The short answer: To publish a book, finish and professionally edit your manuscript, choose between traditional publishing and self-publishing, get a cover and interior designed, buy an ISBN, upload your book to platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, then launch it with a marketing plan. Self-publishing a finished manuscript usually takes 6–10 weeks.
Publishing a book has never been more possible — or more confusing. This guide walks you through every step in plain English, whether you want to self-publish on Amazon or pursue a traditional publishing deal.
Step 1: Choose how you want to publish
There are three main paths. Your choice affects how fast you publish, who owns your rights and how much you earn per copy.
| Traditional publishing | Self-publishing | Hybrid / assisted | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who pays | Publisher (may pay you an advance) | You | You (for services) |
| Time to publish | 18–24 months after a deal | Weeks | 6–16 weeks |
| Rights | Publisher licenses your rights | You keep them | Should stay with you — check the contract |
| Royalties | Typically 7–15% of list price | Up to 70% on eBooks | Varies — the best keep you at 100% of author royalties |
| Creative control | Limited | Full | Full |
Traditional publishing usually requires a literary agent, and most manuscripts are rejected. Self-publishing gives you speed and control, but you are responsible for quality. Assisted self-publishing, like our publishing services, gives you a professional team while you keep ownership.
Step 2: Finish your manuscript
You do not need a perfect draft — but you need a complete one. If you are stuck, a book coach or a professional ghostwriter can help you finish. Most nonfiction books are 40,000–70,000 words; memoirs often run 60,000–90,000.
Step 3: Get your book professionally edited
Editing is the single biggest factor in whether readers recommend your book. There are three levels:
- Developmental editing — structure, pacing and content.
- Copyediting — clarity, flow and consistency sentence by sentence.
- Proofreading — the final check for typos and errors.
Learn more about book editing services and what each level involves.
Step 4: Design the cover and interior
Readers judge books by their covers, especially on Amazon where your cover appears as a small thumbnail. Invest in a professional book cover and clean interior formatting for both print and eBook.
Want a publishing plan for your book?
Get a free, itemized quote with a realistic timeline.
Step 5: Get an ISBN
An ISBN identifies your book in stores and libraries. In the U.S., ISBNs are sold by Bowker. Amazon KDP offers free ISBNs, but owning your own ISBN lets you be listed as the publisher and use the same edition with other distributors.
Step 6: Publish on Amazon and other stores
Most self-published authors start with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) for eBooks and paperbacks, and use IngramSpark to reach bookstores and libraries. You will set your title, description, keywords, categories, price and upload your files. See our step-by-step guide: how to self-publish a book on Amazon.
Step 7: Launch and market your book
Publishing is the start, not the finish. A good launch includes early reader reviews, an author website, an email list and targeted Amazon ads. Our book marketing services can handle this for you.
How long does it take to publish a book?
Self-publishing a finished, edited manuscript takes about 6–10 weeks. Including editing, plan for 2–3 months. Ghostwritten books take 4–6 months. Traditional publishing typically takes 18–24 months after you sign a contract.
Frequently asked questions
Can I publish a book for free?
Technically yes — Amazon KDP charges nothing to upload. But publishing a book readers will buy usually requires paying for editing and cover design.
Do I need a literary agent?
Only for traditional publishing with major publishers. You do not need an agent to self-publish.
How much does it cost to publish a book?
It depends on how much help your book needs. Editing, cover design, formatting and marketing are each priced by scope, so the best way to know is a written, itemized quote. You can get one after a free consultation.
