Self-publishing
Self-publish your book: the complete guide
From layout to distribution on Amazon, Kobo and in bookshops: everything you need to know to self-publish your book in 2026. Folio Studio handles the technical part.
Free to start, no credit card required.
The 3 steps to publish your book
Prepare your manuscript and layout
A proofread manuscript, a professional cover, and a polished layout are the three non-negotiable prerequisites. Folio Studio handles the layout and epub + PDF export.
Choose your distribution platforms
Amazon KDP for maximum reach. Kobo for Fnac. Draft2Digital to distribute everywhere at once. Bookelis for French physical bookshops.
Publish and set up your metadata
Upload your epub or PDF, fill in title, author, commercial description, keywords and categories. The description is your only marketing lever on the platforms.
The main self-publishing platforms
Amazon KDP
Global leader. Epub + print-on-demand. 70% royalties on ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99. KDP Select (90-day exclusivity) for access to Kindle Unlimited.
Kobo Writing Life
Strong in France via Fnac. Ebooks only. No exclusivity. 70% royalties between $2.99 and $12.99. Ideal as a complement to Amazon.
Draft2Digital
Aggregator: distributes on Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Scribd and more. 10% commission. Incompatible with KDP Select.
Bookelis
French platform. ISBN included, Dilicom distribution (physical bookshops), print-on-demand. The simplest route to independent French bookshops.
What Folio Studio solves in this workflow
The most technically complex step in self-publishing is file production: a valid epub for digital platforms and a print-ready PDF for printing. These two formats have strict specifications, and generic tools (Word, LibreOffice) rarely produce compliant files on the first try.
Folio Studio is designed specifically for this use case: import your manuscript, professional typographic layout, export epub EPUB3 and print-ready PDF compliant with KDP, Kobo and IngramSpark specs. All from a web interface, with no installation or training.
Your book, ready for publication
Epub for Kindle and Kobo. Print-ready PDF for printing. Free to start.
Prepare my book for free →Frequently asked questions
Can I publish on Amazon and Kobo at the same time?
Yes, as long as you don't enrol in KDP Select. Outside KDP Select, Amazon imposes no exclusivity on ebooks. You can distribute simultaneously on Amazon KDP, Kobo, Apple Books and other platforms.
Do I need an ISBN to self-publish?
Not for ebooks on Amazon and Kobo. Essential for physical bookshop distribution (Dilicom). In France, ISBN is free via AFNIL for registered publishers.
Which format to use: epub or PDF?
Epub for digital distribution (Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books). Print-ready PDF for physical printing (KDP Print, IngramSpark, Bookelis). Both are often needed. Folio Studio exports both from the same project.
How much does self-publishing cost?
The minimum cost is close to zero if you do everything yourself. A realistic budget for a professional result: proofreading (200-500 euros), cover design (150-400 euros), layout (free with Folio Studio). Total: 350 to 900 euros depending on your requirements.