Hello Everyone. Welcome Voidfriends, Voidfolk, and those who are coming to my website just because the internet led you here and you have no idea what Voidfriends or Voidfolk mean (you are Voidfolk btw). This is my Self Publishing Resource Guide.
This is by no means an all encompassing, fully functioning, end-all-be-all guide. But it is a start. The most important step in the self publishing journey is research. Research. Research. Research.
Who are good editors? Where to find editors? How to determine good editors. How to find cover artists. What about layouts? There are so many questions you may have (that I have) and this is a relatively good place to start.
I will begin by putting out two caveats.
One. This guide is NOT complete. I am posting it at an incomplete state to begin with, and by the time I self publish (goal: 2025) there is no telling if it will be completed either. It is, however, going to be updated as I learn more and do more. I am constantly researching and doing more deep dives into topics and resources. I’ll keep you posted as I go, and this guide will expand.
Two. This guide will have links to other posts, other videos, to websites, and other locations. I am not telling you HOW to self publish here. I am giving you a guide on where to find the information. I will not even begin to divine myself an authority on this matter. Thus. Take the resources I give you with a grain of salt.
The Marlena Marie Self Publishing Resource Guide
*All resources collected and curated in this guide are resources I read or watched. I can not speak on any that I have not engaged with or used in my own journey.
General
The best resource for all things writing. Writer’s Beware is one of the best resources to find out how to spot bad sites and they answer a good number of questions you may have about publishing in general. If you need one good resource this is your spot.
Check out Indie Author Connect for a guide of resources that have been vetted.
Kindlepreneur, I can’t speak to it myself but I’ve heard good things.
Writing General
You’re writing a book and you don’t know how long it should be? Check out this guide.
Cost Overview. Keep in mind that this is in British Pounds and not in USD.
Book Royalties Calculator. Not 100% accurate, but it will help you figure out how much you could be making.
Process Overview
These videos and articles go into the whole process of self publishing as a whole.
If you need one overview post and you don’t have time to watch or read too much? This is your guide. Jane Friedman has created an amazing overview of the whole process, pricing, and sites to use.
You have a little more time to read, but not much time to watch? Check out this guide. David Gaughran goes into more detail, gives many more links and is just a great resource to cross check at every step of the way. I recommend his website for a lot of overview on many topics for self publishing.
Self Publishing School: Generally not bad as an overview. I can’t speak on their other resources, in terms of classes that they offer. I would recommend looking into them further if you decide that you would like to pay them for services.
Self Publishing.com Another website that gives you access to questions on self publishing. Again I have not (and do not have plans at this time) to use this resource to educate me. You may want to.
Reedsy is a resource where you can look up editors, designers, and marketers for you book.
IngramSparks overview I actually rather like this one because they are one of the bigger distribution services, so they tell you what they need (like BISAC and ISBN).
Youtubers Talking about their experiences:
– Daniel Greene
– Abbie Emmons
Both @AbbieEmmons and @MandiLynnWrites have some good YT channels dedicated to publishing, writing, and resources. They have some great videos about every step of the editing process.
iWriterly has a great long checklist for self publishing
Editing
Depending on how extensive this gets, this might have to be its own post. We’ll see.
Editors Suggested by Book Writing Associates
Line Editing by Abbie Emmons
Again. Reedsy
I’ve found a lot of good possible editors on Threads too. So maybe go there and do some dives into people’s accounts.
Covers
Art Station. Good place to find all sorts of artists.
Book Cover Designer is great as a resource for premade covers.
NY Book Editor’s Guide Has some other options for premade or bespoke covers, if you scroll down.
David Gaughran at it again with a great overview for Book Covers.
Formatting
Abbie Emmons has a nice video about formatting in Vellum
Mandi Lynn for Using InDesign
ISBN and Copyright
Remember. ISBN is needed for getting your book into physical bookstores. Most retailers like Amazon, can provide free ISBNs. Additionally, you don’t need ISBN for ebooks (pretty sure, will find sources to verify). So you can always skip this step.
How To Guide. Pretty good overview of the process and why it’s needed.
Bowker: My Identifiers. You can buy ISBN, get the barcodes and get Copyright here.
Masterclass: How to Copyright a Book
Remember that you do own the legal rights to your book the moment you write it down. Getting a Registered Copyright just makes it easier for you to protect yourself in the event of legal action.
BISAC Code BISAC is important for retailers so they know where to place your book on the shelves of a bookstore.
Self Publishing Company Resources
Reedsy’s overview
Pen Names
LLC
Marketing (ARC, Website, Etc)
The Nerd Fam – Services for and by lovers of books
Marlena Marie 