How much does it cost to self-publish?
It really depends on how much you do yourself versus hiring professionals. If you download free templates and skip editing, you could get your book live for under $200 (ISBN plus DIY formatting). Hiring basic cover design ($400+), interior formatting ($100+), and a simple editing pass ($300–$1,000) usually brings total out-of-pocket costs to around $1,000–$2,000 before you ever print a copy. If you choose a full-service bundle (cover, formatting, distribution, some marketing), expect to invest roughly $1,100–$3,000 up front. Printing on demand has no setup fee — you just pay about $5–$8 per paperback each time you order or sell one.
Can you actually make money self-publishing?
Absolutely. When you self-publish and sell your book, you keep a much larger slice of the pie — often around 50% of the cover price on paperbacks and up to 70% on eBooks—compared to the small royalties traditional publishers offer. Because Print On Demand (POD) services like BookBaby let you print copies only when orders come in, your upfront costs stay low (paperbacks can be printed for as little as $4.95 each). If you price your book thoughtfully and put effort into marketing, it's entirely possible to earn a healthy profit.
What is the best platform to self-publish?
There are several solid options — Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu, and BookBaby. If you want a one-stop shop that handles everything from editing and cover design to printing, distribution, and marketing, BookBaby is your best option. We combine professional-quality POD printing with a global distribution network covering Amazon, Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, and libraries. Plus, authors get access to a direct sales storefront (BookBaby Bookshop), where authors earn the highest royalties on the market.
What are the pitfalls of self-publishing?
Self-publishing gives you creative freedom and higher royalties, but you also handle every responsibility a traditional publisher would normally manage. That means investing time and money into professional editing, cover design, interior formatting, and marketing. Without the marketing backing of a big publishing house, it's easy for your book to get lost in a crowded marketplace, so you'll need to learn — or hire for — the skills behind the promotion, including email newsletters and potentially paid advertising to help your book stand out.
Is it worth self-publishing your book?
If you're comfortable taking on the extra work, including preparing a polished manuscript, overseeing design and distribution, and doing your own promotion — then yes, it can absolutely be worth it. Self-publishing speeds up the timeline (you can go from final draft to for-sale in weeks, not months), gives you complete creative control, and lets you keep most of your earnings. For many authors, that combination of flexibility, speed, and higher royalties more than justifies the effort.
Who should I go with for self-publishing?
If you want a partner that handles everything under one roof including editing, cover design, formatting, eBook conversion, Print On Demand, and distribution, BookBaby is an excellent choice. We offer high-quality printing across multiple trim sizes and binding options, plus we distribute your book across a large network that reaches Amazon, Barnes & Noble, indie bookstores, and libraries. Our BookBaby Bookshop also allows you to sell books straight from our website and keep 50% of your printed book royalties, 75% of your audiobook royalties, and 85% of your eBook royalties.
Do I need to copyright my book if I self-publish?
Technically, your work is protected under U.S. copyright law the moment you create it. However, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office gives you stronger legal standing if you ever need to enforce your rights (for example, if someone copies your text without permission). We recommend securing that registration before you distribute your book widely. It only takes a few steps and provides extra peace of mind.
What are the downsides of self-publishing?
Self-publishing means you're on your own for quality control and marketing. You'll likely spend money upfront on editing and cover design, and you won't have a publisher's marketing budget behind you. There's also a perception hurdle in that some readers still assume self-published books aren't as well-edited or designed as those from big houses. If you're not prepared to invest in professional services and want to handle all the aspects of your own promotion, your book might struggle to find an audience.
Can self-published books be sold in stores?
Yes, but only if you choose a self-publishing partner that offers bookstore distribution. With companies like BookBaby, once you've met the retail-quality requirements (proper ISBN, barcode, spine dimensions, etc.), your book becomes available through various online catalogs. That means brick-and-mortar stores and libraries can order it just as they would any traditionally published title.
Do you need an LLC to self-publish a book?
No. You can self-publish as an individual author without forming any business entity. Many writers choose to operate under their own name (or a pen name) and simply report royalties on their personal taxes. Some authors later set up an LLC for branding or tax reasons, but it's not a requirement to get your book into readers' hands.