Yes, you can get a book published — and in 2026, you have more paths to publication than ever before. More than four million books were published in the United States in 2025, with self-published titles accounting for over 3.5 million of them. This guide walks you through both traditional and self-publishing so you can pick the path that fits your goals.
Choose your publishing path
Before you do anything else, decide which route makes sense for your book. The two main options are traditional publishing and self-publishing. Each has real advantages and real tradeoffs.
Traditional publishing means a publishing house acquires, edits, designs, prints, and distributes your book. You typically need a literary agent to get your manuscript in front of editors at major houses like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, or Simon & Schuster. The publisher pays you an advance against royalties and handles production. You give up some creative control and most of your royalties (authors typically earn 10-15% of the cover price for print books).
Self-publishing means you handle everything — editing, cover design, formatting, distribution — yourself or by hiring freelancers. Platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital make this possible without upfront investment from a publisher. You keep full creative control and earn significantly higher royalties (up to 70% on ebooks through Amazon KDP and 60% on print books priced above $9.99).
| Factor | Traditional Publishing | Self-Publishing |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | 1-3 years from signing | Weeks to months |
| Upfront cost to you | $0 (publisher pays) | $500-$5,000+ |
| Royalty rate | 10-15% (print), 25% (ebook) | 35-70% (ebook), 50-60% (print) |
| Creative control | Limited | Full |
| Distribution | Bookstores, libraries, online | Primarily online |
| Credibility signal | High perceived authority | Growing acceptance |
There is no universally better option. Traditional publishing makes sense if you want bookstore distribution, the validation of a known imprint, and a publisher-funded marketing budget. Self-publishing makes sense if you want speed, higher per-book earnings, and complete control over your product.
For a deeper comparison, read our guide on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing.
How to get traditionally published
Traditional publishing follows a predictable sequence: finish your manuscript, find a literary agent, go on submission to publishers, negotiate a deal. Here is each step in detail.
Finish and polish your manuscript
No agent or publisher will look at an incomplete book (unless you are writing nonfiction, where you can sell on a proposal — more on that below). Your manuscript needs to be as close to publication-ready as possible before you query agents.
Write a complete draft. Then revise it yourself — multiple times. Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing. Run it through tools like ProWritingAid or Hemingway Editor to flag passive voice and readability issues. Then get feedback from beta readers or a critique group.
Consider hiring a developmental editor before querying. A strong manuscript is the single biggest factor in landing an agent. According to data from WordsRated, agents reject roughly 95% of query submissions, and most rejections happen because the manuscript is not ready.
For nonfiction: you usually do not need a finished manuscript. Instead, you write a book proposal — a document that includes a market analysis, chapter outline, sample chapters, and your platform (the audience you already have). A strong proposal demonstrates that your book has a market and that you are the right person to write it.
Find the right literary agent
A literary agent is your advocate in the publishing industry. They pitch your book to editors, negotiate your contract, and guide your career. Agents earn a 15% commission on domestic sales and 20% on foreign rights — they make money only when you do.
Start your search with these resources:
- QueryTracker — The most comprehensive free agent database. Search by genre, see response time data, and track your submissions.
- Manuscript Wish List — See exactly what agents are actively looking for right now.
- Publishers Marketplace — Track deal announcements to find agents who sell books like yours.
- Reedsy — A curated directory of agents accepting submissions.
Research each agent before querying. Read their submission guidelines, check what books they have sold, and confirm they represent your genre. A great agent for literary fiction is the wrong agent for a self-help book.
For a complete walkthrough, see our guide on how to find a literary agent.
Write a query letter that stands out
Your query letter is a one-page pitch that convinces an agent to read your manuscript. It has three parts:
- The hook — A brief, compelling description of your book (think of the text on a book jacket). Include the title, genre, word count, and comparable titles.
- Your credentials — Relevant writing credits, professional expertise related to your book’s topic, or platform numbers. If you have none, keep this section short.
- The close — A polite sign-off thanking the agent for their time.
Most authors query 40 to 100 agents before finding representation. Rejections are normal — they are part of the process, not a reflection of your book’s quality. Send queries in batches of 10-15 so you can refine your letter based on response patterns.
Navigate the submission process
Once an agent agrees to represent you, they go “on submission” — sending your manuscript to editors at publishing houses. This stage can take weeks or months. Your agent handles everything: choosing which editors to pitch, following up, and managing any auction if multiple publishers make offers.
If a publisher wants your book, your agent negotiates the deal — advance amount, royalty rates, subsidiary rights (audio, film, translation), and more. According to the Association of Authors’ Representatives, agents consistently negotiate better terms than unagented authors receive.
Advances for debut authors vary enormously. A first novel might earn $5,000 to $50,000, while nonfiction advances depend heavily on the author’s platform. You earn royalties only after your book “earns out” the advance through sales.
How to self-publish your book
Self-publishing gives you full control of the process. You decide the timeline, the pricing, the cover, and the marketing strategy. Here is how to do it right.
Edit professionally
Never skip professional editing. Readers can tell, and they leave reviews about it. Budget for at least one of these levels:
- Developmental editing — Structural feedback on organization, argument, pacing, and flow. Most important for first-time authors. Costs $1,000-$3,000.
- Copy editing — Grammar, punctuation, consistency, and style. Costs $500-$1,500.
- Proofreading — Final polish catching typos and formatting errors. Costs $300-$800.
For nonfiction, developmental editing is especially valuable because structure determines whether readers actually finish your book. AI tools like Chapter.pub can help you draft and organize your manuscript before you send it to a human editor — giving the editor a stronger starting point and potentially reducing editing costs.
Design a professional cover
Your cover is your book’s most important marketing asset. Readers judge books by their covers — literally. A professional cover designer costs $300-$1,500 and is worth every dollar.
Study the bestselling covers in your category on Amazon. Note the fonts, colors, imagery, and layout conventions. Your cover needs to look like it belongs on that shelf while standing out enough to catch attention.
For more guidance, read our post on how to design a book cover.
Format your interior
Your book needs to be formatted correctly for every format you publish in — ebook (EPUB and MOBI), paperback, and potentially hardcover. Tools that handle formatting include:
- Vellum (Mac only) — The industry standard for self-published authors
- Atticus — Cross-platform alternative to Vellum
- Amazon KDP’s free formatting tools — Basic but functional
For Kindle-specific formatting tips, see our guide on how to format a book for Kindle.
Publish and distribute
Amazon KDP is the dominant self-publishing platform, and for most authors it should be your first (and possibly only) distribution channel. Upload your files, set your price, and your book goes live within 72 hours.
Key decisions when publishing on KDP:
- Ebook pricing: Price between $2.99 and $9.99 to qualify for the 70% royalty rate. Below $2.99, you earn only 35%.
- Print pricing: Since June 2025, books priced below $9.99 earn a 50% royalty instead of 60%. Price accordingly.
- KDP Select: Enrolling gives you access to Kindle Unlimited readers and promotional tools, but requires 90-day exclusivity on Amazon. Worth testing for your first book.
If you want wider distribution (Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, libraries), consider going “wide” through aggregators like Draft2Digital or IngramSpark. Our guide on wide vs. exclusive publishing covers this decision in detail.
For a step-by-step Amazon walkthrough, read how to self-publish a book on Amazon.
Market your book
Publishing your book is not the finish line — it is the starting line. Self-published authors are responsible for their own marketing. Start building momentum before launch day.
Effective strategies include:
- Build an email list before you publish. Even a small list of 200 engaged readers can generate enough launch-week sales to trigger Amazon’s recommendation algorithm.
- Use Amazon ads to drive targeted traffic. Start with a small daily budget ($5-$10) and test keywords related to your genre and comparable titles. Our Amazon ads guide covers the specifics.
- Create a reader magnet — a free piece of content (short story, checklist, first chapter) that grows your email list.
- Build an author platform through a website, social media presence, or speaking engagements.
For a complete marketing plan, see how to market a self-published book.
Use AI to write faster (without sacrificing quality)
Regardless of which publishing path you choose, you still need a finished manuscript — and that is where most aspiring authors stall. AI writing tools can help you get past the blank page, organize your ideas, and produce a draft faster.
Our Pick — Chapter
Chapter.pub helps nonfiction authors go from idea to complete manuscript using AI-assisted writing. It handles outlining, drafting, and structuring — so you focus on your expertise and voice instead of staring at a blank screen.
Best for: Nonfiction authors who want to finish their book faster Pricing: $97 one-time Why we built it: Over 2,147 authors have used Chapter to create more than 5,000 books. Many of our users are first-time authors who had the expertise but needed a system to turn their knowledge into a structured book.
Whether you use AI tools or write every word yourself, the goal is the same: a polished manuscript that is ready for publication. For more on writing with AI assistance, see our guide on how to write a book with AI.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting before your manuscript is ready. Agents and readers both notice unpolished work. Invest in editing before you query or publish.
- Querying the wrong agents. Research agent preferences carefully. Sending a romance novel to an agent who only represents nonfiction wastes both your time.
- Paying a publisher to publish you. Legitimate traditional publishers never charge authors. If a “publisher” asks for money upfront, they are a vanity press — not a traditional publisher. Self-publishing is different because you are the publisher and hiring services directly.
- Skipping cover design. A homemade cover signals an amateur book. Professional design is not optional.
- Pricing too low. Especially after Amazon’s 2025 royalty changes, pricing print books below $9.99 significantly cuts your earnings. Price based on your genre’s market rate, not on what feels “cheap enough” to attract buyers.
- Publishing without a marketing plan. Neither traditional nor self-published books sell themselves. Have a strategy before launch day.
FAQ
How much does it cost to get a book published?
Traditional publishing costs you nothing upfront — the publisher covers editing, design, and printing. Self-publishing typically costs $500 to $5,000 depending on the level of professional services you hire (editing, cover design, formatting). Publishing through Amazon KDP itself is free. For a detailed breakdown, read our guide on how much it costs to self-publish a book.
How long does it take to get a book published?
Traditional publishing takes 1-3 years from signing with an agent to your book appearing on shelves. Self-publishing can happen in weeks once your manuscript is edited and formatted. The writing itself is the biggest variable — most first-time authors take 6-12 months to complete a manuscript.
Can I get a book published without an agent?
Yes. Self-publishing requires no agent at all. Even in traditional publishing, some small presses and university presses accept unagented submissions. However, the major publishing houses (the “Big Five”) almost exclusively work through agents. If you want a deal with a major publisher, you need an agent.
Do I need a finished book to get published?
For fiction: yes. Agents and publishers want to see your complete manuscript before offering a deal. For nonfiction: usually no. You can sell a nonfiction book on a book proposal that includes sample chapters, a detailed outline, and a market analysis.
How much money can I make from publishing a book?
Earnings vary enormously. The median traditionally published author earns roughly $5,000-$10,000 per book in advances. Self-published authors on Amazon KDP earn a median of about $1,000-$5,000 per title, though top performers earn six figures annually. Your income depends on genre, pricing, marketing effort, and how many books you publish. Read our post on how much authors make for detailed data.
