Self-Publishing Process
Paperback vs Hardcover for Self-Publishing: Which to Print First
Paperback is the default debut format. Hardcover is a premium and a cost. How to choose — and what AuthorShelf packages actually include.
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Self-publishing guides for authors who want clarity
Transparent packages, royalties, Lightning Source literacy, and the Author Portal — written for authors who refuse opaque paid packages.
Author Portal Guides
What Is an Author Portal? (And Why Email-Only Production Fails)
An author portal is the production command center: phases, files, proofs, messages, royalties. Google shows “author portal” — here is what it should include.
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Self-Publishing Process
Self-Publishing for First-Time Authors: A Practical Starting Guide
First book, first decisions: readiness, budget, DIY vs package, Launch vs Pro, and what to ignore (bestsellers-for-sale).
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Royalties & Distribution
Print-on-Demand Self-Publishing Explained (No Garage Full of Cartons)
POD prints a copy when it sells. That is how debut authors avoid a garage of cartons. What POD is, what it is not, and how packages use…
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Royalties & Distribution
How to Price a Self-Published Book (Print, eBook, and Net Royalties)
Price is not a vibe. It is trim, page count, channel discount, and print cost. How to set a number without copying a bestseller’s $9.99 by accident.
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Company & Industry
BookBaby Alternative for Debut Authors: What Actually Differs
BookBaby is a known assisted-publishing catalog. AuthorShelf competes on listed six-tier packages, lifetime portal, and 100% net royalties. Honest overlap and differences.
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Company & Industry
Author Solutions Alternative: AuthorHouse, Xlibris, iUniverse — What to Compare
AuthorHouse, Xlibris, and iUniverse sit in the same research set. Use one comparison: listed total, rights, royalties, and whether production is visible.
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Royalties & Distribution
How to Get Your Book in Bookstores (Orderability vs Being Stocked)
Bookstores order returnable titles they believe they can sell. Distribution setup makes the book orderable. It does not force a shelf. Here is the honest path.
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Packages & Pricing
Book Editing Services Prices: What an Editor Costs (2026)
Book editing services prices at AuthorShelf: developmental editing $380, copyediting plus proofreading $799. The right price depends on the level, not a single “edit.”
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Royalties & Distribution
IngramSpark vs KDP: Amazon KDP vs IngramSpark (2026)
IngramSpark vs KDP: KDP lists the book on Amazon. IngramSpark makes a paperback orderable by other retailers. Using both means two file setups, or one package that coordinates…
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