The Ultimate Guide to Self‑Publishing: From First Draft to Bestseller

Getting Started

What is self-publishing?
You publish your book independently—no approval from agents or publishers required.

Key decisions to make early:

• What genre is your book?

• Who is the target reader?

• Will you publish print, eBook, audiobook, or all three?

• Which platform will you publish on? (Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Kobo, Apple Books, etc.)

Basic workflow:

1. Finish your manuscript

2. Hire editing & proofreading

3. Format your book

4. Create a professional cover

5. Upload to a platform

6. Set pricing & categories

7. Launch and market

Marketing Your Book

Marketing should start before launch.

Pre-launch tasks:

• Build an author presence (website or social media)

• Create a mailing list

• Collect ARC reviewers or beta readers

• Announce release date

Launch strategies:

• Promote to Amazon categories

• Run a price promotion

• Ask for reviews

• Use BookBub or Goodreads

Long-term marketing:

• Keep writing more books

• Grow newsletter list

• Run ads (Amazon/Meta)

• Appear on podcasts or blogs

Publishing Directory

Your directory can include:

• Reputable literary agencies

• Genre-specific publishers

• Submission portals

• Industry guides (Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook, etc.)

Make sure to separate:

• Accepts unsolicited manuscripts

• Agent-only submissions

• UK vs international publishers

ISBN Information

ISBN identifies your book worldwide.

Do you need one?

• Print: Yes (recommended)

• eBook: Optional on Amazon KDP (Amazon can assign ASIN)

You must get your own ISBN if:

• You want to be publisher of record

• You plan wide distribution beyond Amazon

Each format (print, eBook, audiobook) needs its own ISBN.

Formatting Your Manuscript

Good formatting improves readability and avoids upload errors.

General formatting rules (fiction and non-fiction):

• Font: Times New Roman or Garamond, 11–12pt

• Line spacing: 1.15–1.5

• Standard margins (1 inch)

• Use page breaks between chapters

• No double spaces after periods

For print books:

• Add page numbers

• Add trim sizes (5×8, 6×9 are common)

• Set margins & gutter spacing

• Check bleed for images

For eBooks:

• Use consistent styles (Heading 1, Heading 2)

• Avoid page numbers (Kindle reflows text)

• Do not paste images without compression

• Generate ePub compatible files

Finding an Agent

Agents represent authors and submit manuscripts to publishers.

To get an agent:

• Write a polished manuscript

• Research agents who represent your genre

• Check submission guidelines

• Prepare query letter + sample chapters

Expectations:

• Agents take ~15% commission

• Publishers keep rights for years

• Timeline is much slower (months–years)

Editing Services

Types of editing:

• Developmental Editing – story structure

• Line Editing – sentence clarity

• Copy Editing – grammar and consistency

• Proofreading – final polish

You can find editors via:

• Professional associations

• Freelance platforms

• Recommendations from writers’ groups

Always request:

• A sample edit

• A contract with delivery dates

Publishing FAQ

Q: Do I need an agent to publish?
A: Only for traditional publishing — not for self-pub.

Q: Which is faster?
Self-publishing — traditional can take years.

Q: Is it expensive?
Editing + cover design are the main costs. Publishing itself can be free on Amazon.

Q: Do I keep rights when self-publishing?
Yes — 100%.

Q: Can I publish both ways?
Yes — many authors are “hybrid.”

Q: Do I need a professional editor?
Highly recommended for quality and credibility.

Q: What platforms are best for first-time authors?
Amazon KDP for simplicity, IngramSpark for bookstore reach.

Cover Design Tips

Your cover sells the book before the words do.

Best practices:

• Research current covers in your genre

• Choose high-contrast text

• Use a readable title (scales down to thumbnail)

• Include subtitle/tagline if useful

• Avoid clutter and too many fonts

For print:

• Design a full wrap (front, spine, back)

• Add barcode space

• Confirm spine width using page count

Tools & options:

• Hire a designer (recommended)

• Use Canva templates (for budget)

• Use KDP’s cover calculator for size matching

Query Letters

A query letter is your pitch to an agent.

Length: 3–4 paragraphs
Structure:

1. Hook – what makes the story compelling?

2. Pitch – 1–2 paragraphs summarising story

3. Bio – relevant info about you

4. Details – genre, word count, comparable

Avoid:

• Overselling yourself

• Telling them your mum loves the book

• Attaching the full manuscript unless asked

Book Marketing Tools

Useful tools include:

• Email marketing platforms

• Review outreach services

• Social media schedulers

• Ad dashboards

• Reader magnet builders

Focus on:

• Growing audience, not just selling day one

• Getting reviews

• Maintaining visibility

Copyright Basics

• Your work is protected automatically when written

• Registration strengthens legal protection

• You own the rights unless you sign them away

Watch out for:

• Work-for-hire contracts

• Royalty percentages

• Rights reversion clauses

Combine these tools to create a full self-publishing workflow:
Write → Edit → Format → Design → Distribute → Promote. Start small with free options and gradually invest in premium services as your work grows.