How to Publish a Book for
Free and Get Paid for It
Publishing a book can seem like a daunting task, especially if you are concerned about the costs involved. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to publish a book for free and eve
earn money from it. This article explores various methods and tools that allow you to publish your book without spending a dime while still having the potential to earn income from your work.
Best Free Book Publishing Apps and Tools
For writers looking to publish their work without incurring expenses, several free tools and apps are available that can assist in the creation, formatting, and publication of your book. Among the most popular is BookWright, a free desktop application that allows authors to create professional-quality books. Whether you’re working on a novel, a photo book, or a portfolio, BookWright offers a range of templates and customization options to suit your needs. The application is free to download and use, although publishing costs may vary depending on the distribution channels you choose.
Another excellent tool is Blurb, which provides free software for designing and publishing books. It integrates with BookWright, making it easy to publish both print and digital versions of your book. Blurb allows you to sell your book through its platform and other distribution channels like Amazon.
Reedsy is another popular platform offering free book editing, formatting, and design tools. While some of Reedsy's services, such as professional editing, come at a cost, the platform's basic book creation tools are free and user-friendly.
Write Books Online for Free
If you prefer working directly online without the need for downloading software, there are platforms that enable you to write, format, and publish your book directly from your web browser. Wattpad is one such platform, offering a massive community of readers and writers where you can publish your work chapter by chapter. This is an excellent option for those who wish to build an audience while they write. Although Wattpad doesn’t pay its writers directly, it offers opportunities for monetization through its Wattpad Stars program, which connects popular writers with paid writing opportunities.
Draft2Digital is another online service that allows authors to write, format, and publish their books for free. It handles the distribution to various online retailers like Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble. Draft2Digital earns its revenue by taking a small percentage of your sales, but the upfront cost to the author is zero.
Free Book Publishing Apps for Students
Students often look for budget-friendly or free options to publish their academic work or creative writing projects. Apps like Scrivener, although traditionally a paid app, offer discounts for students and educational purposes. However, if you’re strictly looking for free alternatives, Google Docs can be a powerful tool. It’s entirely free and allows collaborative editing, making it ideal for group projects or receiving feedback from peers.
Another option is Calibre, a free and open-source eBook management tool. Calibre allows students to create, format, and publish eBooks in various formats, including EPUB and MOBI. It’s particularly useful for students who need to publish their work in a specific digital format for academic purposes.
Free eBook Publishing Sites
Publishing an eBook is one of the most cost-effective ways to get your work out there. There are several platforms where you can publish your eBook for free. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is perhaps the most well-known platform, allowing authors to publish their eBooks and make them available to millions of readers worldwide. While KDP is free to use, Amazon takes a percentage of your sales as a commission.
Smashwords is another free eBook publishing platform that distributes to major retailers and libraries. It offers a wide range of distribution options, and like KDP, it only takes a small percentage of your sales, making it a cost-effective way to reach a broad audience.
For those looking to retain more control over their sales, Gumroad offers a free publishing platform where authors can sell their eBooks directly to readers. Gumroad allows you to set your price and offers options for pay-what-you-want pricing, making it flexible and author-friendly.
Free Book Publishing
with ISBN
Obtaining an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) can be essential for authors looking to publish and distribute their books widely. Fortunately, several platforms offer free ISBNs as part of their publishing services. For example, Amazon KDP provides a free ISBN for books published through its platform. This ISBN can only be used with Amazon, but it allows your book to be listed in Amazon’s online bookstore and other affiliated distribution channels.
Smashwords also offers a free ISBN for eBooks published through its platform. This ISBN allows your book to be distributed to major retailers and libraries, giving you access to a wide audience without the upfront cost of purchasing an ISBN yourself.
Another option is Lulu, a self-publishing platform that offers a free ISBN when you publish your book through their service. Lulu provides options for both print and digital books, and the free ISBN ensures your book is listed in major online bookstores.
How to Publish a Book for Free Online
Publishing a book online for free is easier than ever, thanks to numerous platforms that cater to indie authors. Wattpad and Medium are great options for serializing your work, allowing you to build a readership as you publish chapters or essays.
For those looking to publish a complete book, Amazon KDP and Smashwords are excellent choices. Both platforms are free to use and distribute your book to a wide range of online retailers. The process involves formatting your manuscript according to the platform’s guidelines, uploading your book, and setting your price. Once published, your book will be available for sale globally.
Reedsy also offers a free book creation tool that allows you to format your book for free and then export it for publication on platforms like KDP. This is an excellent option for authors who want a bit more control over the design and formatting of their books.
Free Book Publishing for Students
Students often face budget constraints, making free book publishing options particularly attractive. Google Docs and Wattpad are excellent free tools for students to write, edit, and publish their work. For those who want to publish a physical book, platforms like Blurb and Lulu offer free publishing options, though you’ll need to pay for physical copies.
Pressbooks is another tool that’s great for students. It’s a web-based book production software that allows users to create and format books for free. While some features require payment, the basic service is free, making it an excellent option for students looking to publish their work in a professional format.
Is BookWright Free?
Yes, BookWright is free to download and use. It’s a powerful tool offered by Blurb that allows authors to create professional-looking books, magazines, and eBooks without the need for advanced design skills. BookWright comes with a range of templates, or you can create your own from scratch. While the software itself is free, publishing costs depend on the type of book you’re creating and the distribution channels you choose. For instance, digital books can be published at no cost, but print books will incur printing and shipping fees.
BookWright is particularly well-suited for authors looking to produce high-quality photo books, cookbooks, or portfolios. It integrates seamlessly with Blurb’s printing services, allowing you to easily publish your book once it’s ready. For authors focused on digital publications, BookWright provides options to export your book in eBook formats like PDF, EPUB, or MOBI, all at no cost.
Final Thoughts
Publishing a book for free is more accessible than ever, thanks to the array of tools, apps, and platforms available to writers today. Whether you're a student looking to publish a thesis, a budding novelist eager to share your story with the world, or someone simply wanting to publish a memoir for friends and family, there are free options to suit your needs.
From creating and formatting your book with tools like BookWright and Reedsy to publishing on platforms like Amazon KDP and Smashwords, the possibilities are vast and varied. The key is to find the platform and tools that best fit your goals, whether they involve reaching a global audience, maintaining control over your work, or simply sharing your story with those who matter most.
By leveraging these free resources, you can turn your writing dream into a reality without breaking the bank, and potentially even earn money from your work in the process.
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