How to Publish a Book: Complete Guide for First-Time Authors

Published Oct 6, 2026

6 min read

Quick answer: how to publish a book To publish a book, finish and revise your manuscript, choose a publishing path (traditional, self-publishing, or hybrid), get it professionally edited, design the cover and interior, secure an ISBN, upload it to print and ebook retailers, and market it. Self-publishing typically takes 3–6 months after your final draft. Traditional publishing often takes 1–2 years.

If you’ve typed “how to publish a book” into Google, you probably have a finished (or almost finished) manuscript and a very reasonable fear: what do I do next, and what will it cost me if I get it wrong?

This book publishing guide answers both. It walks you through the full book publishing process, from the last edit of your draft to the day your book is on sale, with real cost ranges, honest timelines, and the mistakes that trip up most first-time authors.

We’re Book Publishings, a self-publishing services company, so we’ll tell you where we fit and where we don’t. If traditional publishing is the better path for your book, we’ll say so.

Key takeaways

There are three ways to publish: traditional (a publisher buys your rights), self-publishing (you publish and keep control), and hybrid (you share costs with a publisher).
Every route needs the same core work: a revised manuscript, professional editing, a market-ready cover, correct interior formatting, and a distribution plan.
Budget realistically: a professional-quality self-published book commonly costs roughly 6,000, depending on length, genre and services.
You don’t always need a literary agent. You do need one for most large traditional publishers.
Protect your rights. Never sign a contract you don’t understand, and never pay a “publisher” who takes your rights and your money.

Ready to talk through your manuscript? Get a free quote and publishing plan .

What Does It Mean to Publish a Book?

Publishing a book means making it available to readers in a finished, professional form, as a print book, ebook, audiobook, or all three, through bookstores, online retailers, libraries, or your own store.

That definition hides an important point: publishing is more than uploading a file. A published book has been edited, designed, assigned identifiers (like an ISBN), priced, described, and placed where readers can find it. Whoever handles those jobs, you or a team, is “the publisher.”

That’s why the first big decision is who is the publisher. For a deeper breakdown, see our guide to the different types of book publishing and what a book publisher does.

The 10 Steps to Publish a Book at a Glance

Here are the steps to publish a book, with typical timing and cost. Details for each step follow.

#	Step	Typical time	Typical cost (US)
1	Finish and revise your manuscript	1–6 months of revision	$0 (beta readers)
2	Choose your publishing path	1–2 weeks	$0
3	Professional editing	4–12 weeks	≈ 5,050 for 80,000 words*
4	Cover and interior design	3–6 weeks	Cover 2,500; formatting varies
5	ISBN and copyright	1–2 days	295 (ISBNs) + registration fee
6	Printing and distribution setup	1–2 weeks	Often $0 upfront (print-on-demand)
7	Metadata, description, pricing	About 1 week	$0
8	Upload, proof, approve	1–7 days	Proof copy cost
9	Launch and marketing	Starts 2–3 months before launch	$0 to several thousand
10	Track results, update, repeat	Ongoing	Varies

Editing range from Reedsy’s 2026 analysis of freelancer quotes. Rates vary by genre, length and editor.

Want a plan built around your book? Request a free quote. We review your manuscript and map the steps, timeline and cost before you commit to anything.

Step 1: Finish and Revise Your Manuscript

Before you publish, your manuscript should be complete, revised at least once, and read by people who aren’t your friends or family.

A first draft is not a finished book. Most authors go through several passes:

Self-revision. Let the draft rest for two weeks, then reread it with fresh eyes. Cut repetition and fix structure.
Beta readers. Ask 3–5 readers in your target audience (not just supportive relatives) for honest feedback.
Revision based on feedback. Fix plot holes, unclear arguments, pacing problems.
Professional editing (Step 3).

“To write is human, to edit is divine.” — Stephen King, On Writing

Manuscript readiness checklist

Complete draft, with a clear beginning, middle and end (or a clear argument if nonfiction)
Word count appropriate for your genre
Consistent names, dates and facts
Permissions secured for any quotes, lyrics, or images you didn’t create
Front and back matter drafted (title page, dedication, about the author, acknowledgments)

For formatting standards and what agents and editors expect to see, read our guide on how to prepare a manuscript for publication. Not sure what comes next once the draft is done? See what happens after you finish writing a book.

Don’t have a finished draft yet? Our team offers book writing and ghostwriting services for authors who have the story but need help getting it on the page.

Step 2: Choose Your Publishing Path

You can publish a book three ways: traditionally (a publisher acquires your book), by self-publishing (you control and fund production), or through a hybrid model (you share costs and responsibilities with a publisher). This choice affects your income, your timeline, and who owns your rights, so make it before you spend money on editing or design.

Traditional Publishing

A publishing house acquires your book, pays you an advance against royalties, and handles editing, design, printing and distribution. In exchange, they typically control the rights, the cover, the price and the schedule. Most large publishers only accept submissions through literary agents.

Self-Publishing

You are the publisher. You hire (or do) the editing, design and formatting; you pick the retailers; you set the price and keep the rights. Print-on-demand means books are printed one at a time when ordered, so there’s no inventory to store.

Hybrid Publishing

A hybrid publisher offers professional services and distribution, and the author pays some or all upfront costs. Quality and honesty vary enormously here, so read contracts carefully (see how to avoid publishing scams).

Traditional vs. Self-Publishing vs. Hybrid

	Traditional	Self-publishing	Hybrid
Upfront cost to you	None (publisher pays)	You pay for services	You pay all or part
Who owns the rights	Usually the publisher (for a term)	You	Varies by contract
Creative control	Shared; publisher has final say	Full	Shared
Royalty rate	Often 5–15% of list/net (print), higher for ebooks	Up to 70% on qualifying ebook prices; print varies	Varies widely
Time to market	Typically 1–2 years after signing	Weeks to months	Months
Bookstore reach	Strongest	Possible, with effort	Varies
Needs an agent?	Usually yes	No	No

Want a deeper comparison? Read Traditional vs. Self-Publishing, Hybrid Publishing vs. Self-Publishing, and our verdict on which is better.

Quick decision guide

Choose traditional if you want bookstore shelf presence, you have patience for rejection, and you’re comfortable giving up control.
Choose self-publishing if you want speed, control, ownership, and higher per-book earnings, and you’ll invest in quality.
Choose hybrid only after verifying the company’s track record, contract terms and distribution. Avoid any that can’t clearly explain where your money goes.

Not sure which path fits your book? Talk to a publishing specialist. It’s free, and we’ll tell you honestly if another route suits you better.

How to Get a Book Published Traditionally

To get a book published traditionally, you polish your manuscript, write a query letter (and a book proposal for nonfiction), pitch literary agents, and let your agent sell the book to a publisher.

If you’ve chosen traditional publishing, the process looks like this:

Research agents who represent your genre. Use official agency websites and follow each agency’s submission rules exactly.
Prepare your submission package: a query letter, synopsis, and sample pages. Nonfiction authors usually need a book proposal instead of a full manuscript.
Query in small batches (5–10 agents at a time) so you can improve your pitch if you get no responses.
Sign with an agent. A legitimate agent earns about 15% of your domestic earnings (often 20% on foreign sales) and does not charge reading fees.
Go on submission. Your agent pitches editors at publishers. This can take months.
Receive an offer, negotiate the contract, then work with an in-house editor.

Competition is intense. One editor writing on Reedsy estimates that agents sign only about 1–3% of the authors who query them. That’s why preparation matters.

Related guides

How to get a book published
Do you need a literary agent to publish a book?
What’s the difference between a publisher and a literary agent?
How to find a publisher for your book
How to submit a book to a publisher
How to choose a book publisher
What a publishing company does

Editor’s tip: Traditional publishers rarely handle all your marketing. Even with a publishing deal, expect to build your own audience. Authors who plan for this early do better.

Step 3: Get Professional Editing

Professional editing is the single most important investment in self-publishing, because readers and reviewers punish typos, plot holes and weak structure faster than anything else.

There are four main levels, and most books need more than one:

Type	What it fixes	When to use it
Developmental edit	Big-picture structure, plot, pacing, argument, character	After your first major revision
Line edit	Sentence-level flow, voice, clarity	After developmental edits
Copy edit	Grammar, consistency, style, fact-checking flags	Before formatting
Proofread	Final typos and formatting errors	After the interior is laid out

Budget varies widely. Reedsy’s analysis of freelancer quotes puts professional editing for an 80,000-word book at roughly 5,050, depending on the level and number of rounds.

Never let a friend with “a good eye” replace a professional. One mistake I see often: authors skip developmental editing, then discover structural problems after paying for design.

“The editing was exceptionally well done.” — Jack Turner, Book Publishings author (from our Trustpilot reviews)

Our editing and proofreading team works across genres and keeps your voice intact.

Step 4: Design Your Cover and Interior

Your cover is your book’s sales page. Readers judge it in about the time it takes to scroll past, so it must signal your genre instantly, even as a thumbnail.

Book cover design

Study your genre. Look at the top 20 bestsellers in your category and note the shared colors, fonts and imagery.
Hire a professional who has designed in your genre. Custom covers commonly run from about $500 to $2,500; premade covers cost less (often 400).
Order the right files. Print books need a full wraparound cover (front, spine, back), and the spine width depends on your final page count and paper stock.
Don’t print a price on the cover if you’ll sell in multiple countries with print-on-demand.

See our book cover design service for examples.

Interior formatting

Formatting turns a word-processor file into a book readers enjoy reading: correct trim size, margins, fonts, chapter openers, page numbers, and clean ebook files (EPUB). Poor formatting is a common reason self-published books look “amateur.”

You’ll need two files for most books: a print-ready PDF and an ebook (EPUB) file. Our book formatting team prepares both to retailer specifications.

Step 5: Get Your ISBN and Protect Your Copyright

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is the 13-digit identifier that retailers, libraries and bookstores use to track a specific edition of your book. In the US, ISBNs are sold by Bowker, and each format (paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook) needs its own number.

What does an ISBN cost?

Bowker (US): $125 for one ISBN, $295 for a pack of 10.
Free ISBNs: Platforms like Amazon KDP offer a free ISBN for print books, but it can tie the book to that platform, and the platform is listed as the publisher of record.
Ebooks: Not always required if you sell through a single platform that uses its own identifier.

Our recommendation: if you plan to publish more than one format or more than one book, buy your own 10-pack. ISBNs never expire. Read the full explainer: What is an ISBN and do you need one?

Copyright

In the US, your work is protected by copyright the moment you create it. Registering with the US Copyright Office (the fee is roughly 65; check copyright.gov for current rates) gives you stronger legal remedies if someone infringes. An ISBN is not copyright protection.

Step 6: Choose Printing and Distribution

For most first-time authors, print-on-demand (POD) is the safest way to print: your book is printed only when someone orders it, so there are no upfront printing costs, no inventory, and no shipping to manage.

Print-on-demand vs. print run

	Print-on-demand	Offset print run
Upfront cost	None, or minimal	Significant (hundreds to thousands of dollars)
Inventory	None	You store and ship copies
Unit cost	Higher per book	Lower per book at volume
Best for	Most authors	Speakers, businesses, guaranteed sales channels

Where to publish

Amazon KDP for ebooks and print on Amazon. It’s free to publish.
IngramSpark for wider distribution into bookstores and libraries. Bookstores typically expect a wholesale discount of around 40–55%, so build that into your price.
Other ebook stores: Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble Press, Google Play Books.
Direct sales from your own website, which can protect your margins.

Exclusive vs. “going wide”

Enrolling an ebook in KDP Select makes it Amazon-exclusive in exchange for perks like Kindle Unlimited. “Going wide” means selling everywhere. Neither is universally better; it depends on your genre and audience.

Our self-publishing and global book publishing services handle distribution setup so your files aren’t rejected at upload.

Step 7: Write Your Metadata, Description and Price

Metadata is the information retailers use to rank and recommend your book: title, subtitle, keywords, categories and description. Get it wrong and the best book on earth stays invisible.

Your book description is a sales page, not a synopsis. Lead with a short hook line, explain what the reader gets (nonfiction) or what’s at stake (fiction), and end with a reason to buy now.

Pricing basics

Price in line with comparable books in your genre.
Price book one of a series lower to attract readers.
Make sure your print price covers printing costs plus your profit. Many authors aim for at least 3 profit per print copy.

Categories and keywords: choose specific, relevant categories over broad ones. Research what readers of similar books search for.

Step 8: Publish Your Book

To publish, upload your final interior and cover files, enter your metadata, set prices, and submit for review. Retailers usually approve within hours to a few days.

Upload files. Expect automated checks to flag errors such as margin problems or spine width. Fix and re-upload.
Order a physical proof. Always check a printed copy before approving.
Set a pre-order if you want early sales and reviews. A few weeks to a month ahead works well.
Approve and publish.

Because print-on-demand and ebooks are digital, you can fix problems later by uploading new files. Still, a clean launch matters, since early reviews shape long-term visibility.

Step 9: Market Your Book

Book marketing should start 2–3 months before launch, not after it. Most books don’t sell on their own, even great ones.

A practical launch plan

Build an email list before launch. Readers who opt in are your most valuable audience.
Collect early reviews by sending advance copies to a small group of readers (an “ARC” or street team).
Optimize your retailer pages. Cover, description, keywords and author bio all convert browsers into buyers.
Use social media where your readers actually are, whether that’s BookTok, Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook groups.
Run limited-time promotions during launch week, when visibility matters most.
Pitch local media, podcasts and bookstores.

Pro tip: Spend your advertising budget in launch month, when visibility and early reviews matter most. Ongoing ad spend without a plan rarely pays for itself.

Our book marketing, Amazon book marketing and book launch marketing services support authors from pre-launch through the first months of sales. You can also add an author website to own your audience.

Step 10: Track, Improve and Plan Your Next Book

After launch, check your sales, reviews and ad data monthly, then refine your cover, description, keywords and pricing. Self-publishing lets you improve a live book, and that’s one of its biggest advantages.

Authors who build careers usually do three things: they publish consistently, they keep their audience engaged between books, and they treat each launch as a learning cycle.

Consider adding formats once your book is stable, such as an audiobook, a large-print edition, or a workbook.

How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book?

Self-publishing a professional-quality book typically costs about 6,000, depending on length, genre and services. Traditional publishing has no upfront fees to the author, since the publisher pays.

Reedsy’s 2026 analysis, based on more than 230,000 freelancer quotes, found self-publishing costs of roughly 5,660 for a typical project.

Cost item	Budget	Standard	Premium
Editing (80,000 words)	800 (copy edit only, lower-cost editor)	3,000	5,000+
Cover design	400 (premade)	1,200 (custom)	2,500+ (illustrated/custom)
Interior formatting	DIY/software	Professional, 600	Complex layouts, higher
ISBN	Free (platform ISBN)	$125 (single)	$295 (10-pack)
Printing setup	$0 (POD)	$0 + proof copies	Print run: varies
Marketing	500	2,000	$2,000+

Figures combine published 2026 ranges from Reedsy, Books.by, and Bowker. Your quote will depend on your manuscript.

What affects cost the most

Length and genre. Editing is usually priced per word or per page, and some genres need more.
Editing level. A developmental edit costs more than a proofread.
Children’s books and graphic content raise costs significantly.
Marketing ambition.

For a line-by-line breakdown, see our guide: How much does it cost to publish a book?

See your exact price before you commit. We review your manuscript and send a clear, itemized quote, with no hidden fees. Get your free quote

How Long Does It Take to Publish a Book?

Self-publishing usually takes 3–6 months from final draft to launch. Traditional publishing often takes 12–24 months after you sign a deal, plus the time it takes to find an agent and sell your book.

(These are typical industry ranges. Individual timelines vary widely.)

Stage	Self-publishing	Traditional
Finding an agent	Not needed	Several months to years
Selling to a publisher	Not needed	Months
Editing	4–12 weeks	3–6 months
Design	3–6 weeks	Handled by publisher
Production and distribution	1–2 weeks	6–12 months
Total after final draft	About 3–6 months	About 1.5–3+ years

Authors often lose time by hiring editors and designers at the last minute. Many professionals are booked months ahead, so plan at least four months of lead time. Full details: How long does it take to publish a book?

How Do Book Royalties Work?

A royalty is the percentage of each sale that the author earns. Rates depend on whether you publish traditionally or independently.

Traditional publishing: Reported ranges are about 5–7% for paperbacks and 10–15% for hardcovers, with ebook royalties often 25% of net or more. You usually receive an advance (a payment against future royalties), and your agent takes about 15%. You earn further royalties only after the advance is “earned out.”
Self-publishing: Retailers pay you directly. Ebooks on major platforms can pay up to 70% at qualifying prices, while print royalties equal the list price minus printing cost and the retailer’s cut.
Hybrid: Varies widely by contract. Always ask for the royalty formula in writing.

Read the full breakdown: How do book royalties work?

How to Avoid Publishing Scams and Bad Contracts

Legitimate agents never charge reading fees, and no honest publisher guarantees bestseller status. Predatory “publishers” prey on first-time authors, so watch for these red flags:

❌ They ask for large upfront fees and claim ownership of your rights.
❌ They guarantee bestseller rankings, reviews or sales.
❌ The ISBN is registered to them, not you, with no transfer option. (In the US, Bowker is the only ISBN agency, so a company “giving” you an ISBN is listing itself as publisher.)
❌ Vague contracts: no clear royalty formula, termination clause or reversion of rights.
❌ Pressure tactics: “Offer expires today.”
❌ Agents who charge to read your manuscript.

A fair way to evaluate any provider, including us:

Ask for a written, itemized quote.
Confirm in writing that you retain your rights.
Confirm you’re listed as the owner of your accounts and ISBNs.
Check independent reviews (Trustpilot, Better Business Bureau).
Ask for completed book examples in your genre.

At Book Publishings, authors keep full ownership of their work, and you’ll see what your book needs and what it costs before committing. See our about page and reviews to judge for yourself.

Common Mistakes First-Time Authors Make

Rushing to publish. A first draft isn’t a finished book. Allow time for revision.
Skipping professional editing. It’s the most common reason for bad reviews.
DIY covers that miss the genre. Readers decide fast.
Self-publishing as a “test” for traditional publishing. Previously self-published books can be harder to sell to a traditional publisher, since early sales are already taken.
Using copyrighted material without permission. Song lyrics, long quotes and images usually need clearance.
No marketing plan. Books don’t sell themselves.
Hiring too late. Good editors and designers book up months ahead.
Signing a contract without understanding it.

Which Publishing Path Is Right for You?

If this sounds like you…	Consider
“I want my book in bookstores and I’m patient with rejection.”	Traditional
“I want control, speed and to keep my rights.”	Self-publishing
“I want professional help but not the traditional gatekeepers.”	Self-publishing with a services partner
“I’m writing a business book to support my brand or speaking.”	Self-publishing
“I’m unsure and want to explore options.”	Free consultation

Still comparing? Our guides to traditional vs. self-publishing and hybrid vs. self-publishing go deeper.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I publish a book for the first time?

Finish and revise your manuscript, choose a publishing path, hire professional editing, design a cover and interior, get an ISBN, upload through retailers like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, then market your book. First-time authors can self-publish in about 3–6 months.

How much does it cost to publish a book?

Self-publishing a professional-quality book typically costs about 6,000, covering editing, cover design, formatting and an ISBN. Traditional publishers cover production costs, so authors pay no upfront fees.

How long does it take to publish a book?

Self-publishing usually takes 3–6 months after your final draft. Traditional publishing commonly takes 1–2 years from signing a contract, plus time to find an agent.

Do I need a literary agent to publish a book?

You don't need one to self-publish. You usually do need one to reach large traditional publishers, since most don't accept unagented submissions. Agents typically earn about 15% of your earnings.

Can I publish a book without a publisher?

Yes. Self-publishing lets you publish through Amazon KDP, IngramSpark and other platforms without a traditional publisher, and you keep your rights and control the price.

Do I need an ISBN to publish a book?

You need an ISBN for print books and for any edition you want sold broadly. Ebooks sold on a single platform may not require one. In the US, a Bowker ISBN costs $125, or $295 for ten.

What is the difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing?

In self-publishing, you fund and control production and keep your rights. In traditional publishing, a publisher pays for production, controls key decisions, and typically holds the rights for a term in exchange for an advance and royalties.

Is it better to self-publish or traditionally publish?

Neither is universally better. Traditional publishing offers prestige and bookstore reach; self-publishing offers speed, control and higher per-book earnings. Your goals decide.

How much do authors make per book?

Traditional authors often earn about 5–15% of the price, depending on format. Self-published authors can earn up to 70% on qualifying ebook prices, but they pay their own production costs.

What happens after I finish writing my book?

Revise it, get feedback, and hire an editor. Then decide on a publishing path, design the cover and interior, secure an ISBN, publish, and market the book.

Ready to Publish Your Book?

Publishing a book takes dozens of decisions, but you don’t have to make them alone. Book Publishings gives you a dedicated publishing specialist, editing and design under one roof, and a clear plan from manuscript to launch, while you keep your rights.

Get Your Free Quote → | Call +1 (888) 223-2911 | Email info@bookpublishings.com

Explore our book publishing services, self-publishing services, and book marketing.

Add to Preferred Sources

Get more of our articles in your Google Search results.

Table of Content

About the author

Ready to publish your book?

Get a free manuscript evaluation and publishing quote from our editorial team — no obligation.