In fact, more writers than ever are self-publishing, building their own audiences, and making money without ever signing a contract with a big-name publisher.
Here’s how you can do it too.
1. Finish Your Manuscript and Polish It
Before you even think about publishing, your work needs to be complete and clean. That means:
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Writing a full draft.
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Editing it (ideally multiple times).
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Getting feedback from beta readers or a freelance editor.
Don’t rush this part. A polished book builds trust with your readers — and helps with future sales and reviews.
2. Choose Your Publishing Path
When you’re going without a traditional publisher, you have a few solid options:
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Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) – The most popular self-publishing platform for eBooks and paperbacks.
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Draft2Digital – Distributes to multiple platforms like Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
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IngramSpark – Best for wide print distribution (libraries, bookstores).
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Smashwords – Known for distributing eBooks to niche platforms.
Each has its strengths, so pick based on where your audience shops.
3. Format Your Book Professionally
Good formatting ensures your book looks great on every device. You can:
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Use tools like Reedsy, Atticus, or Vellum.
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Hire a freelancer via Fiverr or Upwork.
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Learn to format manually if you're comfortable with software like Microsoft Word or Scrivener.
Poor formatting = poor reviews. Don’t skip this.
4. Design a Strong Cover
You can publish without a publisher, but you can’t cut corners.
Your book cover is your first impression. Either:
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Hire a professional cover designer, or
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Use tools like Canva, BookBrush, or Adobe Express (if you have a good eye).
Make sure your cover matches your genre’s expectations. Readers do judge books by their covers.
5. Upload and Publish
Once everything is ready:
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Create an account on your chosen self-publishing platform.
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Upload your manuscript, cover, and book details (title, author name, keywords, categories, etc.).
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Set your pricing and royalty preferences.
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Hit publish — and celebrate!
But your journey isn’t over yet.
6. Market Like a Publisher Would
When you go independent, you also take on the role of book marketer. Key strategies include:
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Building an author website or blog.
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Growing your email list.
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Running promotions or giveaways.
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Using social media to connect with readers.
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Reaching out to book reviewers and influencers in your genre.
Think long-term. Marketing is a marathon, not a sprint.
