An Epic Guide to Self-Publishing Resources

Are you eager to self-publish your book, but just can't seem to find the resources you need? You've come to the right place! This epic list of self-publishing resources includes hundreds of links to reputable companies and freelancers who offer the editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, and other services you need to help bring the very best version of your book to life!


Are you ready to prepare your book for publishing?

Congratulations! Self-publishing a book is a thrilling process, but it's often an overwhelming one as well. Fortunately, finding the right publishing team to help you bring your book to life can make all the difference.

Below, I've put together an epic list of trusted and experienced companies and freelancers offering project management, editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, and other helpful services. Dive right on in and find your perfect team!


 

NOTE: While I've researched each of these services for myself and found them to be excellent, I can make no guarantees concerning their reliability or veracity going forward.

Please conduct your own research prior to utilizing any of the services listed below. Any prices mentioned are also subject to change over time.

 

 
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Marketplaces & Project Managers


Multi-Service Marketplaces

Reedsy

ReedsyA marketplace for authors looking to hire freelancers offering editing, marketing, design, publicity, and website services. Free to browse, though users must first create an account before gaining access to the marketplace.

The Book Makers: Joel Friedlander heads this team of book editors, designers, and formatters offering premium services that will help you bring your book to life.

Bibliocrunch: Within this community of authors and publishing professionals, authors can scout the perfect team members to help them create the very best version of their finished books.

99DesignsFrom book design and layout to website design and a wide array of marketing materials, 99 Designs allows authors to set their own price for their project and accept submissions from freelancers worldwide.

 

Project Managers

Megan HunnamMegan Hunnam offers several project management packages that can help self-publishing authors gain clarity and build a plan for self-publishing success.

Roz Morris: Former London literary consultant Roz Morris now offers her services to indie authors. Book her for a teaching-style report, which is designed to help you improve your writing and storytelling, or one-on-one manuscript mentoring. 

C.S. Lakin: In addition to her editing services, author and publishing expert C.S. Lakin offers coaching services and by-the-hour consultations where she provides guidance on the topic(s) of your choice, including building a writing career, book marketing, steering a new writing project, and more.

 

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Editing / Proofreading Companies

 

Editing Companies & Affiliations

NY Book Editors: This premier affiliation of editors with extensive experience working within New York's major publishing houses now offers premium manuscript critiques, comprehensive developmental editing, and copyediting services to indie authors.

Writership: Headed by executive editor Leslie Watts, this team of experienced editors offers developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading, as well as a comprehensive editing bundle. Don't forget to check out The Writership Podcast while you're at it!

The Independent Editors GroupThis team of editors has extensive experience working within New York's best publishing houses. Now they're offering premium developmental editing and line editing, manuscript evaluations, and project development to indie authors.

Invisible Ink Editing: Looking to lose the errors while keeping your voice? This team of freelance editors, headed by Liam Carnahan, provide excellent developmental and line editing services, proofreading, and audiobook production. 

EditceteraThis association of freelance publishing professionals offers developmental editing, line editing, proofreading, and many other services to both fiction and non-fiction writers alike.

Kirkus ReviewsThat's right! Kirkus Reviews now offers editing services, including a basic copyedit, a collaborative edit, and a professional editing package that mimics the same process manuscripts go through during the traditional publishing process.

The Literary ConsultancyAs the UK's first and leading editorial assessment service, TLC offers manuscript assessments, copyediting, proofreading, and other publishing services to indie authors worldwide.

The Book ButchersThis team of professional editors and industry insiders offers manuscript review packages, copyediting, and proofreading services that will "slaughter your writing, so it can rise in glory from the ashes."

The Writers' Workshop: This team of some of the UK's best authors, literary agents, and commissioning editors offers full manuscript feedback that includes in-depth commentary on both your storytelling and prose.

Edit911The team of Ph.D. editors at Edit 911 provide world-class copyediting and proofreading services for fiction and non-fiction books and other projects.

Writer's Digest: The professional team behind Writer's Digest now offers a wide array of critiques and editing services, including manuscript, synopsis, and query letter critiques, proofreading, copy editing, and developmental editing.

 

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Freelance Editors
& Proofreaders

 

Freelance Editors & Proofreaders

Ava Jae: Ava Jae is a developmental editor working with YA and NA speculative, contemporary, and mystery/thriller stories. Ava offers a plethora of editing and critique packages at a wide variety of price ranges. 

Tanya GoldTanya Gold is an experienced freelance editor working with literary and speculative fiction, memoirs, and more. Tanya offers manuscript critiques; developmental, line, and copy editing; and proofreading services.

Whitney McGruderWhitney McGruder has over 5 years of professional editing experience. She provides proofreading, copy editing, substantive editing, developmental editing, and beta reading services for fiction and nonfiction alike. She has experience in editing American, British, Canadian, and Australian English.

Sarah Fox: Sarah Fox is an experienced freelance developmental and copy editor who works with both fiction and non-fiction writers. She specializes in young adult, fantasy, romance, self-help, and business books.

Elizabeth HopeElizabeth Hope is a freelance developmental, copy, and line editor working on novels and other creative and technical projects.

Victoria Mixon: Victoria Mixon is an author and editor offering a slew of editing services, including developmental, copy, and line editing; abbreviated developmental editing; and an editor/writer mentorship program.

Roz Morris: In addition to her project mentorship services, Roz Morris offers copyediting, proofreading, and full manuscript critiques.

Liz Dexter: Through her company, LibroEditing, Liz Dexter offers some of the best proofreading and copyediting services available to indie writers online.

Sarah Kolb-WilliamsA proud member of the Professional Editor's Network and the Alliance of Independent Authors, Sarah Kolb-Williams offer three tiers of editing services for fiction writers: basic copyediting, copyediting plus, and content editing.

Arnetta of Line-Upon-Line: Arnetta is an established freelance line editor and proofreader with a penchant for sweet romances, though she works on many fiction and non-fiction pieces. 

Jodie RennerA seasoned freelance editor, Jodie Renner offers developmental and copyediting services for authors of fast-paced fiction, including thrillers and mysteries.

Wendy James: For over 15 years, Wendy James has provided top-notch proofreading to indie authors from around the world.

Debra L. Hartmann: With over 25 years of experience in the writing and publishing industries, Debra L. Hartmann provides excellent developmental, copyediting, and proofreading services.

Arlene Prunkl: At PenUltimate Editorial Services, Arlene Prunkl provides award-winning developmental, copyediting, proofreading, and manuscript evaluation services for a number of projects, fiction and otherwise.

C.S. LakinIn addition to her project management consultations, C.S. Lakin offers manuscript critiques, copyediting, and proofreading services.

Jennifer Dinsmore: After cutting her teeth in the Canadian publishing industry, Jennifer Dinsmore now offers freelance manuscript evaluations, copyediting, proofreading, promotional copy, and fact-checking/reference services.

Michelle Adams: Freelance editor Michelle Adams offers developmental editing, copy-editing, and proofreading services with a focus on working closely with not only the manuscripts but their authors.

Erin Lodes: As a freelance editor, Erin Lodes offers beta reading, developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and editorial letter critique services.

 

Cover Designers & Formatting Options


Cover Design & Formatting Companies

Ebook Launch: Offers a variety of cover design and formatting services for ebook and print books, as well as pre-made ebook covers. Prices range from $99 - $500 USD.

Author Packages: Offers custom cover design, print and ebook formatting, and promotional merchandising for indie authors at a range of affordable prices.

BeauteBook: This team of professional graphic designers and formatters provides affordable custom ebook and print book cover designs, formatting services, and a range of pre-made cover designs.

Kingwood CreationsAt Kingwood Creations, you can find a vast range of affordable pre-made ebook cover designs for nearly any genre. Paperback, audiobook, and dust jacket designs come at an additional charge.

Damonza: Headed by Damon Freeman, the team at Damonza offers some of the best ebook and print book covers, formatting, book trailer, and marketing materials available to indie authors online.

Book Cover ExpressFounded by Cathi Stevenson, the award-winning team at Book Cover Express provides cover design and interior formatting services with a focus on clarity and simplicity to attract the reader's eye.

 

Cover Designers

J.D. SmithAward-winning designer J.D. Smith offers custom book cover designs, as well as formatting and marketing materials, for a diverse range of fiction authors.

Carl at Extended ImageryAt Extended Imagery, Carl creates custom book cover designs for fiction writers of any genre, beginning at just $250 USD. He also offers pre-made cover designs beginning at just $200.

Jessica BellAward-winning designer Jessica Bell offers custom print and ebook cover designs. Members of The Alliance of Independent Authors receive 25% off.

Robin LudwigAt Go Book Cover Design, Robin Ludwig creates a plethora of graphic designs for authors, including book covers, audio book designs, box cover designs, and various marketing materials.

Syd Gill: Freelance designer Syd Gill offers custom print and ebook cover designs, as well as website design and Facebook fan page creation services.

Ana Grigoriu: After working as an art director for 7 years, Ana Grigoriu began offering one-of-a-kind affordable cover designs for indie authors worldwide.

DIY Book Covers: Have a good eye for design and a tight budget? Create your own cover design using Derek Murphy's excellent video tutorials, templates, and other design resources.

 

Do-It-Yourself Formatting Templates

Book Design Templates: At Book Design Templates, Joel Friedlander offers a wide variety of beautiful, easy-to-use manuscript formatting templates. Templates are offered at several licensing tiers ranging in price from $30 - $250 USD.

DIY Book FormatsFrom free templates and guides to a premium master package, the resources at DIY Book Formats will help you format your manuscript for a beautiful finalized book that will wow your readers.

 

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