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> **Original source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-publishing?utm_source=openai

"Private publishing" redirects here. For low-volume regular publishing, see [Privishing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privishing "Privishing").

**Self-publishing** is an author-driven [publication](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publication "Publication") of any media without the involvement of a third-party [publisher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publisher "Publisher"). Since the advent of the internet, self-publishing usually depends on digital platforms and [print-on-demand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Print-on-demand "Print-on-demand") technology, ranging from physical books to [eBooks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebook "Ebook"). Examples include magazines, print-on-demand books, music albums, pamphlets, brochures, video games, video content, artwork, [zines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zine "Zine"), and [web fiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_fiction "Web fiction"). Self-publishing, therefore, emerges as an alternative to traditional publishing, with implications for production, cost and revenue, distribution, and public perception.

In self-publishing authors publish their own work. While it is possible for an author to single-handedly carry out the whole process independently, many authors engage with professionals for specific services as needed (such as editors or cover designers).[\[1\]](#cite_note-1) A growing number of companies offer a one-stop shop where an author can source a whole range of services required to self-publish a book (sometimes called "Assisted Self-publishing Providers" or "Self-publishing Service Providers").[\[2\]](#cite_note-2)

Other forms of publishing include

-   [hybrid publishing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_publishing "Hybrid publishing"), (where the publisher and author collaborate and _share_ costs and risks. In return, the author may be required to surrender some control and/or rights in return for the publisher's financial and other contribution) OR
-   [vanity publishing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_press "Vanity press"), (where the author pays for the cost of all services, but also signs a restrictive contract which usually involves surrendering significant rights).

Authors may also self-publish through [web fiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_fiction "Web fiction"). A common type is the web [serial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_\(literature\) "Serial (literature)"). Unlike most modern novels, web fiction novels are frequently published in parts over time. The format has gained popularity, particularly in China, where revenues from online literature exceeds US$2.5 billion.[\[3\]](#cite_note-3) [South Korea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_novels_in_South_Korea "Web novels in South Korea") also has a significant web fiction market. Online literature in China plays a more prominent role than in the United States and the rest of the world.[\[4\]](#cite_note-4) Most books are available online, where the most popular novels find millions of readers. They cost an average of 2 CNY, or roughly a tenth of the average price of a printed book.[\[5\]](#cite_note-5)[\[6\]](#cite_note-6) Platforms like [Shanda Literature Ltd.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanda "Shanda") claim to publish thousands of Chinese literary works daily while Joara, South Korea's largest web novel platform, reports 1.1 million members, 140,000 writers, an average of 2,400 serials per day and 420,000 works.[\[7\]](#cite_note-dkyobobook222-7)

Self-publishing has a long history. [John Locke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke "John Locke"),[\[8\]](#cite_note-twsCSM23423-8) [Jane Austen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Austen "Jane Austen"), [Emily Dickinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Dickinson "Emily Dickinson"), [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Hawthorne "Nathaniel Hawthorne"), [Martin Luther](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther "Martin Luther"), [Marcel Proust](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcel_Proust "Marcel Proust"), [Derek Walcott](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Walcott "Derek Walcott"), and [Walt Whitman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Whitman "Walt Whitman") are some successful examples.

In music publishing, [François Couperin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Couperin "François Couperin") self-published some of his keyboard music in the 18th century,[\[9\]](#cite_note-9) and [Joseph Haydn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn "Joseph Haydn") self-published his oratorio _[The Creation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Creation_\(Haydn\) "The Creation (Haydn)")_ in 1800.[\[10\]](#cite_note-10)

The original _[Tristram Shandy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristram_Shandy "Tristram Shandy")_, self-published by Laurence Sterne

In 1759, British satirist [Laurence Sterne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Sterne "Laurence Sterne") self-published the first two volumes of _[Tristram Shandy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristram_Shandy "Tristram Shandy")_. Later, authors like [Jane Austen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Austen "Jane Austen") and [Walt Whitman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Whitman "Walt Whitman") found success through self-publishing throughout the 19th century. In the early 20th century, [Ezra Pound](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezra_Pound "Ezra Pound") sold _[A Lume Spento](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Lume_Spento "A Lume Spento")_ for six pence each while [Franklin Hiram King](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Hiram_King "Franklin Hiram King")'s self-published _Farmers of Forty Centuries_ was subsequently published commercially. [Virginia Woolf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Woolf "Virginia Woolf") chose to self-publish her final novel _[Between the Acts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Between_the_Acts "Between the Acts")_ on her [Hogarth Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogarth_Press "Hogarth Press"), in effect starting her own press.[\[11\]](#cite_note-patterson22-11) [Irma S. Rombauer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irma_S._Rombauer "Irma S. Rombauer"), the author of _[The Joy of Cooking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Joy_of_Cooking "The Joy of Cooking")_ paid a local printing company to print 3000 copies; the Bobbs-Merrill Company acquired the rights, and since then the book has sold over 20 million copies.[\[12\]](#cite_note-12)

Traditional book publishers are selective in what they publish, and they reject most of the manuscripts submitted to them.[\[13\]](#cite_note-13) After selection, they then assign an editor to polish the work even further, a proof-reader to check for errors, and a [book designer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_designer "Book designer") to produce the [cover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_cover "Book cover").[\[14\]](#cite_note-:0-14) It can be challenging for a self-publishing author to produce a book to traditional professional standards.

Before the advent of the internet and [POD (Print on Demand)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Print_on_demand "Print on demand"), most self-publishing authors had to resort to a [vanity press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_press "Vanity press"), which was costly and acted as a barrier to publication. Now, ebooks can be published at virtually no cost, which allows for books of varying qualities to be published. One blogger estimated that as much as 70% of self-published books are so bad, they are unreadable.[\[15\]](#cite_note-15)

Studies on self-publishing have highlighted concerns about quality control, as the lack of traditional editorial oversight can result in a wide range of content quality. A 2014 survey by Digital Book World found that traditionally published books tend to earn higher critical reviews compared to self-published titles, though some self-published authors achieve commercial success.[\[16\]](#cite_note-16)

Also, some self-published authors are now taking a professional approach, using services like critique groups, [beta readers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_reader "Beta reader"), professional editors and designers to polish their work to a professional standard equivalent to traditional publishing. Such authors are achieving success equivalent to traditionally published writers, lending respectability to self-publishing.[\[17\]](#cite_note-17)

Self-publishing is also common among editors of [academic journals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_journal "Academic journal"). The study showed that a quarter of them publish 10% of their own articles in the same journals they edit (which is problematic for ethical reasons).[\[18\]](#cite_note-18)

Despite the growing popularity and success of self-publishing, some stigma remains.[\[19\]](#cite_note-19) The lack of gatekeepers, such as agents and editors, can raise concerns about quality-control. This may result in prejudice against self-published works from readers and reviewers. However, many self-published authors invest in professional editing and other services to achieve comparable production standards.

The rise of AI technologies has also created concerns about the lack of [quality control](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_control "Quality control") in the self-publishing industry. A startup, Spines, plans to publish 8,000 AI-generated books in 2025, sparking fears about originality and content standards. Writers argue that AI-driven publishing lacks genuine care for books, potentially leading to a decline in quality.[\[20\]](#cite_note-20)

### Technological changes

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-publishing&action=edit&section=6 "Edit section: Technological changes")\]

Comparison of the traditional vs self-publishing process for a non-fiction book

Rapid advances in technology have been a major driving force behind to growth of self-publishing. Print-On-Demand (or POD) technology, which became available in the mid-1990s,[\[21\]](#cite_note-twsSFWA1013-21) makes it possible for a book to be printed after an order has been placed, so there are no costs for storing inventory. Further, the Internet provides access to global distribution channels via online retailers, so a self-published book can be instantly available to book buyers worldwide. Advances in [e-book readers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-reader "E-reader") and [tablet computers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablet_computer "Tablet computer") have improved readability, making ebooks more popular.[\[22\]](#cite_note-twsNYT99893-22)

Amazon's introduction of the Kindle and its self-publishing platform, [Kindle Direct Publishing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindle_Direct_Publishing "Kindle Direct Publishing") or KDP, in 2007 has been described as a tipping point in self-publishing, which "opened the floodgates" for self-publishing authors.[\[23\]](#cite_note-twsFortune1473-23)

An Espresso Book Machine at a bookstore

The [Espresso Book Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso_Book_Machine "Espresso Book Machine") (a POD device) was first demonstrated at the [New York Public Library](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Public_Library "New York Public Library") in 2007. This machine prints, collates, covers, and binds a single book. It is in libraries and bookstores throughout the world, and it can make copies of out-of-print editions. Small bookstores sometimes use it to compete with large bookstore chains. It works by taking two [pdf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_Document_Format "Portable Document Format") files, one for the text and one for the cover, and then prints an entire paperback book in a matter of minutes, which then drops down a chute.[\[24\]](#cite_note-twsAP3-24)

The _[Library Journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_Journal "Library Journal")_ and Biblioboard worked together to create a self-publishing platform called Self-e in which authors submitted books online which were made available to readers. These books are reviewed by _Library Journal_, and the best ones are published nationwide; authors do not make money this way but it serves as a marketing tool.[\[25\]](#cite_note-twsBauer-25)

The development of artificial intelligence has significant implications within self-publishing. Proponents believe that AI's ability to streamline tasks that are less accessible when going through traditional publishers make it a positive change in the literary environment.[\[26\]](#cite_note-26) However, critics argue that using AI to co-write books has led to mass publications of low quality literature and legal questions about who these books belong to. Notable legal debates have already become relevant. In September 2023, [Game of Thrones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones "Game of Thrones") writers accused [OpenAI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenAI "OpenAI") of violating copyright law by using their writing to optimize ChatGPT's ability to generate realistic-sounding responses.[\[27\]](#cite_note-27)

## Production and control

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-publishing&action=edit&section=7 "Edit section: Production and control")\]

Self-publishing provides authors with autonomy over both the production process and content and are not required to make changes based on feedback or market changes. Authors also determine pricing and can change it at any point in time.[\[28\]](#cite_note-28) In traditional publishing, these aspects are subject to negotiations and collaboration.

Self-publishing also offers an expedited timeline where authors can release their work within a few weeks after their work is finished by bypassing extra time spent on looking for an agent, publisher, and editor.[\[29\]](#cite_note-twsUSAToday44352-29)

While self-publishing offers greater control and speed, it places production responsibility on the author, which includes editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing. These tasks may be time-consuming and require specialized skills to complete, which may necessitate hiring freelancers. Traditional publishers typically cover these services as part of their contract with the author.

Self-publishing's financial aspect differs from traditional models. In self-publishing, authors are responsible for all associated costs, which may include editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing.[\[30\]](#cite_note-:02-30) Self-published authors receive a four to five times a larger payout per sale with royalties sometimes as high as 70% when compared to working with traditional publishers.[\[31\]](#cite_note-twsNPR8993-31) However, total earnings depend on sales volume, which can be influenced by discoverability. Traditional publishers often provide an advance that is later covered by author's earnings as their work sells. Self-published authors do not receive an advance. The financial success of self-published authors depends on the author's marketing efforts, which often require a substantial investment.

## Distribution and reach

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-publishing&action=edit&section=9 "Edit section: Distribution and reach")\]

Self-published authors often face challenges in achieving wide distribution, particularly in physical bookstores and libraries. Traditional publishers have established relationships with bookstores and libraries, often because of distribution networks and contracts that may be difficult for a self-publisher to replicate. Self-published authors often have more success when utilizing online retailers and print-on-demand services, which allows them to reach readers but at a limited physical presence.[\[32\]](#cite_note-32)

## Publishing platforms

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-publishing&action=edit&section=10 "Edit section: Publishing platforms")\]

[Apple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc. "Apple Inc.") is a significant platform for ebooks via its [Apple Books Store](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Books "Apple Books") (formally iBookstore). Authors can distribute their ebooks to [iPhone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone "IPhone"), handheld computer, and the [iPad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad "IPad"). Apple typically pays authors a 70 percent royalty rate.[\[33\]](#cite_note-33)

Barnes & Noble pays a royalty rate of 70% for ebooks. Printed book rates vary based on cost of materials.[\[34\]](#cite_note-34)

Books on Demand (BoD) originally was founded as Libri GmbH[\[35\]](#cite_note-bod.de/Pressebroschuere-202222-35) in 1997 and is recognized as the "original" in self-publishing.[\[36\]](#cite_note-welt.de/13009304522-36)[\[37\]](#cite_note-francetvinfo/337566722-37)[\[38\]](#cite_note-phys.org/self-publishing22-38)[\[39\]](#cite_note-39)

Draft2Digital is a distribution aggregator that allows authors to publish ebooks and paperbacks to all major online retailers.[\[40\]](#cite_note-40) In 2022, Draft2Digital acquired Smashwords.[\[41\]](#cite_note-41)

IngramSpark lets authors publish digital, hardback and paperback editions of their books. It distributes books to most online bookstores. Bricks-and-mortar stores can also order books from IngramSpark at wholesale prices for sale in their own venues.

### Kindle Direct Publishing

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-publishing&action=edit&section=16 "Edit section: Kindle Direct Publishing")\]

An Amazon Kindle

[Kindle Direct Publishing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindle_Direct_Publishing "Kindle Direct Publishing") or KDP is Amazon's e-book publishing unit ([see main article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindle_Direct_Publishing "Kindle Direct Publishing")).

[Kobo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobo_Inc. "Kobo Inc.") is a Canadian company which sells e-books, audiobooks, e-readers and tablet computers which originated as a cloud e-reading service.

[Lulu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lulu_\(company\) "Lulu (company)") is an online print-on-demand, self-publishing and distribution platform.

PublishDrive is a distribution aggregator that allows authors and publishers to distribute ebooks, audiobooks, and print-on-demand books to all major retailers globally. PublishDrive also offers formatting, sales reporting, and marketing tools and an AI-powered Publishing Assistant that helps with metadata optimization.[\[42\]](#cite_note-42)

Reedsy is a publishing marketplace for authors to work with professional editors, designers and marketers.

[Scribd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scribd "Scribd") is an open publishing platform which features a digital library, an e-book and audiobook subscription service.

[Smashwords](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smashwords "Smashwords") is a California-based company founded by Mark Coker which allows authors and independent publishers to upload their manuscripts electronically to the Smashwords service, which then converts them into multiple e-book formats which can be read on various devices. Smashwords was acquired by Draft2Digital, LLC in 2022.

## Self-published bestsellers

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-publishing&action=edit&section=23 "Edit section: Self-published bestsellers")\]

While most self-published books do not make much money,[\[43\]](#cite_note-43) there are self-published authors who have achieved success, particularly in the early years of online self-publishing.[\[44\]](#cite_note-twsNPR2322-44) The number of authors who had sold more than one million e-books on Amazon from 2011 to 2016 was 40, according to one estimate.[\[45\]](#cite_note-twsNYT8000922-45)

-   [Matthew Reilly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Reilly "Matthew Reilly")'s self-published _Contest_ in 1996, the first of his action-thriller novels.[\[46\]](#cite_note-ABCnet4442-46)
-   Minnesota social worker [Amanda Hocking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Hocking "Amanda Hocking") uploaded several books in 2010 and sold a few dozen copies. She published several more manuscripts and within a few months was making enough money to quit her daytime job.[\[47\]](#cite_note-twsUSAToday1432-47) She later won a deal with Macmillan publishers and went to being a millionaire in a year.[\[47\]](#cite_note-twsUSAToday1432-47) She sold her series to [St. Martin's Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Martin's_Press "St. Martin's Press") in 2011 for two million dollars.[\[45\]](#cite_note-twsNYT8000922-45)
-   Swedish author [Carl-Johan Forssen Ehrlin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl-Johan_Forssen_Ehrlin "Carl-Johan Forssen Ehrlin") wrote a book in 2010 which helped get children to go to sleep; his _[The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rabbit_Who_Wants_to_Fall_Asleep "The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep")_ title featured amateurish illustrations with "clunky prose" and a monotonous storyline, but parents bought it for the catchy subtitle of "A new way of getting children to sleep".[\[48\]](#cite_note-twsNYT767622-48) He released it on CreateSpace and it became a bestseller.[\[48\]](#cite_note-twsNYT767622-48)
-   The science fiction novel _[The Martian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_\(Weir_novel\) "The Martian (Weir novel)")_, by [Andy Weir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Weir "Andy Weir"), was originally released as chapters on his personal blog, and then self-published as an eBook in 2011.[\[49\]](#cite_note-Martian222-49) The rights were purchased by Crown Publishing which re-released it in 2014; the novel went on to become a bestseller and then a [major motion picture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_\(film\) "The Martian (film)") starring [Matt Damon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Damon "Matt Damon").[\[49\]](#cite_note-Martian222-49)[\[50\]](#cite_note-MartianBook12-50)
-   _[Fifty Shades of Grey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifty_Shades_of_Grey "Fifty Shades of Grey")_ by [E. L. James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._L._James "E. L. James") was originally published online as _[Twilight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight_\(novel_series\) "Twilight (novel series)")_ [fanfiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan-fiction "Fan-fiction") before the author decided to self-publish it as an [e-book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-book "E-book") and print on demand.[\[51\]](#cite_note-huffpost_books2-51)
-   The breakout hit _[Wool](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silo_\(series\) "Silo (series)")_ by [Hugh Howey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Howey "Hugh Howey") was self-published originally and garnered more than a million dollars in royalty monies and has generated over 5000 Amazon reviews.[\[52\]](#cite_note-twsWSJ94392-52)
-   Blogger [Alan Sepinwall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Sepinwall "Alan Sepinwall")'s self-published book _The Revolution Was Televised_ became an instant hit, winning a prominent review within two weeks of publication by critic Michiko Kakutani in _[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times "The New York Times")_.[\[53\]](#cite_note-twsNPR44322-53) Sepinwall hired an editor and spent roughly $2,500 on services to get his book ready for publication.[\[53\]](#cite_note-twsNPR44322-53)
-   [Victoria Knowles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Knowles "Victoria Knowles")'s self-published book _The PA_ (2014) reached the number one spot in the [iTunes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes "ITunes") chart for paid books.[\[54\]](#cite_note-The_Sunday_Times2-54)

-   [Alternative media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_media "Alternative media")
-   [Author mill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Author_mill "Author mill")
-   [Dōjin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Djin "Dōjin")
-   [Independent music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_music "Independent music")
-   [List of self-publishing companies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_self-publishing_companies "List of self-publishing companies")
-   [Predatory open access publishing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predatory_open_access_publishing "Predatory open access publishing")
-   [Samizdat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samizdat "Samizdat")
-   [Self Publish, Be Happy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_Publish,_Be_Happy "Self Publish, Be Happy")
-   [Category:Self-published books](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Self-published_books "Category:Self-published books")
-   [Self-Publishing Review](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-Publishing_Review "Self-Publishing Review")
-   [Small press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_press "Small press")
-   [Vanity publishing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_publishing "Vanity publishing")
-   [Web fiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_fiction "Web fiction")

1.  [↑](#cite_ref-1) ["The Real Costs of Self-Publishing a Book"](http://mediashift.org/2013/05/the-real-costs-of-self-publishing-book/). _MediaShift_. 2013-05-15. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
2.  [↑](#cite_ref-2) ["Self-publishing, Hybrid & Vanity Presses: A Simple Guide"](https://janeyburton.com/self-publishing-hybrid-vanity-a-simple-guide/). 2022-08-28. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
3.  [↑](#cite_ref-3) Cheung, Rachel (2018-05-06). ["China's online publishing industry – where fortune favours the few, and sometimes the undeserving"](https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/2144610/chinas-online-publishing-industry-where-fortune). _South China Morning Post_. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
4.  [↑](#cite_ref-4) ["Top Ten Internet Languages in the World – Internet Statistics"](http://internetworldstats.com/stats7.htm).
5.  [↑](#cite_ref-5) [Isabel Xiang, "Chinese Popular Author Eyes Profits Online", in: APPREB (December 2008)](http://www.accu.or.jp/appreb/02/02-02/02-02country/02chi.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200806183333/http://www.accu.or.jp/appreb/02/02-02/02-02country/02chi.html) 6 August 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"); 彭文波 Peng Wenbo, 赵晓芳 Zhao Xiaofang, "新媒体时代的博客传播与图书出版研究 Blogs and Book Publication in New Media Era", 《出版科学》 Publishing Journal, 2007年 第15卷 第04期, 期刊 [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [1009-5853](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1009-5853)(2007)04-0068-04, 2007, issue 4, page 68-70, 84; 2007–04
6.  [↑](#cite_ref-6) Michel Hockx, in: Cambridge History of Chinese Literature, 2010; Martin Woesler, in: European Journal of Sinology (2010) 88–97
7.  [↑](#cite_ref-dkyobobook222_7-0) 승환, 이. ["웹출판의 발전과 과제(The Development and Tasks of Web Publication)"](http://scholar.dkyobobook.co.kr/searchDetail.laf?barcode=4010025816177). _scholar.dkyobobook.co.kr_. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10.21732/skps.2017.78.97](https://doi.org/10.21732%2Fskps.2017.78.97). Retrieved 2020-10-30.
8.  [↑](#cite_ref-twsCSM23423_8-0) Husna Haq (2013-10-15). ["Kobo removes all self-published titles. Is this censorship, an overreaction, or just good sense?"](https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2013/1015/Kobo-removes-all-self-published-titles.-Is-this-censorship-an-overreaction-or-just-good-sense). CSM. Retrieved 2017-10-20. ...Retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the UK's WH Smith, and Canada's Kobo have removed problematic self-published titles after the discovery of a slew of pornographic abuse-themed e-books...
9.  [↑](#cite_ref-9) ["François Couperin"](https://interlude.hk/francois-couperin/).
10.  [↑](#cite_ref-10) _The Cambridge Companion to Haydn_, p. 151
11.  [↑](#cite_ref-patterson22_11-0) Patterson, Christina (2012-08-18). ["How the great writers published themselves"](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/how-the-great-writers-published-themselves-8053570.html). _[The Independent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Independent "The Independent")_. London. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
12.  [↑](#cite_ref-12) Rombauer, Irma S.; Becker, Marion Rombauer; Becker, Ethan; Becker, John; Scott, Megan (2019-11-12). [_Joy of Cooking 2019 Edition Fully Revised and Updated_](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Joy-of-Cooking/Irma-S-Rombauer/9781501169717). Simon & Schuster. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [9781501169717](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781501169717 "Special:BookSources/9781501169717"). Retrieved 2021-12-15. ...more than 20 million copies in print.
13.  [↑](#cite_ref-13) ["Odds Of Being Published"](https://www.fiction-writers-mentor.com/odds-of-being-published/). _Fiction Writer's Mentor_. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
14.  [↑](#cite_ref-:0_14-0) Butcher, Judith (2006). _Butcher's Copy-editing_ (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [9780511482106](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780511482106 "Special:BookSources/9780511482106").
15.  [↑](#cite_ref-15) ["Self-publishing's quality problem…"](https://shannonturlington.com/2016/06/08/self-publishings-quality-problem/). _Shannon Turlington_. 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
16.  [↑](#cite_ref-16) Flood, Alison (2014-01-17). ["Most writers earn less than £600 a year, survey reveals"](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jan/17/writers-earn-less-than-600-a-year). _The Guardian_. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
17.  [↑](#cite_ref-17) Henn, Steve (2014-07-25). ["Self-Published Authors Make a Living—and Sometimes a Fortune"](https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2014/07/25/334484331/unknown-authors-make-a-living-self-publishing). [Planet Money](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_Money "Planet Money"). _[Morning Edition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morning_Edition "Morning Edition")_. [NPR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPR "NPR"). Retrieved 2022-12-23.
18.  [↑](#cite_ref-18) King, Molly M. (2023). ["Self-publishing is common among academic-journal editors"](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00028-x). _Nature_. **613** (7944): 445–446\. [Bibcode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibcode_\(identifier\) "Bibcode (identifier)"):[2023Natur.613..445K](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023Natur.613..445K). [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10.1038/d41586-023-00028-x](https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fd41586-023-00028-x). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_\(identifier\) "PMID (identifier)") [36646870](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36646870). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [255940296](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:255940296).
19.  [↑](#cite_ref-19) Laquintano, Timothy (2016-10-01). _Mass Authorship and the Rise of Self-Publishing_. University of Iowa Press. p. 40\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-1609384456](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1609384456 "Special:BookSources/978-1609384456").
20.  [↑](#cite_ref-20) Creamer, Ella (2024-11-26). ["Writers condemn startup's plans to publish 8,000 books next year using AI"](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/nov/26/writers-condemn-startups-plans-to-publish-8000-books-next-year-using-ai-spines-artificial-intelligence). _The Guardian_.
21.  [↑](#cite_ref-twsSFWA1013_21-0) Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, [Self publishing](https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/pod/), Retrieved 5 November 2017
22.  [↑](#cite_ref-twsNYT99893_22-0) Alan Finder (2012-08-15). ["The Joys and Hazards of Self-Publishing on the Web"](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/technology/personaltech/ins-and-outs-of-publishing-your-book-via-the-web.html). _The New York Times_. Retrieved 2017-10-20. ...'The biggest thing you have against you in trying to sell your book is that people don't know about it,' he said
23.  [↑](#cite_ref-twsFortune1473_23-0) Jennifer Alsever, Fortune magazine, 30 December 2016, [The Kindle Effect](http://fortune.com/2016/12/30/amazon-kindle-digital-self-publishing/), Retrieved 9 November 2017, "...has become a $1 billion industry..."
24.  [↑](#cite_ref-twsAP3_24-0) ["Writers embrace self-publishing through instant publishing machine"](http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/06/post_83.html). The Oregonian. Associated Press. 2012-06-11. Retrieved 2017-10-20. ...the Espresso Book Machine by on Demand Books debuted in 2006...
25.  [↑](#cite_ref-twsBauer_25-0) Jennifer K. Bauer (2017-10-12). ["Publishing? Glad tidings: Aspiring writers, take note: Library is holding Indie Author Day"](http://lmtribune.com/a_and_e/publishing-glad-tidings/article_b86c0215-73ee-5f75-b132-cbfd60846f46.html). _The Lewiston Tribune_. Lewiston Tribune. Retrieved 2017-10-20. ...free self-publishing platform called Self-e, a collaboration between Library Journal and BiblioBoard.... more of a marketing tool
26.  [↑](#cite_ref-26) McIlroy, Thad (2023-06-05). "A Manifesto, of Sorts: AI is about to turn book publishing upside-down". _Publishers Weekly_. **270** (23): 25–28\. [Gale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gale_\(publisher\) "Gale (publisher)") [A753089012](https://go.gale.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE%7CA753089012).
27.  [↑](#cite_ref-27) Reeves, Sam (2023-10-23). "Did a computer write this? Book industry grapples with AI". Agence France-Presse. [ProQuest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProQuest "ProQuest") [2879848061](https://www.proquest.com/docview/2879848061).
28.  [↑](#cite_ref-28) ["7 Benefits Of Self Publishing A Book"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201127142717/https://insidebrain.in/benefits-of-self-publishing-a-book/). _Inside Brain_. 2020-09-30. Archived from [the original](https://insidebrain.in/benefits-of-self-publishing-a-book/) on 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
29.  [↑](#cite_ref-twsUSAToday44352_29-0) Lea Franczak (2014-12-02). ["Interview: Sarah Grimm, author of 'Midnight Heat'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171107004632/http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2014/12/02/sarah-grimm-interview-midnight-heat/). USA Today. Archived from [the original](http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2014/12/02/sarah-grimm-interview-midnight-heat/) on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2017-10-20. ...tried-and-true formatters, cover artists and editors who don't cost a small fortune...
30.  [↑](#cite_ref-:02_30-0) Lane, Jaqui (2016-09-20). ["The cost of marketing and selling your self-published book"](https://thebookadviser.com.au/cost-marketing-book-part-5/). _The Book Adviser_. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
31.  [↑](#cite_ref-twsNPR8993_31-0) Siegel, Robert; Cornish, Audie (2013-02-04). ["Self-Publishing Now The First Choice For Some Writers"](https://www.npr.org/2013/02/04/171103053/self-publishing-now-the-first-choice-for-some-writers). _All Things Considered_. NPR. Retrieved 2017-10-20. ...survey found that the number of self-published books in the U.S. has almost tripled in the past six years...
32.  [↑](#cite_ref-32) Schroff, Simone (2024-11-09). ["Missing the point- the disappointed hope of self- publishing authors"](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F10286632.2023.2288584). _International Journal of Cultural Policy_. **30** (7): 960–977\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10.1080/10286632.2023.2288584](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F10286632.2023.2288584).
33.  [↑](#cite_ref-33) ["Self-publish an ebook - apple books for authors"](https://authors.apple.com/). _Apple Books for Authors_. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
34.  [↑](#cite_ref-34) ["Self-Publish Your Book with Barnes & Noble Press"](https://press.barnesandnoble.com/). _Barnes & Noble Press_. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
35.  [↑](#cite_ref-bod.de/Pressebroschuere-202222_35-0) ["Presse-broschüre"](https://www.bod.de/fileadmin/user_upload_de_ch/Downloads/Dokumente/BoD_Infos/BoD-Pressebroschuere-2022.pdf) (PDF). _BoD.de_. 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
36.  [↑](#cite_ref-welt.de/13009304522_36-0) Stocker, Frank (2014-07-13). ["Die Laienliteraten"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160909014148/http://www.welt.de/print/wams/finanzen/article130093045/Die-Laienliteraten.html). _[Die Welt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Welt "Die Welt")_ (in German). Archived from [the original](http://www.welt.de/print/wams/finanzen/article130093045/Die-Laienliteraten.html) on 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
37.  [↑](#cite_ref-francetvinfo/337566722_37-0) ["La sélection Renaudot l'a révélé : le boom de l'autoédition en France"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201031204816/https://www.francetvinfo.fr/culture/livres/la-selection-renaudot-l-a-revele-le-boom-de-l-autoedition-en-france_3375667.html). _[Franceinfo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franceinfo "Franceinfo")_ (in French). 2018-09-26. Archived from [the original](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/culture/livres/la-selection-renaudot-l-a-revele-le-boom-de-l-autoedition-en-france_3375667.html) on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
38.  [↑](#cite_ref-phys.org/self-publishing22_38-0) Toussaint, Benoit. ["World's biggest book fair explores self-publishing trend"](https://phys.org/news/2013-10-world-biggest-fair-explores-self-publishing.html). _[phys.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phys.org "Phys.org")_. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
39.  [↑](#cite_ref-39) ["An idea that changed the publishing world"](https://hamburg-news.hamburg/en/companies/idea-changed-publishing-world). _Hamburg News_. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
40.  [↑](#cite_ref-40) ["Draft2Digital"](https://draft2digital.com/). _draft2digital.com_. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
41.  [↑](#cite_ref-41) Relations, Dovetail Public. ["Draft2Digital to Acquire Smashwords"](https://blog.smashwords.com/2022/02/united.html). Retrieved 2026-05-13.
42.  [↑](#cite_ref-42) ["Online Self-Publishing Platform - Publish Books Online Globally"](https://publishdrive.com/). _Online Self-Publishing Platform - Publish Books Online Globally_. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
43.  [↑](#cite_ref-43) O, David (2020-02-15). ["Why Most Self Published Authors Make Less Than $1,000 Per Year"](https://entrepreneurshandbook.co/why-most-self-published-authors-make-less-than-1-000-per-year-9330b4891789). _Medium_. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
44.  [↑](#cite_ref-twsNPR2322_44-0) Steve Henn (2014-07-25). ["Self-Published Authors Make A Living – And Sometimes A Fortune"](https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2014/07/25/334484331/unknown-authors-make-a-living-self-publishing). NPR. Retrieved 2017-10-20. ...Five years ago, printing your own book was stigmatized and was seen as a mark of failure...
45.  [1](#cite_ref-twsNYT8000922_45-0) [2](#cite_ref-twsNYT8000922_45-1) Alexandra Alter (2016-01-30). ["Meredith Wild, a Self-Publisher Making an Imprint"](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/business/media/meredith-wild-a-self-publisher-making-an-imprint.html). NYT. Retrieved 2017-10-20. ...the ones who are very successful at it are making a lot of money, which ... can be hard to match with the traditional publishing royalty structure...
46.  [↑](#cite_ref-ABCnet4442_46-0) ["The Other Side"](https://www.abc.net.au/austory/specials/theotherside/default.htm). [_Australian Story_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Story "Australian Story"). 2014-02-03. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC Television. [Program Transcript](https://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2012/s3937096.htm). Retrieved 2017-01-24.
47.  [1](#cite_ref-twsUSAToday1432_47-0) [2](#cite_ref-twsUSAToday1432_47-1) Jeremy Greenfield (2013-11-29). ["Companies book profits from self-publishing"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/11/29/the-upsurge-in-self-published-books/3191731/). USA Today. Retrieved 2017-10-20. … According to Smashwords … the best-selling 1 % of titles net half the sales….
48.  [1](#cite_ref-twsNYT767622_48-0) [2](#cite_ref-twsNYT767622_48-1) ["Carl-Johan Forssen Ehrlin, a Role Model for Self-Publishing"](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/15/arts/international/carl-johan-forssen-ehrlin-a-role-model-for-self-publishing.html). NYT. 2015-10-14. Retrieved 2017-10-20. ....In 2010, Carl-Johan Forssen Ehrlin, a Swedish self-help author and life coach, self-published his first children's book, 'The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep'
49.  [1](#cite_ref-Martian222_49-0) [2](#cite_ref-Martian222_49-1) ["The surprising story of how Andy Weir's self-published book _The Martian_ topped best seller lists and got a movie deal"](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-andy-weirs-the-martian-became-so-successful-2015-6). _Businessinsider.com_. Retrieved 2017-01-28.
50.  [↑](#cite_ref-MartianBook12_50-0) ["The Martian (Book)"](http://ew.com/article/2014/02/12/martian/). _EW.com_. Retrieved 2017-01-28.
51.  [↑](#cite_ref-huffpost_books2_51-0) Balson, Ronald H. (2013-10-08). ["Bestseller Success Stories that Started Out as Self-Published Books"](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ronald-h-balson/bestseller-success-storie_b_4064574.html). _[The Huffington Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Huffington_Post "The Huffington Post")_. Retrieved 2015-07-22. In 1931, Irma Rombauer wrote 'The Joy of Cooking,' with her daughter...
52.  [↑](#cite_ref-twsWSJ94392_52-0) Alexandra Alter (2013-03-14). ["Sci-Fi's Underground Hit: Authors are snubbing publishers and insisting on keeping e-book rights. How one novelist made more than $1 million before his book hit stores"](https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324678604578340752088305668). WSJ. Retrieved 2017-10-20. ...Hugh Howey's postapocalyptic thriller 'Wool' has sold more than half a million copies...
53.  [1](#cite_ref-twsNPR44322_53-0) [2](#cite_ref-twsNPR44322_53-1) LYNN NEARY (2012-12-19). ["Self-Publishing: No Longer Just a Vanity Project"](https://www.npr.org/2012/12/19/167448748/self-publishing-no-longer-just-a-vanity-project). NPR. Retrieved 2017-10-20. ...They used to call it the 'vanity press,' and the phrase itself spoke volumes...
54.  [↑](#cite_ref-The_Sunday_Times2_54-0) ["To her, PA means personal assassin"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150709222417/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/newsreview/features/article1436183.ece). _The Sunday Times_. July 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/newsreview/features/article1436183.ece) on 2015-07-09.