What is Self Publishing

Date Created: September 19, 2023

What is Self-Publishing? It is a fairly recent trend, enabled by the advent of digital publishing, where an author publishes their book without being contracted to a publishing house. In the landscape of 2026, it has become a powerful path for independence, but it is not without its challenges. Self-published authors are responsible for every single aspect of the process; from the initial comma to the final marketing campaign. To succeed, you must move beyond the mindset of a writer and embrace the role of a business owner.

The Conflict: The Burden of 100%

The Villain in the self publishing world is the Illusion of Total Profit. Retaining 100% of your rights and royalties is touted as the main advantage of doing it yourself. However, as I often remind my authors, it is vastly better to receive 50% of the income from a high-volume, professionally marketed book than 100% of very few sales. Many authors are blinded by the percentage and fail to see the sheer weight of the technical and marketing work required to actually generate that income.

Key Benefits of Self Publishing

For those who have the time and the technical aptitude, self publishing offers unparalleled autonomy:

Total Creative Control: You have the final say on your book cover design, social media imagery, and even the wording of your press releases. This is a skill that comes with experience and significant research.
Control of the Process: You choose your own timeline. Unlike traditional publishing, which can take years, you can move from finished manuscript to published book in weeks.
Choice of Services: You select your own independent editors and designers. While you can edit the book yourself, I strongly advise against it; a fresh perspective is essential to catch what your own eyes will inevitably miss.
Rights Retention: You keep all rights to your work, allowing you to experiment with different genres, formats, and international markets at will.

Should You Just Publish on Amazon?

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is the most popular route for self publishing (there are others!), offering a "free" path to publication. However, be under no illusion that there is no cost. Amazon takes a significant cut: usually 30% if you sell exclusively in their store. The "kicker" is that all printing costs are deducted from your remaining 70%. In 2026, with the high price of print-on-demand services, these costs add up quickly. Amazon makes a large amount of money from every self-published author, often leaving the writer with less profit than they anticipated.

Steps to Self Publishing Success

If you are ready to take on the DIY challenge, follow this rigorous process:

Writing and Editing: Take the time to develop unique characters and a compelling plot. Hiring a professional editor is the only way to ensure your book is truly polished.
Captivating Cover Design: Your cover is the first impression. It must reflect your genre and tone. Moving the idea from your head to a technical print-ready file with the correct spine width and bleed is a difficult task that usually requires a professional.
Formatting: Different platforms have specific requirements for page size, margins, and fonts. A well-formatted book ensures a professional reading experience.
Building an Author Platform: This is your digital foundation. It includes your website, blog, social media presence, and—most importantly—your email list.

Building Your Author Platform

An author platform is a valuable asset that connects you directly with your audience. Start by creating a professional website to showcase your bio and purchase links. Establish a presence on social media platforms that align with your genre, but remember the 80/20 rule: share 80% valuable or entertaining content and only 20% promotional material. Engaging with your readers directly builds the "superfans" who will support your launches.

The Head of Publishing Perspective: The Artistic Trap

I believe every author must understand the industry. This is why we offer the Author Edition in our online training academy. Many authors fall into the "Artistic Trap"—choosing titles and covers based on personal love rather than market impact. At DreamEngine, we use complex algorithms to test and rewrite titles, ensuring they hit the top of search strings and Amazon categories. Getting these technical aspects wrong can kill your book's chances before you even start.

In reality, to make sales, you must either spend months learning to be a professional typesetter, designer, and marketer, or you must pay experts to do it for you. This is why I urge you to consider a co-publishing or hybrid deal. You retain the control you want, but you gain the commercial edge that only a professional house can provide. Don't just get a book made; go into business as a partner in your own success.

Contact DreamEngine

Self Publishing your own book is a complex, technical task. At DreamEngine, we know what is required to give your book the competitive edge when you self publish your book.. Visit our contact page today to discuss how we can help you with self-publioshing.

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Publishing with DreamEngine

At DreamEngine, we provide the expert framework required to transform a manuscript into a commercially viable brand. Our process begins with Professional Book Editing, where we partner with you to refine your narrative and ensure it meets the rigorous standards of the 2026 market. We understand that first impressions are vital, which is why we deliver the Best Book Cover Design to capture your audience’s imagination, complemented by Professional Book Design to ensure your interior layouts are flawless. For authors requiring physical stock, our Professional Book Printing Services offer high-quality, bespoke production and distribution solutions.

Choosing the right path to market is a defining moment for any author. We provide the expertise to help you navigate What Is Traditional Publishing, or we can empower you through What is Self-Publishing if you prefer to retain total creative control. Many of our clients find their success through Hybrid Publishing, a high-yield model that combines our professional house standards with independent agility.

Beyond production, we ensure your work is discoverable and your brand is authoritative. Our team manages the technical complexities of How to Optimise Your Amazon KDP Book Listing to ensure your title ranks effectively. We build bespoke Websites for Authors that serve as your central platform and provide Social Media for Authors strategies to foster global fan engagement. Finally, we leverage Book Publicity and our unique Author Mythology framework to earn you the media validation and credibility necessary to drive sustainable book sales.

Learn about Book Publishing

Navigating the modern publishing landscape can be a daunting experience, but we are here to provide the clarity and strategic mastery you need. Every successful author’s journey begins with a fundamental question: how do I prepare my work for the global stage? We answer this through Professional Book Editing, ensuring your manuscript is refined to meet the highest industry standards before it reaches your audience.

Once your story is polished, we help you shift your focus to visual impact and reader experience. You may wonder how to stand out in a crowded market; we provide the solution by securing the Best Book Cover Design to capture attention instantly, followed by Professional Book Design to ensure your interior layout is as professional as your prose. For those moving into physical production, our Professional Book Printing Services provide the high-quality, bespoke solutions required by independent creators.

A critical step in your career is deciding which publication path best suits your goals. You may find yourself asking What Is Traditional Publishing and how to navigate the complexities of the legacy industry, or perhaps you want to understand What is Self-Publishing to maintain total creative and financial control. We also offer guidance on Hybrid Publishing, which combines the professional standards of traditional houses with the agility of independent work.

Regardless of your chosen path, we help you unlock the visibility that is key to sustainable sales. This starts with technical storefront precision, where we show you How to Optimise Your Amazon KDP Book Listing to satisfy modern search algorithms. To build your long-term authority, we develop bespoke Websites for Authors that serve as your brand's digital headquarters. We then help you leverage Social Media for Authors to connect directly with your fans and utilise professional Book Publicity to earn the media coverage and third-party validation that truly establishes your name in the industry.

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