Resources · Publishing
There is no single right way to publish. Traditional publishing, self-publishing and assisted self-publishing differ in who pays, who decides, who owns what and how royalties work. These guides set out the trade-offs plainly so you can choose a route with your eyes open rather than by default.
For authors deciding how, and whether, to publish.
AI for Authors
There is no universal publishing-industry rule. Different publishers, agents and competitions may have their own policies on AI-assisted or AI-generated work. What tends to matter is how AI was used, how much generated material exists, disclosure, copyright and originality, and the specific publisher’s own policy, which can vary considerably.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
AI for Authors
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has a published Content Guidelines page that addresses AI-generated content and asks publishers to disclose it. Amazon distinguishes AI-generated from AI-assisted content in its guidance. Policies on platforms like this change, so check Amazon’s current KDP Content Guidelines directly before publishing rather than relying on this summary alone.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Publishing a book generally means finishing and editing the manuscript, preparing a cover and interior files, choosing a publishing route, setting up metadata and an ISBN where needed, uploading or submitting the book, reviewing proofs, setting a publication date and price, then launching and marketing it. The exact steps and who does each one depend on the route you choose.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Start by deciding which route suits you: traditional publishing (via agents and publishers), DIY self-publishing (you manage everything) or professional assisted self-publishing (you pay for structured support while keeping ownership). Once you choose, the steps differ significantly, but a finished, well-edited manuscript is the starting point for every route.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
There is no universally right answer. Traditional publishing may suit you if publisher-funded production, industry infrastructure and conventional acquisition matter most. Self-publishing, including professional assisted self-publishing, may suit you if control, speed, ownership and flexibility matter more, and you are willing to fund or manage the process yourself.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Traditional publishing usually involves a publisher acquiring the right to publish a book and funding production under contract, in exchange for a share of rights and royalties. Self-publishing means the author controls and funds the process directly, or pays a professional service for support, while keeping copyright and royalties. The two differ most on control, cost, rights, speed, royalties and access to trade distribution.
4 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
"Hybrid publishing" describes publishing models that combine elements of traditional and author-funded publishing, but the term is used inconsistently across the industry. Rather than relying on the label, authors should examine the actual contract, costs, rights, royalties, editorial process, distribution and selection criteria a specific company offers.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Assisted self-publishing means the author remains independently published but pays professionals or a company to handle some or all of the work involved in producing and releasing the book, such as editing, design, formatting, metadata, distribution setup or marketing, while keeping copyright, accounts, royalties and audience.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Self-publishing can be worthwhile if you value control, are realistic about the costs and workload, and have a reason for publishing beyond an assumption that the book will automatically sell. Whether it is "worth it" depends on your goals, not on a single universal answer.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Self-publishing is an established publishing route, but perceptions vary by reader, genre, bookseller, reviewer and industry context. Professional quality matters: a poorly produced self-published book can reinforce negative perceptions, while a professionally produced one may be indistinguishable to many readers.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Yes, self-published books can achieve meaningful sales, audiences and commercial success, but success is not automatic and outcomes vary enormously. Factors such as book quality, genre, positioning, audience, metadata, reviews, marketing, backlist and timing can all play a part.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Yes, it can happen, but self-publishing does not automatically make a traditional deal more likely. Publishers may consider the manuscript, rights availability, sales history, audience, category, commercial potential and whether the book has already exhausted part of its market.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
You do not need a literary agent for every publishing route. Agents are essential for most major traditional publishing houses, which generally do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. However, you do not need an agent to self-publish, use assisted self-publishing services like Quill & Reed, or submit to some independent publishers that accept direct queries.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
To find a literary agent, research agents who represent your specific genre and target audience. Start by consulting industry directories, checking the acknowledgments in books similar to yours, and reviewing agency websites to ensure they are currently accepting submissions. A targeted, professional approach is more effective than mass querying.
4 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
To submit your book to publishers, first determine if they accept direct submissions or require a literary agent. For those accepting direct queries, prepare a submission package—typically a query letter, a synopsis, and sample chapters—and follow their specific formatting and delivery guidelines exactly. Research and targeting are essential for success.
4 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
A query letter is a one-page professional pitch sent to a literary agent or publisher to persuade them to read your manuscript. It typically includes a "hook" (the central premise), a brief plot summary, your book’s metadata (genre, word count), and a short author biography. Its goal is to sell the story, not tell the whole plot.
4 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Traditional publishing typically takes 18 to 24 months from the moment a manuscript is finished to the day it appears on bookshop shelves. This includes stages for agent querying (3–6 months), publisher acquisition (3–6 months), and a standard 12-month production and marketing cycle. Independent and assisted self-publishing can reduce this to 3–6 months.
4 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Self-publishing a book involves a structured sequence of tasks: completing and refining the manuscript, undergoing professional editing (developmental, copy, and proofreading), designing a genre-appropriate cover, formatting the interior for print and digital editions, managing metadata and ISBN registration, setting up distribution accounts on platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, and executing a launch and marketing strategy. You can manage this process independently or through professional services.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Self-publishing in the UK involves using global distribution platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark while fulfilling specific local requirements. These include registering UK ISBNs through the Nielsen ISBN Agency, meeting legal deposit obligations by sending copies to the British Library, and arranging your author business—typically as a sole trader or limited company—for tax purposes. UK authors can manage this themselves or hire professional services for coordination.
3 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Self-publishing costs can vary from practically zero for a purely DIY approach to £5,000 or more for high-end professional production. The most significant expenses typically include professional editing (developmental and copy editing), genre-aware cover design, and interior formatting. Fixed-fee services, such as Quill & Reed’s £99/month (£1,188/year) Publish tier, provide a predictable way to manage production costs while ensuring trade-standard quality.
3 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Professional self-publishing (or assisted self-publishing) involves an investment in trade-standard production, typically ranging from £2,000 to £7,000. This cost covers a coordinated suite of services: project management, multiple rounds of professional editing, market-tested cover design, interior typesetting, and technical distribution setup. This model ensures the final book is indistinguishable from a traditionally published title in quality.
3 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Technically, you can publish a book for almost no upfront cost by using platforms like Amazon KDP and performing every production task—editing, design, formatting, and marketing—yourself. While the retail platforms do not charge a fee to host your book, "free to upload" is not the same as "professionally produced." A zero-budget book usually requires an enormous investment of the author's time and carries the risk of looking amateurish if the author lacks professional design and editorial skills.
3 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Before you self-publish, you should have a finished and professionally edited manuscript, a final cover, print- and ebook-ready interior files, verified metadata (title, description, categories, keywords), an ISBN plan, publishing accounts in your own name, a pricing strategy, an approved proof, and a basic launch plan. Skipping any of these usually causes delays or a book that looks unfinished.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
A sensible production sequence is: write, revise, developmental edit if needed, author revisions, copy edit, cover and interior design, formatting, proofreading, final corrections, then publish. Some stages can overlap — cover design can often start once the manuscript is structurally stable, for example — but major editing should generally finish before final formatting begins, and proofreading should always come after layout, not before.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Self-publishing can be much faster than traditional publishing, but a professional release usually takes somewhere between three and nine months once a manuscript is genuinely finished, depending on how much editing is needed, whether illustration is involved, and how much of the process is outsourced. A rushed timeline of a few weeks is possible but increases the risk of a book that reads as unpolished.
4 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Authors can get self-publishing help from several types of providers: individual freelance specialists (editors, designers, formatters), full-service publishing studios, assisted self-publishing companies, distribution platforms such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, and marketing specialists. The important question for any of them is not their label but what they actually do, what they charge, and what rights and account ownership you keep.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
A self-publishing company can make sense if you want professional production quality without coordinating every editor, designer, formatter and platform yourself, or if your time is better spent writing than managing suppliers. It may not make sense if you enjoy that coordination, already have relevant skills, or would rather spend more time managing individual freelancers to control costs precisely.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
To avoid vanity publishers, do not rely solely on labels. Instead, investigate what you are paying for, who owns the rights, who receives royalties, who controls the publishing accounts, and whether claims of "selection" are genuine. Look for transparency regarding distribution, exit clauses, and pressure-free sales processes.
4 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Publishing scams often involve unsolicited approaches, high-pressure tactics, and guarantees of success. Watch for fake agents claiming interest from major publishers, demands for unusual payment methods, and companies impersonating reputable brands. Verify company records and always read the small print before paying.
4 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Whether you should pay depends on your chosen model. In traditional publishing, the publisher pays you. In independent (self) publishing, you pay for professional services (editing, design) to maintain control and ownership. Paying is not "bad" if it is for transparent services where you retain all rights and royalties.
4 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
A professional self-publishing package should include clear deliverables for editing, cover design, interior formatting, and distribution setup on platforms like KDP and IngramSpark. It must also guarantee that the author retains all rights, royalty ownership, and control of their publishing accounts.
3 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Publishing
Paying for publishing services does not automatically transfer copyright to the service provider. Under UK law, the author is the default owner of the copyright in their manuscript. In a professional assisted publishing model like Quill & Reed, the author retains full copyright, while the provider acts as a service contractor.
3 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
You publish a book on Amazon by creating a KDP account, preparing your manuscript and cover to the platform’s current specifications, creating a title, entering metadata, uploading your files, previewing the result, setting rights and pricing, and submitting for publication. Amazon then reviews the listing before it goes live.
7 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is Amazon’s self-publishing platform. It lets authors and publishers upload Kindle ebooks and print-on-demand paperbacks (with hardcover for eligible titles), set metadata and pricing, control availability across Amazon marketplaces, and receive payments — all through an account they manage themselves.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
Joining KDP and creating an account is free, and current KDP documentation does not describe an upfront charge simply to upload a book. However, "free to publish" is not the same as "free to produce" — editing, cover design, formatting, proof copies and marketing are typically separate costs, whether you pay for them or do them yourself.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
There is no single figure. What you keep from a KDP sale depends on the format, list price, marketplace, chosen royalty option, printing cost for physical books, and applicable taxes. Rather than one flat percentage, KDP applies different calculations to ebooks and print, which is why checking KDP’s current royalty pages for your specific format matters more than any remembered rule of thumb.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
KDP calculates royalties per sale according to the current rules for that book’s format, marketplace, list price and distribution route. Print royalties subtract manufacturing cost from a royalty applied to list price; ebook royalties depend on the chosen royalty option and price band. Payments are reported and paid to your account on Amazon’s current schedule, before any applicable tax withholding.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
Formatting for KDP depends on the format: paperback and hardcover need a correctly sized print-ready interior file with proper margins, gutter and bleed, while Kindle ebooks need a reflowable (or occasionally fixed-layout) file with clean heading structure. Always check KDP’s current file-preparation pages before finalising files, since exact specifications can change.
9 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
There is no single correct paperback size. The right trim size depends on genre, reader expectations, word count, page count, whether the book is illustrated, and production economics, and it must be a size currently supported by your chosen print platform. Check genre norms and current platform-supported sizes before deciding.
7 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
At a high level, uploading a paperback to KDP involves creating a paperback project, entering book details and metadata, choosing an ISBN option, uploading the manuscript and cover files, checking them in the online previewer, resolving any errors, selecting territories and rights, setting pricing, and submitting for review. Exact screens and field names can change, so follow KDP’s current interface as you go.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
Publishing a Kindle ebook broadly involves preparing a reflowable ebook file, preparing a cover, creating the title in KDP with full metadata, uploading the files, checking them in the previewer, selecting territorial rights, setting pricing and royalty options, deciding whether KDP Select suits the book, and then publishing. Confirm the current workflow and field names on KDP’s own pages as you go.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
ISBN requirements differ by format: Kindle ebooks generally do not need one, while paperbacks and hardcovers on KDP typically do, either as a free KDP-provided ISBN or one you buy yourself. Owning your own ISBN generally gives more control over who is listed as publisher, which matters if you plan wider distribution. Always confirm current rules on KDP’s own pages.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
The free KDP ISBN can suit authors who plan to publish only through KDP and are not concerned about who is listed as publisher of record. Authors who want their own imprint, plan to distribute through IngramSpark too, or want full control of their publishing identity often prefer to buy their own ISBN.
9 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
KDP Select is an optional programme within Amazon KDP that authors can enrol eligible ebooks into, separately from simply publishing on KDP. It generally involves a period of exclusivity to Amazon for that title, in exchange for access to Kindle Unlimited and certain promotional tools. Check KDP’s current help pages for exact terms.
7 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Amazon KDP
There is no universal answer. KDP Select can suit authors who want to concentrate an ebook’s availability within Amazon’s ecosystem and use its current Kindle Unlimited and promotional tools. It may not suit authors who want the ebook available across multiple retailers. The right choice depends on genre, audience and goals.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
IngramSpark is a print-on-demand and distribution platform used by independent publishers to make paperbacks, hardbacks and, in some cases, ebooks available to a wide network of retailers, wholesalers and libraries. It can make a book orderable well beyond Amazon, but it does not guarantee that any bookshop will choose to stock it on a shelf.
15 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
Not necessarily. Amazon KDP alone may be enough for an author whose readers mainly buy on Amazon. IngramSpark becomes more relevant when an author wants wider trade availability, particularly for independent bookshops and libraries beyond Amazon’s own retail system. The right choice depends on your goals, not a fixed rule.
8 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
KDP is closely tied to Amazon’s own retail platforms and is generally the simplest route to selling on Amazon. IngramSpark focuses on print-on-demand and wider trade distribution to bookshops, libraries and wholesalers beyond Amazon. Many independent publishers use one, the other, or both, depending on where their readers actually buy.
8 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
Yes, many independent publishers use KDP for Amazon-focused print and Kindle sales, and IngramSpark for wider trade distribution to bookshops and libraries. Doing this well requires careful decisions about ISBNs, matching metadata and files across both editions, and understanding how KDP Select exclusivity interacts with ebook distribution elsewhere.
7 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
IngramSpark’s costs depend on current title setup terms, print specification, revisions and the wholesale discount and returnability settings you choose, all of which can change. Rather than quoting fixed figures, check IngramSpark’s own current pricing pages for your exact book specification, since printing cost is only one part of the total cost of using the platform well.
7 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
IngramSpark can make an eligible book’s print and metadata records available through Ingram’s distribution network, so participating retailers, wholesalers and libraries are able to see and order it. This is not the same as guaranteeing that any particular retailer will choose to physically stock copies on their shelves.
8 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
IngramSpark can help make an independently published book available to order through trade distribution, but it does not guarantee that any specific bookstore will choose to stock copies. Bookshop buying decisions depend on factors such as demand, terms, genre, local relevance, sales potential, returnability and retailer judgement.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
Bookstores may order independently published books through recognised wholesalers or distributors, direct from the publisher or author, or through other trade arrangements, depending on the retailer. The exact route varies: some retailers only order through trade channels they already use, while others will deal directly with authors for local or event stock.
7 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
An independently published book may be eligible to be ordered or stocked by Waterstones where appropriate trade arrangements and metadata exist, but stocking decisions remain with Waterstones and its booksellers or buyers. Being technically available through trade distribution is not the same as being guaranteed shelf space in any branch.
5 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
Start by making the book professionally orderable and commercially understandable: a suitable ISBN, accurate metadata, trade distribution, sensible pricing, workable retailer margin, a professional cover and interior, and, where possible, evidence of reader demand. Then approach suitable bookshops realistically, recognising that stocking decisions ultimately rest with each retailer.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifier assigned to a specific edition and format of a book, used by retailers, distributors, libraries and wholesalers to identify exactly which publication they are ordering, stocking or selling. It is not the same as copyright, and it does not confer ownership of the work.
9 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
It depends on the format, the platform and the distribution route. At the time of writing, some platforms, notably Amazon KDP for Kindle ebooks, do not require an author-supplied ISBN. Most print distribution beyond a single platform, including IngramSpark and wider trade routes, generally does require one. Always confirm current requirements for your exact setup.
7 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
ISBNs generally identify specific editions and formats, so a single book can need several: one for paperback, one for hardcover, and often a separate one for ebook or audiobook editions where the platform requires it. Revised editions, large-print versions and translations may also each need their own. Exact requirements depend on your formats and distribution setup.
7 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
At the time of writing, Nielsen is the official ISBN agency for the UK and Ireland, and UK authors buy ISBNs directly through the Nielsen ISBN Store. We do not quote a specific current price here, since it changes; check nielsenisbnstore.com directly. Avoid unofficial resellers as your default option.
7 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
IngramSpark & Distribution
Generally yes. Different formats, such as paperback, hardback and ebook, are usually treated as separate publications for ISBN purposes, and each typically needs its own identifier where one is required at all. Exact ebook requirements vary by platform, so this needs checking against current official guidance for the specific platform you plan to use.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Design
A book-cover cost depends on the designer’s experience, whether the artwork is illustrated or type-and-image based, whether photography or licensed imagery is used, how many concepts and revisions are included, and whether the job covers an ebook front only or a full print wrap. There is no single market rate, so quotes vary widely for good reason.
9 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Design
Look for a designer with a portfolio of actual book covers, ideally in your genre, who understands print production, thumbnail readability, typography and retailer file requirements. Then assess how they run a brief, what revisions and rights they offer, and what files you will receive, rather than judging on price or style alone.
8 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Design
A good book cover attracts the right reader, signals genre and tone at a glance, remains legible at thumbnail size, creates clear visual hierarchy between title, author name and image, works technically in both print and digital formats, and looks like a deliberate, intentional piece of design rather than a decorative afterthought.
11 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Design
Yes, an author can design their own book cover. The technical ability to create an image is not the same as the skill of creating an effective book cover, which must work simultaneously as marketing, typography, genre communication, print packaging and technical production artwork.
8 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Design
A self-published book does not legally or technically require a professionally designed cover; a book can be printed and listed with any cover file that meets a platform’s technical specification. In practice, readers and retailers still judge a book visually, so authors with commercial ambitions generally find that professional-quality cover design meaningfully improves how the book is received.
7 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Design
Print formatting turns a finished manuscript into a production-ready interior file. It covers decisions such as trim size, margins, gutter, typography, paragraph styles, chapter openings, page numbers, running heads, front and back matter, and image placement, all pulled together into a print-ready PDF that meets a printer’s technical requirements.
10 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Design
Typesetting is the detailed arrangement of text and other page elements so a book is readable, consistent and professionally prepared for print. It is more than simply changing the font in a word processor; it covers typography, line length, leading, hyphenation, page breaks and dozens of small, consistent decisions repeated across every page.
9 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Design
EPUB is a widely used ebook file format designed to allow digital books to adapt to different screens and reading settings. Many EPUB books are reflowable, meaning readers can change text size, font, line spacing and screen orientation depending on the reading system, rather than being locked to a fixed page layout.
8 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Design
You do not necessarily need to choose only one format. The right mix depends on reader preferences, genre, production cost, pricing, distribution, portability, collectability and your own goals as an author. Many books work best offered in more than one format rather than committing to a single one from the outset.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Design
Choose book size based on book type, word count, illustration, readability, page count, printing cost, reader expectations and platform availability, rather than choosing dimensions purely because another book looks attractive. The right size supports how the book will actually be read, printed and priced.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Marketing
A book launch is a coordinated period of activity around publication, not a single event. A useful launch may include metadata preparation, retailer pages, ARC and review activity, a website, an email list, social content, media or partnership outreach, events and, where appropriate, advertising. None of it guarantees sales; it simply gives readers the best chance of finding the book.
8 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
Book Marketing
Start before publication if you can, but there is no single mandatory timeline. The more activity involved, such as ARC outreach, media contact or a new website, the more lead time it needs. A practical campaign may begin around ninety days before release for audience-building, content and launch planning, but a shorter or later start is not a failure.
6 min read · Updated 26 September 2026
The Quill & Reed newsletter
Occasional practical guidance on writing, publishing and building an audience.
Sent occasionally, when there’s something worth reading. About the newsletter
The Quill & Reed newsletter
Occasional practical guidance on routes, platforms, rights and production.
Sent occasionally, when there’s something worth reading. About the newsletter