How to Self-Publish 101: Publishing An eBook in 5 Easy Steps! (with pictures)

Source Credit

Original Author: MelasD

Original URL: https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressionFantasy/comments/1cdejeu/how_to_selfpublish_101_publishing_an_ebook_in_5/

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In a recent post, [I made a list of all the best publishers in this genre (my opinion)](https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressionFantasy/comments/1cd3ebg/comment/l1badfj/), but I also advocated for self-publishing.

So... since a lot of people probably do not know how to self-publish, here is my very basic breakdown on how to self-publish an ebook. This guide assumes you have a fully-edited and formatted manuscript prepared, and a cover with typography finished.

If you need help with formatting, editing, or getting a cover, I'll probably do another guide for that in the future. For now, here's the bare basic on how you self-publish.

Step 1: Sign up for Amazon KDP at [https://kdp.amazon.com/](https://kdp.amazon.com/)

https://preview.redd.it/w9mlmatgnrwc1.jpg?width=3440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e41f7f89183b858ff01a6c94de7daeb549bc6e2

Step 2: Create a new series and select the "ebook" option

https://preview.redd.it/mft8ju5rnrwc1.jpg?width=2207&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa3e8daa8e142d21ebf2ed9be5c6d99db18c53bf

Step 3: Fill out the book's title, author, synopsis, and choose a category and some key words. Here's an example for one of my books on preorder. For litrpg books, there is a litrpg category you can select too!

https://preview.redd.it/pjctlgisorwc1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=29f6ada75f3d4a13fb163609a8a05f66e192efbd

Step 4: Submit your manuscript and your cover.

https://preview.redd.it/pgeqsqb3prwc1.jpg?width=1630&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50819b0849e790441799280e805b4355c8099594

Step 5: Select a price and enroll your book for KDP Select if you wish to be on KU, or if you wish to be non-KU, do not enroll for KDP Select. (I recommend going KU) And for debuts, books are usually priced between $2.99 to $5.99, depending on the length!

https://preview.redd.it/lzepvc0cprwc1.jpg?width=1675&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=54ac883bdf4c570c415215170a9fad2f9b22c59a

And you're done! Congratulations!

You can now hit the publish button. Your book will now be up on Amazon!

https://preview.redd.it/y9hmnas8qrwc1.jpg?width=927&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56d2e63d867dd2184a16c4240ccd6de6666f3683

Once again, this is a very basic guide that doesn't cover a plethora of other steps needed to self-publish. Like how to get a cover, an editor, or how to format your book. There's also publishing a paperback, hardcover edition, or audiobooks. That's not to mention common publishing strategies to maximize a book's success.

But most importantly, it also doesn't cover marketing or Amazon ads, which I'll make a separate post on that probably next week-- Self-Publishing 102: Marketing And Amazon Ads.

However, knowing how to self-publish your book in the most basic way possible is the most important piece of information, which is why I started with this :)