Self Publishing
We are the go to online resource for the do-it-yourselfer that wants to learn about the self-publshing process.
Self Publishing a Book
Self-publishing a book is the process of publishing your work without a traditional publisher, giving you full control over editing, design, printing, and distribution. Instead of giving up rights and royalties, you act as the publisher and keep ownership of your book.
Quick Answer: Self Publishing at a Glance
- Cost: $100–$5,000+ depending on services used
- Time to publish: 1 to 6 months
- Royalties: Up to 100% of profits
- Best for: Authors who want control, speed, and higher earnings
Self-publishing has become one of the most popular ways for authors to bring their ideas to life, whether you’re printing a novel, memoir, business book, or family history.
We Are Proud of our Five Star Rating!
"The product was delivered exactly as promised in a timely manner. The customer service was also quite helpful. Overall I was quite satisfied and the person who received the books as a gift was delighted."
“I would like to thank you for all your help in getting my book published. I found the process to be very user friendly especially for a beginner like me. The books arrived and I was pleased on how professional they looked."
How to Self Publish a Book (Step-by-Step)
- Write and edit your manuscript - Complete your draft and revise it for clarity, grammar, and structure. Many authors use professional editors to improve quality.
- Format your book - Prepare your manuscript for print or digital formats. This includes setting margins, fonts, spacing, and page layout.
- Design your cover - A professional cover is critical for credibility and sales. Your design should match your genre and appeal to your target audience.
- Choose a publishing method - Decide whether to use a self-publishing platform, a print-on-demand service, or a book printer.
- Set pricing and distribution - Determine your book price and where it will be sold, such as online retailers or direct sales.
- Print and launch your book - Order copies, review quality, and begin promoting your book to readers.
How Much Does It Cost to Self Publish a Book?
The cost of self-publishing varies widely depending on the level of professional support you choose:
- Editing: $500–$3,000
- Cover design: $100–$800
- Formatting: $50–$500
- Printing: depends on page count, quantity, and specifications
Authors can minimize costs by doing some work themselves or invest more for a fully professional result.
What You Control as a Self-Publisher
One of the biggest advantages of self-publishing is control. As the publisher, you decide:
- The final content of your book
- The design and layout
- The print quality and format
- The pricing and distribution strategy
You also retain all rights to your work, allowing you to make updates, print additional copies, or expand into new formats at any time.
Is Self Publishing Right for You?
Self-publishing is a great option if you:
- Want to publish your book quickly
- Prefer to keep full creative control
- Want to maximize your profits per book
- Are willing to manage or outsource parts of the process
It’s especially popular among first-time authors, entrepreneurs, and writers with niche audiences.
Start Your Self Publishing Journey
With the right knowledge and tools, self-publishing is more accessible than ever. By understanding the process, costs, and key decisions involved, you can confidently turn your manuscript into a professionally printed book.
What Is an ISBN Number?
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifier used to identify and track a published book. It is required for most retail distribution channels, including bookstores and online platforms.
In the United States, ISBNs are issued by Bowker, and the publisher listed on the ISBN is considered the official publisher of the book.
Key Points About ISBNs
- Each format of a book (paperback, hardcover, ebook) requires a separate ISBN
- Owning your ISBN ensures you retain publishing control
- Third-party ISBNs may list another company as the publisher
For authors who want full ownership and flexibility, purchasing your own ISBN is often the best option.
Understanding Book Royalties
Royalties are the profits an author earns from book sales after production and distribution costs are deducted.
With self-publishing, authors typically earn significantly higher royalties compared to traditional publishing because there is no publisher taking a large percentage.
Self Publishing vs Traditional Royalties
- Self-publishing: Up to 100% of net profits
- Traditional publishing: Typically 5%–15% of the book’s retail price
Your total earnings depend on your pricing strategy, printing costs, and where your book is sold.
Book Publishing Contracts Explained
A publishing contract is an agreement between an author and a publishing company that outlines rights, responsibilities, and compensation.
In traditional publishing, contracts often require authors to give up certain rights to their work in exchange for distribution and support.
What to Watch for in Contracts
- Ownership of rights (print, digital, international)
- Royalty percentages and payment terms
- Length of the agreement
- Exclusivity clauses
Self-publishing allows you to avoid restrictive contracts and maintain full control over your intellectual property.
Book Editing Services
Editing is a critical step in the self-publishing process that improves the clarity, quality, and professionalism of your manuscript.
Even experienced writers benefit from a second set of eyes to catch errors and improve readability.
Types of Editing
- Developmental editing: Big-picture structure and content
- Copy editing: Grammar, clarity, and consistency
- Proofreading: Final error check before printing
Investing in editing can significantly improve reader experience and reviews.
Book Layout and Design
Book layout and design determine how your content appears on the page and how professional your finished book looks.
A well-designed book improves readability and creates a better experience for your audience.
Key Design Elements
- Font style and size
- Line spacing and margins
- Chapter formatting
- Page numbering and headers
Professional layout ensures your book meets industry standards and printing requirements.
Copyright Basics for Authors
Copyright is the legal protection that gives you exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and sell your work.
In the United States, copyright protection exists automatically when your work is created, but registering your copyright provides additional legal benefits.
Why Copyright Matters
- Protects your work from unauthorized use
- Establishes legal ownership
- Allows you to enforce your rights if needed
Registering your copyright through the U.S. Copyright Office strengthens your protection.
Choosing the Right Type of Book to Publish
Self-publishing works across many genres, and different types of books may require different approaches to design, formatting, and marketing.
Popular Self-Published Book Types
- Novels and fiction
- Memoirs and autobiographies
- Business and educational books
- Cookbooks and specialty books
- Children’s books and illustrated works
Understanding your genre helps guide decisions about formatting, printing, and audience targeting.
While we think DiggyPOD is the best printing house for self-publishers (admittedly, we're biased) we appreciate the opportunity to teach you what we know about the publishing and self-publishing industry based on our nearly 30 years of experience so you can make an informed choice as a future-published author.
Our goal in educating authors about the publishing industry is to give you the confidence to choose how to publish a book and get all the benefits that go along with that. And when you're confident that you want to partner with DiggyPOD as your manufacturing company, we give you simple tools, step-by-step tutorials and real-life human assistance on the phone — everything you need to convert your manuscript into a bookstore quality paperback book.
We Are Proud of our Five Star Rating!
"The product was delivered exactly as promised in a timely manner. The customer service was also quite helpful. Overall I was quite satisfied and the person who received the books as a gift was delighted."
“I would like to thank you for all your help in getting my book published. I found the process to be very user friendly especially for a beginner like me. The books arrived and I was pleased on how professional they looked."
Why Choose DiggyPOD?
DiggyPOD has been helping self-publishing authors get their book published for 20 years, and we know how to make the printing process easy and affordable.
