The Publish It Yourself Primer: Basic Training for First-Time Self-Publishers

You don’t need another book promising shortcuts, passive income, or instant bestseller status. There's plenty of that around.
What you do need is a clear understanding of what publishing actually involves—before you invest time, money, or emotional energy in the wrong places.
The Publish It Yourself Primer is written for thoughtful writers who want to bring a book into the world with confidence, realism, and care. Rather than selling a system or platform, this book explains the publishing landscape itself—how books are made, how decisions ripple downstream, and why so many first-time authors feel overwhelmed before they even finish writing. The Primer speaks from experience to give you an introduction to the many decisions you will make as you develop your manuscript into a book, decisions that will consume precious time, money, and creative juice. Take a tour of what's involved in editing, formatting, design, production, distribution, and marketing before you take the plunge.
This book is especially useful if you:

• Are writing your first nonfiction book, memoir, or novel.
• Feel unsure what “self-publishing” really means in practice.
• Want to avoid costly mistakes and false expectations.
• Are juggling creative goals with real-world constraints.
• Prefer clear explanations over hype or hustle.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A plain-language overview of how publishing works, historically and today.
• A breakdown of the major decisions every author faces—often earlier than expected.
• Guidance on format, structure, editing, design, and production—ISBNs and copyright.
• A realistic look at platforms and publishing services like Amazon KDP and where they fit in the larger ecosystem.
• Common questions and answers for self-publishers.
• A glossary of 175 publishing terms and concepts.
• Reassurance for writers who feel behind, uncertain, or intimidated.

This is not a checklist or a get-rich-quick manual. It’s a primer—a grounding orientation designed to help writers understand the terrain before they move forward and get lost in the woods.
Many readers use this book alongside writing classes, workshops, or their own manuscripts in progress. Others return to specific chapters as reference points when questions arise.
If you’re serious about publishing—and want to approach it with clarity instead of confusion—this book will help you start on solid footing.

Michael McCandless has worked in and around book publishing for more than four decades in the traditional publishing, textbook, technical, nonprofit, and independent self-publishing sectors. He has published more than 30 books and has self-published since the dawn of the print-on-demand and internet ages. His books and self-publishing classes emphasize clarity over hype, realistic expectations, and respect for the creative process. Prior to establishing Touchwood Press to publish fiction and nonfiction titles from independent authors, he was an executive and management consultant for Silicon Valley and nonprofit organizations.