Tools We Actually Use
A working list of the self publishing resources, software, and free tools that carry real books from manuscript to market. These are the ones tested on real client projects, not just recommended for a commission. Bookmark this collection of self publishing resources and come back as your publishing needs evolve.
Get the words on the page, then make them better.
Self publishing resources for drafting and editing that hold up across a full manuscript, not just a paragraph.
Scrivener
Long-form writing software built for organizing a full manuscript: chapters, research, and notes in one project instead of scattered files.
Explore Scrivener →ProWritingAid
Style and grammar analysis built for fiction and long-form writing, with reports that go deeper than a basic spell-check.
Start for Free →Hemingway Editor
A free browser tool that flags dense, hard-to-read sentences so your prose stays clear without losing your voice.
Use Free Tool →Build promotional assets without hiring a designer for every post.
The self publishing resources for cover mockups, social graphics, and everyday author branding. Prefer done-for-you help? Explore our book cover design services.
Canva
A flexible design platform for book covers, social graphics, and ad creative, with templates built for non-designers.
Start for Free →Book Brush
3D book mockups, ad creative, and social graphics built specifically for authors, with templates sorted by platform and genre.
Start for Free →Font Pairing Tool
Our own free tool for finding professional serif and sans-serif combinations for your cover and interior typography.
Use Free Tool →The infrastructure behind an author website and business that runs itself.
Self publishing resources for hosting, page building, SEO, scheduling, and project management, built for authors managing their own operation.
Elementor
A visual WordPress page builder for building a clean author website without touching code.
Start for Free →DreamHost
Reliable WordPress hosting built for speed and uptime, a solid foundation for an author site that needs to stay online without constant maintenance.
View Hosting Plans →Rank Math SEO
The WordPress SEO plugin we use on our own site, for on-page optimization, sitemaps, and schema without needing a technical SEO background.
Get Rank Math →Cal.com
Open-source scheduling for author calls, coaching sessions, or launch-team check-ins, without the clutter of heavier booking tools.
Try Cal.com Free →Trello
A simple board-based way to track launch tasks, content calendars, and manuscript revisions without overcomplicating your workflow.
Try Trello Free →Fiverr
For the jobs around the book that are not design: proofreaders, illustrators, voice artists and marketers, vetted by reviews at every budget. Hire per project and keep your book moving.
Explore Fiverr →Self publishing resources to get your book into stores, libraries, and every major retailer.
Self publishing resources for wide distribution and formatting, plus the free course that connects every step in between.
Draft2Digital
Free ebook distribution to major retailers and libraries outside Amazon, plus print-on-demand paperback distribution in one dashboard.
Create Free Account →Libro.fm
The audiobook store that shares its revenue with local independent bookstores. If your audiobook is distributed through the usual channels, it is probably already on Libro.fm, so you can send readers to a store that supports independent bookselling.
Visit Libro.fm →Photobook
A print service for photo books, albums and calendars, with deep discounts running most of the year. Handy for a visual companion to your book, a display copy for events, or a gift edition for the people who backed your launch.
Visit Photobook →Zero-Budget Bestseller
Our free 11-day course for authors who want to understand what happens between finishing the manuscript and getting the book in front of readers.
Get Free Access →Cover Template Generator
Our own free tool for calculating exact trim, spine width, and full cover dimensions across KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu, and Draft2Digital.
Use Free Tool →Royalty Calculator
Our own free tool comparing real per-sale royalties across KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital, using each platform's actual formulas.
Use Free Tool →Get paid for the work you are already doing.
Self publishing resources for selling digital products directly and accepting support from readers.
Payhip
Sell ebooks, templates, courses, and other digital products directly to readers, with no monthly fee and simple checkout.
Start Selling on Payhip →Buy Me a Coffee
A simple way for readers to support your work directly, with memberships and one-time tips built for creators.
Set Up Buy Me a Coffee →All our free self publishing resources in one place.
No sign-up, no email required. These self publishing resources are built to answer the technical questions authors run into most often. Explore the self publishing resources below and pick what you need.
Copyright Generator
Generate a professional copyright page for print and ebook editions.
Use Tool →Royalty Calculator
Compare real per-sale royalties across KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital.
Use Tool →Self Publishing Resources FAQs
Quick answers about these self publishing resources and how to use them.
Are these self publishing resources really free?
Yes. The tools built by BenCreatesBooks are free with no sign-up. Third-party tools listed here may have free and paid plans; we note where affiliate links apply.
How should I use these self publishing resources?
Start with the section that matches your current stage: writing, design, websites, publishing, or selling. Our free tools at the bottom solve specific technical tasks like calculating royalties or generating barcodes.
Do you offer publishing services?
Yes. If you need hands-on help, our publishing services cover production, setup, and launch support. For more free tools, see our publishing assistance.
How often is this self publishing resources list updated?
We review the list regularly and add new self publishing resources only after testing them in real publishing workflows. If a tool changes its pricing, features, or reliability, we update the listing or remove it. The goal is a short list you can trust, not an endless directory. Check back whenever you start a new stage of your publishing journey.
Do these self publishing resources work for first-time authors?
Absolutely. The list is organized by stage, so first-time authors can start with the writing and design sections and move forward as their book takes shape. Each listing explains what the tool does and who it is for, so you can tell at a glance whether it fits your current needs. The free tools built by BenCreatesBooks are a good starting point because they solve specific technical problems without costing anything. As you gain experience, the advanced tools in each section will still be here.