FAQs & Resources

Self-publishing a book has never been more accessible, whether you’re in the UK, the US, or beyond. But knowing how to do it properly is what separates successful authors from the rest. From editing to distribution, here’s a quick guide that every author needs to know before publishing their book.

1. What is self-publishing?

Self-publishing means taking full control of the publishing process, from manuscript to finished book, without a traditional publisher.

2. How to self-publish a book

To self-publish a book, you’ll need to prepare your manuscript, invest in professional editing and design, secure an ISBN, and decide how your book will be printed and distributed internationally.

3. Professional editing is essential

Even the strongest manuscripts benefit from professional book editing. This ensures your writing is polished, consistent, and ready for a global audience.

4. Cover design impacts sales

Your book cover is your first impression. High-quality cover design helps your book stand out in competitive online marketplaces like Amazon and Waterstones.

5. Formatting your book properly

Book formatting ensures your manuscript meets industry standards for both print and digital platforms, wherever your readers are based.

6. ISBNs and publishing rights explained

An ISBN is essential for selling your book worldwide. Whether you’re publishing in the UK, the US, or globally, owning your ISBN gives you full control over your book and its distribution.

7. Printing vs print-on-demand

Authors can choose between traditional print runs or print-on-demand services, depending on budget, timeline, and how widely they want to distribute their book.

8. Book distribution channels

Global book distribution ensures your title is available through major retailers, online platforms, and independent bookshops, reaching readers across multiple markets.

9. Marketing your self-published book

Book marketing is key to success. From social media to PR and events, authors need a clear strategy to connect with their target audience.

10. Choosing the right self-publishing company

Working with a professional publishing services provider can simplify the process and ensure your book meets international publishing standards.

Working with a Self-Publishing Company

Many authors choose professional self-publishing services to bring their book to life. With expert support in editing, design, printing, distribution, and marketing, you can avoid common pitfalls and produce a book that stands out in a global market.

Ready to Self-Publish Your Book?

If you’re ready to self-publish your book, the right support can make all the difference. Softwood Books offers expert guidance at every stage of the publishing process - helping authors around the world move from manuscript to marketplace with confidence.

Softwood Books offers a comprehensive range of publishing services to support authors at every stage of their journey. These services include professional editing, bespoke book design, targeted marketing support, high-quality printing, and global distribution.

Each service is tailored to suit different author needs, whether you’re preparing your manuscript for submission, self-publishing your book, or looking to maximise visibility and sales. Softwood Books provides flexible options within every stage of the publishing process, ensuring a personalised and professional experience.

For a detailed breakdown of each service and to find the right package for your book, explore the dedicated pages on the Softwood Books website.

Getting started with Softwood Books begins with a personalised consultation, either via video call or in person at our offices. This initial conversation allows us to understand each author’s goals, expectations, and the story they want to share.

Every writer’s journey is unique, so we take the time to explore the most suitable publishing options - whether that’s print-on-demand, traditional-style distribution through wholesalers, or a fully tailored self-publishing approach. By defining the direction early on, our team - including your project manager, editor, and designer - can collaborate effectively to deliver a high-quality, professionally published book.

This author-focused approach ensures that every project is carefully planned from the outset, giving you the best possible foundation for publishing success.

This is a vital part of the process - and is partly the reason a further three editors joined our team in 2025! Once the level of editing and a timeframe is discussed and agreed by the writer and their project manager, they will then have direct contact with their editor who will usually work through the manuscript in its entirety. Once complete, the edit will be shared using Word Track Changes, for them to work through and accept or decline the edits. There may be several rounds of revisions but continued communication between both editor and writer is key throughout. A developmental edit or copy-edit will then result in a proofread before the manuscript is ready for the writer's approval and the next stage of production.

Authors have a high level of input throughout the book cover design process at Softwood Books, ensuring the final cover reflects both their vision and the commercial needs of the market. We begin by inviting clients to share any initial concepts or ideas directly with their assigned designer, helping to establish a clear creative direction from the outset.

Our designers work closely with the manuscript and often collaborate with the editor to ensure the cover design accurately represents the themes, tone, and message of the book. This joined-up approach ensures consistency between content and visual identity.

Authors are also encouraged to submit endorsements or praise from ARC readers, which can be featured on the front or back cover to strengthen credibility and marketing impact.

Throughout the process, the designer combines the author’s input with professional expertise in typography, genre conventions, and market trends to create a cover that is both visually striking and commercially effective. The result is a professionally designed book cover that the author can feel a strong sense of ownership over, while still benefiting from expert creative direction.

In addition, we can advise on premium finishing options to enhance shelf appeal and reader engagement, including spot UV, foiling, sprayed edges, and bespoke hand-painted edge designs created by our talented artists.

Softwood Books offers flexible print and distribution solutions designed to suit each author’s budget, goals, and target audience. The most commonly chosen option is print-on-demand (PoD), which is a cost-effective and efficient way to publish and distribute books without the need for large upfront print runs. We work with a range of trusted PoD providers, recommending the most suitable solution based on each author’s marketing strategy, sales expectations, and overall publishing objectives.

For authors seeking broader retail reach, we also support traditional stock-based distribution through our partners, Gardners. This wholesale option allows authors to place an initial print run ranging from small quantities to larger wholesale volumes, helping to increase visibility in bookstores and online retailers.

Whichever distribution route is chosen, authors remain fully involved throughout the process. We provide clear guidance and transparent discussions around key publishing factors such as unit cost, retail discount, and recommended retail price (RRP), ensuring authors have full control and understanding of how their book is positioned in the market.

This tailored approach ensures each title is distributed in a way that maximises both accessibility and commercial potential.

Softwood Books distributes titles globally, ensuring authors can reach readers through major online and physical retailers worldwide. Through our partnership with Ingram, books are made available for order internationally across leading retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Foyles, and Blackwell’s.

In addition to global distribution, we also work with Gardners, one of the UK’s book wholesalers, which enables books to be ordered by the vast majority of UK bookshops and independent retailers.

This dual-distribution approach ensures maximum visibility, allowing your book to be discoverable and orderable by both online customers and high street bookshops across the UK and internationally. As a result, authors benefit from broad market reach and strong commercial accessibility across multiple retail channels.

Costs depend on the services you need. We offer transparent pricing and can provide a tailored quote once we know the book’s length and requirements. Get in contact to discuss further.

Get in Contact

Print costs depend on page count, trim size, colour vs. black & white, whether the book is paperback or hardback, and how many copies you would like to order. An exact print quote can be provided once we have this information.

Yes! Authors can order copies at print cost plus shipping at any time. If you have already published using Softwood Books, just drop us an email and we can sort this for you.

Yes. With Softwood Books, authors keep full copyright ownership of their work.

Royalties vary depending on retailer discounts and print costs. We supply a clear royalty breakdown every month. Authors are paid monthly.

Yes, you can upload revised files at any time. Minor updates may be free; major revisions may incur a fee depending on the amount of work required. Major updates may require a new ISBN.

A successful book launch relies on good preperation and organisation.

We recommend allowing plenty of lead time, giving enough time for your book metadata and retailer links to go live in advance, building in time to promote the event, and ensuring your books arrive on time. 
If possible, we would suggest setting a date for your launch once your books have been printed, to avoid any potential nerve-wracking deleys!

Tips for the event:
- Make sure you can take card and cash payments (Sumup card machines are brilliant!)
- Ensure the cost of your book/s is very clear
- Make sure directions to the event are clear
- Provide food and drink (but it doesn't have to be an open bar!)
- Prepare to make a speech about your book and writing journey
- Display your books to show them off! 
- Network. Have a signing/sales table but don't stick to it like glue! Mingle, chat with your fans!