My Journey in Self-Publishing

So, you’ve written a book—now what? For many writers, the next step is self-publishing—a process that can be just as challenging as writing the book itself. From editing to marketing, each step requires careful planning and often, a bit of money. Here’s what you need to know before you hit “publish.”

1. Editing: Preparing Your Manuscript

Services like Reedsy offer a range of editing options, from editorial assessments for big-picture guidance to proofreading for grammar and spelling. Each type of editing has its place, but be prepared—professional editing can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Of course, you might choose to skip professional editing altogether and handle revisions yourself—though this can be risky if you’re not confident in your editing skills.

2. Choosing Your Publishing Format

Ebook, paperback, hardcover, or audiobook—each has its pros and cons. Audiobooks, for instance, can be costly to produce with professional narrators. I have not gone that route due to cost. However, AI-generated narration is becoming a promising alternative, making audiobooks more affordable for indie authors.

3. Formatting for Print and Digital

Formatting isn’t one-size-fits-all. Although you must use heading styles and sections in each, a print book requires more formatting. For example, the margin size for a print book depends on the number of pages and paper size in order to account for the spine width (You don’t want your words running into the crease of the book.).

4. Designing an Eye-Catching Cover

Your book cover is your first—and sometimes only—chance to grab a reader’s attention. Despite the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” most readers do. A professional design not only makes your book more appealing but also signals quality and credibility. If you’re not a graphic designer, hiring one might be the best investment you make. However, the cost can range from $80 to $1000. If you’re on a budget, premade book covers are also available on many websites. If you want to try to design it yourself, you can try Canva, which requires a bit of a learning curve.

5. Marketing Your Book

Marketing can be daunting, especially if you’re an introverted non-salesperson like me. With as many books that are self-published every day, your book may go unnoticed. Start small: create an author website, engage on one or two social media platforms, and consider Amazon ads. Some indie authors offer a free short story or sample chapter in exchange for email sign-ups to help build a reader base without a big budget.

6. The Cost of Self-Publishing

Self-publishing isn’t cheap. From editing to marketing, costs can easily exceed $1000. Meanwhile, royalties range from $1 to $6 per book—unless you’re willing to charge more and risk scaring off potential readers.

In the end, self-publishing is a balancing act between quality, cost, and passion. The real question is: how much are you willing to invest—not just in money, but in time and effort—to share your story with the world?