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How To Publish Your Book: Traditional, Self-Publishing, Print-on-Demand, Ebooks And Audiobooks

The publishing world is exploding with opportunity  and many authors are finding new ways to build a career with self-publishing, traditional publishing or a hybrid combination of the two.

I'm passionate about empowering authors to discover the right path for each book. The most important thing is to know your options, so read on.

What is your definition of success?

Your publishing options

How I professionally self-publish

Self-Publishing Resources

Self-Publishing Advice blog and podcast — from the Alliance of Independent Authors, by authors, for authors.

The Alliance of Independent Authors — Global membership association for independent authors. We are stronger together.

Successful Self-Publishing: How to Self-Publish an Ebook, Print Book and Audiobook — Joanna Penn, available as a free ebook and in print and audio editions.

Audio for Authors: Audiobooks, Podcasting, and Voice Technologies — Joanna Penn

My list of freelance editors

My list of freelance book cover designers 

Ebook and print formatting options

Reedsy — Vetted freelancers to help you self-publish

Tools, tutorials, and other useful resources

More podcast episodes and articles on your publishing options

Need more help?

If you'd like some more help on your author journey, check out:

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View Comments (75)

  • Thank you for passing on a wealth of good information. I'm a writer and artist who is passionate about sharing what I have learned about the importance of the arts in my book "YOU and THE ARTS-Why Art Matters." Do you have any suggestions for finding a distributer?

    • Hi Ruth, sorry, but I don't actually know much at all about physical distribution. It's not something I have investigated as I use print on demand through Lulu and now LightningSource.
      All the best, Joanna

  • It never ceases to amaze me how much great content you have. How do you get the time to do everything, and not just do the work, but such high quality.

    • Thanks Delece - it's been 2 years of blogging almost every day so the content builds up! and I still have lots to share :) I'm glad it's helpful.

  • @Joanna I'm interested in more valuable information on e book publishing. Can you post few articles on e book writing and publishing.

    Paul

    • Hi Paul,
      You 're welcome to ask specific questions as I have pretty much covered all the basics and have interviewed experts etc. Did you want anything in particular?
      Thanks, Joanna

      • Joanna, I have written 2 books on prophetic art. My first book "Brushed by God" is on the practical side of how to do spontaneous prophetic art in the local church and the other book " Drawn by God" which just arrived at my door to-day. This book is somewhat like "Jesus Calling" but with prophetic drawings and illustrations from myself and fellow Christian artists whom I have trained. I have my books on Amazon in kindle and" Brushed by God" as a paper back, but I cannot seem to sell my books. My friends and relatives just love both books and buy them. I have difficulty in being a good business person . I do spontaneous prophetic art all over the world and God is really blessing that aspect, but I need help in selling my books. any suggestions? Thank you for your time and care, Marietta Wright

  • Hi Joanna

    I have a beef buyers guided, a book on how to teach people how to select and cook all beef cuts offered in the supermarket. I don't want to bore you with details. My question is, you mentioned on one of your videos that you recommend getting a professional to format our book. can you tell me were I can find a list of reliable people that do this. I live in SC at the present time and would like to find someone local that I can sit down and meet. When you say not alot of money these days, what range are you talking about.
    Also if you like to cook, check out my website at http://www.fromthecheftoyou.com videos, recipes and much more

    Cookin' & Teachin'
    Chef Dave

    • Hi Dave,
      I highly recommend starting with Joel at http://www.thebookdesigner.com/ and he can certainly refer you to other people. He does print book design but can help with lots of things and his site is a wealth of information.
      On how much - you'll need to be more specific about your book and then get a quote because a plain text novel is a totally different product than a full colour cookbook!
      Thanks, Joanna

  • Hi Joanna,
    I am thinking of creating an iPhone ap series - I remember you were going to ap for a while, and then you decided to take it off your "to do list". Did you come across any Aussie developers (or any place to find them) while you were considerin this, who would be good to deal with? Or being an IT whiz would you just do that yourself?
    Thanks
    Dawn

  • Hi Joanna.

    I'm not a writer, but i own a marketing company. Which course would benefit me. I'm looking to help self publishers with create ebooks and marketing them on their behave.

    • Hi Dwight, if you want to help authors with marketing, then pretty much any of my courses will help you with that as it's kind of what I do too :) I suggest you try to go more niche focused with your business e.g. help non fiction authors with blogging and social media
      All the best!

  • Dear Joanna,
    This question is about a specific ebook format.
    I'm an author / illustrator who is just learning about the ebook indie publishing and marketing world. I have an interactive E storybook built in pdf format with a sound narration mp3 and SFX file in-bedded.

    Do you know if interactive pdf ebooks can be published through the iTunes bookstore? Where can interactive ebooks be marketed?
    The storybook is about Harmony so the sound is very important
    to the product.

    Thank you! Mark

  • Hello,

    Your blog has very good information so keep it up. It helps some of us who are independent publishers.

    I would like to publish a series of books for the International Audience.

    I need help on how I can get the books a website and also how to get them available on amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, B & N, and other book stores.

    Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.

    • Hi Wilfred,

      I don't actually publish anyone else's books, only my own.
      But if you want a print publisher, then have a look at Createspace for Amazon print on demand or LightningSource who also have a similar service.
      For ebook publishing, use http://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/

      I hope that helps and all the best with your books.

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