The main self-publishing path leads to Amazon and Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Kindle publishes both e-books, paperback, and hardcover–print-on-demand books. You create your book using programs like MS-Word, Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher, and PowerPoint. Once that is complete you create a cover. The two files are uploaded to kdp.amazon.com. Files get reviewed for any technical issues but not editorial. Once approved, you hit publish and you are a published author. Now starts the hard part, marketing and selling your book. With self-publishing, everything is under your control. You keep all the rights to your content. There are also many other outlets for publishing your book. Sites such as Lulu.com, Blurb.com, Barns & Noble Press, Bookbaby.com, Direct2Print.com, Smashwords.com, IngramSpark.com and more. The message here is that you can publish your book when and how you want and under your own control.
Resources, Self-Publishing:
E-Book Publishers
• KDP.Amazon.com, the main e-book site, an e-book reader, free, https://kdp.amazon.com
• Draft2Digital.com/Smashwords.com distributes e-books to over 80 outlets and devices, free, The two services have now combined, https://www.draft2digital.com/ https://www.smashwords.com/
Print-on-Demand Paperback Books
• KDP.Amazon.com, paperback, print-on-demand, a division of Amazon, free,
https://kdp.amazon.com. KDP distributes on Amazon.com
Combination of Paperback, Hardcover, and e-books
These companies offer a variety of options, including e-book, print, spiral/coil binding, saddle stitch/staples and pdf with distribution options
• KDP.Amazon.com, paperback, hardcover, print-on-demand, a division of Amazon, free,
https://kdp.amazon.com
• IngramSpark.com, print-on-demand, part of the world’s largest book distributor to book and gift stores, some fees, http://www.ingramspark.com/
• Lulu.com, similar to KDP.Amazon but with more printing options, paperback, hardcover, spiral, saddle, free, https://www.lulu.com/
• Barnes & Noble Press, formally Nook Press, a new, revised publishing platform from Barnes & Noble, now offering print, e-book, and a possible relationship with their stores if you can sell 1,000 books over a year. https://press.barnesandnoble.com/
• BookBaby.com, a variety of different pay packages, fee, https://www.bookbaby.com/
• Books-A-Million D.I.Y. with BAM! Publishing, write, publish, print and distribute in print or e-book, http://www.bampublish.com/
• Blurb.com, photo and art books, free, http://www.blurb.com/
Book Printer with Access to Bookstore Distribution
• IngramSpark.com, print-on-demand, part of the world’s largest book distributor to book and gift stores, some fees, http://www.ingramspark.com/
Be sure to check out my companion PDF book, How to Self-Publish Your Book, Create, Publish & Sell Your Book
https://bjdesign.gumroad.com/l/fvxof