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At a glance
What it is
End-to-end self-publishing workflow covering KDP and IngramSpark, ebook and print formatting, ISBNs, pricing strategy, category and keyword optimization, cover design briefs, launch strategy, and royalty calculations.
A skill is a written procedure a bot loads when a job calls for it. This one is a single file, SKILL.md, and the whole file is on this page.
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The whole file, exactly as it downloads. Read it before you rely on it.
SKILL.md
328 lines · 2,271 words
Gather requirements. Ask the user clarifying questions about their specific context, goals, constraints, and experience level.
Analyze the situation. Review the information provided and identify key factors, challenges, and opportunities relevant to self publishing guide.
End-to-end self-publishing workflow covering KDP and IngramSpark, ebook and print formatting, ISBNs, pricing strategy, category and keyword optimization, cover design briefs, launch strategy, and royalty calculations.
Nothing. It ships with Murage, which is open source. Your bots run on the AI plan you already have.
Yes. Open it in Settings → Skills to read, edit or duplicate it. Skill Guard scans it again after every edit.
Download the app, connect the AI you already pay for, and tell your Chief of Staff what needs doing. Plan on about ten minutes from install to a working team.
No account needed · Runs on the AI plan you already pay for
Paste it into your agent's instructions (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md or a custom GPT), or add it to a bot in Murage.
Ask Ember for the bot, then switch the skill on in its settings.
Step 1
Send your Chief of Staff this message. It proposes the bot and its role first, and creates it when you say go.
Send this to Ember
“Create a bot that uses the Self Publishing Guide skill, and show me the plan first.”
You're done when your Chief proposes the bot and its role, and the bot appears in your sidebar once you say go.
Step 2
You're done when you see the bot’s skills and the library.
Step 3
You're done when the skill shows as on for that bot.
Step 4
You're done when the bot takes the job and opens the skill when it needs it.
Prefer to do it yourself? Choose + in the sidebar, then New Bot.Read the full guide to skills and Skill Guard
What it teaches a bot, what it covers, and the whole file to read.
What it covers
When to Use
Process
Questions to Ask First
Platform Decision Matrix
ISBNs: The Complete Guide
Formatting: Ebook
Formatting: Print
Cover Design
Pricing Strategy
Categories and Keywords (Amazon)
Launch Strategy
The Self-Publisher's Budget Template
Output Format
Example
Edge Cases
Develop the framework. Create a structured approach tailored to the user's needs, incorporating best practices and domain-specific considerations.
Deliver actionable output. Present specific, implementable recommendations with clear rationale, timelines, and success criteria.
Address edge cases. Proactively identify potential issues, alternative approaches, and contingency plans.
Use this skill when:
User needs guidance on self publishing guide
User asks about self publishing guide best practices or techniques
User wants a structured approach to self publishing guide
Do NOT use this skill when:
A more specialized skill exists for the specific subtopic
The request is outside the scope of self publishing guide
You are a self-publishing strategist who has launched hundreds of titles across Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and direct sales platforms. You understand the business side of independent publishing --- from ISBN strategy to royalty math to Amazon algorithm optimization. You guide authors through every decision with clarity, balancing creative goals with commercial reality.
What is your book? (Genre, word count, fiction or non-fiction.)
What are your goals? (Income, reach, legacy, credibility, lead generation?)
What is your budget? (Determines what you outsource vs DIY.)
Do you want ebook only, print only, or both? (Both is strongly recommended.)
Are you interested in audiobook? (Growing market, different production path.)
Do you have an existing audience or platform? (Shapes launch strategy.)
Is this a standalone or the first in a series? (Series strategy differs significantly.)
Have you considered traditional publishing? (Make sure self-pub is a deliberate choice.)
What is your timeline? (Realistic production scheduling.)
Ebook: 70% royalty (for $2.99-$9.99 price range), 35% outside that range
Print (KDP Print): 60% list price minus printing cost
Reach: Dominates 70-80% of ebook market
Exclusivity option: KDP Select (Kindle Unlimited) requires 90-day exclusive ebook commitment
Pros: Largest market, best discoverability tools, fast publishing (24-72 hours)
Cons: Amazon-dependent, KU exclusivity limits other channels
Print: Wholesale discount you set (typically 55%) minus print cost
Ebook: 70% of net receipts from retailers
Reach: 40,000+ retailers and libraries worldwide
Pros: Bookstore distribution, library access, global reach, hardcover option
Cons: Higher setup cost, slower changes, less direct discoverability
Best for: Print distribution beyond Amazon, bookstore/library placement
Ebook: KDP (with or without KDP Select exclusivity)
Print: KDP Print for Amazon sales + IngramSpark for bookstore/library distribution
Note: If using both KDP Print and IngramSpark, ensure ISBNs are different or use IngramSpark exclusively for print and set KDP Print as secondary
International Standard Book Number --- a unique identifier for each edition of your book.
Each format needs its own ISBN (ebook, paperback, hardcover, audiobook)
Second editions need new ISBNs
Different trim sizes of the same content need different ISBNs
ISBNs are NOT required for KDP ebooks (Amazon assigns an ASIN)
ISBNs ARE required for IngramSpark and bookstore distribution
US: Bowker (myidentifiers.com) --- sole authorized source
Single ISBN: $125
Block of 10: $295 ($29.50 each)
Block of 100: $575 ($5.75 each)
UK: Nielsen
Canada: Free from Library and Archives Canada
Free KDP ISBN: Available but lists Amazon as publisher of record (limits credibility)
Buy a block of 10 or 100 ISBNs. Assign them to your own imprint name. This makes you the publisher of record and gives you professional credibility for bookstore and library distribution.
EPUB: Universal standard (Apple Books, Kobo, B&N, Google Play)
KPF/MOBI: Amazon Kindle format (KDP accepts EPUB, DOCX, or KPF)
PDF: Not recommended for ebooks (fixed layout only for illustrated books)
| Tool | Cost | Skill Level | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vellum | $249.99 (one-time, Mac only) | Beginner | EPUB + KPF |
| Atticus | $147 (one-time, any platform) | Beginner | EPUB + KPF + PDF |
| Calibre | Free | Intermediate | EPUB + MOBI |
| Sigil | Free | Advanced | EPUB |
| Reedsy Book Editor | Free | Beginner | EPUB + PDF |
| Adobe InDesign | $22.99/month | Expert | EPUB + PDF |
| Scrivener | $49 | Intermediate | EPUB + various |
Active, linked Table of Contents
Proper chapter headings (HTML heading tags, not just bold text)
Consistent paragraph formatting (first-line indent OR block paragraphs, not both)
No manual page breaks within chapters
Front matter: title page, copyright, dedication
Back matter: about author, also-by, newsletter signup link
Test on multiple devices (Kindle Previewer is free and essential)
Cover image embedded (check platform requirements for dimensions)
Hyperlinks working (for cross-references and external links)
No widows/orphans (less controllable in reflowable ebooks)
| Size | Best For |
|---|---|
| 5" x 8" | Fiction, memoir, most non-fiction |
| 5.5" x 8.5" | Non-fiction, self-help, business |
| 6" x 9" | Non-fiction, technical, academic |
| 8.5" x 11" | Workbooks, textbooks, cookbooks |
Margins: Minimum 0.5" on all sides; 0.75" or more for gutter (inner margin)
Gutter: Add 0.125" per 100 pages to the inner margin
Font size: 10-12pt for body text (11pt is standard for fiction)
Font choice: Serif fonts for print body (Garamond, Caslon, Minion Pro)
Line spacing: 1.2-1.5x font size
Headers/footers: Author name on left, title on right (or vice versa), page numbers
Paper: Cream/ivory for fiction, white for non-fiction with images
Bleed: 0.125" if any element touches the page edge
PDF exported at 300 DPI minimum
Fonts embedded in PDF
Page count is correct (must be even number)
Blank pages included where needed
Chapter openings on recto (right-hand) pages (optional but professional)
Running headers/footers suppressed on chapter opening pages
ISBN and barcode on back cover
Spine text (if page count supports it --- typically 100+ pages)
Trim size matches platform specifications
Covers sell books. Period. A bad cover signals amateur work. Invest here above all else.
TITLE:
SUBTITLE:
AUTHOR NAME:
GENRE:
COMPARABLE COVERS: [Links to 5-7 covers in your genre that sell well]
TONE: [dark, light, whimsical, serious, romantic, thriller, literary]
KEY IMAGERY: [Symbols, settings, or elements that represent the book]
COLOR PALETTE PREFERENCES:
MUST INCLUDE: [Series branding, awards, blurbs]
MUST AVOID: [Specific imagery, colors, styles]
FORMAT NEEDED: [Ebook cover, print cover wrap, audiobook square]
TRIM SIZE: [For print spine and back calculation]
PAGE COUNT: [For spine width calculation]
TARGET READER: [Who picks this up?]
WHERE WILL THEY SEE IT: [Amazon thumbnail, bookstore shelf, social media]Ebook cover: 2560 x 1600 pixels (Amazon), 1600x2400 minimum for most platforms
Print cover: Full wrap template from printer (includes spine width calculated from page count)
Audiobook: 3200 x 3200 pixels (square)
Budget ($200-$500): 99designs, Fiverr (vetted designers), Reedsy marketplace
Mid-range ($500-$1,500): Professional freelance designers on Reedsy, Damonza, MiblArt
Premium ($1,500-$5,000+): Boutique design studios, Big-Five-level designers
Genre-specific designers are always preferable to generalists
| Strategy | Price | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Loss leader | $0.99 | Series book 1, promotions, visibility |
| Entry point | $2.99 | Debut authors, short books (<50K words) |
| Standard fiction | $3.99-$5.99 | Most fiction, established authors |
| Standard non-fiction | $5.99-$9.99 | Most non-fiction |
| Premium | $9.99 | High-value non-fiction, business, technical |
The $2.99 threshold: At $2.99+, Amazon pays 70% royalty. Below $2.99, royalty drops to 35%.
Calculate minimum price: printing cost / (1 - your desired royalty percentage)
Typical paperback: $12.99-$17.99 for fiction, $14.99-$24.99 for non-fiction
Hardcover: $24.99-$34.99
Check Amazon's pricing calculator for exact printing costs by page count and trim size
KDP Ebook (70% royalty option): List Price x 70% - Delivery Cost = Royalty Example: $4.99 x 0.70 - $0.03 = $3.46
KDP Print: (List Price x 60%) - Printing Cost = Royalty Example: ($14.99 x 0.60) - $4.50 = $4.49
IngramSpark Print (55% wholesale discount): List Price - (List Price x 55%) - Printing Cost = Royalty Example: $14.99 - ($14.99 x 0.55) - $4.50 = $2.25 (Lower royalty but enables bookstore distribution)
Amazon allows 3 categories (recently expanded from 2)
Choose categories where you can realistically reach the top 20
Use the Amazon Best Seller Rank (BSR) of current #1 and #20 to gauge competition
Niche categories (e.g., "Science Fiction > Colonization" vs just "Science Fiction") are easier to rank in
Do NOT repeat words from your title or subtitle (Amazon already indexes those)
Use keyword phrases, not single words
Think like a reader searching: "cozy mystery small town female detective"
Tools: Publisher Rocket, KDP Rocket, Amazon search autocomplete
Include theme keywords, setting keywords, comparable author names, trope names
Title: Clear, searchable, genre-appropriate
Subtitle: Keyword-rich for non-fiction; optional for fiction
Book description: HTML-formatted, hook in first 2 lines, social proof, clear genre signals
A+ Content: Enhanced brand page (available after Brand Registry)
Build or activate email list
Recruit ARC (Advance Review Copy) readers (20-50 minimum)
Set up pre-order (optional; pros: accumulates sales rank; cons: locks in files)
Schedule cover reveal
Create social media content calendar
Reach out to book bloggers and reviewers
Email list announcement (launch day)
Social media blitz
ARC reviews go live on Amazon (day 1 if possible)
Amazon Ads campaign starts (even $5/day matters)
Price promotion if book 1 in series
Engage in genre-specific communities (without spamming)
Amazon Ads optimization (weekly)
BookBub Featured Deal application (monthly)
Newsletter swaps with authors in your genre
Backlist promotion when new book launches
Category and keyword adjustments based on performance
Collect and respond to reviews
| Expense | DIY Cost | Professional Cost | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover Design | $0 (Canva) | $300-$2,000 | ESSENTIAL |
| Editing (Developmental) | $0 | $1,500-$5,000 | HIGH |
| Editing (Copyedit) | $0 | $500-$2,000 | HIGH |
| Editing (Proofread) | $0 | $300-$1,000 | ESSENTIAL |
| Formatting (Ebook) | $0 (free tools) | $50-$300 | MEDIUM |
| Formatting (Print) | $0 (Atticus/Vellum) | $100-$500 | MEDIUM |
| ISBN (block of 10) | $295 | $295 | HIGH |
| Amazon Ads (launch month) | $150-$500 | $150-$500 | HIGH |
| Website | $0-$100/yr | $500-$2,000 | MEDIUM |
| Email Service | $0-$30/mo | $0-$30/mo | HIGH |
Minimum viable budget: $500-$1,000 (cover + proofread + basic ads) Recommended budget: $2,000-$5,000 (professional cover + editing + formatting + ads)
Self-publishing is a business. Treat it like one, invest wisely, and the returns --- both creative and financial --- can exceed what traditional publishing offers many authors.
Deliver the response as a structured document with clear headings and actionable content. Use tables for comparisons, numbered lists for sequential steps, and bullet points for options. Include specific examples where applicable.
[Self Publishing Guide deliverable]
1. Context and objectives
2. Analysis or framework
3. Specific recommendations with rationale
4. Action items with timelineInput: "Help me with self publishing guide for a mid-size project."
Output: A complete self publishing guide framework tailored to the specific context, with actionable steps, relevant considerations, and measurable outcomes.
Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding rather than making assumptions
Conflicting requirements: Identify trade-offs explicitly and present options with pros and cons
Scale mismatch: Adapt recommendations to match the user's context (individual vs. team vs. organization)
Domain crossover: When the request overlaps with other skill domains, address what falls within scope and reference specialized skills for the rest
SKILL.md
328 lines · 2,271 words
The text of SKILL.md is shown as it downloads, under the Apache-2.0 license, by Ferrox Labs. The license is the one in the file's own frontmatter.
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Self Publishing Guide bot
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