Skip to content
Big Impact BooksPublishing and promotion for experts
Menu

Publish my book

How do I publish my book? A clear path for busy experts

Last updated:

To publish your book, choose a route (traditional publishing, self-publishing, or a done-for-you independent publisher), develop the manuscript, then publish and market it.

For CEOs, attorneys, and business owners, the hardest part is usually time, not ideas. Big Impact Books offers a done-for-you route: guided interviews of about one hour a week develop the manuscript in your voice, and the team handles publishing and promotion with you.

Talk to us about publishing my bookGet the free Book Planning Checklist

How can I publish my own book if I do not have time to write it?

You can publish your own book without writing every word yourself by working with a done-for-you publisher. With Big Impact Books, you talk through your expertise in guided interviews, and the team shapes those conversations into a manuscript that still sounds like you.

If you enjoy writing and have the time, self-publishing gives you full control. If you want bookstore reach and can wait, traditional publishing may suit you. If you want authority sooner without a blank page, done-for-you is the most practical route.

Definition

What does it mean to publish my own book?

To publish your own book means getting your manuscript edited, designed, formatted, and made available to buy, whether through a publisher or on your own. People often say it when they mean self-publishing on a platform such as Amazon KDP, but you can also keep ownership of your ideas while a publisher does the work.

Big Impact Books, an independent publisher, describes its process as done-for-you publishing and promotion for experts. Your expertise, stories, and voice stay at the center, while guided interviews, publishing, and promotion are handled with you.

By the numbers

Publishing numbers to know first

  • 18 to 36 months or longer: typical traditional publishing timeline once querying, acquisition, editing, production, and scheduling are counted, per Atmosphere Press.
  • Upwards of 50% of net receipts: what hybrid contracts commonly offer, according to the Authors Guild as cited by Atmosphere Press.
  • More than five to one: self-published titles now outnumber traditionally published ones, per Instant Press citing Publishers Weekly (March 2026).
  • 1 hour a week: the time the Big Impact Books interview process is designed to take.

Sources: Atmosphere Press, Instant Press, Big Impact Books.

How to publish my book, step by step

These steps apply to any route. The difference is who does each one.

  1. Decide what the book must do

    Build authority, attract clients, support speaking, or sell widely in stores. The goal shapes every later choice.

  2. Choose your route

    Traditional, self-publishing, or a done-for-you independent publisher. Compare them on time, cost, control, and help.

  3. Develop the manuscript

    Write it yourself, work with a coach, or use guided interviews like the Big Impact Books process.

  4. Edit, design, and format

    A professional finish matters. Readers judge credibility by the cover and the interior as well as the ideas.

  5. Publish and distribute

    Make the book available where your readers buy. Some new authors start with Kindle Select for at least the first 90 days, per a 2026 YouTube publishing guide.

  6. Market before and after launch

    Start building your audience early, then keep the book relevant with podcasts, media, and content drawn from it.

Three ways to publish my own book, compared

Publishing routes compared on the same criteria, including the Big Impact Books done-for-you route. Sources: Big Impact Books; Atmosphere Press.
CriteriaDone-for-you (Big Impact Books)Self-publishingTraditional publishing
Your timeAbout one hour a week of guided interviewsHigh: you write and manage every taskHigh: writing, querying, and revisions
ControlYour voice and expertise stay centralFull controlPublisher shares or holds key decisions
SpeedNot published; ask Big Impact BooksDepends on your pace18 to 36 months or longer
Marketing helpPodcast placements and media coverageNone unless you hire itVaries by publisher and title

How to find a book publisher to publish my book

Ask every publisher the same six questions before you sign anything:

  1. Who develops the manuscript, and how much of my time does it take?
  2. Who owns the rights, and who has final creative control?
  3. How are royalties calculated, and what is deducted first?
  4. What marketing is included, and when does it start?
  5. What is the realistic timeline from first call to launch?
  6. What are the price and payment terms?

The guide comparing book publishing services answers these for five options. You can also read how Big Impact Books book publishing services work from start to finish.

Ready to publish your book without the blank page?

Share your idea and your goals with Big Impact Books. The team will follow up about guided interviews, publishing, and promotion for your book.

Contact Big Impact BooksNot ready yet? Get the free checklist

Prefer email? Write to hello@yourbigimpactbook.com or text 623.418.0723.

Common questions

How do I publish my own book?

You have three main routes: traditional publishing, self-publishing, or working with an independent or hybrid publisher. Atmosphere Press notes traditional publishing can take 18 to 36 months or longer. Self-publishing puts every task on you. A done-for-you publisher such as Big Impact Books handles the writing process, publishing, and promotion together with you.

More answers in the FAQ
How can I publish my book without an agent?

You can self-publish through a platform such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, or you can work with an independent publisher. Neither route requires a literary agent. Big Impact Books works directly with CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners, so there is no query process. Contact the team to talk through your goals for the book.

More answers in the FAQ
How do I find a book publisher to publish my book?

Decide first what the book must do for you: build authority, attract clients, or sell widely in stores. Then compare publishers on writing support, rights, royalties, marketing, timeline, and published price. The Big Impact Books guide comparing book publishing services lays these out side by side, using the same criteria for every option.

More answers in the FAQ
Who is the best publisher for first time authors?

It depends on the author’s goal. For first time authors who are busy experts and want a book that builds authority, a done-for-you option with writing support and promotion, such as Big Impact Books, fits well. Authors who want full control on a tight budget may prefer self-publishing. Traditional publishing suits authors seeking bookstore reach who can wait.

More answers in the FAQ
How much money do I need to publish a book?

It varies widely. Published package prices in the market include a $700 Basic Package and a $7,000 Expert Package at Pine Book Publishing, and packages starting at $7,200 at Atmosphere Press. Self-publishing can cost less if you do the work yourself. Big Impact Books does not publish fixed prices, so ask for a quote.

More answers in the FAQ
How long does it take to publish a book?

Timelines depend on the route. Atmosphere Press notes that traditional publishing can take 18 to 36 months or longer once querying, acquisition, editing, production, and scheduling are counted. Self-publishing can move faster when the manuscript is ready. Big Impact Books does not publish a fixed timeline, so ask on a call how long your book is likely to take.

More answers in the FAQ
What is the 3 book rule?

The phrase is used informally and its meaning varies, so treat it as a rule of thumb. A common idea in author communities is that releasing books in a series builds momentum. One Quora contributor reported sales rising from 2 every 3 days to 3 every 2 days after a second book came out about 5 weeks later.

More answers in the FAQ
What should I prepare before contacting a publisher?

Know who your ideal reader is, what problem the book solves, and how the book supports your business goals. A rough list of topics or client stories helps. You do not need a finished manuscript to contact Big Impact Books, because its process develops the manuscript with you through guided interviews.

More answers in the FAQ
Read all book publishing and marketing questions