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Self-Publishing Guides & Resources

Free, in-depth guides covering every stage of self-publishing — from your first manuscript to bookstore shelves. Written by authors, for authors.

32 guides

Getting Started

How to Self-Publish a Book: The Complete Guide

The complete step-by-step guide to self-publishing. From manuscript to sales — editing, cover design, ISBNs, formatting, distribution, and marketing.

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Getting Started

Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing

Compare royalty rates, timelines, income data, and creative control. Includes an interactive quiz to find the right publishing path for your book.

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Getting Started

Self-Publishing Checklist

50+ items organized by phase with interactive checkboxes and progress tracking. Everything you need before you hit publish.

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Getting Started

Self-Publishing Costs

Self-publishing typically costs $500–$5,000+. Real cost breakdowns for editing, covers, ISBNs, and distribution.

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Getting Started

Self-Publishing Cost Breakdown

Interactive calculator with real costs for editing, covers, ISBNs, and marketing. Plan your budget from $500 to $5,000.

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Writing & Formatting

How to Write a Book Blurb That Sells

Genre templates, before/after examples, and a proven 5-step process to write book descriptions that convert browsers into buyers.

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Writing & Formatting

Best Fonts for Books

12 professional typefaces with real specimens. Covers font sizes, line spacing, and genre-specific picks for self-publishers.

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Writing & Formatting

Best Book Sizes & Trim Sizes

Standard book sizes by genre, cost comparisons, page count tips, and how to choose the perfect trim size for your book.

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Writing & Formatting

How to Format a Book for Print

Correct margins, bleed settings, PDF specs, and trim sizes. Works with KDP, IngramSpark, and Books.by.

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Writing & Formatting

How to Design a Book Cover

DIY cover design guide: genre conventions, Canva tutorial, typography rules, color psychology, and print vs ebook specs.

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Writing & Formatting

How to Format & Distribute eBooks

EPUB vs MOBI explained, formatting tools compared, distribution platforms, KDP Select vs wide, and pricing strategies.

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Writing & Formatting

AI Tools for Self-Publishing Authors

Practical guide to AI writing assistants, editing tools, cover design, audiobook narration, and marketing — what works in 2026.

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Publishing & Legal

How to Get an ISBN

Compare Bowker ($125) vs free options, understand the rules, and learn how to publish with a free ISBN on Books.by.

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Publishing & Legal

How to Copyright a Book

Your book is automatically copyrighted, but US registration ($45–65) adds legal protections. Step-by-step filing guide included.

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Publishing & Legal

How to Publish a Book in Australia

Step-by-step guide covering ISBNs, editing, cover design, platforms, pricing, tax, and distribution for Australian authors.

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Printing & Distribution

Best Print-on-Demand Services

The definitive comparison of KDP Print, IngramSpark, Lulu, BookBaby, Draft2Digital, and Books.by with real printing costs and royalty calculators.

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Printing & Distribution

Print-on-Demand Cost Comparison Calculator

Compare print-on-demand costs and royalties across six major platforms with an interactive calculator using real pricing data.

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Printing & Distribution

How to Get Your Book Into Bookstores

Wholesale discounts, returnability, IngramSpark setup, approaching indie bookstores, and consignment strategies explained.

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Printing & Distribution

KDP Select vs Going Wide

Should you go exclusive with KDP Select or distribute wide? Compare revenue models, genre data, and real income scenarios.

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Printing & Distribution

How to Sell Books Online in 2026

Every channel compared — Amazon, direct sales, bookstores, social, wholesale, crowdfunding. Interactive calculator and channel mix quiz.

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Printing & Distribution

How to Sell Books on Your Website

Higher margins, reader data ownership, and direct relationships. Compare platforms, calculate profits, and start selling direct.

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Marketing & Sales

How to Market a Self-Published Book

15 proven strategies to market your book in 2026. Build your audience, sell direct to readers, and own the customer relationship.

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Marketing & Sales

How to Plan the Perfect Book Launch

Step-by-step timeline from 3 months out to post-launch. Email list strategy, ARC team tactics, launch events, and interactive checklist.

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Marketing & Sales

How to Price Your Book

Pricing psychology, genre norms, format-specific pricing, KDP royalty thresholds, and an interactive royalty calculator comparing platforms.

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Marketing & Sales

Self-Publishing Income: How Much Do Authors Make?

Real data on self-publishing income. Income distribution by tier, revenue by genre, and an interactive income estimator.

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Marketing & Sales

Free eBooks as Lead Magnets

Use free ebooks to generate leads for your business. Platform comparison, landing pages, email sequences, and conversion tracking.

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Marketing & Sales

Sell Print Books for Your Business

The "book as business card" strategy. Use print books for authority, lead gen, and high-ticket sales. ROI calculator included.

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Genre Guides

How to Self-Publish a Children's Book

Working with illustrators, trim sizes, colour printing costs, ISBNs, pricing strategy, and an interactive illustration cost calculator.

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Genre Guides

How to Self-Publish a Cookbook

Recipe formatting, food photography, paper types, colour printing costs, lay-flat binding, distribution, and interactive cost estimator.

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Genre Guides

How to Self-Publish a Poetry Book

Formatting poetry for print, choosing trim sizes, cover design, pricing, and marketing your poetry collection step by step.

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Genre Guides

Low-Content Book Publishing

Create and sell journals, planners, and notebooks. Niche selection, design tools, pricing strategies, and platform comparison for maximum profit.

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Genre Guides

How to Make an Audiobook

DIY narration vs hiring a narrator, recording equipment, ACX vs Findaway Voices vs Spotify, AI narration, and distribution platforms.

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UK & International

How to Self-Publish a Book in the UK

Complete UK-specific guide covering Nielsen ISBNs, UK printers, VAT, HMRC tax obligations, and distribution to UK bookshops.

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UK & International

How to Get an ISBN in the UK

Nielsen ISBN Agency process, costs, turnaround times, and how Books.by provides free ISBNs for UK authors.

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UK & International

Self-Publishing Costs in the UK

UK-specific cost breakdown in GBP — editing, cover design, formatting, ISBNs, printing, and marketing for British authors.

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UK & International

How to Sell Books in UK Bookshops

Getting into Waterstones, WHSmith, and independent UK bookshops. Gardners, Bertrams, trade discounts, and consignment.

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UK & International

UK Author Tax Guide

HMRC self-assessment, allowable expenses, VAT registration thresholds, and tax tips for self-published UK authors.

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