- annamcmonigal
- Feb 16
- 14 min read
With more self-publishing platforms available to writers than ever before, it’s no wonder the number of books self-published in the past five years has increased by 264 percent. In 2025, the roughly 300 million books that were self-published created around $1.25 billion in sales. But why choose self-publishing over the traditional publishing route?
#1 What are the benefits of self-publishing?
While publishing your book through a traditional publishing house still offers many benefits, the number-one reason authors choose to self-publish is to get their content in front of readers as quickly as possible. Pitching a book to major publishing companies requires a lengthy, detailed proposal eye-catching enough to stand out from the 1,000+ competing book ideas they receive each month (around 90 percent of which are rejected). Of the small proportion that do get accepted, their average timeline for printing and distributing an author’s book is one to two years. Alternatively, the self-publishing process for an author with a fully completed manuscript can take just days to weeks!
In addition, self-publishing platforms offer the benefit of print-on-demand services. In contrast to the market analysis used by traditional publishing houses to project optimal stock levels, print-on-demand eliminates inventory-related risks, reduces up-front costs, allows for automated fulfillment and uninterrupted book availability, and gives authors the tools to update content quickly and easily.
Finally, as a self-published author, you will retain full control of your book rights and book design as well as a higher percentage of sales profits (while ebooks yield higher royalty fees than paper books, self-published authors average $1.00-$5.00 profit per paper book versus the typical $.50-$2.00 per paper book from a traditional publisher).
#2 What are the cons of self-publishing?
Just like traditional publishing, self-publishing does have disadvantages, the largest being a higher level of commitment from you as the author to self-manage each step of the publishing process independently (or hire outside support from seasoned professionals). While the timeline from contract to publication of a book managed by a publishing house is longer, they often handle all aspects of editing, proofreading, and book design in addition to overhead prices for printing and distributing supply. This comprehensive support can definitely give authors much-needed peace of mind. If you aim to secure a book deal with a major publishing company, focus your efforts on writing a thorough, persuasive book proposal that will outshine the competition. Hiring a literary agent to help craft your proposal or an experienced editor to polish your self-written proposal is highly recommended.
#3 Should I get my book edited before self-publishing?
Absolutely! Depending on your writing experience and skill level, you may even want to work with more than one editor or an editor like myself who can meet a variety of needs through a customized package of services. My diagram here outlines what the typical editing sequence for a book looks like. While adjustments to this process are sometimes made according to the number of editors involved and the individual scopes of their work, copyediting and proofreading always come last.
Curious to know more about what’s involved in each step of this process? Here are the types of tasks each editing specialist typically handles.
Book Coach: Especially helpful for first-time authors, a book coach is a writing expert who provides support in the areas of developing, organizing, and improving a manuscript.
Developmental Editor: Provides structural analysis to enhance the flow of a manuscript as a whole and at the chapter level.
Line Editor: Provides feedback on language used at the sentence level to enhance clarity, conciseness, smooth readability, transitions, grammar, and consistency of voice and style.
Copyeditor: While some copyeditors check grammar and punctuation, they always ensure a manuscript conforms to the specific requirements of its corresponding style guide, provide fact-checking and cross-referencing, and manage formatting details such as headings, subheadings, and illustration captions and credits.
Proofreader: As the final eye in the editing process, proofreaders screen an entire manuscript to make sure it’s ready for publication by correcting overlooked technical errors like spelling, punctuation, grammar, and words repeated by mistake.
If you are on a tight budget, I recommend you prioritize investing in a minimum of copyediting and proofreading services. Confusing formatting and glaring grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors detract from an author’s credibility and increase the odds that readers will set your book down.
#4 Can I use AI or an app like Grammarly to cut down on the costs of hiring an editor?
While today’s technology is helpful in the earlier stages of editing for tasks such as detecting spelling and grammar errors and suggesting basic sentence restructuring, it will only get you so far since its lack of human judgment creates substantial limitations. For example, a human editor can provide more sophisticated feedback in the areas of voice and tone, factual accuracy, and helping an author’s language fit the intended context. AI tools also lack the intuition needed to catch certain technical errors like incorrect use of homophones. For example, AI may not flag the word brake in a sentence such as the following where it is spelled correctly but used in the wrong context: “I left when there was a brake in the rain.”
#5 What are beta readers, and should I use them?
A beta reader is someone representative of your book’s target audience who can provide basic feedback on your manuscript to help you predict how other readers will respond. Involving beta readers in your writing process can be very helpful when it comes to assessing the entertainment value of your book, the effectiveness of its content, and problematic areas that feel awkward or confusing. In addition, sensitivity readers can provide authentic perspective from a cultural or demographic standpoint to help flag stereotyped or potentially offensive portrayals of marginalized groups that may surface in your writing. Because beta/sensitivity reader feedback will inevitably lead to revisions, make sure to complete this phase of your project before beginning work with an editor in order to avoid excessive rounds of edits that are both costly and time-consuming.
#6 How do self-published authors market their books?
As a self-published author, marketing your book will be entirely up to you! Once an author’s manuscript has reached the copyediting phase, I recommend starting pre-launch marketing through social media platforms and/or a website built exclusively for advertising their book, which builds awareness and anticipation surrounding the upcoming release. Of course, hiring a marketing service to help with this process is an option that takes some of the pressure off self-published authors inundated with a wide variety of tasks to manage.
When deciding which self-publishing platform is right for you, consider the features each has to offer in the area of marketing support. For example, Draft2Digital offers subscribers a free online Author Page that includes a Universal Book Link (providing customers with access to all retail shops where a book is sold in one click), whereas KDP supports book marketing through its Kindle Unlimited program, Kindle Countdown Deals, and “free days” that help authors boost product visibility.
#7 Which self-publishing platform is right for me?
How to choose a self-publishing platform starts with two questions: Who is your target audience? And where does that target audience prefer to shop for books? Beginning with these key details in mind will get you started on the right track.
Next consider whether you would prefer to work with a retailer or an aggregator. While retailers (such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and Apple Books) offer sales exclusively through their extensive, established customer bases and provide higher royalty fees, aggregators (such as IngramSpark and Draft2Digital) offer a wider reach—despite lower royalty fees—by distributing books to multiple retailers including small stores and libraries, which increases exposure and saves authors time and effort.
Finally, reflect on which book format(s) you want to pursue—paper, ebook, or audio. For a glimpse of the most common pros and cons self-published authors report about popular platforms, keep reading.
Kindle Direct Publishing
Dominating the ebook market with 85 percent of ebook sales and leveraging Amazon’s massive customer base, KDP is an easy platform choice for many self-published authors. KDP offers many conveniences including a free formatting tool for manuscripts, quality print and production services, above-average royalty fees for ebooks, and unlimited revisions.
However, access to such a large customer base comes with the disadvantage of steep competition (1.4 million self-published books released annually on Amazon) and can make it difficult for your book to get noticed. This makes marketing endeavors critical. For support in this area, KDP gives ebook authors the option to sign up with Kindle Select, enrolling ebooks in the digital lending library for Kindle Unlimited subscribers and helping boost visibility through special events like “free days.” And when purchasing your own ISBN (see more on ISBNs below), you have the flexibility to sell your paper books/hardcovers through retailers outside of Amazon simultaneously (*it’s important to note that accepting the free ISBN offered by KDP locks you into sales exclusivity with Amazon).
Another option for KDP authors is their Expanded Distribution program. While this program widens reach by making book orders available to a broader scope of retailers outside of Amazon, it does not guarantee those retailers will choose to stock or sell your book and dramatically reduces your royalty fees. Because of this, authors often prefer aggregator platforms for wider exposure since they provide an even more extensive reach, more appealing royalty fees, and better relationships with small retailers and libraries who consider Amazon their competition.
Draft2Digital
As an aggregator with extensive global reach and partnerships with popular retailers such as Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo as well as libraries, Draft2Digital has developed a reputation as the best aggregator choice for ebook sales. Benefits outside of their reach include competitive royalty fees (for both ebooks and paperbacks), unlimited revisions, and free marketing support in the form of an online Author Page containing a Universal Book Link that provides customers with access to all retailers where your book is sold in a single click.
Draft2Digital also has the best free manuscript-formatting tool in the market. Pro tip: D2D takes pride in offering their high-quality formatting tool to all authors with no commitment to publishing through their platform required…just format away and download your file for free if you choose another publishing platform! The most common disadvantages reported are that customer returns are prohibited and non-ebook authors are limited to printing in paperback (no hardcover option available).
IngramSpark
IngramSpark is the best choice if you want to see your book on the shelves of brick & mortar stores. With a distribution network of over 40,000 large and small retailers in addition to libraries and universities, IngramSpark helps self-published authors gain access to these markets by allowing them to select wholesale discounts of up to 55 percent. While these discounts yield lower royalty fees, they also boost exposure, and IngramSpark’s global connect program saves overseas shipping charges through their vast network of printer partners strategically positioned across the globe.
In addition, IngramSpark produces the highest quality print books in both paperback and hardcover formats. Authors have the option to allow customer returns, and while printed books are IngramSpark’s specialty, they also distribute ebooks at competitive royalty fees. The most common complaints surrounding this platform are the lack of a manuscript-formatting tool, fees charged for revisions made past 60 days after publication, and bare-bones customer service that makes troubleshooting difficult.
Taking all of the above insights into consideration, many experienced authors claim the most successful strategy for those looking to self-publish in both paper and ebook formats is choosing KDP Select for ebooks to secure higher royalty fees while simultaneously publishing the print version of those books through IngramSpark to reach maximum exposure. And while the platforms mentioned here are currently the most widely used, other platforms like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo are growing quickly and worth exploring, especially if you think they will appeal to your readers.
Whether choosing a self-publishing platform mentioned here or another option, a critical step in attaining your desired profit margin is taking the time to utilize the price calculator each platform provides to compare estimates of the expenses versus earnings each is likely to yield based on your selected price point, wholesale discount (if applicable), target market, and printing and shipping fees.
8. Can I print and distribute my book independently?
If you are an author with high confidence in your business acumen, time-management skills, and marketing abilities/resources, managing book sales through your own website can be very rewarding and yield the highest profits! Services like Lulu and Blurb allow authors to efficiently print books on demand as customers place orders. If you are considering this option, keep in mind the time and cost involved in building a secure website (including components like DRM to prevent ebooks from being copied without authorization) and managing customer service independently. Without the support of an outside platform, you will also need to manage sales-tax compliance on your own.
9. I’ve seen advertisements for full-service publishing agencies. How do their services differ from other self-publishing platforms?
Full-service publishing agencies manage the publishing process for you every step of the way (or according to a select service package) for a substantially higher up-front cost, so they are ideal partners for authors who are low on time and heavy on cash. If this sounds like you, take time to explore some of the best in the business like BookBaby and Reedsy.
10. What if I need an illustrator?
When a book requires or would be greatly enhanced by the addition of illustrations, take time to identify an illustrator whose style complements your content. Unless you are fortunate enough to be talented at both writing and illustrating, you will need to partner with a professional, many of whom can be found through sites such as Reedsy and Upwork. Do you have any artists among your personal connections? Even better! Many institutions like art schools include students seeking ways to promote their talent, so reaching out to local organizations and creative communities can also be a wonderful way to find resources.
Some self-published authors are now using technology to their benefit with AI-produced illustrations. While this technique can feel less personal, it does allow authors a high level of control over image details and adaptations. However, since AI presently has a tendency to reproduce images incorporating the work of artists who have not granted their permission, I recommend against this. Remember that, unless illustrations are sourced from the public domain, illustrators must always be credited properly for their work that appears in your book. While the industry standard is to visibly credit the illustrator within a caption adjacent to each piece of artwork shown, an illustrator can grant their consent to be acknowledged in a different format (such as on the book cover or title page alone).
11. How do I properly format my book prior to publication?
There’s nothing worse than having great content overlooked because of awkward formatting and eyesores (or even errors introduced by careless formatting), distracting readers from your message. While a good editor can apply consistent format settings to your manuscript that conform with specific style guidelines and overall aesthetic appeal, achieving the look and feel you want for your book can be tricky since the formatting tools offered by self-publishing platforms vary. This is why I highly recommend hiring a formatting specialist with experience styling content published by your specific platform. To find a wide variety of specialists in this category, hiring sites such as Upwork and Fiverr are terrific resources.
If you are a tech-savvy individual confident enough to try the formatting on your own, you may want to give Amazon KDP’s or Draft2Digital’s free formatting tools a try. Pro tip: Many authors find Draft2Digital’s formatting toolset superior to KDP’s, and it is free to use without a commitment to publish through their platform! Alternatively, investing in a professional formatting app like Scrivener, Adobe InDesign, or Vellum (exclusive to Mac OS) will give you an even more extensive suite of style options.
12. How can I guarantee my book looks the way I want it to before making it available for purchase?
Always order a proof before beginning to market your book! Authors are often surprised by important details that don’t meet their expectations within the first printed copy. There’s nothing worse than feeling less than proud of the creation you have poured your heart and soul into, so be patient enough to review a proof of your work and make any adjustments necessary before moving on to mass marketing.
13. What does the process of creating an audiobook look like?
With audiobook sales having increased by 50 percent in the past five years and trending toward 25 percent more growth by 2032, more authors than ever are looking to self-publish in audio format. While all self-publishing platforms distribute audiobooks, they each have specific criteria that must be met before an audiobook is approved for publication. Without meeting these criteria, you may be denied publication altogether, so understanding your platform’s specifications before recording is critical.
Once a platform has been selected, choosing a narrator comes next. Hiring a professional voice actor (freelance or from a production company) is the gold standard and can expedite the publication process since they are often familiar with how to meet distributors’ expectations. Some self-publishing platforms even have streamlined services with preferred production partners, such as KDP’s association with ACX. However, hiring a voice-over service comes at a steep price.
For authors wanting to minimize expenses, self-narration is an increasingly popular option that comes with the benefit of adding a personal touch to audiobooks that readers appreciate. Recording your own audiobook involves renting a recording studio or building your own recording space using soundproofing techniques and high-quality software and equipment. For more details on how to set up your own space successfully, see these pointers from Draft2Digital: https://www.draft2digital.com/blog/how-to-record-audiobooks-on-any-budget/#:~:text=A%20home%20studio%20doesn't,closets%20into%20audio%20recording%20booths.
In addition, AI voice over for audiobooks is now an option offered by all major distributors (Spotify, Amazon KDP Virtual Voices, and Apple Books to name a few) and many of their competitors, such as Author’s Republic and Murf. While AI narration still receives mixed reader reviews, selecting this option saves authors time and money up front with some authors choosing AI narration for the initial version of their audiobook, then investing the proceeds in human voice over for a later version.
Once recording is done, hiring an audio editor to doctor problem areas is highly recommended to ensure quality criteria are met and your audiobook is approved for distribution.
14. How much will it cost to self-publish my book?
The total cost of self-publishing varies based on how many support services an author hires and the genre of the book. For example, children’s books will require a higher investment in the area of illustration while nonfiction books require unique services such as indexing and extra editing for the purpose of adding source citations. On average, authors spend between $1,000 and $5,000 to self-publish. For more details on evaluating your self-publishing budget, read these helpful tips from Lulu: https://blog.lulu.com/budgeting-for-success-the-true-cost-to-self-publish/.
15. What is an ISBN, and why do I need one?
An ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, is a unique 13-digit number that identifies your book, distinguishes it from similar books, and allows it to be tracked by publishers and retailers. Your ISBN will appear on your book's copyright page and its back cover along with a barcode. To register for your ISBN(s), you must purchase it through your government’s website. In the United States, ISBNs are sold through Bowker at the following site: https://www.myidentifiers.com/. After creating an account, an author selects the number of ISBNs needed and pays around $125 for each. A separate ISBN is required for each format of a book (i.e. paper, ebook, and audio) and each translation of the original book into another language.
Authors will want to purchase an ISBN before finalizing their cover design in order to incorporate it into the back cover aesthetically. Keep in mind that accepting an ISBN offered for free by a self-publishing platform (like KDP) will cut down on up-front costs but binds you to selling your book exclusively through their retail service. Therefore, purchasing your own ISBN may be worth it if you would like the flexibility to sell your book on your own terms through as many avenues as possible.
16. When should I register for my copyright?
Technically, an author’s copyright on a body of work begins as soon as it is created, which gives them exclusive rights to publish, distribute, and reproduce their book and license others to do the same if desired. However, if a third party commits copy infringement, an author can only sue if they have filed for copyright registration. In order to maximize your legal rights in the event of copyright infringement, it is recommended that authors complete copyright registration as soon as possible after manuscript creation and no later than three months after publication. Always include a copyright notice displaying your or your company’s name as the owner along with the year of original publication (which often differs from the year of creation) on the title page of your book. To learn more about the history and specifics of US copyright law, follow this link: https://sierraiplaw.com/copyright-date-vs-publication-date/.
Could self-publishing be for you? Hopefully, the insights shared here have given you food for thought. With more publishing options than ever before, it’s a great time to be an aspiring author. Happy writing!
