✍️ Self-Publishing a Book: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hello Future Bestseller!
So you’ve got a book idea rattling around in your brain—or maybe a messy Word doc that may or may not contain the next bestseller. You're dreaming of seeing your name on the cover. 📘✨
But there’s one tiny problem…
You don’t know the first thing about self-publishing a book.
Lucky for you, I do. 💁♀️ Let’s walk through the exact journey, step-by-step, from concept to published masterpiece—with expert help and a few pro tips.
If you want to publish your own book, you're in the right place.
💡 Read next: How to Write a Self-Help Book
💡 Step 1 of Self-Publishing a Book: Conceptualize & Write Your Book
(aka the "staring at the blinking cursor" phase)
Whether you're writing a spicy romance, a business book to boost your brand, or a life-changing guide for midlife reinvention, it all starts with the first draft.
👉 Need help writing your book?
Check out my book coaching services or take my online course Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days.
You'll get personalized guidance, writing roadmaps, templates, checklists—and I promise, zero shame for unfinished drafts.
☎️ Book a free call with me to talk about your book idea.
🪚 Step 2: Edit Like You Mean It
If I publish my own book, can my best friend who teaches yoga or high school english be my editor? No.
Editing is not optional. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Developmental Edit: Fixes structure, pacing, flow, and holes in your argument or plot. If you work with a book coach, you will typically not need a developmental edit because book coaching is basically a live-action, in-person developmental edit that helps you to avoid all the structure and pacing issues you might otherwise have to deal with.)
- Line Edit: Tightens prose, smooths language, adds clarity and consistency.
- Proofread: Catches typos and polish.
Even bestselling authors use professional editors—because you can’t fix what you can’t see. 🧠
🎨 Step 3: Design a Killer Cover
Yes, people do judge books by their covers.
Readers make split-second decisions based on your design—so unless your day job is “award-winning graphic designer,” hire a pro.
Need a referral? I’ve got some stellar cover designers I work with. 👗🖌️
📖 Step 4: Format Your Book for Print & Ebook
(Spoiler: It's more complicated than pasting your manuscript into Word.)
You’ll need proper formatting for:
- Print books (KDP, Ingram Spark, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, etc)
- Ebooks (EPUB files for Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, etc.)
✅ I offer book formatting services for both print and digital—fast, professional, and beautiful.
📝 Step 5: Copywriting & Metadata That Actually Sells
(Amazon doesn’t care if your mom thinks you’re brilliant.)
You’ll need:
- A compelling book description
- A strong author bio
- The right BISAC codes and Amazon categories
- Smart keyword research (🎯You only get 7, so you need to make them count.)
I can help you nail all of this through my book publishing services.
The right Amazon category can land you on the Amazon bestseller list and help you springboard out of obscurity and find readers who are looking to find books like yours.
Think of it like SEO for your book, but with fewer spreadsheets and more personality.
🚀 Step 6: Upload for Distribution
Time to publish!
I walk you through the entire Amazon upload process in this 📺 step-by-step video tutorial.
You'll likely want to upload to:
- Amazon KDP (for Kindle + print-on-demand paperbacks)
- Ingram Spark (for wider distribution including indie bookstores & libraries)
Want to go wide? Publish on Google Play, Apple Books, B&NPress, PublishDrive, and Draft2Digital too.
🗓️ Step 7: Pick Your Publication Date & Set Up Your Pre-Order
Yes, your pub date matters. Why? A Monday or Tuesday pub date gives you the best shot of hitting the major bestseller lists.
📆 Traditional publishers usually launch on Tuesdays.
📆 Self-published authors often choose Mondays (less competition + more time for momentum).
Planning 6 months out gives you time to line up media, reviews, blurbs, and BookTok buzz. Don't want to wait that long? That's the beauty of self-publishing! You can ht that "go" button on YOUR schedule.
🎉 Step 8: Plan Your Book Launch
You’ll want to:
- Send ARCs (Advance Review Copies) to influencers, media, and early readers Need help with this? I've got a great resource for you: Become a Famous Self-Help Author: PR Secrets to Get Featured in the Media and Be Seen as an Expert in Your Field
- Set up pre-publication Goodreads giveaways, launch day price promotions, etc
- Schedule interviews, podcasts, email blasts, social posts, and more
As a former Director of PR for a traditional book publisher, I offer launch strategy sessions if you need help mapping this out.
📢 Step 9: Promote Like the Rockstar Author You Are
You wrote a book. Now you gotta SELL it.
Your toolkit:
- Facebook & Amazon Ads
- BookBub promotions
- Newsletter swaps in your genre
- TikTok, Instagram, email marketing
- Librarian and Bookstore email blasts
I’ve helped hundreds of authors build marketing plans that actually work. You don’t have to figure this out solo.
🔁 Step 10: Start Planning Your Next Book
Bestsellers aren’t built on one-hit wonders.
The magic of self-publishing a book is that the more books you publish, the more fans (and income!) you build.
So… what’s your next idea? 😎
💬 Final Thoughts from Your Book Coach
Self-publishing isn’t a backup plan—it’s a power move. 💥
You keep the rights, the royalties, and the creative control.
With the right team and a solid plan, you can go from “I want to publish my book” to “my book just launched in three countries” faster than you think.
📘 Want help every step of the way?
Explore my book coaching, publishing services, or grab the course.
☎️ Or book a free get-to-know-you call today.
Your book deserves a brilliant debut. Let’s make it happen.
http://author.coach