Successful Self-Publishing Fourth Edition by Joanna Penn — ebook cover
Successful Self-Publishing Fourth Edition is also available as audiobook narrated by Joanna Penn
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Successful Self-Publishing Fourth Edition by Joanna Penn — book details and chapter overview

Successful Self-Publishing Fourth Edition Ebook

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Want to self-publish your book but don't know where to start? Worried it's too complex or you don't have the right skills?

Ebook, delivered by Bookfunnel. Read on any device.

This updated and expanded Fourth edition of Successful Self-Publishing provides everything you need to successfully self-publish your book in ebook, print, and audio formats, plus proven marketing strategies to reach more readers.

Written by award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Joanna (J.F.) Penn, this practical guide shares the exact methods used to publish more than forty books and build a multi-six-figure author business.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover:

  • A quick-start roadmap for self-publishing your first book
  • Step-by-step instructions for publishing professional-quality ebooks, print books, and audiobooks
  • The sites and services to trust and how to avoid the scams
  • Marketing strategies that work for both fiction and non-fiction

New in the 4th Edition:

  • Updated publishing platforms and opportunities
  • Expanded section on direct sales, special editions and crowdfunding
  • Practical guidance on using AI tools effectively as an artisan author

Whether you're writing your first book or you're an experienced author looking to expand your publishing business, this guide provides actionable steps without overwhelming technical jargon.

Start your indie author journey today with confidence. Try Successful Self-Publishing!


Who is this book for?

This book is for first-time authors who want to self-publish their first book, and for established authors who want to update their knowledge for the current publishing landscape. It assumes no prior publishing experience and walks step-by-step through ebooks, print books, and audiobooks across all major platforms.

What you'll learn

  • How to publish professional-quality ebooks on Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, and Draft2Digital
  • How to publish print books with KDP Print and IngramSpark, including format choices, pricing, and global distribution
  • How to produce audiobooks via ACX, Findaway Voices, and direct sales
  • How to sell directly to readers through your own bookstore (like this one)
  • How to use AI tools responsibly in the publishing workflow
  • How to think about pricing, categories, keywords, and metadata for global discoverability

How is this different from other self-publishing guides?

This is the fourth fully-rewritten edition (2025) of a book that has been continuously updated since 2008. It is written by an author who has self-published 40+ of her own books and built a multi-six-figure business — not by a consultant who has never done it. It is platform-agnostic and global, not Amazon-only.

What format options are available?

Available as a free ebook (delivered via BookFunnel, readable on any device), paperback, large-print paperback, and audiobook narrated by Joanna Penn.


Read sample chapters from this book

The complete book has been published as free chapter excerpts on this site. Read all 20 chapters →

Sample chapters to start with:

See the full chapter list →

Print books shipped from my independent printer in the UK. Paperbacks and some hardbacks are also shipped from the US, Canada and Australia. Shipping times may vary.

Ebooks and audiobooks are delivered by email through Bookfunnel. Check your email and then download or read/listen on your favorite device.

Reviews

★★★★★

An excellent resource for authors of all kinds.

Mysterywriter007
5 star Amazon review
★★★★

Useful and balanced information. Worth reading for an experienced author as a refresh and check on changes as well as good read for any writer starting out on their indie author career.

Gill
4 star Amazon review
★★★★★

So I love reading through a Joanna Penn book! She is so informative and really walks through the steps on how to be a successful author! This is my second book from this author. Penn has experienced her success through trial and error and shares the principles and steps that made her become a six-figure salary author! I can learn a lot from someone whose been in the literary industry for more than a decade and has written 25+ books!! In this book "Successful Self-publishing" Penn even includes links and websites to more information not found on her pages.

Sunshine Rodgers
5 star Goodreads review
★★★★★

I am a regular listener of Joanna Penn’s podcast for writers and I like her style of storytelling, so I am going deeper into exploring her work.

Successful Self-Publishing is an essential resource for anyone considering to self-publish their book. The author provides topics from writing and editing to formatting, cover design, and marketing. The tips and strategies provided in the book are based on her own experience, so they can help you go through the process of self-publishing and achieve your goals.

Anastasija
5 star Goodreads review
  • 5 stars: 36 (88%)
  • 4 stars: 5 (12%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
J
Jackie Savage
I needed advice on marketing my poetry book

I needed advice on marketing my poetry book.I found the information very useful and relevant, but have yet to complete the research recommended

K
KhayaR
Essential Self-Publishing Resource for the AI Age

Need creative freedom, book publishing and marketing advice? Successful Self-Publishing is an indispensable guide. I found the section Self-publishing in the Age of Generative AI affirming, as I use AI as a collaborative tool in my writing and design processes. I highly recommend this fourth edition; it's a fantastic update.

L
Laura Knapke
Very informative 😃

I found the information very helpful. I enjoyed the read and recommended this book to anyone starting their self-publishing journey.

M
Moriamo Onabanjo
Great 👍 information as always

Great 👍 information as always.

M
Marshall
Thank you for this!

Thank you for this! A bible!

T
Teresa Sobral Farrajota
Vale a pena.

Dicas preciosas. Leitura acessível e interessante.

J
Jo Gatenby
SELF-PUB V4

I'm taking a mini on-line self-publishing course right now, and this book seems to be the perfect companion to that, expanding where I need more info and providing lots of links!

G
Gene Wolfenbarger
Simple and Good

Good and SImple and covers all the details for the questions that you desperately need to answer. So thankful I found it.

f
fieldofsteve
Good book to go back to

This is a good reference book on your journey to publishing your book. I find myself turning to it regularly as I embark on my self publishing career.

P
Pamela Muir
First time author

First time author and this book really helped me determine the sequence of self publishing. Working my way towards a successful launch.

C
Charlie
Best book yet from Dion Shaw - filled with almost everthing to know

Whoa! I have the other in this series, but this one is much more advanced on first blush. Not only does this book have more home businesses, but the author goes into setting up a biz model, cybersecurity, SWOT analysis, and so much more. He went more in-depth with each biz, adding pros, cons, who it is appropropriate for and who not. This is a must have reference guide for anyone interested in starting a home biz. 400+ pages of useful information including a step by-step 30 day launch cycle. Kudos!

S
Susan
Soooooo good!! A must-read for all authors!

This is a wonderful and important 2025 book for any aspiring, new, or experienced authors who want a quick read with many many strategies for self-publishing and marketing!!! I have soooo many post-its and notes throughout to remind me to follow-up. It’s like a mini-course in a book!! Thank you Joanna Penn for your excellent ideas, books, YouTube videos, and podcast! So very useful! Highly recommend!!!

R
Rich Kell
A must read for any aspiring or novice author

A must read for any aspiring or novice author wanting to explore the world of independent publishing

E
Enam
Excellent Book with Clear Guidance and Ample

Excellent Book with Clear Guidance and Ample Information for the to be Authors and Readers alike!

P
Phantomreel
A great book. Joanna Penn rules!!

If you're dipping your toe into the world of self/indie publishing, then this book is essential reading. In fact, you should check out everything by Joanna Penn, including her podcast. She is awesome. As an indie author myself, her tips, guides and lessons are so inspiring.

B
Boyan Petkov
Well-structured

Well-structured, detailed, practical

M
Mike H.
Great resource for first time authors!

Great book. I particularly like the links at the end of each chapter. The recommendations clearly came from the author’s personal experiences.

D
Donna @ PLP
Super helpful guide to self-publishing

Joanna Penn continues her excellent series of writing craft book with keen insights on self-publishing. She shares tips and insights of the journey she has lived with us in discovering th world of publishig.

A
Angela Buckley
An invaluable guide

I bought the first edition of this book, which I’ve referred to many times, so it was great to have an updated version, which is excellent, with lots of practical and invaluable advice. It has inspired me to revisit indie publishing!

S
Steph Beth Nickel
Self-Publishing Must-Read

This, the newest version of this book is invaluable for indie and would-be indie authors.

D
Dr.Amrita Basu
Just the book for Author Entrepreneurs

I am a big fan of Joanna Penn and her work makes self publishing seems a great option for the writer.While some of the tips may not work for Indian writers,overall its an excellent book to guide you.I have read the book ,listened to the podcast and constantly follow her podcast to stay upto date on publishing and writing news.Joanna Penn is exceptional .A must buy for all authors.You must know what's out there!

D
Dr.Amrita Basu
A must by for the Author Entrepreneur!

I am a big fan of Joanna Penn and her work makes self publishing seems a great option for the writer.While some of the tips may not work for Indian writers,overall its an excellent book to guide you.I have read the book ,listened to the podcast and constantly follow her podcast to stay upto date on publishing and writing news.Joanna Penn is exceptional .A must buy for all authors.You must know what's out there!

A
Anonymous
Great and useful!

Great useful content

M
Maureen Crisp
Excellent Update to a Great Book.

This is a great update to an already great book by Joanna Penn. It has lots of new information and practical tips. Highly reccomend to anyone looking to understand the industry.

R
Ruth Nina Welsh
Brilliant!

Brilliant introduction to indie publishing. All you need to get started and release your own books into the world. Highly recommended.

S
Sue
Excellent

Excellent resource and generously shared. Thank you!

D
Dr.Norene Moskalski
Excellent!

Excellent!

A
Anonymous
Great resource

This is a great resource to have in my arsenal as I continue my publishing career

A
Anonymous
Thank you for the book

Thank you for the book . I am a first time non fiction writer and it has some very much appreciated advise.

S
Sandy
Joanna is so knowledgeable and very generous and practical with her information

Joanna is so knowledgeable and very generous and practical with her information. Great book!

J
Jack Holt
Great book for old and new authors!

Joanna easily explains the intricacies of book marketing and book writing. Her format flows easy for would be writers and "old timers."

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