Self-Publishing Quick Guide

 Introduction

Please remember this is just my viewpoint and opinion on self-publishing.  As always, do your own research. There are way more fantastic and detailed guides to self-publishing online than this, and I hope if you stumbled upon mine, my resource list and page leads you to the real experts. Scroll to the bottom of this page for awesome resources!

What is Self-Publishing?  Here's a couple definitions I pulled from Google. The thing we forget about as creatives who are passionate about writing is that self-publishing is a business. We need both sides of our brains to be successful at this job.         

1. The process of publishing a book by the author without the involvement of a traditional publishing house or company. 
2. Self-publishing means you run and finance a business dedicated to producing and selling a single product: your book(s).

Books to Get You Started:

I highly suggest starting off your journey by reading The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing.  *NOTE: I can no longer find the ebook on Amazon but it is listed for FREE on B&N and Kobo Here. Or you can find a used copy of the first edition on places like Amazon and Abebooks.

While some information like social media will be obsolete and I would refer to a current self-publishing checklist like this post, or ones i've linked below, the rest of the book is still absolutely valuable at getting started in self-publishing. I find the personal success stories really inspiring making this one my favorite. 

For a more current book to getting started self-publishing, check out Let's Get Digital: How to Self Publish and Why You Should by David Gaughran.  I think it's now a permanent freebie too!

Other Resources to Get You Started: 

You can also check out some blogs, along with this one, if reading non-fiction books aren't your jam. Try these below for self publishing how to's. 

David Gaughran's How to Self-Publish a Book

Jane Friedman's How to Self-Publish a Book and her Self-Publishing Checklist

And if you thrive with video learning, YouTube is your new best friend. Just search, "How to self-publish a book" and click away. Below is a great one from Sarra at Heart Breathings!

The Self-Publishing Checklist Every Author Needs in 2026

Self Publishing in 3 parts:

1. Writing 
2. Publishing 
3. After Publishing 

Writing:

1. Write an amazing book. You write an amazing book by writing, re-writing, and writing again. It's the hardest part to sit in a chair and start writing everyday. I still struggle. Get the book written before reading the rest of this post. If you are lost and fumbling around in your writing, try reading GMC by Debra Dixon. It will get you to finish the book, or at least it did me. Find a craft book, youtube video, or a blog post that resonates with you. Ask questions. Whatever helps you figure out what you need to do to finish the book.

The main 3 programs I've seen used for writing are Microsoft Word, Google Docs (free), or Scrivener. There are many more than this. Pick what works for you, and always email yourself a copy or backup your writing however you choose. 

 

2. Self edit the book. Once the book is written, read through it all. Read it out loud. Make notes as you go on what needs to be changed and fixed. Then Fix it.  Run it through pro-writing aid if you suck at grammar like me, but don't let it change your voice. Only use it for things like punctuation.

3. Get beta readers. Find 3-5 beta readers to read your manuscript and give you feedback. Never pay for beta readers. On that note, never pay for reviews either. Put a call out on social media, search in facebook groups. Etc. Do not get another author. This would be a critique partner. Which is also an option if you want to have that. Get feedback you can't give yourself, but remember at the end of the day it's all suggestive. You get final say on what stays and what goes. Trust your gut. Get someone well read in your genre that gives constructive feedback that also doesn't want to make you quit writing. A good beta reader will eliminate the need for a developmental editor for character and plot. You might not get it right on the first go. Try again. If you don't want to use beta readers, that's okay too. Maybe go for that developmental edit if you are a newbie, or seek out that critique partner.

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4. Hire an Editor: (See my Self Publishing Resources page for more) 

-Hire an editor for copy/line edits and proofreading. 

-You will most likely need Microsoft Word for Editing.

-Finish your edits. 

Publishing:

- Uploading your book to whatever platform(s) you want to publish & sell on. 

1. Format your Ebook & Paperback. Before you can upload your book to amazon or any retailer, you must first format your word document into actually looking like a book. It's super easy to do yourself. See my Self Publishing Resources page for more. 

-I like to format a seperate file for my ebook and print book as the print book will have slight differences.

- See Amazon's Formatting Sample order here  and Kindlepreneur's here. And here is my own preferred order. 

2. Buy a Book Cover.  Your book cover matters greatly! You can buy a premade cover, or have one custom made by your cover designer. Your designer will walk you through the process, but they basically will need to know your final page count and trim size after you format. (See my Self Publishing Resources page for more.)

-You will also need your Blurb for the back cover. Your book description of preferably 200 words or less.

-Look at the top 100 best sellers in your genre on Amazon to be able to select a cover that will sell.

3. Purchase ISBNs.  

- If you can't afford them, don't let it stop you from publishing. Use the platforms free provided one for now, but purchase as soon as you can and own your book. This also will accurately track your sales by having your book under one ISBN. 

-You will need an ISBN for each format of your book. For example the paperback will have its own ISBN and so will your ebook. It's best to buy a bulk pack. 

- (See my Self Publishing Resources page for more.)

4. Upload( Publish) your Ebook & Print Book. This is where you will decide if you want to be exclusive to Amazon with their KDP Select program (Kindle Unlimited), or publish wide to all retailers. There is no wrong choice. Select which path aligns with your publishing goals and do it. You can always change it later.  

-You will upload your Ebook and/or paperback to the retailers websites you wish to publish on. Each website has easy to follow instructions and tells you how to do it. If you need more help, watch a youtube video. There is a youtube video for everything including on how to upload your book to Amazon. 

-I find it best to upload your book to each platform individually yourself rather than using an aggregator like Draft2Digital or PublishDrive. 

-Upload Your Ebook Here: KDP, (You will skip the rest of these if you decide to enroll in the KDP Select Program/Kindle Unlimited) Nook, Kobo, Apple, Google, and Smashwords  -Draft2Digital now owns Smashwords. This covers your "Big 5" and then Smashwords is great for someone to buy and download on whatever reading device is their favorite. Selling directly on your own website is also great for this if you are going wide, meaning you are publishing to all platforms and not exclusively to Kindle Unlimited. Kobo now offers a great alternative that allows you to stay wide and be in their Kobo Plus program which works like KU without the required exclusivity.

- Note that if you are writing a taboo book (usually only incest romance) you cannot publish it on the big 5 platforms. It will get taken down. You will be selling your ebooks on Smashwords, Eden Books, and selling direct on your website. Check out Payhip or Shopify for this. Bookfunnel makes it a seamless process to sell direct now for ebooks and audiobooks! 

-Upload your paperback to Amazon KDP &  Ingram Spark so it is available for distribution everywhere. 

IMPORTANT: There is a specific order you need to follow for uploading your paperback to both platforms! Please go watch these short videos below for the details! 

How to Correctly Publish Your Paperback Book to KDP and IngramSpark

How to Publish the Same Print Book at Both KDP and IngramSpark

-Once uploaded, order print proofs to check that paperback is correct.

-Note that uploading can take up to a couple of days to go live once complete. 

After Publishing:

- You finally hit publish. Your job is not over. Welcome to running your business, marketing, and advertisements. You don't have to do it all in one day, but pick your few focuses and grow from there. Have some kind of business plan to continuously promote your book(s). Also track your income and expenses, and make sure you are paying taxes quarterly. Set up an LLC if needed. Get a financial advisor, accountant, or attorney if needed. Etc. 

-This section is basically keeping the 5 Ps going: Product, Packaging, Price, Placement, and Promotion. (Read Chapter 5 of The Naked Truth About Self Publishing.) 

1. Setting Up Your Author Presence 

Create these accounts if you haven't already.

-First of all, go make a free Linktree account because you are going to make all of these accounts and need to link them under your linktree. This is a "Find me Anywhere" landing page that you need to post in the "links" section on your social media platforms and/or your website and newsletter. This is an easy way for you to send one link to anyone that houses all the information they would be looking for. 

-Set up Amazon Author Central Page (You cannot do this until your book is uploaded.) You need this so readers have a profile with all of your content to look through and be able to follow you. Following you on Amazon ensures every time you release a new book, your followers will get an email notification about it.

- Create an Account on Goodreads and claim your books. 

- Readers can also follow you on goodreads!

- Create an account on Bookbub

-Again, readers will follow you here and get an email notification every time you release a book. This is free email marketing that won't go to your readers junk mail. Same as your amazon author central. Don't neglect these two platforms and make sure you have the "Follow me on Amazon" and "Follow me on Bookbub" links on your linktree. 

-Create a Newsletter 

-EmailOctopus  and Beehiiv are free for the shocking number of the first 2,500 subscribers. Mailchimp and Mailerlite are free for the first couple hundred subscribers. I'm sure others are as well. You want an email list. Even if you don't want to send a regular newsletter and only send an email when your new book is out, that is okay! This is your lifeline to your readers. Social media can disappear tomorrow. Amazon can take down your books tomorrow. You need an email list. 

-Use can a reader magnet like a bonus chapter or bonus epilogue in the back of your ebooks to grow your list. You can use bookfunnel to do this. 

-Make sure to create a newsletter landing page and link it at the top of your LinkTree. 

-I find letting your list grow organically is best, and I don't bother with newsletter swaps and such. Let the readers come to you. Attract, don't chase. 

-Another great free newsletter option is Substack. Although this is more of a combination platform that feels like social media and blogging had a kid, it does have the completely free newsletter option which is a great place to start if you are on a budget and you will still own your list! 

-Create a Website

-Again, social media can be gone tomorrow. Have at least a simple one page landing spot for your readers to visit. It doesn't have to be fancy. Start will a free one with platforms like Google Sites, Blogger, or WordPress if you have too. I'm sure there are more options and Youtube is a great place to start searching. Have something that at least has your author name at the top, maybe a contact page, an about you or updates section if you want, and then a page that lists your books and links to purchase your books or buy direct from you if you choose. 

-Bonus & What I Use: Website & Newsletter All in One: The best deal I've seen and what I am currently using is Author Websites by Bookbub. It is free for the first 30 days then $10 per month after that. Plus the $15 a year for your domain. But what makes this an incredible option is the included newsletter tools with unlimited subscriber options. It is truly the best seamless setup I've found with everything an author needs in one place. 

-Create a Universal Book Link

You want everyone to be able to click your buy link for your book and it redirect them to their countries correct Amazon store or other retailer. These are free to do, and you should have this link as your buy link on your website, and on your Linktree or other landing page. 

Books2Read

Booklinker 

2. Social Media = Free Marketing, or Marketing can be anything you do that doesn't cost you money.  (This is my opinion. Or rather Alessandra's opinion that I adopted, but I like how she separated Ads from marketing because those cost money.) 

Also note that you DO NOT have to be on social media to be successful. There are endless paths to success. Including going old school with newspapers, magazines, local events, radio and more. I learned a lot from Jack Canfield and how he did boots on the ground marketing for his book. I highly suggest reading his Success Principles book! 

Below are the accounts I made a profile on. Pick your favorite, pick all, or pick a couple to focus on that you may even like. The main thing is that you have claimed your space and set up a presence in the world of social media, and it's there to use as you see fit. At least the account is made, and then you can leave it sitting until you decide if you want to use it or not. You could post consistently, post intentionally, or post new releases and big news only. Stay anonymous, or put your face out there. Find whatever aligns with you and makes you feel good. Whatever works for you, your business, and your personality. 

And I know you're not supposed to cross post, but if I make a TikTok video, you best believe i'm sharing it on every other social media platform as well. I also share the same posts from IG to FB to Threads...etc. I don't believe it's a bad thing, and it's easier on you. Pick your one day a week or every two weeks where you plan and make your marketing content and schedule it to post, or save to drafts for TikTok. That way you only have to think about social media for a few hours on that one day of the week. You don't have to get personal. You can just share about your books. Share quotes and teasers from them with a link to buy, and call it done. Remember you are now a business. Be professional online. 

I have profiles on these platforms:
-Facebook- I created a new account as an author, made an Author Page, and created a Reader Group. I've seen some authors also create and keep their ARC Team and/or Street Team groups here. Just depends on how reliant you want to be on a social media platform. I think an email list for those ARC readers still wins out. 
-Instagram- Linked to my Facebook for easy cross posting. 
-TikTok- Use for marketing. Download videos without watermark to recycle and use on other platforms.
-Threads- The new Twitter for people who never liked Twitter like myself. I post content like I would on FB & IG.
-Pinterest - Again, I share my recycled TikToks here and make my books storyboards visible when the book is published for readers to enjoy. I also share my blog posts here, website updates, and keep general active romance boards.
-YouTube - Yep you guessed it. I recycle my TikTok videos here.

Other Marketing Besides Social Media: 

3. Ads = Paid Marketing 

-I am not an expert on Ads as I don't do them yet. So I won't talk much about it. Do your own research. 

What I learned From Alessandra Torre: 

Ads take Time & Focus, Money, Knowledge, and a Marketable Product and Packaging. If you don't have one of these things, they won't work.

-Facebook Ads and Amazon Ads are the most common and people have a ton of success with them. 

-I am not the expert on Ads, but it's mostly playing with them to figure out what works for you. 

-Consult the experts on Ads.

-Before doing ads, maybe start with a paid newsletter promotion like a Freebooksy, or Bookbub deal. These cost money, but don't have a learning curve like Ads. 

Conclusion:

And that's all the basics! Breathe, you made it. I know it's a lot, but one step at a time. The main thing  is to just stay consistent and make a business plan beforehand. (Read Chapter 4 in The Naked Truth About Self Publishing for making a business plan.) And remember, you only have to set up all these accounts once, so book two won't have as much set up. And book two, and the next book, and the next book...are all that matters. Start writing the next book. 

Here's Some More Self-Publishing Checklists & Resources That May Help You:

My printer friendly Complete Self-Publishing Checklist that goes along with this page. 

My Essentials Only Self-Publishing Checklist for those on a budget, or overwhelmed with the big checklist and wants the most important steps only. 

Alessandra Torre's Publishing Checklist: I love this checklist. It really covers all your bases! The Latest Checklist: HERE

Also check out The Creative Penn Website for more self-publishing checklists and resources. Get her free author blueprint here. 

David Gaughran's Starting from Zero Free Course is an excellent place to start! 

K.M. Weiland's Helping Writers Become Authors website is wonderful and she also has a ton of helpful books.

The SPA Girls have a great self publishing 101 checklist with helpful podcast episodes to listen to for each step of the process.