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Self Publishing a Book

BookBaby offers everything you need to self-publish a book.

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BookBaby has resources for anyone from first-time authors to seasoned professionals

At BookBaby, we're dedicated to making your journey from writer to self-published author as easy as possible. From first-time authors to experienced veterans, novelists to photographers, we've helped many thousands prove that it doesn’t take a traditional publishing deal to bring a dream to life. You can do it yourself as an independent author—and BookBaby has the friendly customer service, knowledgeable publishing specialists, and quality book products and services you need to get the book publishing job done.

What do I need to publish my first book?

If you are publishing your first book, BookBaby can help you along every step of the way to become a self-published author. The only thing we need from you to self-publish a book is a manuscript, we can handle the rest. Have cover art? BookBaby can use your cover design or we can design a cover for you.

How much will it cost to publish my first book?

The cost of publishing a book with BookBaby varies based on quantity, hardcover vs. paperback, as well as ad-ons that you may want throughout your publishing journey such as editing or cover design. Talk to one of our publishing specialists or get an instant quote to find out the cost of publishing your book. Want a sample of your self-published book? Get a press proof printed for just $99.

Why is BookBaby the best publisher for first time authors?

BookBaby has all the resources that a first time independent author needs to publish their first book. Our experienced contemporary and traditional publishing specialists will make your experience as smooth as possible, and are always just a phone call away. Whether you need the works, or have prepared everything yourself and are ready to go to print, BookBaby has everything first-time authors need for a successful publishing experience.

Here are just some of the ways we’ll make your self-publishing experience simple and worry-free:

  • We are one of the only companies around that covers all your needs – eBooks, printed books, Print On Demand, global distribution, direct-to-reader sales, as well as design and creative services, plus marketing help.
  • The only 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee in the industry.
  • The largest eBook retail network that connects your book to readers worldwide.
  • Amazing customer service from self-publishing experts: we actually answer emails and phone calls!
  • Keep 100% of your net eBook sales—we take zero commission.
  • High-quality, full-color in-house book printing, done in just days.
  • Enjoy more royalties with direct-to-reader sales with Bookshop™—your one-stop shop to sell both eBooks and printed books straight to your readers.
  • We are the only self-publishing company that sends you a finished proof of your eBook.
  • Expert cover design, file conversion, and book formatting that ensures your book can be enjoyed.

First-time author or not sure where to start? Talk to one of our publishing specialists who can answer all your questions.

Our most popular package

The Complete Publishing Package

It takes printed books and eBooks to become a successful author. Get the package that has everything you need to make and deliver your printed book and eBook around the globe. Includes 25 printed books, Print On Demand, eBook publishing, cover & interior design, ISBNs, and more.
Learn more about our Complete Self-Publishing Package

Printed Books

Custom Book Printing

Whether it’s 25 books or 2,500, premium quality is guaranteed with every copy. Order a wide variety of trim sizes in a matter of minutes. Includes a money-back satisfaction guarantee. See all custom book options

Single Book Printing

Not quite ready for a full-scale book release? Start with just one copy of your printed book—any trim size, cover style, and binding you want. Learn more

Printed Book Cover Design

Your cover is your first (and maybe only) impression. Pull in readers with a professionally designed cover to convey the essence of your book. See our cover design samples

Interior Book Design & Formatting

There’s no faster way to lose a reader’s interest than with poor page formatting. Our team of professional book designers will work with your input to create a custom layout to match the theme and message of your book. Learn more about book formatting

Print On Demand

Take your book further than the local shelves. Add Print On Demand to your printed book order and sell your book around the globe in more stores than anywhere else. Learn more about Print On Demand

eBook Services

eBook Self-Publishing with Worldwide Distribution

The ultimate all-in-one eBook package complete with everything you need to publish, promote, and sell your eBook worldwide on Amazon Kindle, Apple iPad, Barnes & Noble Nook and more. Learn more about our eBook Self-Publishing Package

eBook Conversion Only

Don’t need promotion or distribution? Choose our eBook conversion-only service and we’ll transform your manuscript into a professional eBook, compatible with any eReader device (Amazon Kindle, Apple iPad, Barnes & Noble Nook, more) and include a final formatting proof for your review. Learn more about eBook conversion

eBook Cover Design

With so many titles available, it’s more important than ever to stand out. Our Design Studio experts will create a professional cover that’ll help your eBook captivate readers. See samples of our eBook cover designs

Fixed Layout for Amazon & Apple Books

Is your eBook highly visual? Is it critical your images have a specific and consistent placement? Then have our professionals convert your high-resolution PDF file into a fixed layout eBook for Amazon and Apple Books. Learn more about Fixed Layout

eBook Image Conversion

Take the worry out of converting your graphic images to your eBook. Our eBook experts will convert your photographs, artwork, illustrations, graphs, tables, and charts to be viewable on all popular eReader devices. Learn more about image conversion

ADDITIONAL BOOK SERVICES

Audiobooks for Self-Published Authors

Self-published authors can now convert their eBooks or printed books into an audiobook without spending $10,000+ and months of production time! Offering over 60 different voices in 75 different languages, BookBaby's exclusive audiobook process is fast and easy. Best of all, BookBaby helps you sell your book on your Bookshop page and pays out the highest royalties in the marketplace. Learn more about our audiobooks

Editing Services

Book editing is a necessity, but time consuming when you do it yourself and costly when seeking professional help—until now. Our editing services are made for self-published authors who need premium editing for an affordable price. We’ve negotiated special rates with traditional publishing class editors that allow us to charge prices that are 30% to 50% lower than comparable services. Learn more about our editing services

Pricing and Metadata Changes

Give your book an easier time being discovered by changing your book’s long and short descriptions, pricing, author bio, genre, and/or keywords. Includes redelivery to all retail partners. Log in to your account to update your metadata.

Book Marketing Services

BookBaby offers an exclusive package of author-powered book marketing products and services to help spread the word about their new book. Authors can promote their books through free book reviews, placement on book discovery sites and much more. Learn more about Book Marketing Services

Bookshop™

Bookshop™ offers you a personalized webpage to sell your printed book and eBook directly to readers. You can earn 85% of your retail price with each eBook sale and 50% of your retail price with each printed book sale. Learn more about Bookshop

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

Add a unique ISBN barcode for your book so retail stores can identify your book in the marketplace and report your sales accordingly. Learn more.

Maximize your metadata

Maximize your metadata

The stronger your metadata, the easier readers can find your book. Our professionals will perform spell check, basic edits, and keyword optimization on your existing metadata to give your book its best shot at making the sale. You’ll also receive a free proof for your approval. Get started.

I have found BookBaby a very helpful resource, especially for a first-time author. From the start, they were there for me every step of the way, and when my needs had to be met by a different department, they did not leave me stranded but introduced me to the people who would help me for that part of the publishing process. I cannot praise BookBaby enough!

Rena Schochet, BookBaby Author
100% Satisfaction Guarantee

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

If you're not thrilled with our work—whether it's eBook conversion, cover design, or print quality—we'll work with you until you are. That's our publishing promise to you.