# Self Publishing Services That Keep You in Control > Self publishing services that keep you in control: editing, design, ISBNs, Amazon and wide distribution in your own accounts. You keep your rights. Free quote. Source: https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-publishing-services/self-publishing/ Publisher: The Author Publishing Last updated: 2026-10-25 --- Our self publishing services let you publish independently while experienced professionals handle the work you would rather not do alone. You make the decisions, you own the book and the accounts, and every royalty is paid to you. Self-publishing gives you control, and it also gives you a long list of decisions. This page walks through them, and our team can handle as many or as few as you like. For the full range, see our [book publishing services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-publishing-services/). ## Self publishing book services: the decisions you make - **Formats:** paperback, hardcover, eBook, audiobook, or a mix - **Publisher name:** publishing under your own imprint or your name - **ISBNs:** buying your own or using free platform numbers - **Platforms:** Amazon KDP only, or wide distribution as well - **Price:** list prices that suit your genre and royalties - **Quality:** editing, cover and interior standards - **Launch:** how readers will hear about the book ## Self publishing consultant: guidance when you need it If you want advice rather than a done-for-you service, we act as your self publishing consultant. We review how ready your manuscript is, recommend the route, explain the platforms and tell you what each stage should cost. You can then do some steps yourself and hire us for the rest, or ask us for a start-to-finish plan. ## How to choose among the best self publishing companies Ask each company five questions. Will I keep my rights and royalties? Will the accounts be in my name? Is the price fixed and itemised before work starts? Can I keep every file? Am I being pushed into marketing packages or promised sales? We built our model around the right answers: you keep your rights, your royalties and your accounts, and you receive a fixed quote in writing. ## The self publishing process 1. Finish and edit your manuscript. 2. Design the cover and format the interior. 3. Set up your ISBNs and copyright details. 4. Open your retailer accounts, starting with [Amazon](https://theauthorpublishing.com/amazon-publishing/). 5. Add [wide distribution](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-distribution/) for other stores and libraries. 6. Launch the book and keep promoting it. ## What self-publishing really costs you Self-publishing gives you control, but it is not free. You pay for professional editing, cover design, formatting, an ISBN if you want one, proofs and marketing, and you invest time in decisions. Many authors earn little in the first year, and some earn well from a series. We help you plan a budget, decide what must be paid for and what can wait, and keep your costs in proportion to what you can expect. ## Red flags when choosing a provider Be careful with any company that guarantees sales or a bestseller ranking, charges large fees for marketing it cannot control, keeps your rights or accounts, or locks you into services you did not request. Ask who owns the files, who receives the royalties and whether you can leave and take everything with you. We are open about prices and we keep your rights, royalties and accounts in your hands. ## Quality is what readers notice Readers rarely care how a book was published, but they notice the cover, the writing and the formatting. Books that look unprofessional are quickly judged. Investing in [editing](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-editing-services/) and [cover design](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-design/book-cover-design/) gives a book its best chance. We recommend putting money into quality before advertising. ## After you hit publish Publishing is the start of a longer period of work. Plan a few months of attention: telling your readers, building a mailing list, asking for honest reviews and starting the next book. Authors who publish several books and learn from each tend to do better than those who focus on a single release. We can support you at each step. ## Choosing a publishing name and setting up accounts Decide whether to publish under your own name or an imprint, and register accounts in the name that will receive payment. Keep login details safe, and use an email address you will not lose. Set up separate accounts for each platform instead of using a single provider for everything, so you hold the keys. We guide you through each account and give you a record of what we set up. ## Questions about self publishing ### How much does self-publishing cost? The cost depends on your word count, the formats you want and the services you choose, from editing and design to distribution. Tell us about your book and we send a free, itemised quote with a fixed price. ### Will I keep all my rights? Yes. You keep the copyright and the rights to your book, and the accounts are opened in your name. ### What is the difference between self-publishing and vanity publishing? In self-publishing you stay the owner and choose the services you need. A vanity press typically charges a fee and may keep the rights or control the sales. Always check who owns the rights and the accounts before you pay. ### Do I need my own ISBN? Print books need one for most bookstore and library sales. We recommend buying your own so you are listed as the publisher, and we guide you through it. ### Can I self-publish and still get a traditional deal later? Some authors do. Traditional publishers decide case by case, and a well-edited, well-designed book with good sales can help. ### Do I need a publisher name? You can publish under your own name or create an imprint. An imprint can look more professional and helps if you publish many books. ### Can I move from self-publishing to a traditional deal? Sometimes, though publishers vary in what they want. A book that has sold well can attract attention, while unsold books rarely do. ### How many books should I plan for? Series often earn more than a single title, but start with one good book and learn from it. ### Is self-publishing respected? Readers care about quality, not the route. A well-edited, well-designed book sells on its merits, and many successful authors publish independently. ## Related services - [Book publishing services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-publishing-services/) - [Amazon book publishing services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/amazon-publishing/) - [Book distribution services](https://theauthorpublishing.com/book-distribution/) ## Why authors work with us - You keep your rights, your royalties and your accounts - You receive a written scope and a fixed price before any work starts - You approve every file before it moves to the next step - One project manager keeps you informed at every stage