No Roadmap – Just Recommendations
- Feb 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 21
There’s no single roadmap to self-publishing. There are dozens of paths, dozens of approaches, and just as many possible outcomes.
For my first book, I was fortunate to have advice from my friend, talented and prolific self-publishing author C.C. Ekeke (www.CCEkeke.com). Even so, some questions didn’t have easy answers – my book is very different from his books, and self-publishing isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Below are a few lessons I learned while writing and preparing my first book for release. This isn’t comprehensive. It’s simply what came up for me. Experiences will vary. But perhaps something here will save someone else a headache.
You will need proofreaders.
More than one. More than once.
Spell-check only catches so much. AI tools are helpful, but they’re not infallible. You need human eyes – ideally, meticulous ones.
Whether you hire professionals or enlist trusted friends, make sure they understand what they’re reading for. Otherwise, they may flag stylistic choices instead of genuine errors.
Multiple passes are not optional.
Know what you want your cover to be.
Even if you hire an artist, you are the steward of your book’s visual identity. Ideas evolve. Collaboration is essential. But don’t outsource vision.
If you don’t know what you want, no one else will either.
ISBNs matter.
Each format of your book requires its own ISBN — hardcover, paperback, e-book, audiobook, revised editions. Every version is separate.
In the United States, ISBNs are purchased through Bowker (www.myidentifiers.com). At the time of this writing, one ISBN costs $125; ten cost $295. They never expire, so if you’re planning multiple formats or multiple books, buying in bulk makes financial sense.
Choose the size of your book early.
Standard sizes exist. Not all paperback dimensions translate cleanly to hardcover. Formatting may need to change. Margins may shift. Page counts will fluctuate.
Be prepared to adjust.
Print-on-demand lowers the barrier - but understand the model.
Through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), there is no upfront printing cost. You upload your manuscript and cover files, Amazon calculates a per-copy print cost, and you set your list price above their minimum. You earn royalties per sale.
You can also opt into Extended Distribution with KDP, allowing wholesale availability to libraries and bookstores – though at a significantly reduced royalty rate.
“Free to publish” doesn’t mean “free of decisions.”
Order proof copies. Every time.
When you receive your proof, go through it meticulously. Check margins, page numbers, image placement, colors, front matter, back matter – everything.
If something’s off, fix it and order another proof.
The first time you hold your book in your hands shouldn’t be the last time you catch an error.
This isn’t everything. I’m still learning – about websites, social media, e-books, marketing, distribution, and whatever surprises come next. Each book will bring its own challenges.
But these were some of the hurdles I encountered while preparing The Candle Across the Bridge for publication.
From finishing the manuscript to being ready to click “Publish” took far longer than writing the book itself.
And then, three days ago…
…I clicked it.
The Candle Across the Bridge becomes available to order on Thursday, March 5th, 2026.
