Amazon offers a program that lets you self-publish a book via CreateSpace. There is no charge to generate a book with CreateSpace. Self-publishing helps you get your book out to readers if you have not had luck with traditional publishers. If you are a published author, you may publish out-of-print books you own the rights to. You can even publish novels or books to use as promotional items to help other books.
Instructions
- 1
Convert your manuscript to .pdf format. Your .pdf needs to be the same size as the paperback size you desire, with 0.5 inch margins all around.
2Go to Amazon.com and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Here you will see a link that says, "Self-Publish With Us." Follow that link to get to CreateSpace and set up an account. When you are logged in, click "Add New Title" under "My Products." Choose the option to create a paperback book on the next page.
3Enter title information for your book on the next page. This will include the book's volume number and description. Either assign an ISBN or have Amazon create one for you. If this book is not previously published, it's best to have Amazon assign the ISBN so the company can sell it through its marketplace. You also will enter the imprint name and the category in which your book will appear on Amazon. The imprint name is the brand, or publishing establishment, name for your book. Your book's title will be searchable as well as your author name. The book's description should be designed to entice readers to purchase your book.
4Enter the physical properties on the next page. Here you supply the interior type, the trim size, the number of pages in your manuscript, and the paper color. Upload your .pdf format manuscript.
5Create the cover for your book using the cover creator tool. There are many different layouts for this. In some of the layouts, you can add your own pictures and artwork. You can also choose to upload a .pdf of a cover you've made. Ensure your cover has the right dimensions if you're uploading a ready-made one.
6Create your sales channel management information. This might be the trickiest part of creating your book. Your book can be as long or as short as you want, but length will affect the lowest price at which you can set your book. You will see the at-cost price of your book on this page. For CreateSpace ebook sales, you receive 20 percent of sales price. For Amazon sales, you get 40 percent, and for the expanded distribution plan, you get 60 percent of the list price. There is a charge to sign up for the expanded distribution plan.
7Review your setup. Download a proof and proofread your new book. Approve the manuscript when it's ready for sale.
