How to Self-Publish

A Practical Path to Self-Publishing Your Book

There are countless companies promising to “publish your book.” This page is meant to cut through the clutter and point you toward reputable, industry-standard options—based on our years of experience in publishing.

Our core recommendation: choose a platform where you do not pay someone to publish your book and where you keep control of your rights and the majority of your proceeds. You do the work, and if your book sells, you get paid for it.
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1) Build a Quality Book First

Before worrying about printers, distributors, or ads, make sure the book itself is solid.
Regardless of who publishes your book, quality matters.

Write something worth reading

  • Say something meaningful, biblical, and well-written.
  • Be clear on your audience: Who is this for, and what problem does it solve?
  • Don’t rush. Time and prayerful revision are often the difference-makers.

Editing and proofreading (both)

  • Hire a good editor (big-picture clarity, structure, tone, theological consistency).
  • Hire a good proofreader (typos, punctuation, final polish).
  • Consider platforms like
    Upwork.com
    —but carefully vet proposals and review portfolios.

Tip: Ask for a short sample edit or proofread before committing to a full project.

A professional cover is not optional

  • Have a professional cover designer create your cover.
  • If you DIY, design a modern cover that visually “fits” your genre and audience.
  • A weak cover can harm credibility immediately—even if the book is strong.
  • Upwork can help here too, if you vet carefully.

Interior layout (formatting)

  • Hire someone to do layout unless you’re confident in producing a professional result.
  • Good layout improves readability and reduces negative reviews.
  • Make sure your file meets printer specs (bleeds, margins, fonts, etc.).

Note: Formatting for print and formatting for eBooks are different skill sets.

2) Printing & Distribution: Work Directly With the Major Platforms

For paperback/hardcover and eBook distribution, we recommend working directly with the companies that run
the major distribution platforms:

Option A: Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

  • Best for selling on Amazon (print, Kindle, and even audiobook).
  • Simple setup and fast publishing workflow.
  • Good option if your primary audience buys through Amazon.
Visit Amazon KDP

Option B: IngramSpark

  • Excellent for broad distribution beyond Amazon.
  • Commonly used for bookstores, libraries, and wholesale channels.
  • Often a strong choice if you want the widest overall reach.
Visit IngramSpark
Our general guidance: For the broadest distribution, consider IngramSpark.
If you want a simpler path focused mainly on Amazon, KDP is a solid option too.

3) Publishing Your Book (High-Level Steps)

  1. Create your account on KDP or IngramSpark and set up your author/publisher profile.
  2. Prepare your files: print-ready PDF for paperback/hardcover, and a clean eBook file for Kindle/EPUB.
  3. Enter your metadata: title, subtitle, author name, description, keywords, categories, and ISBN (if needed).
  4. Order a proof copy and review it carefully before you approve for sale.
  5. Publish once you’ve verified quality. Make your first impression your best impression.

4) Promotion Basics That Actually Matter

Keywords

  • KDP and IngramSpark allow you to add keywords.
  • Use keyword phrases that are 2–4 words long.
  • Think like a reader: what would they search?

Example: “How to study the Bible” (adjust to fit your topic and audience).

Categories

  • Choose categories that closely match your subject.
  • Relevant categories improve discoverability and help algorithms place your book correctly.

Pricing

  • Stay close to industry standards.
  • Common ranges: $3.99 for an eBook, and $15.99–$19.99 for print
    (varies by genre and page count).

Your goal is to price fairly while leaving room for print costs and normal market expectations.

Free & paid promotion

  • KDP Select can allow limited-time free promotions (useful for exposure).
  • Amazon Ads (Amazon Marketing Services) can produce a real ROI if you learn the basics.
  • Start small, test, and improve. Avoid large budgets until you understand performance.

5) Watch Out for Common Self-Publishing Traps

  • “Vanity presses” that charge large fees to publish your book, then provide little distribution or real marketing.
  • Contracts that take unnecessary rights (especially exclusive rights) without clear benefit.
  • “Marketing packages” that sound impressive but don’t produce measurable results.
  • Paying for services you could hire directly (editing, cover, formatting) at a lower cost and higher quality.

If you’re unsure about a contract, consider getting professional advice before signing.

FAQ

Should I use KDP or IngramSpark?

If most of your sales will be on Amazon, KDP is often the simplest. If you want broader distribution
(bookstores, libraries, wholesalers), IngramSpark is often a better fit. Many authors use one or both,
depending on their strategy.

Do I need to pay someone to publish my book?

Not necessarily. With KDP or IngramSpark, you can publish without paying a “publisher.” However,
you may still want to invest in professional services like editing, proofreading, cover design, and formatting.

What should I invest in first?

Editing/proofreading and cover design typically give the biggest immediate quality lift.
A professional cover and clean text can dramatically improve trust and reviews.

Final encouragement: Be faithful with what you publish. Aim for clarity, truth, and usefulness.
A book can be a long-term instrument for good when it is carefully crafted and prayerfully stewarded.

Disclaimer: This page provides general information, not legal, financial, or tax advice.
Publishing platforms, policies, and pricing norms may change over time.

 

© — Self-publishing guidance provided as a courtesy to authors.