These resources are intended for informational purposes only. Be sure to properly research and vet any self-publishing resources you utilize.
Different Publishing Paths Cost of Self-Publishing Scam Alerts
General Resources Free Open Source Software Critique Partners/Editing Book Interior Book Cover Metadata Distribution Books in Libraries
Author Website Book Review/Awards Marketing
Different Publishing Paths
Jane Friedman has a very informative graphic that lists out what the different publishing paths are, from traditional to self-publishing, in her piece The Key Book Publishing Paths. Author income resources:
- ALLi Indie Author Income Surveys
- Authors Guild: Key Takeaways from the Authors Guild’s 2023 Author Income Survey, Authors Guild 2018 survey of professional writers
- Written Word Media: Written Word Media 2021 author survey, Written Word Media 2022 author survey
Cost of Self-Publishing
This varies greatly depending on how much you do yourself and how much you hire out. Editing and cover/illustration costs vary greatly depending on your needs and the experience of the person you hire. Articles with averages for self-publishing costs:
- https://blog.reedsy.com/cost-to-self-publish-a-book/
- https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/cost-to-self-publish/
- https://self-publishingschool.com/much-cost-publish-book/#publish
Scam Alerts
It’s best to get referrals from other self-publishers before you hire anyone for editing, cover, illustration, or formatting services. Resources to check for publishing scams:
- Alliance of Independent Authors https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/ethical-self-publishing/
General Resources
- Reedsy.com – a large network of editors, designers, artists, and marketing services, as well as self-publishing tools.
- Bookbaby.com – tools and options for editing, designing, distributing, and marketing books, as well as articles and guides on self-publishing.
- IngramSpark – Free Publishing Self-Publishing Courses
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
- Draft2Digital – formatting, ebook and paperback distribution, and sales tracking
- Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLI) – non-profit professional organization for self-published authors
- Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) – not-for-profit membership organization for the independent publishing community
- SCBWI – Benefits for Members Who Self-Publish
- How to Self-Publish Publish a Board Book in 2023 (Ultimate Guide)
Free Open Source Software
- Scribus – InDesign alternative
- GIMP – Photoshop alternative
- Lightworks – video and sound editor
Critique Partners/Editing
- Types of editing/editors: What Is Line Editing? Line Editing vs. Copy Editing, Copy Editing vs. Proofreading: What’s the Difference and Which Do You Need?
- New England SCBWI critique groups
- Find your SCBWI Regional Chapter
- PBParty Critique Train
- Self-editing software: ProWritingAid, Grammarly
Book Interior
Book formatting/design services: Vellum, Draft2Digital, Reedsy, BookBaby
Useful software: Scrivener, Microsoft Word, Calibre ebook manager
Interior file requirements:
- IngramSpark File Requirements for Print Books
- IngramSpark Ebook Formatting: How to Create Standard and Full-Color Ebooks
- How To Publish Your Children’s Books on KDP
- Publish Your Paperback on Kindle Direct Publishing
- Kindle Direct Publishing ebook Manuscript Formatting Guide
Interior helpful links:
- Email Ebooks to Kindle For Self-Publishers to Edit and Format Their Books
- How to Format a Book When Self-Publishing
- Paperback Formatting in MS Word
- Picking a Popular Trim Size for Your Book
- 10 Typesetting Rules for Indie Authors
- The Best Fonts for Books
- What fonts for children’s books?
- Your Ultimate Guide to Front Matter and Back Matter
- Put Calls To Action In The Back Of Your Books To Sell More Books
- The Self-Publisher’s Guide to the Copyright Page
- Design a Children’s Picture Book
- Basic Picture Book Construction
- Picture Book Dummy, Picture Book Construction: Know Your Layout
Book Cover
Susan Tait Porcaro – cover designer/illustrator for the Elixir series and PIRATE ISLAND
Erika Baird – illustrator THE BEDTIME KNIGHT
Cover design requirements:
- Kindle Direct Publishing Create a Paperback Cover
- Kindle Direct Publishing Create an Ebook Cover
- IngramSpark Cover Template Generator
Cover helpful links:
- 12 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Book Cover Designer
- How To Write Good Jacket Copy
- How To Write Jacket Copy That Will Help Sell Your Book
Metadata
BISAC codes: Complete list of subject headings for Juvenile Fiction https://bisg.org/page/JuvenileFiction
ISBN: For U.S. authors, purchase ISBNs at Bowker and register them at MyIdentifiers. How to Get an ISBN in 10 Minutes includes info about whether you need one or not.
Registering with the Library of Congress: Should You Submit Your Book to the Library of Congress?
Distribution
Article by Jane Friedman How to Get Your Book Distributed: What Self-Published Authors Need to Know
BookBub Partners Blog: Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing & Book Distribution Services in 2022
Wide vs. Kindle Unlimited distribution: Amazon KDP vs. KDP Select: Which is the Best Option for You?
List of distributors and/or retailers: Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, IndieBound, Bookshop.org, BookBaby, Draft2Digital, Kobo Writing Life, Smashwords, Apple Books for Authors, Book Depository
Books in Libraries
Many libraries use distributors like OverDrive and Baker & Taylor to purchase books. Check the above list of self-publishing distributors to see which offer these as a distribution option.
BiblioBoard and the Indie Author Project work to connect indie authors with public libraries. They create curated lists of indie books for public libraries where authors can earn royalties when included in these collections. Learn more about the Indie Author Project here or submit your ebook here for consideration for circulation in libraries.
Author Website
Software for building websites: WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Weebly. A helpful site for beginners interested in getting started is WebsiteSetup. They offer free tutorials and guides on creating a website and are particularly geared toward WordPress users, which is what I use for this website.
Website helpful links:
- How to Build an Author Website
- The Complete Guide to Creating an Author Website
- Top 5 Platforms for Easily Creating Your Author Website
- 8 Best Website Builders for Authors and Writers in 2024
- How to Build a Rocking Author Media Kit
Book Reviews/Awards
Submission guidelines for trade reviews (check most recent guidelines to see if they accept self-published titles and if they charge a fee): Booklist, School Library Journal, VOYA, The Bulletin, The Horn Book, BookPage, BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus Indie
- YA and Kids Book Central
- 22 Best Kid Lit Blog to Follow
- Bloggers in Children’s and Young Adult Literature
- SCBWI Spark Awards
- Cybils – Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards
- Indie Author Project Regional Contest
Marketing
- SCBWI: BookStop
- Indie Author Day – annual event hosted by BiblioBoard and the Indie Author Project held at local libraries in November
- BookBub – featured deals and ads
- Check out Kindle Direct Publishing advertising and other distributors/retailers for their specific marketing offerings
