 🙂
Have a good weekend!
Carole
Andrew Lothian says
Hi Joanna
I found your page and comments very helpful. I have nearly completed a long term project of writing a book on landscape quality assessment. I intend to call it the Science of Scenery. It has about 24 chapters with lots of pictures, graphs and tables. Because of these, I think that on-line publishing is best because any publisher of hard cover books restricts the number of illustrations, particularly if in color. I would appreciate your advice on where I could go for on-line publishing of a fairly technical book.
My website has many of the chapters in the miscellany section.
cheers
Andrew
Annie Miller says
Can you give me an insight into obtaining a copyright? I know I copywriter myself rather than the title of my book but I have yet to see how to do it. Thanks for all your assistance to new writers. It’s a different world from sending book to a publishing house.
Joanna Penn says
Check these out: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2014/10/06/legal-helen-sedwick/ and http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2013/07/05/a-guide-to-rights-orna-ross/
Darlene says
My daughter’s amazing ink drawings are ideal for the adult color book market. Compared to reading books, in finding a way to make this happen….where would you take this? Feeling hopeless and overwhelmed in where and how we should start with this.
Joanna Penn says
check this out for adult coloring books: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2016/02/29/adult-coloring-book-meg-cowley/
samantha ford says
I have published with Createspace and my novel is available as an ebook and paperback. I am now in South Africa where it is difficult to get amazon to deliver books to customers. I can publish the paperback edition here but would that create a problem with Createspace?