What is Self-Publishing? How Does Self-Publishing Work - A Full Guide | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Self-publishing works by publishing through platforms like Amazon, earning higher royalties than traditional publishing, and taking on full responsibility for various aspects of the publishing process.

Key Insights

• 🤳 Over 70% of book sales happen on Amazon, making it the primary platform for self-publishers.
• 📔 Self-publishers can utilize Kindle Direct Publishing, KDP Print, and ACX for ebook, print book, and audiobook creation.
• 🧡 Self-published authors receive higher royalties compared to traditional publishing, with percentages ranging from 20-70%.
• 📔 Self-publishers have to take on all responsibilities like editing, cover design, and formatting, but can save money and have full control over their book.
• 😘 Traditional publishing may handle more tasks, but authors often experience less control and lower royalties.
• 🫠 Self-publishers have access to sales data and can run ads for their books.
• 🤳 Misinformation is common in the publishing industry, and self-publishing offers an opportunity to debunk misconceptions.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main platforms for self-publishing?

The main platform for self-publishing is Amazon, with Kindle Direct Publishing and KDP Print for ebooks and print books, and ACX for audiobooks.

Q: How do royalties work in self-publishing?

Self-published authors receive a higher cut of the royalties compared to traditional publishing, with percentages ranging from 20-70% depending on the format of the book.

Q: What are the responsibilities of self-publishers?

Self-publishers are responsible for submitting their book, getting cover design, editing, formatting, and various other tasks. They have full control and creative freedom but need to take care of everything themselves or hire professionals.

Q: What are the advantages of self-publishing over traditional publishing?

Self-publishing offers higher royalties, more control, and the ability to save money on various aspects of the publishing process. Authors have ultimate control over their book and can access sales data and run ads.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Over 70% of all books sold are sold on Amazon, making it the best and first place for self-publishers to start.

• Self-publishers can use Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and KDP Print (formerly CreateSpace) for ebook and print book publishing, and ACX for audiobook creation and distribution.

• Self-published authors receive a larger cut of the royalties compared to traditional publishing, with percentages varying depending on the format of the book.