Self-Publishing Made Simple:
Your Key to Success
A Comprehensive Guide to Successfully Self-Publish Your Book
Introduction: Getting Started
Welcome to Self-Publishing Made Simple, an online course designed to provide you with all the essential knowledge and skills you need to successfully self-publish your book. This interactive guide will walk you through the entire process, from initial planning to post-publication strategies.
How to Navigate This Course
There are 7 modules included. It is advised to complete them in order, but you can use the navigation bar above to jump to any module. Click on any lesson title to expand its content.
Module 1: Planning, Research, & Organization
Research the history and current trends of the self-publishing industry. Make a list of popular self-publishing platforms and research their pros and cons. Identify successful self-published authors and study their journey.
Traditional Publishing
Gain credibility and distribution, but sacrifice creative control and time. The process can take up to 3 years, and royalties are typically 5-15% after an advance.
Hybrid Publishing
Outsource the work for a fee (avg. $3500+). Good if you have the budget but lack the time. You retain more control than traditional publishing but pay for services upfront.
Self-Publishing
Retain complete creative control and earn higher royalties (40-70%). Requires time, effort, and treating your book as a business. This course focuses on this path.
Define your purpose, identify your target audience, and set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. A clear plan will keep you focused and motivated.
Creating a realistic budget is crucial. Below is a visualization of the typical cost ranges for self-publishing services. Your TIME is your most significant cost, which you can trade for MONEY by outsourcing tasks.
Module 2: Writing and Editing
Start by outlining your book, then dive into the first draft. Focus on developing characters, plot, and setting. Remember, revision is key to a polished final product.
Professional editing is non-negotiable for a quality book. Beta readers provide invaluable early feedback from a reader's perspective. There are three main types of editing:
- Developmental Editing: Focuses on the big picture: structure, flow, and concepts.
- Copy Editing: Addresses grammar, usage, and consistency at the sentence level.
- Proofreading: The final check for typos and formatting errors before printing.
Your book cover is your most important marketing tool. Hire a professional designer. Proper interior formatting ensures a professional reading experience. Don't skimp on these two areas.
Module 3: Publishing and Distribution
Pricing your book involves balancing profitability with market expectations. Use the calculator below to understand how retail price and trade discounts affect your royalty per book sold.
Royalty Calculator
Author Royalty Rate (per book)
$4.49
Print-on-Demand (POD): Platforms like KDP and IngramSpark print books one at a time as they're ordered. No inventory, low risk. Ideal for most self-publishers.
Offset Printing: Printing in large batches (1000+ copies). Lower per-unit cost but requires significant upfront investment and storage. Best for authors with guaranteed bulk sales.
Copyright: Your work is copyrighted the moment it's created. However, officially registering with the U.S. Copyright Office is necessary to take legal action against infringement.
ISBN (International Standard Book Number): A unique 13-digit identifier for your book. You need a separate ISBN for each format (paperback, ebook, hardcover). It's best to buy your own from Bowker to be listed as the publisher.
Module 4: Marketing and Promotion
This module covers building your author platform, creating a marketing plan, leveraging social media, and securing reviews. A great book won't sell if no one knows it exists. Plan your launch 3-6 months in advance.
Module 5: Sales and Revenue
Learn to track sales and royalties, explore strategies to increase sales, and monetize your book through additional products like workbooks or online courses to build a sustainable author business.
Module 6: Post-Publication Strategies
The work doesn't stop at publication. This module covers managing reader feedback, updating and revising your book for future editions, expanding distribution, and planning your next book project.
Module 7: Publishing a Children's Book (Bonus)
A special section dedicated to the unique challenges of children's books. Learn about story structure, age categories, finding and working with illustrators, and specific marketing strategies for this popular genre.
