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How to self-publish your book easily (even if you’ve never done it before)
So, you’ve written a book—maybe a devotional, a character study, or your first novel—and now you're wondering: “How do I actually publish this?” Don’t worry. Self-publishing doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. In fact, I’ve refined a process over the years that removes nearly all the hassle, even if you're just starting out.
Here’s my streamlined, step-by-step guide to publishing your book without needing to learn complicated formatting software or juggle multiple publishing platforms.
✅ Step 1: Write and Format Your Book Using Reedsy (FREE)
Reedsy is a free online book editor that handles professional formatting for both ebooks and print-ready manuscripts.
Just sign up, paste in your chapters, and Reedsy will:
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Automatically format your book to industry standards
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Include front matter (title, copyright, etc.)
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Add back matter like About the Author or Also by this Author
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Export both an EPUB (ebook) and a PDF (print) version
This means no need to mess around with Microsoft Word or typesetting software—Reedsy does the heavy lifting for you.
✅ Step 2: Distribute Your Book Using PublishDrive
Once your files are ready, head over to PublishDrive. This platform lets you publish your book to multiple global retailers (like Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more) all from one dashboard.
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There's a free tier for one published book.
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Paid tiers are available if you’re publishing more titles.
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It helps track and manage all your sales, royalties, and reports in one place.
This saves you the headache of uploading your files separately to each store and logging into five dashboards every month.
✅ Step 3: Buy an ISBN (Optional but Recommended)
If you’re publishing print versions, you’ll need an ISBN.
🔗 Cheapest ISBN source for UK authors: https://bookisbn.org.uk
🔗 Cheapest ISBN source for US authors: https://www.isbnservices.com
Here’s what you need to know:
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Reedsy and PublishDrive allow ISBNs.
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Buying from ISBN Services is cheaper and will label your book as independently published.
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This site includes the barcode graphic, which some ISBN sellers charge extra for.
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If you want to list under your own publishing imprint name, you'll need to buy from Nielsen UK (more expensive).
In short:
- Book ISBN - UK only: affordable ISBN with the barcode graphic for (£40 at the time of writing)
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ISBN Services – USA only: affordable and includes the barcode graphic (around $22 at the time of writing)
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ISBN Agency – $34.99 for one ISBN (at the time of writing)
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Nielsen UK – ideal if you want it listed under your own UK imprint
Owning your ISBN also makes your book appear more professional and gives you greater distribution flexibility.
💡 Tip: If you're only using Amazon KDP, they provide a free ISBN, but it can only be used on Amazon.
✅ Step 4: (Optional) Use Amazon KDP for Amazon-Only Publishing
If you want to publish only to Amazon, you can skip PublishDrive and go direct. But be warned:
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You’ll need to handle your own formatting (or use a tool like Reedsy first).
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The process can be more manual and time-consuming.
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KDP does offer free ISBNs, but you won’t be able to use them elsewhere.
I personally recommend using Reedsy + PublishDrive for wider reach and less hassle.
✅ Step 5: Get Early Reviews with Booksprout (ARC Tool)
Want to launch your book with reviews already in place?
Set up an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) campaign using Booksprout. It allows you to:
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Invite beta readers or early reviewers
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Distribute copies securely
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Gather early reviews for Amazon and other platforms
This boosts visibility when your book goes live and helps kick-start the algorithm. Getting reviews in place before or just after launch helps trigger algorithms (especially on Amazon) to show your book to more readers.
✅ Step 6: Create a Strong Cover Design
Your book will be judged by its cover—so make sure it’s professionally done.
If you're not a designer:
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Use the Reedsy Marketplace to hire vetted professionals for cover design, editing, and more.
Your cover should look polished, fit your genre, and be sized correctly for both ebook and print. Reedsy’s formatting tool will even give you the exact spine width based on your page count, which you can pass to your designer.
✅ Summary of Tools
| Task | Tool | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Write & Format | Reedsy | editor.reedsy.com |
| Distribute to Retailers | PublishDrive | publishdrive.com |
| Get ISBN | ISBN Services | isbnservices.com |
| Direct to Amazon (optional) | KDP | kdp.amazon.com |
| Early Reviews | Booksprout | booksprout.co |
| Cover Design | Various | Reedsy Marketplace Fiverr Upwork 99designs |
🎉 Final Thoughts
Self-publishing no longer means figuring everything out on your own. With tools like Reedsy, PublishDrive, and Booksprout, you can focus on writing your book, not navigating a tech maze.
Whether you’re writing devotionals, fiction, or anything in between, this method is simple, affordable, and totally beginner-friendly.
Have a question? Drop it in the comments or reach out—I’m always happy to help fellow writers get their words into the world.
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Luke J. Wilson | 19th May 2025 | Social Media
You’ve written your book. You’ve published it. Now comes the tricky part: getting people to notice it. With traditional marketing channels becoming more expensive and competitive, authors are turning to social media, particularly TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, to grow their audience and drive book sales. And the good news? You don’t need to go viral or dance on camera to make an impact. Here’s how to build your brand, connect with readers, and market your books authentically on each platform—without (hopefully) burning yourself out! 📱 TikTok (a.k.a. #BookTok) Why It Matters: TikTok has become one of the most powerful platforms for authors. A single video can launch a self-published book into bestseller status if it resonates with the right audience. What Works: Short, punchy videos (15–30 seconds) Behind-the-scenes content: your writing process, inspiration, book cover reveal Reader-focused videos: "If you liked this, you’ll love that" Trends with a twist: use popular sounds/memes/trends but relate them to your book or niche Hosting Live Q&As, giveaways, or launch parties Easy Content Ideas: “3 books that inspired my novel” “The hardest chapter I had to write” “Things only writers understand” A dramatic reading of a powerful line from your book Annotated flip-through of your print edition Tools: Use CapCut for quick, stylish edits Add on-screen captions for accessibility and retention (A 2019 study conducted by Verizon Media found that up to 69% of consumers prefer watching videos without sound, so captions are a must) Tips: Post 3–5 times a week (or build up to this, consistency is key) Use #BookTok, genre-specific hashtags (eg, #YAfiction), and niche communities (eg, #IndieAuthor) Don’t worry about polish—real and authentic is better than perfect 📸 Instagram Why It Matters: Instagram is a visual platform perfect for branding, building an author aesthetic, and connecting with readers and other writers. What Works: Beautiful flatlays of your book with coffee, candles, or nature Author selfies with captions about your writing journey Short Reels (15–30 seconds) with trending audio or tips Carousels: "5 things I learned self-publishing my first book" Easy Content Ideas: Cover reveal with a dramatic audio Aesthetic mood boards for your characters or settings Quote graphics from your book (designed in Canva) Snippets from reviews or reader messages Behind-the-scenes shots: your writing space, launch day, drafts Tools: Canva for branded, eye-catching graphics Planoly, Later, or Metricool for scheduling and analytics Tips: Stick to a consistent colour scheme or aesthetic Post to Stories daily, grid 3–4 times per week Be social: comment on posts, reply to DMs, and engage with others in your niche 👥 Facebook Why It Still Matters: Facebook remains a powerhouse for community building, especially with Groups, Events, and your author Page. What Works: Updates on your book’s progress, launch plans, or reviews Joining or creating Facebook Groups for your genre or niche Hosting Live Q&As, giveaways, or launch parties Sharing blog links, ARC sign-ups, and behind-the-scenes updates Easy Content Ideas: “What chapter was hardest for me to write?” Book cover teaser with “Coming soon!” energy Reader polls (“Which character do you relate to most?”) Sharing links to blog posts, interviews, or book trailers Tips: Post 2–3 times per week Pin important posts (like new releases) to the top of your Page Create Events for launches, virtual readings, or live discussions 🔁 Cross-Platform Content Strategy (Without Burning Out) You don’t need to reinvent the wheel for every platform. Repurpose what you create w...
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Luke J. Wilson | 19th May 2025 | Social Media
You’ve written your book. You’ve published it. Now comes the tricky part: getting people to notice it. With traditional marketing channels becoming more expensive and competitive, authors are turning to social media, particularly TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, to grow their audience and drive book sales. And the good news? You don’t need to go viral or dance on camera to make an impact. Here’s how to build your brand, connect with readers, and market your books authentically on each platform—without (hopefully) burning yourself out! 📱 TikTok (a.k.a. #BookTok) Why It Matters: TikTok has become one of the most powerful platforms for authors. A single video can launch a self-published book into bestseller status if it resonates with the right audience. What Works: Short, punchy videos (15–30 seconds) Behind-the-scenes content: your writing process, inspiration, book cover reveal Reader-focused videos: "If you liked this, you’ll love that" Trends with a twist: use popular sounds/memes/trends but relate them to your book or niche Hosting Live Q&As, giveaways, or launch parties Easy Content Ideas: “3 books that inspired my novel” “The hardest chapter I had to write” “Things only writers understand” A dramatic reading of a powerful line from your book Annotated flip-through of your print edition Tools: Use CapCut for quick, stylish edits Add on-screen captions for accessibility and retention (A 2019 study conducted by Verizon Media found that up to 69% of consumers prefer watching videos without sound, so captions are a must) Tips: Post 3–5 times a week (or build up to this, consistency is key) Use #BookTok, genre-specific hashtags (eg, #YAfiction), and niche communities (eg, #IndieAuthor) Don’t worry about polish—real and authentic is better than perfect 📸 Instagram Why It Matters: Instagram is a visual platform perfect for branding, building an author aesthetic, and connecting with readers and other writers. What Works: Beautiful flatlays of your book with coffee, candles, or nature Author selfies with captions about your writing journey Short Reels (15–30 seconds) with trending audio or tips Carousels: "5 things I learned self-publishing my first book" Easy Content Ideas: Cover reveal with a dramatic audio Aesthetic mood boards for your characters or settings Quote graphics from your book (designed in Canva) Snippets from reviews or reader messages Behind-the-scenes shots: your writing space, launch day, drafts Tools: Canva for branded, eye-catching graphics Planoly, Later, or Metricool for scheduling and analytics Tips: Stick to a consistent colour scheme or aesthetic Post to Stories daily, grid 3–4 times per week Be social: comment on posts, reply to DMs, and engage with others in your niche 👥 Facebook Why It Still Matters: Facebook remains a powerhouse for community building, especially with Groups, Events, and your author Page. What Works: Updates on your book’s progress, launch plans, or reviews Joining or creating Facebook Groups for your genre or niche Hosting Live Q&As, giveaways, or launch parties Sharing blog links, ARC sign-ups, and behind-the-scenes updates Easy Content Ideas: “What chapter was hardest for me to write?” Book cover teaser with “Coming soon!” energy Reader polls (“Which character do you relate to most?”) Sharing links to blog posts, interviews, or book trailers Tips: Post 2–3 times per week Pin important posts (like new releases) to the top of your Page Create Events for launches, virtual readings, or live discussions 🔁 Cross-Platform Content Strategy (Without Burning Out) You don’t need to reinvent the wheel for every platform. Repurpose what you create w...