Writing the book is one part of the journey. Preparing it for publication, choosing your tools, understanding the costs, and finding your readers are the next steps, and each one comes with decisions that are easier to make before you spend money.
The Author’s Roadmap is a free, twelve-part series that shows you how to publish a book by taking those decisions in the order you will meet them, from a finished draft to a book in readers’ hands. Each post answers one question, gives you a checklist or worksheet, and shows what a task costs whether you do it yourself or hire help.
Where are you right now?
- I just finished my manuscript. Start with Part 1, Finished Your Manuscript? How to Choose Between Traditional, Independent, and Hybrid Publishing.
- I’m not sure my manuscript is ready. Part 2, Is Your Manuscript Actually Ready?, explains the four types of editing and what beta readers can tell you.
- I need to know what this will cost. Part 3, How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book?, prices three real budgets line by line.
- I’m deciding what software to buy. Part 4, Atticus, Vellum, or Free?, separates the free tools from the ones worth buying later.
- My files are nearly ready. Parts 5 through 9 cover formatting, copyright and ISBNs, Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and final proofs.
- My book is out, or almost. Parts 10 through 12 cover launches, signings and festivals, and helping readers find your book. (Coming soon)
The Author’s Roadmap
Free resources
Start with the resource that fits where you are now:
- The Independent Publishing Checklist (PDF): Work through the process from manuscript preparation to publication and launch, beginning with five decisions to make before you spend money.
- The Manuscript-Readiness Checklist (PDF): Test your draft, gather useful feedback from beta readers, and match what you find to the right kind of editing.
- The Publishing Budget Worksheet (PDF): Record your estimated expenses, compare quotes, and plan for the costs ahead.
- The Publishing Cost Calculator (spreadsheet): Total your budget by type of cost, compare three sample budgets, and calculate how many books you need to sell to recover the cost of an event.
- The Author’s Toolbox (PDF): Build a starter toolkit for $0 to $147 and decide which software can wait until your second book.
What to expect from this series
You can publish a book without buying every tool, hiring every service, or planning an elaborate launch, as long as you understand your options well enough to choose the ones your book needs.
- Every price carries the date we checked it and a link to the official source, so you can confirm it before you pay.
- We say when a step is optional, and when a free tool will do the job.
- We name the warning signs of companies that charge authors to be published.
- When professional help is worth paying for, we explain why, whether you hire us or someone else.
Working with Ford Mountain Publishing
At Ford Mountain Publishing, we believe authors deserve practical guidance, honest expectations, and the information they need to make decisions that fit their books and their budgets.
If you would like help along the way, every project begins with a free consultation and a free sample edit of about 15 pages. We offer developmental editing, proofreading, coaching, and Atticus formatting for ebook and print, and we can quote a single project price for a longer manuscript or several shorter pieces.
Stay up to date
New posts in the series arrive weekly. Join our author newsletter to receive each one, along with any price or platform changes that affect your plans.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay to get my book published?
A traditional publisher pays you, through an advance and royalties, and covers the cost of producing the book. When you self-publish, you become the publisher: you pay for services such as editing and cover design, and you keep your rights and a larger share of each sale. Be cautious of any company that asks you to pay it to become your publisher. Part 1 explains how to tell the difference.
How much does it cost to self-publish a book?
That depends on the book and on how much of the work you do yourself. Our three sample budgets for an 80,000-word novel run from about $1,040 to about $8,350 at October 2026 prices. Part 3 breaks down every line.
Do I need to buy my own ISBN?
Not always. Amazon KDP offers free ISBNs for print books, but a KDP ISBN lists Amazon as the publisher and can be used only on KDP. Buying your own through Bowker, the official U.S. agency, lets you publish under your own imprint on any platform. Part 6 walks through the decision.
Is my book protected by copyright if I don’t register it?
Yes. In the United States, copyright protection begins as soon as the work is written down. Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is optional, but it is required before you can file a lawsuit over infringement of a U.S. work. Part 6 explains registration step by step.
These resources are educational and are not legal, tax, or financial advice. Prices and platform rules change, so check the official source before you pay or upload
Publishing with heart, for dreamers of every age.