The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Self-Publishing in 2025
10 Steps to Get You Started and an Invitation to Help You Level Up
Self-publishing has never been more accessible, yet many aspiring authors struggle to navigate the process successfully. With platforms like Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, and IngramSpark, publishing a book is easier than ever—but that doesn’t mean it’s simple.
If you’re a first-time author wondering how to turn your manuscript into a published book, this guide will walk you through the entire process step by step. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to self-publishing success in 2025.
If you want more help with self-publishing or establishing a process for writing and publishing multiple books, check out The Minimalist Author Way, my course and community for self-publishing authors!
Step 1: Write the Best Book You Can
Before you think about publishing, make sure your book is the best it can be. A great cover and marketing plan won’t save a poorly written book. It starts with an idea, and I highly recommend that you confirm it is the best.
This means you need to confirm that it is the best idea for you, the best idea for your audience, and the best idea to help you write and publish a best seller. (Learn more about validating your bestselling book idea)
Then, you jump into mind-mapping, outline, and writing. Once you do that, you can move on to the next steps.
Key Writing Tips:
Outline Your Book – Whether you’re a plotter (detailed planner) or a pantser (discovery writer), having a loose structure will keep you on track.
Write Consistently – Set a daily or weekly word count goal to maintain momentum.
Edit Ruthlessly – Your first draft is just the beginning. Be prepared to rewrite and refine.
Once your manuscript is finished, it’s time to edit. But I would encourage you to start with a self-edit. You can do this with the RGR Method, and once you have done that, it's time to find an editor.
Step 2: Edit Like a Pro
Even the best writers need an editor. Editing isn’t just about fixing typos—improving clarity, flow, and engagement. Yes, if you are on a budget, it can be hard to hire an editor, but this may be the one part of the process you want to hire.
My editor has helped make my books so much better, which is why I get so many positive reviews. He has also helped me become a better book writer.
Types of Editing:
Self-Editing – Start running your manuscript through software like ProWritingAid or Grammarly to catch basic errors.
Developmental Editing – Focuses on big-picture elements like structure, pacing, and character development.
Copy Editing – Polishes grammar, sentence structure, and readability.
Proofreading – A final check to catch any lingering mistakes before publishing.
If hiring a professional editor is out of budget, consider using beta readers—trusted readers who can give feedback before your final draft.
Step 3: Format Your Book for Print and Ebook
Once your book is edited, it’s time to format it for publishing. Your book should look professional, both as an ebook and in print. If you are on a budget but plan on writing multiple books, I suggest that you pick up some software and learn how to do this yourself.
Below are a few tools that I've tried. However, my current program is Atticus, and I love it.
Best Formatting Tools:
Vellum (Mac only) – Excellent for creating professional ebooks and print books.
Atticus (Windows & Mac) – A great all-in-one alternative to Vellum.
Reedsy’s Free Book Editor – A simple, browser-based formatting tool.
Hiring a formatter on Fiverr or Upwork is an affordable option if you're not tech-savvy. But, this is one of those steps that you can learn and become good at so you can do it yourself and maybe even format books for others.
Step 4: Design a Professional Cover
Your cover is the first impression of your book, so it needs to be professional, genre-appropriate, and visually compelling. This is another spot where you may want to hire out.
You've heard the adage, 'Don't judge a book by its cover.' Here's the thing: everyone judges a book by its cover, so your cover better be good. If you aren't good at design, then you should hire out.
Options for Cover Design:
Hire a Designer – Use platforms like 99designs, Reedsy, or Fiverr.
Use DIY Tools – If you have design skills, use Canva or Adobe Photoshop.
Pre-Made Covers – Websites like The Book Cover Designer offer affordable pre-made covers.
Again, if this is your first attempt at writing and publishing a book and you lack an eye for design, hiring out might be a good idea. My first book cover cost me $50, but it was totally worth it.
If you want to try to design your book's cover yourself, remember the following tips. They will help you ensure that you are creating the best cover possible.
Cover Design Tips:
Keep it simple and bold—avoid clutter.
Ensure your title is readable even in thumbnail size.
Study bestsellers in your genre to match audience expectations.
Step 5: Choose the Right Publishing Platform
Self-publishing offers multiple distribution options. The best platform depends on your goals. I will be 100% transparent: I only use Amazon KDP because it is the largest ebook platform and crazy easy to use.
Top Platforms for Self-Publishing:
Amazon KDP – The most significant ebook and print-on-demand platform.
Draft2Digital – Distributes ebooks to Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and libraries.
IngramSpark – Great for wide distribution of print books to bookstores and libraries.
Once you figure out your platform, you will want to figure out your strategy. Again, I use Amazon, and my primary strategy is the first one.
Publishing Strategies:
Amazon-Exclusive (KDP Select) – Enroll in Kindle Unlimited for higher royalties and promotional opportunities.
Wide Distribution – Publish on multiple platforms to maximize your reach.
If you’re unsure, start with Amazon KDP and expand once you gain traction. This is the easiest way to get started and will help you feel more comfortable with the process.
Step 6: Write a Compelling Book Description and Author Bio
A well-crafted book description converts browsers into buyers. It should be engaging, clear, and include a call to action. Now, there are two ways I would suggest you do this:
First, you need to research books in your niche and find helpful book descriptions. You can copy and paste these into a document and save them for later.
Second, you must figure out how to add keywords and follow a pattern for the book description. I have a quick formula that I use:
Book Description Formula:
Hook – Start with a compelling question or statement.
Brief Summary – Highlight the core conflict or transformation.
Call to Action – Encourage readers to buy.
Example:
“What if everything you knew about success was a lie? In this transformative guide, bestselling author [Your Name] reveals the secrets to achieving your biggest goals without burnout. Grab your copy today and start your journey to success!”
If you still need help with your book description, you can take the formula, add your information to it, and then copy and paste your favorites with that formula prompt into Chat GPT. It will spit out a really good description. Be sure to edit it, but it should work well.
Your author bio should also position you as an expert in your genre, even if you’re a first-time author.
Step 7: Set the Right Price
Pricing depends on your goals—are you looking for sales volume, higher royalties, or a mix of both? If this is your first book, you should price low and offer free giveaways to help you get more books into readers' hands.
This will help you later, especially if you don't have much of a following right now. If you have a following now, but this is your first book, consider keeping a lower price to sell more books upfront to get more reviews.
Pricing Tips:
$2.99–$4.99 is ideal for ebooks in most genres.
Keep print book prices competitive (check similar books on Amazon).
Experiment with price promotions to boost visibility.
Step 8: Launch Your Book with a Marketing Plan
A great book launch helps you build momentum and visibility. It is important that you set yourself up for success because the first 30 days on Amazon are essential, and getting book reviews early leads to more sales over time.
Book Launch Checklist:
✔ Build an Email List – Collect emails before launch to create an early readership.
✔ Get Early Reviews – Use an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) team to get reviews on day one.
✔ Run a Free or Discounted Promo – Boost early sales with limited-time discounts.
✔ Leverage Social Media – Share behind-the-scenes content, teasers, and launch updates.
✔ Use Ads – Amazon and Facebook ads can drive traffic to your book.
Step 9: Keep Selling Your Book Post-Launch
Many authors make the mistake of stopping marketing after launch. Consistent promotion is key to long-term sales. I do promotions every month for different books.
I sometimes offer one book for free in a series and drop the Kindle price on other books during the free period to help sell the entire series. This jumpstarts sales on all the books and helps a ton.
As you write more books, you will also sell more books, so occasionally, writing a book series will help you sell more books as time passes.
Long-Term Sales Strategies:
Run Regular Discounts – Platforms like BookBub help boost visibility.
Start a Blog or Newsletter – Keep engaging with your audience.
Write More Books – A series or backlist increases your income potential.
Step 10: Plan Your Next Book
Successful self-publishing is about more than one book. Plan your next project while promoting your current one.
Why Write More Books?
More books mean more visibility.
Readers who love one book will buy others.
Series sells better than standalone.
Final Thoughts
Self-publishing in 2025 offers more opportunities than ever, but success requires a strategic approach. Following these ten steps will set you up for a professional, profitable book launch.
Whether you’re publishing fiction or nonfiction, remember that consistency, quality, and marketing are the keys to long-term success.
Now, it’s your turn—what’s stopping you from publishing your book? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll help you take the next step!
Join The Minimalist Way Today!
You’ve had the idea for a book, but where do you start? The Minimalist Author Way gives you a transparent, no-fluff system to go from idea to bestseller in 90 days. No overwhelm. There are no endless revisions. It's just a proven process that works.
With lifetime access for just $97, you’ll get:
A step-by-step course guiding you through three focused phases:
Idea to Manuscript: Develop your bestselling idea, clearly outline, and complete your first draft.
Manuscript to Book: Edit, format, and design your book like a pro.
Publish & Promote: Optimize your metadata, publish on Amazon KDP, and launch to bestseller status.
Exclusive access to The Minimalist Author Club—our private community where authors support each other.
Lifetime updates to all future products designed to help you write, publish, and sell more books.
I’ve done this 18 times, and I know what works. You don’t need a big budget or a huge audience—just a simple, effective system.
Are you ready to finally write and publish your book?
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My name is J.R. Heimbigner and I am a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon with 18 self-published books. I have something I want to share with you:
Also, this post may contain sales or affiliate links, so I might get a little kickback if you purchase anything. Thank you in advance!
Hey JR. I see some of the popular folks on YT talking about different platforms than KDP and D2D. Any thoughts on those new options, like going direct with B&N and other retailers?
have I already paid the $97? and does the course show how to upload to Amazon?