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This video and post repurpose an article I wrote a number of years ago: Self-Publishing Tips: How Do I Get My Books Published?https://bookmarketingbestsellers.com/how-do-i-get-my-books-published.Thanks for reading Book Marketing Success! This post is public so feel free to share it.Stop Seeking Permission: The Surprising Truth About Getting Published TodayI am bombarded weekly with the same anxious inquiry from aspiring creators: “How do I get my books published?” It is a question born of a legacy mindset, where authors imagine themselves standing outside a locked gate, hoping a benevolent gatekeeper will finally turn the key.The uncomfortable truth is that the gatekeepers haven’t just moved; they have fundamentally changed their business model. For the modern writer, the traditional path of seeking an agent first is no longer the most effective — or even the most profitable — route to market.To succeed in this digital era, you must stop being a supplicant and start being a strategist. This guide outlines a sophisticated and transformative approach to taking full control of your literary career.1. Traditional Publishers Aren’t Looking for New TalentThe reality of the current market is that traditional literary agents and publishers are no longer in the business of discovery in the romanticized sense. They are risk-averse corporations looking for guaranteed returns on their investment.Today, the burden of proof has shifted entirely onto the shoulders of the author. Publishers are searching for individuals who bring a ready-made platform to the table — a pre-existing tribe that ensures a book will sell before the first copy is even printed.“In today’s world, you shouldn’t wait for a book publisher or literary agent. Both agents and publishers are currently looking primarily for books by celebrities or well-known people or authors with ready-made platforms.”2. Your Best Move Is the Reverse-Engineering ApproachFor approximately 97% of authors, the most logical and pragmatic path is to self-publish immediately. This isn’t a fallback plan; it is a high-level strategy to de-risk your project for future partners.By taking your work directly to the marketplace, you provide the data that big publishers crave. If you can prove your market and build independent sales momentum, you transition from a risky bet to a proven asset.Once you have established this success, you can explore selling reprint rights to the Big Five. At that stage, you aren’t begging for a deal; you are negotiating from a position of power while agents and publishers compete for your established brand.3. You Are the Only Publishing Company You NeedThere is a pervasive myth that you must hire an expensive self-publishing company or a full-service firm to enter the market. These services often charge thousands for tasks you can — and should — manage yourself as the CEO of your own brand.True self-publishing is about radical autonomy and maintaining a lean operation. You don’t need a middleman to validate your work or manage your files; you simply need the right tools and a professional mindset.“The answer is simple: YOU. Yup, the only good self-publishing company is yourSELF. That’s what self-publishing is all about.”4. The No-Cost (and Low-Cost) Entry PointsThe modern author’s minimalist tech stack allows for professional global distribution with almost zero overhead. By utilizing two specific platforms, you can reach every corner of the digital and physical book market.* Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): This is your essential starting point for the Amazon ecosystem. If you have a well-formatted Word document, you can publish a Kindle ebook and a print edition for free, capturing the world’s largest book-buying audience.* Ingram Spark: This is your bridge to global distribution beyond Amazon. For a flat fee of $49, you can set up your title as both an ebook and a print-on-demand book. Note: Ingram Spark no longer charges a fee for uploading to their service.5. Promotion Isn’t a Chore — It’s the Fun PartMany authors view marketing as a heavy burden that distracts from their real work. In reality, building an audience is an inevitable part of authorship, regardless of whether you are self-published or signed to a major house.Reframing marketing as human connection changes the entire experience. It is about building meaningful relationships with website owners, magazine editors, TV producers, and social media leaders who serve your specific niche.Instead of shouting into the void, you are simply finding and interacting with the people who are already looking for exactly what you have written. This engagement is the heartbeat of a successful long-term literary career.“That’s the fun part: Finding and interacting with your audience, the people who will love your book.”Conclusion: The Author as EntrepreneurThe transition from aspiring writer to published author requires a fundamental identity shift. You are no longer a passive seeker of permission; you are an active creator of a brand.By mastering these platforms and taking the lead on your own distribution, you empower yourself to bypass the gatekeepers and reach your readers directly. The tools are ready, the distribution is global, and the audience is waiting.If the gatekeepers are gone, what is actually stopping you from sharing your story with the world today?Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe