Self Publishing: Publish Your Own Book

Self-publishing is often the quickest and best way for a new author to publish a book. Rather than spend months looking for an agent and submitting your manuscript to publishers, why not consider simply arranging to publish the book yourself? If you choose to go this route, you can have your book in print in a matter of weeks, and distributed through online giants like Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. You can even get your book distributed by regular bricks and mortar bookstores.

On demand publishing is also an excellent option for instructors or organizations looking for cost effective means to publish limited numbers of a book or manual.

Self-Financed On-demand Publishing

The cost of self-publishing is very affordably priced. iUniverse provides a flexible choice of services to help the novice or seasoned author get their book into print. You can choose as little or much help as you feel you need or can afford. If you're confident of your own editing skills, you publish your book for as little as $299. This package includes distribution through their online bookstore. The $459 package includes marketing materials plus listing your book on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble and more. Hardcover editions are also available as an option.

Other companies that provide on demand publishing services include Trafford, with packages priced between $699 and $1949, and XLibris, which charges from $500 to $1600. Trafford offers an excellent online sales platform for your book, and is the best choice if you intend to buy the books and distribute them yourself - although their initial charge is higher than iUniverse, they provide very deep discounts (up to 60%) off the price of printed books ordered by an author.

When you're ready, you sign a contract and submit your manuscript along with any cover art you want. You then have a chance to review and copy edit the final version, after which your book goes to print! Your up-front costs pay to get the book information into the proper electronic format and set it up for on-demand printing. Costs are kept down by only printing when orders come in - that avoids keeping costly inventory.

Free Self-Publishing

Other options are offered by CafePress.com and Lulu Press that require no cash outlay on your part. They offer a completely free service to publish your book. As well, they will sell you book online and pay you commissions on any sales. You are totally responsible for content, layout, and marketing. If you are more interested in publishing just a few copies as keepsakes or gifts, then you can create the book for free and buy as few copies as you wish at very reasonable prices. If you are motivated to market your books, such with your own website or other publicity, then you can also sell in volume through this service.

The retail price of your book is determined by the number of pages, and you earn a royalty on each book sold. To make the most money, it is vital that you also actively promote your book yourself. In fact, you can order copies at a discount and then sell them directly to people you know.

Self-Publishing is perfectly suited to any genre of writing, whether it's a novel, poetry, memoirs, academic, travelogue, or other nonfiction. Instructors can put together manuals of notes and readings for their classes, and companies can publish company histories or create manuals for their employees.

More Self-Publishing Resources

Find out more with information about self-publishing in the Romance Notes directory, as well as entries about on demand publishing. Dozens of relevant web sites are profiled and previewed to make it easy to find just the right material you need.

For an excellent guide to self-publishing, read Dan Poynter's The Self-Publishing Manual, which is now in its 14th edition and is still a best seller in the market. You should also try Complete Guide to Self Publishing by Tom & Marilyn Ross, which is its 4th edition.

Become a Published Author!

Learn how to write a manuscript and get it published. 285 pages of great info, tips, and exercises to help you achieve your dream - for only $14.97

Click Here to Discover How to Become a Published Writer

Publish Your Own Book!

If you've finished a book manuscript, why not take charge and publish it yourself? iUniverse will publish your book and distribute it through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and regular bookstores too!

iUniverse offers comprehensive self-publishing services for authors. All packages feature custom cover design, marketing toolkit, author support and more.

Self-publishing - resources to help you publish a book with on demand printing.
Unless otherwise noted, all material is (c) copyright Andrew Heard, 2003-6