Self-publishing is equal parts thrilling and overwhelming. You finally finished writing your book—go you!—but now you’re staring down a mountain of “what next?” questions. Do you need an ISBN? Where should you upload it? How do you format it? Should you go with Amazon KDP or something else entirely?
Breathe. You’re not alone. I’ve walked this path myself, tripped over every confusing step, and made it to the other side (battle scars and all). That’s why I put together a practical, easy-to-follow self-publishing checklist to help new authors take the guesswork out of getting their book out into the world.
This post will walk you through the major milestones you need to check off as you go—and when you’re ready for the full breakdown, you can download the expanded checklist here.
1. Get Your Manuscript in Shape
Before you publish anything, your manuscript needs to be the best version of itself. That starts with a solid self-edit and ends with a professional editor. Yes, even if you’re great at grammar, even if your best friend teaches English. Trust me, a trained editor brings clarity, consistency, and polish in a way you just can’t do on your own.
I recommend using tools like Grammarly or AutoCrit during your first few editing passes. But then, hand it off to someone who knows story structure, pacing, and sentence flow like the back of their hand.
If you’re budgeting, allocate generously here. Editing is an investment that makes every other part of your publishing journey smoother.
2. Prepare Your Interior & Exterior Files
Next up: formatting. Your book needs to look good in both print and digital versions, which means different formatting styles, sizes, and tools. If you’re designing a print version, programs like Atticus, Vellum (for Mac), or even Word for Pass Pages can help. For ebooks, Kindle Create makes it easier than ever to export clean, professional-looking files for Amazon.
Then comes your cover. If you have design skills—great! But this is one area where hiring a pro makes a huge difference. Your cover is the first thing readers see, and it needs to stop them mid-scroll. Make sure your cover fits the genre, looks great as a thumbnail, and meets the trim specs of your chosen print-on-demand platform.
3. Set Up Your ISBN, Copyright, and Metadata
This is where things start to feel real. You’ll need to purchase your ISBN(s) from Bowker (U.S. authors only), register your copyright (optional but recommended), and write your book description, author bio, and metadata like keywords and categories.
Don’t glaze over this step. Your book’s metadata helps search engines and online bookstores connect you with the right readers. The keywords you choose could be the difference between a buried listing and a bestseller in your niche.
Need help decoding metadata? I offer help for authors who need a bit more handholding here.
4. Choose Your Print-on-Demand Platform(s)
You’ll need to decide where your book will live. Most indie authors start with Amazon KDP, and for good reason—it’s free to use, widely accessible, and offers both ebook and paperback distribution. But there are other options too: Barnes & Noble Press, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital, each with their own pros and cons.
For example, I initially used IngramSpark for everything because I wanted to appear more “traditionally published,” but later ran into costly return policies and formatting issues. Now, I help authors choose based on strategy—where do you want your book to be found, and how much control do you want over pricing and distribution?
5. Plan Your Launch & Post-Launch Strategy
Don’t hit “publish” without a launch plan! Your book only gets one “debut,” so treat it like a big deal (because it is!). A good launch plan includes:
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Pre-launch buzz (teasers, email list building, ARC readers)
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Launch day push (social media graphics, email blasts, Amazon updates)
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Post-launch momentum (reviews, follow-up content, podcast guest spots)
If this feels like a lot—don’t worry. I’ve been there. That’s why I created this downloadable self-publishing checklist to help you stay on track and focused every step of the way.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Self-publishing is exciting, but it’s also a lot. The learning curve is steep, and Google doesn’t always give you the answers you need. That’s why I started Mount Cooper Publishing—to help authors like you navigate every twist and turn without burning out or blowing your budget.
Whether you’re looking for help with formatting, launching, marketing, or just getting started, I’ve got services designed specifically for indie authors. Contact me today. I’ve been where you are, and I can help you avoid the mistakes I made (and capitalize on the wins I discovered along the way).
Let’s get your book out into the world the right way. Start with the free expanded Self-Publishing Checklist and reach out when you’re ready for 1:1 support.