Starting self-publishing in 2025 is easier than ever, thanks to improved platforms, AI tools, and broader market opportunities. Self-publishing is when an author publishes a book independently without going through a traditional publisher. The author controls everything, ranging from the writing, formatting, and pricing to marketing.

It looks like a lot of work, but today's world is full of opportunities/platforms to make every single bit of your dream a possibility. Let's take a look at the required steps to follow for a successful career in self-publishing.

Step 1: Choose Your Niche & Book Type

Decide if you want to publish fiction (romance, sci-fi, thriller, etc.) or non-fiction (self-help, business, how-to guides, etc.). This is the first and one of the most crucial part of the whole process.
Consider alternative formats like low-content books (journals, planners, coloring books) or children’s books. Your niche choice should resonate with your interests and possibly your strength area. It would be a very great mistake to consider a niche that you are not personally interested in or have any strength in.

This particular kind of mistake will lead to an easy burnout in whatever you are doing.

Step 2: Research & Plan Your Book

Use Amazon Best Sellers, Google Trends, or keyword research tools (Publisher Rocket, BookBolt) to find high-demand topics. Having a solid theme for your project will help you focus more on the main central idea and also avoid deviation and unnecessary prolongation of sentences due to lack of certainty.
Outline your book to ensure it flows logically. Using a proper outlining method in your book or project helps in clarity, speeding up the writing process and even makes the editing easier

Step 3: Write & Edit Your Manuscript

Write the book yourself or use AI writing tools (like ChatGPT) for drafting ideas. Remember, the key to success lies in the depth of your content and the amount of value your content will possess.
Hire an editor or use tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid for self-editing.

Step 4: Design a Professional Cover

Your cover is your first impression! Use Canva or Adobe Photoshop, or hire a designer on Fiverr or 99design. Make sure the cover art to your content or eBook is catchy and carries some words to get viewers logged in.

Step 5: Format Your Book

Use Atticus, Vellum (Mac), or Kindle Create to format your book for Kindle and print versions.

Step 6: Choose a Publishing Platform

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) – Best for eBooks & print-on-demand.
IngramSpark – Expands print distribution to bookstores & libraries.
Draft2Digital – Distributes to Apple Books, Kobo, and more.

Don't overthink the idea of choosing a publishing platform, but feel very free to trash and pick any of the platforms if they are not up to your standards.

Step 7: Optimize Your Book for Discoverability

Use relevant keywords in your title, subtitle, and description.
Choose the right categories on Amazon to increase visibility.

Step 8: Launch & Market Your Book

Build an email list before launching.
Offer free promos or Kindle Unlimited for initial traction.
Run Amazon Ads, Facebook Ads, or TikTok promotions.
Use social media, blogs, and YouTube to generate organic traffic.

Step 9: Collect Reviews & Scale Up

Encourage early readers to leave reviews.
Join book promo groups & collaborate with other authors.
Consider audiobooks (via ACX, Findaway Voices) for extra income.

How To Market Your Book Successfully And Get Sales

1. Optimize Your Book for Discoverability

Use Keywords & Categories Wisely

Research high-traffic keywords using tools like Publisher Rocket or Amazon’s search bar.
Select the right categories on Amazon KDP to improve your ranking and visibility.

Craft a Compelling Book Description

Use a strong hook in the first sentence to grab attention.
Clearly outline what readers will gain from the book.
Break up text with bullet points to improve readability.

Design a Professional Cover

Your book cover is your first impression—don’t skimp on quality.
Hire a designer on Fiverr or 99designs or use Canva for DIY options.
Ensure the cover looks good in thumbnail size (important for Amazon).

2. Build an Author Platform

Create an Author Website

Include a blog, book landing pages, and an email signup form.
Offer a free chapter or bonus content to attract readers.

Grow an Email List

Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to drive sales.
Use a lead magnet (e.g., a free ebook, checklist, or exclusive content) to collect emails.
Send newsletters with book updates, promotions, and valuable content.

Leverage Social Media

Share behind-the-scenes content, writing updates, and book excerpts.
Engage with readers through polls, Q&A sessions, and giveaways.
Focus on platforms where your audience hangs out (e.g., TikTok for fiction, LinkedIn for business books).

3. Get Reviews & Social Proof

Encourage Early Reviews

Send free copies to beta readers and ask for honest feedback.
Use ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) services like NetGalley or BookSirens.
Politely ask readers to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

Leverage Book Influencers & Bloggers

Reach out to book bloggers and Instagram influencers for features.
Join book promo Facebook groups where authors help each other get reviews.

Use Goodreads to Build Buzz

Create a Goodreads author profile.
Run a giveaway to increase exposure.
Participate in reader groups and discussions.

4. Run Strategic Promotions & Ads

Use Amazon KDP Select & Kindle Unlimited

Enroll in KDP Select for free book promotions and Kindle Unlimited royalties.
Use the “Free Book Promotion” or “Kindle Countdown Deal” to boost downloads.

Run Paid Advertising

Amazon Ads: Target relevant keywords to increase book visibility.
Facebook Ads: Direct traffic to your book page or landing page.
Book Promotion Sites: Submit your book to platforms like BookBub, Bargain Booksy, and Freebooksy for targeted promotions.

5. Leverage Content Marketing & Publicity

Start a Blog or YouTube Channel

Share writing tips, book insights, or industry trends to attract readers.
Link to your book in blog posts or video descriptions.

Get Podcast & Media Features

Reach out to podcasters who interview authors.
Write guest blog posts on high-traffic websites related to your book’s topic.

Use TikTok & Instagram Reels (BookTok)

Create engaging videos showcasing your book, writing process, or fan reactions.
Use trending sounds and hashtags like #BookTok to reach a wider audience.

6. Run a Book Launch Strategy

Build Pre-Launch Hype

Announce your book on social media and in your email list.
Create countdown posts, teaser trailers, and cover reveals.
Offer pre-order incentives like bonus content.

Launch Week Strategies

Run a free or discounted promo for the first few days.
Host a virtual launch party on YouTube, Instagram Live, or Facebook.
Encourage readers to share photos and reviews.

Post-Launch Marketing

Keep promoting through content marketing and paid ads.
Run periodic discounts or giveaways to boost sales.
Write more books—readers who enjoy your first book will want more!

Best Tools For Self Formatting

I personally use the first four software a lot and have always enjoyed using them. The rest of the list are also very good but were only discovered recently and have proven to be very efficient and hence could not miss the list. Have the list...

The lists above are hyperlinked to the homepages of the respective software or website for ease of search.

Self-Publishing FAQ: Everything You Need to Know in 2025

1. What is self-publishing?

Self-publishing is when an author publishes a book independently without going through a traditional publisher. You control everything; writing, formatting, cover design, pricing, and marketing.

2. Where can I self-publish my book?

The most popular platforms include:

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) – Best for ebooks & print-on-demand paperbacks.
IngramSpark – Great for wider distribution to bookstores & libraries.
Draft2Digital – Distributes to Apple Books, Kobo, and more.
ACX & Findaway Voices – For audiobook publishing.

3. Do I need an ISBN?

If you publish exclusively on Amazon KDP, they provide a free ISBN for print books.
If you plan to distribute your book widely (outside Amazon), buying your own ISBN is recommended.

4. How much does it cost to self-publish?

It can be free if you do everything yourself. However, common costs include:

Cover design: $50–$500 (or free with Canva).
Editing: $100–$1,000, depending on book length.
Formatting: Free with Kindle Create, or $50–$200 for professional formatting.
Marketing: Optional but recommended (Amazon Ads, email lists, etc.).

5. Do I need an editor?

Yes! Even if you self-edit, a professional editor helps improve clarity, grammar, and overall readability. You can use tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid for basic editing.

6. How do I format my book?

You can format your book using:

Kindle Create (Free, for Amazon KDP ebooks & print)
Atticus (Paid, for professional book formatting)
Vellum (Mac users only)

7. What size should my book be?

Ebooks: No specific size (Kindle formats automatically).
Paperbacks: Common sizes are 5” x 8” or 6” x 9”.
Low-content books (journals, planners): Often 8.5” x 11”.

8. How much money can I make from self-publishing?

Beginners: $100–$500 per month (if marketed well).
Intermediate authors: $1,000–$5,000 per month.
Top earners: $10,000+ per month (multiple books, strong audience, ad strategy).

9. How much royalty does Amazon pay?

Ebooks: 70% royalty for books priced $2.99–$9.99 (35% if outside this range).
Paperbacks: Around 40–60%, depending on printing costs.
Audiobooks (via ACX): 25–40% depending on exclusivity.

10. How do I price my book?

Ebooks: $2.99–$4.99 is ideal for most genres.
Paperbacks: Usually between $9.99–$19.99, depending on length.
Low-content books: $6.99–$14.99, depending on design quality.

11. How do I market my self-published book?

Amazon Ads & Facebook Ads (paid promotions).
Email marketing & author newsletters.
Social media (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, & Twitter/X).
Book launch promotions (discounts, giveaways, reviews).

12. How do I get book reviews?

Offer free review copies to readers.
Use Amazon’s Early Reviewer Program or ARC groups.
Ask your email list or social media followers.

13. Should I enroll in Kindle Unlimited (KU)?

If you choose Kindle Unlimited (KU), your ebook must be exclusive to Amazon for at least 90 days. In return, you get paid for every page read by KU subscribers. If you want to sell on Apple Books, Kobo, etc., don’t use KU.

14. Can I turn my book into an audiobook?

Yes! Audiobooks are booming. You can:

Narrate it yourself or hire a voice actor.
Publish on ACX (Audible) or Findaway Voices for wider distribution.

15. Should I publish more than one book?

Yes! The more books you publish, the more chances you have to make sales. Many successful self-published authors write a series or multiple books in the same niche.

16. Can I sell books outside Amazon?

Yes! You can distribute to:

Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble (via Draft2Digital or IngramSpark).
Your own website (using Shopify, Gumroad, or Payhip).

17. Can I use AI to write books?

Yes, but with caution. AI tools like ChatGPT can help brainstorm ideas, outline, or draft content, but it’s best to edit and refine it yourself to maintain originality and quality.

18. What are the biggest mistakes new self-published authors make?

Poor cover design – Your book cover is your first impression!
No marketing plan – Writing is just half the battle; marketing gets sales.
Skipping editing – Typos and bad grammar hurt credibility.
Unrealistic expectations – Self-publishing takes time; don’t expect instant success.

19. Can I update my book after publishing?

Yes! On Amazon KDP, you can:

Fix typos, update content, or change the cover.
Upload a new edition anytime without republishing.

Final Thoughts

Self-publishing in 2025 is more accessible than ever, but success depends on choosing the right niche, producing quality books, and marketing effectively. Whether you want to publish ebooks, paperbacks, or audiobooks, this FAQ should help you get started with confidence.

How To Start Self Publishing In 2025