Approx 5-minute read
This is part 2 in a three-part mini-series on how books go from the keyboard to bookshelves (physical or digital). It’s one of the most asked questions when I tell people I’m publishing my book. People are clearly interested in the process, but have no real idea how it works. And why would they? Unless you’ve worked in publishing or know someone who has, it’s all a bit of a mystery.
In the last article, I talked about traditional publishing — the long process of finding an agent, being accepted, going through rounds of editing, pitching to editors, getting that editor to convince a publishing house to take it on, and so on. This article is about the other route: independent publishing, often called indie publishing, or self-publishing.
Self-publishing means skipping the agents, publishers, and approval gates entirely, and putting your book out into the world on your own terms. In practice, there are a few different ways to do that. Some people use platforms like Draft2Digital or IngramSpark, which can get your book into wider distribution networks (including libraries and bookshops). Others focus on direct-to-reader sales through websites or even social media. Some run crowdfunding campaigns to fund editing and production first, then self-publish.
For me, at least to begin with, I’ve chosen to focus solely on Amazon – the largest online book retailer. There are a couple of reasons for that decision. Firstly: simplicity. As someone who’s still learning the ropes, I didn’t want to overcomplicate things with multiple platforms, formats, or distribution systems. Second: exclusivity. If you publish an eBook exclusively through Amazon (via Kindle Direct Publishing), you’re eligible for Kindle Unlimited, which is a kind of subscription library for readers. That gives your book another way to be discovered — which can be one of the most important things when you’re starting out.
Now, something that surprised me when I started looking into all this: many self-published authors don’t release print versions at all. It’s often not financially worthwhile, especially if you’re expecting most of your sales to come from eBooks, which offer far better royalties. That said, I personally would like to release a paperback version in the future. Despite being less remunerative and a bit more work, there’s nothing quite like having a physical book.
So what are the actual benefits of self-publishing? Why go this route?
One of the big ones is creative control. Every part of the process is yours to own: the title, the cover design, the blurb on the back, the tone, the chapter structure — no one’s going to ask you to make something “more marketable” or turn your slow-burn character arc into a love triangle. You decide what your book is. When I first submitted it to agents, I knew my manuscript wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t think I could get it any better. I was hoping for guidance. When I transitioned to Independent Publishing, and I knew it was all on me, I knew I had to really dig in to make it as good as possible. This meant digging into the skills of scene construction, principles of storytelling, and being brutally critical in what felt like endless revisions. I learned a lot, and definitely improved, but going through this process independently is not easy, and you also lose sight of the good aspects of your work which only breeds more self-doubt. Independence is a blessing and curse.
Another benefit is full control over timelines. There’s no waiting around for a green light from someone else. You can publish when you’re ready, or delay if you’re not. That flexibility can take a lot of the pressure off.
You’re also in charge of your public image and marketing, which is a further blessing and a challenge. You get to decide how your book is presented, who you reach out to, what kind of presence you want to have online. And the financial side? Well, you keep more of it. Amazon offers 70% royalties on eBook sales in most cases (compared to the 10–15% a traditionally published author might earn). Not only does it make surviving as an author more possible, it also means you can offer your eBook for less, allowing more people read it.
But there are downsides…
First of all, you’re doing this alone. There’s no in-house editor giving you professional feedback, no cover design team brainstorming with you, no marketing department running campaigns on your behalf. Unless you’re willing to pay for these services (and pay well), it’s all down to you.
These services aren’t cheap. For example, I was initially quoted around £1,000 for a high-end book cover, which they told me had already been discounted. The good ones are expensive. And even when you do pay, there’s a risk you won’t get what you want or need. I worked with an editor who came highly recommended by an agency and had the kind of accolades that make you think you’re in safe hands… and yet, the edits added almost nothing. The feedback was vague and left me more uncertain about my manuscript than before. And that cost me. Both financially and emotionally.
Which brings me to another point: whatever you don’t pay for, you have to learn to do yourself. Formatting. Cover design. Website building. Marketing. Proofreading. Writing blurbs. Designing promo graphics. Learning algorithms. Managing launch timelines. You name it. Every hour you spend figuring out how to write back-cover copy is an hour not spent writing your actual book.
It’s a lot. And it means things take longer. Sometimes much longer.
So why do it?
For me, at this stage in my journey, it’s about autonomy. About knowing that if the book succeeds or fails, it does so because of decisions I have made, and I can learn from that. It’s not at the whim of what a published seems as fashionable at the moment – I want to create something that people will enjoy for a long time to come. It also means I can build a more personal relationship with my audience and those who enjoy my work. I can provide the truest version of my work, and by listening to my readers I can also grow as an author.
Will I self-publish every book I write? I don’t know yet. But for State of Unrest and the rest of The Iron Sky Trilogy, this path made the most sense.
In the next article, we’ll look at the timeline for State of Unrest. When I first set the first words to page, my approach, and how long it took me to get here.
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