This post was revised from the original on February 6, 2019 and again on June 4, 2019
If you can use a computer, you will be able to self-publish a book. It may take a while and challenge you. Just go step by step. I am writing this with the printed book in mind. Printed books can be converted into eBooks. However, in this present time, many publishing companies encourage us to do eBooks first and have them printed after that.
I used to write long hand if it is a story. I write directly on the computer for these blog posts. For a story, I like to let the ideas flow freely and then edit as I transcribe. With the advent of software like iPages and iAuthor, writing on the computer directly is easy. I can always go back and refine and edit later. Just getting familiar with putting words from your imagination on the computer is the first step.
I have discovered with blogging in these first six posts a method of writing, reading later and, over a month period, finally revising and getting it right. I have not decided whether or not to notate the revisions. That is something to think about.
After you have created your work to publish, you come to the task of picking a publisher. Marketing your work is a topic for another time. The learning curve on some of the sites that offer their services is very steep. If you are new to this, choose one that has clear steps that you can follow. Some have templates for laying out your book. Some do not. Which will you be comfortable with in the long run?
I have recommended three companies to look at. Each have their strongpoints. Ingramspark has over 20 online publishers. Createspace distributes through Amazon. Lulu has two ways to market. Through their site only or through three publishers (Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Ingramspark). The difference there is in the royalties.
I like Ingramspark as they have many tips and advice to help you through the process. It is user friendly. Their guidelines are well written. As of 2019, Ingramspark is now partnering with NaNoWriMo and offering a free upload of a winner's title until the end of March 2019.
I like Createspace as they partner with NaNoWriMo to give each winner (when you reach 50,000 words in the month you win) a free copy of their book in print at the end of the November write-a-thon. As of 2019, NaNoWriMo has chosen to partner with Ingramspark. The new feature of Createspace is their Kindle Direct Publishing feature.
I like Lulu because they were my first publisher and because their choices are simple and clear. They also have something called xPress printing, which I am going to try for one of my titles.
When you get to this stage, I suggest you take your time and go through each step suggested with care. It is worth it to develop your project with a time line that lets you enjoy the process.
