It's called self-publishing but you can't do it alone

Jun 25, 2025

The term self-publishing is quite misleading.

In reality, self-publishing is anything but the self.

Self-publishing should not be done alone. Take a look inward to honestly determine what outside help you need to publish your book.
Make God the publisher. Hand over your manuscript to Him. Strive to do His will, not your own.
Don’t create in a silo. Rather, ask for feedback, and seek beta readers and reviewers.
Love thy neighbor. Think about your readers you are serving. What is the best book possible you can give them? Think about your fellow self-publishers. When we all strive to produce good, true, and beautiful books, we can elevate the standards of self-publishing. That's how we all win.

It’s a lot to learn. There is a learning curve to self-publishing. You are essentially becoming a project manager on something you've never done before.
"The 'average' self-published, digital-only book sells about 250 copies in its lifetime" (Scribe Media). My hope is that you exceed this number by subscribing to my newsletter. But I think knowing this number helps set expectations.
It takes time. You'll need to build a customer base and platform. Oftentimes your first book is just a launching pad for a more successful second or third book.
It costs money. I hope to save you money along the way, but some things, like editing and cover design, are simply non-negotiable. It’s better to wait, save up, and hire professionals to do it right than to cut corners, do things yourself, and rush a sloppy book to market.

Make a list of all that goes into self-publishing. (Paid subsribers: I’ve already done this for you!) Start highlighting the areas you might need help with. Maybe it’s a course you take, a freelancer you hire, or a trade you make. Get creative if you need to. For example: I’ll do your product photography if you help me build a simple website.
Research who can help you. (Paid subscribers: Again, I’ve done this for you with my directories of printers, illustrators, editors, cover designers, and more. Many offer discounts, too). Tip: Look at the copyright pages of books you like. Often the cover designer and/or editor is listed. If those individuals freelance, they often have websites where you can find contact info.
Find a supportive community! Paid subscribers can join my monthly Catholic Business Buddy virtual meetups to bounce ideas around. There are many other communities to consider as well, such as the Catholic Writers Guild, LegendFiction, or even local in-person critique groups and writing communities.
Spend time in prayer. Go to Adoration. Find a spiritual director. Discern what God is calling you to do.
Spend time talking to your ideal readers. What kind of book or resource do they want? Ask your ideal readers to be beta readers.
Spend some time talking to other self-published authors. How did they do it? What tips do they have for you?

You can do this! Thanks for reading.

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