Looking for the best self-publishing services to publish your book in 2024?

 

Let me explain how best to choose a self-publishing service that suits YOUR needs (because, after all, every aspiring author is different).

 

 

First of all, let’s look at your self-publishing options, shall we? 

 

1. You can self-publish your book yourself. After all, ‘self-publishing’ means you don’t need a traditional publishing house or a literary agent to give you the thumbs-up.

You can take care of the whole process by learning all the necessary skills, namely: typesetting (for print), formatting (for Kindle/ebook), designing your book cover, writing your blurb, researching keywords, categories and pricing, and researching which print-on-demand / self-publishing platform best suits your needs – here are a few to consider:

 

 

Self Publishing | Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing  – this is my go-to choice. Find out why publishing on Amazon is a great idea. 

IngramSpark: Self-Publishing Book Company | Print & Distribute

Online Self-Publishing Book & Ebook Company | Lulu

Self-Publishing, Book Printing & Distribution Company | BookBaby

Draft2Digital 

 

 

2. You can hire a pro to help with everything (read my article here – the benefits of hiring a pro to help publish your book). You may need a professional book typesetter (to create a stylish book interior) or an ebook formatter (to ensure your book looks fab on Kindle) or a graphic designer (to design a scroll-stopping book cover) to take care of the parts you don’t want to do or don’t have the skillset to undertake. If you’re looking for freelancers to undertake these tasks for you, make sure you do some research first. Check out testimonials and  portfolios before you do anything else. 

 

 

3. You can work with a self-publishing coach 1-2-1 to guide you through the process.

 

 

4. Or you can hire someone like me to take care of the entire publication process for you (if Amazon KDP is your preferred platform to start with).

 

 

Want to learn what’s involved when self-publishing on Amazon? Check out my book – Publish Your Book on Kindle: From Manuscript to published on Amazon the Simple Step-by-Step Guide

 

 

You can also grab my free Self-Publishing Checklist here too >>> Self-Publishing on Amazon: The FREE Checklist 

 

 

 

 

 

If the prospect of dealing with every step of the self-publishing process brings you out in hives, then keep reading. Let me explain how I help my authors and what you should consider before choosing who to work with.

 

Publishing your book on Amazon has a clearly defined, step-by-step process. But making it personal, enjoyable and exciting is important too. You’re not a robot. Your book isn’t a deadline slot in an ambitious schedule. And if you’re researching the best self-publishing route (FOR YOU), then you’ll need to bear a few things in mind.

 

You’ll need to decide whether:

1. you want to work with a publishing company that sends you updates, makes decisions for you and sends you the result OR
2. you want to be an integral part of the publishing journey and be proud of your book.

 

 

Why hire me, Michelle Emerson, to publish your book on Kindle?

Because you’ll get the full personal publishing experience. No smoke and mirrors. No assigning you a ‘dedicated publishing project manager’ to handle everything. No conveyor belt. Just me, my 25 years of experience in the publishing industry and an impressive track record. (Click here to see my authors’ hall of fame.)  Here’s the deal.

 

 

 

Self-Publishing Solutions for Overwhelmed, First-Time Authors

 

 

 

 

I offer an all-inclusive self-publishing solution for authors who want to publish on Amazon KDP.

 

 My Whole Shebang (the full self-publishing and book launch marketing) package offers:

• top-notch proofreading (so you avoid those 1*-typo-related reviews) 
• a high-quality interior book design for Kindle and paperback/print (so it looks professional and gorgeous)
• an eye-catching book cover design (for Kindle and print – back, cover and spine)
• a stop-em-scrolling blurb and Amazon description writing (to ensure potential readers press the buy now button)
• keyword, category and pricing research (to optimise your book’s sales potential) 
• setting up your publishing account on your behalf (or working with you 1-2-1 so you can learn the skills yourself)
• uploading everything to your publishing account and dealing with any tweaks KDP require
• submitting your book to an additional publishing platform which will distribute your book via even more platforms worldwide – via the likes of Barnes & Noble, Gardners, Apple Books (and many more!)
• a bumper book launch marketing (to kickstart your author adventure).

 

 

 

*Check out The Whole Shebang package here*

 

 

 

When I work with a first-time author, I also go way more in-depth than just the practicalities of creating and publishing a first-class, professional-looking book on Amazon. 

 

Here are 7 ways I support my first-time authors through the publication process.

 

 

#1 My authors ask as many publishing-related questions as they like.

As with anything new, there are always questions. That’s why I ensure my authors know they can ask questions throughout the process and build up their knowledge for the future. 

 

 

#2 My authors can have unlimited advice as we go through the publication process.

I’ve helped hundreds of authors self-publish on Amazon and have built up a bank of knowledge and understanding about the self-publishing process. So when an author asks for advice about, say, the sizing of the book or if it’s worth adding other sections, images or external links to optimise the book’s sales potential, for example, I’ll share my thoughts.

 

 

# 3 My authors are instilled with confidence.

Very often, I am the first person who reads an author’s book. While this is exciting for me, it’s often nerve-wracking for my authors. As writers, their furtive imaginations will conjure up worst-case scenarios. They often assume I’m going to tell them their book’s not quite up to publishing standard. So when I explain that I’ll fix the typos, cut out surplus words, point out repetition, and change a clunky sentence into three pithy ones, they often breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they’re in safe hands and their book will be of the highest standard it can possibly be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Want to publish on Kindle and paperback?  Check out my packages here for fiction and non-fiction authors.*

 

 

 

#4 My authors get encouragement and a friendly ear to keep their motivation levels up. 

The publication process comes with highs and lows. Sometimes, my authors need extra encouragement, and that’s what I offer. For example, if they are overwhelmed by the red lines on their proofread, tracked document, they may need a reassuring chat over the phone. And that offer is always an option.

 

 

 

#5  I offer my authors all the flexibility they need.

 

 

 

 

Although we stick to a production schedule during the publication process, life can get in the way. That’s why I never force a deadline. It’s great if my authors can check over the proofread manuscript within a few days, but it’s not imperative. And if they are busy with their day job or if a family emergency comes up, they can take the breathing space they need. Trying to rush the publication process does not work.

Let me explain more.

 

 

I spoke to a gentleman recently who signed up with a publisher a few years ago.

 

 

The company pressured him into committing to an unrealistic deadline so they could release his book for Christmas – which they didn’t deliver on, anyway. He ended up signing off a mediocre book cover (to put it politely) which didn’t reflect the genre (or any, in fact) and hadn’t been proofread (despite this being part of the expensive deal).

 

Consequently, he’s left with a book he doesn’t like and that he’s embarrassed to promote, and he is currently trying to sever ties with them so he can publish the book himself on Amazon (with a little help from me). How different the outcome would have been if he’d had some flexibility and breathing space to make better decisions as opposed to feeling pressure to fit in with ‘the company’s’ deadlines.

 

 

#6 My authors have full creative control.

Many of my authors have jacket design ideas or can picture how they would like the interior of their book to look, and I will do my best to make them a reality. Some authors want to add self-penned illustrations to their books, flourishes as section breaks, and drop caps at the start of each chapter. And their wish is my command (where humanly possible). In short, when authors work with me, it’s THEIR dream I’m supporting. So why shouldn’t they have THEIR book created just as they choose?

 

 

 

#7 Working together often marks the start of a long-term book/author /business relationship.

Ah, the post-publication honeymoon period. Brimming with confidence, excitement and a new self-belief, my authors see their writing in a new light once their books are on the Amazon bookshelf. They prioritise their unfinished projects and scope out realistic schedules to get them published in a much shorter timescale than their debut books. And that’s fantastic. After all, an author with a whole series of books has way more chance of becoming successful.

I’m currently working with an author on his sixteenth book (and eighteenth bite-sized volume) right now, and it’s so beneficial for him. You see, every time he publishes a new book, we update his covers (he has images of previous books on the back). Then I update his book interiors to add the new title to the ‘More Books by Mario’ page. I update his blurbs/Amazon descriptions and make sure his most recent book is showing up on his Amazon Author Central page (which I also set up for him when his first book launched). (You can check out Mario Panayi’s books – fascinating collections of poetry and prose – here.)

You just can’t get this kind of in-depth 1-2-1 support and understanding if you’re using a conveyor belt company to publish your book. 

 

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If you’re looking for the best self-publishing solution to bring your book to life, choose a company where you’re making the decisions, keeping creative control, taking some breathing space if needed, and ultimately enjoying the process! I know how much your book means to you (I’ve published my own books, too, so I understand the rollercoaster of emotions involved), and that’s why I offer so much more than off-the-shelf self-publishing services.

If you want a cookie-cutter option, there are many. If you prefer the personal touch,  message me.

 

 

 

*Want to self-publish a Kindle ebook on Amazon within just four weeks? Find out more here*

 

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Related articles: 

 

13 Surprising Benefits of Publishing on Kindle

Why Self-Publishing on Amazon is Great if You Need Flexibility

Publishing a Book on Kindle: Your Top 10 Questions Answered

 

 

Keep writing!

Michelle

Self-Publishing Services for First-time Authors