Self-Publishing in the UK: The Complete Beginner's Guide

Self-publishing has democratized the book industry, allowing anyone with a story to reach a global audience. However, if you are an author based in the UK, there are specific legal, financial, and logistical steps you must take that differ from authors in the US.

This guide walks you through the exact process of self-publishing a book in the UK, from finishing your manuscript to holding the first printed copy in your hands.

Step 1: Understanding UK Copyright

The good news: In the UK, copyright is automatic. The moment you write your manuscript, you own the copyright. There is no official “Copyright Office” where you must register your work or pay a fee.

Best Practice: To assert your copyright, simply include a copyright page at the front of your book (the “front matter”). It should look like this:

Copyright © [Year] [Your Name] All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Step 2: The ISBN Question (Nielsen UK)

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique 13-digit identifier for your book. In the UK, ISBNs are issued exclusively by Nielsen BookData.

Do you need to buy an ISBN?

• If you only publish on Amazon KDP: No. Amazon will provide you with a free ASIN for your eBook and a free ISBN for your paperback. However, this free ISBN can only be used on Amazon.
• If you want to sell in physical bookstores or use IngramSpark: Yes. You must purchase your own ISBNs from Nielsen. They are sold in blocks of 10 or 100.

Note: A paperback and an eBook are considered different formats and require separate ISBNs.

Step 3: Legal Deposit Requirements

This is a legal requirement unique to the UK that many self-published authors miss.

Under the Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003, if you publish a physical book in the UK, you are legally required to send one copy to the British Library within one month of publication.

Additionally, five other designated libraries (including the Bodleian Library and the National Library of Scotland) have the right to request a copy within a year of publication. Most authors wait until they receive a formal request before sending these additional five copies.

Step 4: Formatting Your Book

Before you can upload your book to a printer, it must be formatted correctly. This is the stage where many first-time authors get stuck.

You need two distinct files:

1. A Print-Ready PDF: This must be formatted to your specific trim size (e.g., 6x9 inches), with the correct margins, gutters, embedded fonts, and page numbers.
2. An EPUB File: This is the digital format used for Kindle and other e-readers. It requires a dynamic, reflowable layout and a hyperlinked Table of Contents.

Your Options:

• DIY in Word: Extremely time-consuming and prone to rejection by KDP’s automated checks.
• Hire a Freelancer: Can cost upwards of £200 - £500.
• Use publishing.co.uk: Our automated engine generates both your KDP-ready PDF and Kindle EPUB in minutes for just £39.99.

Step 5: Setting Up Your KDP Account (UK Tax)

When setting up your Amazon KDP account as a UK resident, you must complete the US tax interview. Because Amazon is a US company, they are required to withhold 30% of your royalties for the IRS—unless you claim tax treaty benefits.

The UK and the US have a tax treaty that reduces this withholding rate to 0%.

How to claim the 0% rate: During the KDP tax interview, you will be asked for your “Foreign (Non-US) TIN”. For UK authors, this is simply your National Insurance Number (NINO) or your UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference). Entering this will automatically apply the 0% withholding rate.

Step 6: Hitting Publish

Once your files are formatted and your account is set up, you will upload your manuscript and cover to KDP, set your pricing (remember to check the UK marketplace pricing specifically), and hit publish.

Within 72 hours, your book will be live on Amazon.co.uk and available to readers worldwide.