In case the self-publishing checklist isn’t quite enough for you and you’d like all of this information in written form, we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up basically all of the essential books that will arm you with the tools, strategies, and insider knowledge you need to write, publish, and market your masterpiece.
For this list, I chose books that are, themselves, self-published, are being successfully marketed (meaning they show up in a search on Amazon for “how to self-publish”), have good reviews, and are updated regularly (because, as you might know, the self-publishing industry changes and evolves a lot every year).
Let’s dive in and discover how you can become the next self-publishing success story!
Successful Self-Publishing: How to Self-Publish and Market Your Book by Joanna Penn
Joanna Penn, a trusted voice in indie publishing, offers actionable advice on preparing, publishing, and promoting your book. This concise guide is perfect for anyone looking to self-publish successfully while avoiding common pitfalls. Penn covers topics such as editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing strategies to help authors navigate the self-publishing landscape with confidence. Joanna is also a really nice person, which is honestly annoying to me because I am very jealous of her success. Ha!
I don’t know why this one seems to only be available as an audiobook, but I recommend it because Joanna has a soothing voice and a lovely English accent.
Write. Publish. Repeat. by Sean Platt and Johnny B Truant
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, business-minded approach to self-publishing, Write. Publish. Repeat. is a must-read. Written by the trio behind Sterling & Stone, this book lays out a systematic, repeatable method for turning writing into a sustainable career.
Platt, Truant, and Wright emphasize the importance of writing prolifically, publishing frequently, and thinking like an entrepreneur rather than waiting for a lucky break. They cover everything from building a brand to crafting a long-term publishing strategy, making this book particularly useful for indie authors who want to treat their writing as a business.
Unlike some self-publishing guides that focus solely on craft or marketing, Write. Publish. Repeat. balances both, offering practical advice while keeping things light with the authors’ signature humor. If you’re serious about self-publishing and ready to put in the work, this book will show you how to build a thriving career—no luck required.
14 Steps to Self-Publishing a Book by Mike Kowis, Esq.
For authors who want a straightforward, no-frills guide to self-publishing, 14 Steps to Self-Publishing a Book by Mike Kowis offers a clear and structured roadmap. This award-winning book walks readers through every step of the self-publishing process, from editing and cover design to distribution and marketing—making it a great resource for both fiction and nonfiction writers.
What sets this book apart is its practical, step-by-step format. Kowis breaks down the process into 14 manageable tasks, making self-publishing feel less overwhelming. He also provides a transparent discussion on costs, giving aspiring authors a realistic view of what to expect.
Kowis, a corporate attorney and educator, brings a methodical approach to the topic, and his personal experiences—including lessons learned from his own self-publishing journey—add valuable insights. With a handy checklist included, this book is a great companion for authors looking to navigate the self-publishing world with confidence.
Self-Publishing for New Authors: A Guide for Writing and Publishing Your First Book by Dale L. Roberts
If you’re new to self-publishing and need a clear, step-by-step guide, Self-Publishing for Beginners by Dale L. Roberts is an excellent starting point. Written in an approachable and easy-to-follow style, this book helps first-time authors navigate the often-confusing world of indie publishing with confidence.
Roberts covers every essential step of the process, from writing and refining your manuscript to formatting, publishing, and managing costs. He also shares personal insights and common pitfalls to avoid, making this book especially useful for those who want to sidestep rookie mistakes.
With a focus on practical advice and real-world strategies, Self-Publishing for Beginners offers a clear roadmap to turning your manuscript into a professionally published book
I watch Dale’s YouTube channel and I honestly find him a little bit cheesy and salesly (he will find this assessment funny) , but his books are good so I am including him in this list. He actually has a whole self-publishing series that is really well done.
Let’s Get Digital: How To Self-Publish, And Why You Should by David Gaughran
David Gaughran’s Let’s Get Digital is one of the most comprehensive and inspiring guides to self-publishing available today. This book walks new and aspiring authors through the entire process of independent publishing, from writing and formatting to distribution and marketing. Gaughran, a vocal advocate for indie authors, explains why self-publishing is not just a viable option but often a superior one compared to traditional publishing.
What sets this book apart is its deep dive into Amazon’s algorithms, metadata, and discoverability—crucial factors for success in the digital marketplace. Gaughran also includes real-world case studies of indie authors who have built thriving careers, making Let’s Get Digital as motivational as it is instructional.
With a focus on practical, actionable advice and an engaging writing style, this book is perfect for anyone serious about making a name for themselves in the self-publishing world. Whether you’re launching your first book or refining your indie publishing strategy, Let’s Get Digital is an essential read. David is also a marketing master with a cool Scottish accent, so be sure to go over and check out his website.
Funny You Should Ask: How to Self-Publish a Book by Lori Culwell
If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your book in print or selling it worldwide, Learn How to Publish Your Book is the perfect guide to get you started. Written by Amazon best-selling author Lori Culwell, this book breaks down the self-publishing process step by step, making it both accessible and entertaining.
Culwell, known for her Funny You Should Ask series and the novel Hollywood Car Wash, combines expert knowledge with humor, ensuring that learning how to publish doesn’t feel overwhelming. Whether you want to self-publish for personal satisfaction or to build a writing career, this book will walk you through the entire process—from formatting and cover design to getting your book up for sale.
With clear instructions and plenty of laughs along the way, Learn How to Publish Your Book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to navigate self-publishing with confidence.
Books (Mostly) About Self-Publishing on Amazon
This part of the list covers some of the best books on self-publishing, with a strong focus on Amazon KDP. Whether you’re interested in fiction, nonfiction, or low-content books, you’ll find practical advice and real-world insights from authors who have mastered the self-publishing game. My criteria for this part of the list were: the books had to focus primarily on Amazon KDP Publishing, and the authors themselves had to be really successful.
If you’re looking to turn self-publishing into a reliable source of passive income, this book provides a detailed roadmap. Focused on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), it breaks down the process of creating, listing, and marketing books in a way that maximizes profitability.
The book covers everything from researching profitable book ideas and designing eye-catching covers to formatting for KDP and leveraging Amazon Ads for increased visibility. What makes this guide stand out is its emphasis on achieving a tangible income goal—$500+ per book per month—making it particularly appealing for those looking to build a sustainable publishing business.
I wanted to bring this one to your attention even if you’re not just focused on Amazon KDP, because Corvin is a great guy and offers a ton of good tools (both free and paid) over on his website. Corvin and his wife Cleo have sold over 170,000 books, so they really know what they’re talking about when it comes to self-publishing. I like books by authors who are actually “walking the talk,” so to speak. This book is great, super straight forward with tons of actionable insights.
For aspiring self-publishers looking for a straightforward introduction to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), this is an excellent starting point. This book is packed with practical advice and proven strategies, making it ideal for those publishing kids’ books, guidebooks, how-to books, cookbooks, puzzle books, coloring books, and low-content books.
Written by experienced self-publishers who have sold over 170,000 books, this guide walks beginners through essential steps like niche and keyword research, selecting backend keywords, and launching their first book. It also includes a beginner-friendly overview of Amazon Ads, helping authors navigate paid promotions effectively.
Unlike other self-publishing books, this guide doesn’t focus on the craft of writing—it’s all about learning the business side of publishing on Amazon. With best practices, common pitfalls to avoid, and actionable tips throughout, Self-Publishing Titans provides a solid foundation for anyone looking to start and scale their self-publishing journey successfully.
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, step-by-step guide to self-publishing, Self-Publishing for Authors is packed with practical advice and actionable steps. Updated and revised for 2025, this book provides real answers to the most pressing questions about Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), without fluff or unrealistic hype.
The author shares firsthand experience from their own self-publishing journey, covering everything from choosing a profitable book topic and writing efficiently to formatting, designing covers, and launching your book. Unlike many guides that gloss over marketing, this book dives into promotion strategies, Kindle Unlimited enrollment, and even audiobook and translation opportunities.
What sets this book apart is its transparency—covering both successes and mistakes so new authors can avoid common pitfalls. Whether you’re just starting or struggling to gain traction, Self-Publishing for Authors offers a clear roadmap to turning your book into a professional, marketable product that sells.
How to Self-Publish on Amazon & Make Money: A Step-by-Step Guide by Rick Smith
For authors looking for a straightforward, step-by-step guide to self-publishing on Amazon, How to Self-Publish on Amazon & Make Money by Rick Smith delivers exactly that. This book is ideal for beginners, breaking down the entire self-publishing process in an easy-to-follow format.
Smith covers everything from formatting and uploading your book to optimizing your Amazon listing for maximum visibility. He also provides insights into Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and how to leverage Amazon’s built-in marketing tools to drive sales.
What sets this guide apart is its focus on practical execution. Instead of overwhelming readers with theory, it walks you through the process with clear instructions, making it a great resource for anyone who wants to get their book published quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re publishing your first book or looking for a refresher on Amazon’s latest tools, this guide is a solid addition to your self-publishing toolkit.
Honorable Mentions
If you’re just starting out (like, you just heard about self-publishing), Self-Publishing For Dummies by Jason R. Rich is a good place to start. It offers a gentle introduction without overwhelming you with information. I’m including this book in the “honorable mention” section only because it is not self-published, and I feel like a book about self-publishing should be self-published. Maybe I’m being a purist, but that was my criteria for this list.
I like this book because in addition to defining key terms and teaching you about the self-publishing industry in general, Rich breaks down complex processes like formatting, distribution, and promotion into easy-to-understand steps, making it perfect for first-time authors. I used to object to the concept of a “For Dummies” book on principle because I don’t like the implication that not knowing about something makes you a “dummy,” but I must begrudgingly admit that they do a good job with these books and most of them are worth reading. Some of the information in this book is a little bit dated (for example, you actually don’t need to buy an ISBN to publish your book anymore), but If you don’t know where to start with your book, start here!
A true classic in the world of self-publishing, Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Manual has been an essential guide for independent authors for decades. First published in the 1970s and continuously updated until Poynter’s passing in 2015, this book has helped countless writers navigate the journey of publishing their own work.
Poynter was one of the earliest advocates of self-publishing as a legitimate path to success, long before platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing made it accessible to the masses. His manual breaks down every aspect of the self-publishing process, from writing and formatting to marketing and distribution. What sets this book apart is its focus on practical, actionable advice. Poynter covers everything from book production and pricing strategies to leveraging publicity and creating a long-term publishing career.
Although some of the information on printing and distribution may feel outdated in today’s digital-first publishing landscape, the core principles remain invaluable. Poynter’s insights on marketing, niche publishing, and direct-to-reader sales are still relevant, making this a must-read for self-published authors who want to take a professional, business-minded approach to their books.
If you’re looking for a foundational guide to self-publishing from one of the pioneers of the industry, Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Manual is a worthy addition to your reading list. This one is on the “honorable mentions” list only because it’s no longer being updated.