Guides
Self-publishing guides for indie authors
Everything they don't tell you: free, practical guides on writing, editing, publishing and marketing your book, written from real indie-author experience, not theory.
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Four stages, start to finish, each with the tools, costs and steps that matter.
How to Choose KDP Keywords and Amazon KDP Categories
KDP keywords and categories made simple: what goes in the 7 keyword boxes, what KDP doesn't allow, and how to find the best KDP categories for your book.
8 min read- Publishing
How to Price a Self-Published Book: Ebook and Paperback
How to price a self-published book on KDP: ebook royalty bands, delivery costs, paperback printing costs and worked royalty examples at real prices.
9 min read - Writing
How Many Pages Is My Book? Word Count to Page Count
How many pages is 50,000 or 80,000 words? Words per page by trim size, a word count to page count table, and how to find your book's real number.
8 min read - Publishing
How to Format a Paperback for KDP: Trim, Margins and Bleed
How to format a paperback for KDP: trim size, gutter margins by page count, bleed, page limits, paper and ink, PDF export and what gets files rejected.
9 min read - Publishing
KDP Select vs Going Wide for Indie Authors in 2026
KDP Select vs wide, explained: how Kindle Unlimited pays, what exclusivity covers, the promotion tools, how to switch, and a checklist to help you decide.
8 min read - Marketing
How to Create an ARC Sign-Up Form for Your Book
Build an ARC sign-up form in Google Forms, BookFunnel, StoryOrigin or Prolific Works: what to ask readers, which settings matter, the rules to follow.
6 min read - Publishing
Formatting Your First Book: Three Tools, and the One to Start With
Book formatting tools compared for first-time authors: Vellum, Atticus and Senswriter on cost, learning curve and support, plus two free options.
7 min read - Marketing
How to Write a Book Description That Sells
How to write a book description that sells: the hook-first structure, what to cut, formatting for Amazon, and a fill-in template for any genre.
6 min read - Marketing
Things I Wish I Knew Before Hiring Book Influencers
Hiring Bookstagram or BookTok influencers to promote your indie book? A self-published author's honest lessons on avoiding expensive mistakes.
5 min read - Marketing
How to Get ARC Readers for Your New Book Before Launch
A practical, step-by-step guide to finding ARC readers as an indie author: where to look, exactly what to send, and how many readers you really need.
6 min read - Writing
Book Word Count Guide: How Many Words Should Your Book Be?
Ideal book word counts by genre for self-published authors: averages for fantasy, romance, thrillers, non-fiction, children's books and more.
4 min read - Marketing
Best Free Websites for Indie Authors to Promote Books
Discover free websites that help indie authors promote books, reach more readers, build visibility, and grow their author platform online.
4 min read - Publishing
How to Create A+ Content for Amazon KDP (Step-by-Step Guide)
How to create Amazon KDP A+ Content step by step: design tips, Amazon's guidelines, and the mistakes that make a book page look amateur.
3 min read - Marketing
How to Turn One Book Into Multiple Income Streams for Authors
Turn one book into multiple income streams: audiobooks, courses, journals and consulting. How to build an author business beyond book sales.
4 min read - Publishing
3 Best Self Publishing Platforms for Authors in 2026
The 3 best self-publishing platforms compared: Amazon KDP, IngramSpark and Draft2Digital. What each does best, and why publishing wide reduces risk.
4 min read - Publishing
The Real Cost of Self Publishing a Book for New Authors
What does self-publishing actually cost? A plain breakdown of editing, cover design, ISBNs, formatting and marketing, and where your money matters most.
4 min read - Publishing
Do You Really Need Your Own ISBN for Self-Publishing?
Confused about ISBNs? Learn the difference between free and paid ISBNs, when you should buy your own, and what actually matters for self-published authors.
4 min read - Writing
How to Write a Book from Start to Finish (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)
How to write a book from start to finish: a step-by-step guide to finding your idea, outlining, drafting, editing, and publishing your first book.
6 min read - Writing
Best Free Tools to Write a Book (And What You Actually Need)
The best free tools for writing a book: writing software, editing apps, and productivity picks that actually help you finish the manuscript.
4 min read - Marketing
How to Promote and Market Your Book as a Beginner (Simple Author Guide)
Book marketing for beginners: social media, email lists, and free tools. Simple promotion strategies that actually work for self-published authors.
5 min read - Editing
How to Edit Your Book Without Feeling Overwhelmed (Simple Guide for Authors)
How to edit your book without the overwhelm: simple strategies, useful tools, and beta reader tips to turn a rough draft into a polished manuscript.
4 min read - Publishing
KDP vs IngramSpark: Which Self-Publishing Platform Should You Choose?
KDP vs IngramSpark compared: royalties, print quality, distribution and bookstore access. Which self-publishing platform suits your book?
5 min read