You could have become a bestselling author and built a community of readers who genuinely love your work, if only that first manuscript had been published.
But like most authors you have got stuck at the publishing stage and the costs involved, which are not affordable for everyone. And your masterpiece did not get the limelight it truly deserved.
For this very reason, I have come up with DIY ideas that can help authors to publish their work.
In this blog, I have discussed author starter kits for publishing, along with DIY options that allow authors to handle most of the work on their own. This approach can significantly reduce publishing costs and help debut authors understand the entire publishing process in detail.
So, let’s begin.
Author Starter Kits for Publishing
Author starter kits for publishing are a set of services offered by publishing platforms to help bring a book to the market. These services usually include:
- Manuscript assessment
- Editorial services
- Proofreading
- Cover design
- Formatting (eBook and print)
- ISBN and copyright registration
- Marketing support
All of these steps are crucial for publishing and launching a book that can compete and find its place in today’s saturated book industry.
Now, let’s talk about the DIY options that allow authors to manage most of this work on their own.
Professional Editing
Self-editing alone is never enough to properly refine a manuscript. No matter how experienced a writer is, a second pair of professional eyes is essential to identify minor errors, improve sentence structure, and enhance overall readability.
If hiring a professional editor is not possible, authors can use the following tools as editing partners:
- ProWritingAid (Online Editor)
Helps check grammar, writing style, pacing, passive voice, and clichés. It works chapter by chapter and offers both free and paid versions, depending on your needs and budget. - AutoCrit
Provides detailed feedback on writing style, word choice, dialogue issues, and pacing. It offers interactive reports and visual insights that help authors improve their manuscript effectively. - Grammarly
Useful for grammar, spelling, clarity, and tone checks. - Hemingway Editor
Helps improve sentence clarity and readability by highlighting complex sentences and passive voice.
Formatting
Book formatting is the process of arranging a book’s elements, such as fonts, margins, spacing, and page layout into a professional, well-structured, and easy-to-read format.
Book layout Inspirations
Before starting the formatting process, authors can explore platforms like Pinterest to understand what professionally formatted books look like. Pinterest offers thousands of visually appealing book layout designs that can be used purely for inspiration.
Authors can also search layouts based on their book genre. Some useful search phrases include:
- Book interior layout
- Novel page design
- Poetry book layout
One important thing to keep in mind: These designs should only be used to understand layout structure and visual balance. Copying someone else’s design is ethically wrong and may lead to copyright issues, as these layouts are the intellectual property of their respective creators.
Book Formatting ToolsÂ
Reedsy Book Editor
- Free & professional formatting tool
- Creates print-ready PDFs + ebooks
 Calibre
- Its an ebook management and formatting software.
- Great for self-published ebook distribution
Different tools serve different purposes. Before choosing a formatting tool, authors should first decide whether they are publishing a print book, an ebook, or both.
Book cover design
There are various tools available that allow authors to create an appealing book cover on their own. Before designing the cover, authors can explore genre-specific inspiration to understand design trends, typography, and visual balance. For book cover inspiration related to their genre, they can use the following websites:
- PinterestÂ
- 99 designs Â
Free stock images for cover
These are royalty-free photographs and graphics that authors can legally use without paying or worrying about copyright issues. Authors can find a wide range of visually appealing images suitable for book covers on the following websites.
- Unsplash
- Pexels
- Freepik
These images can be uploaded to Canva and combined with text, fonts, and design elements to create professional-looking book covers for both print and ebooks.
Tools to design book covers:
- Canva
- AdobeÂ
With the help of these simple, beginner-friendly tools authors can design their book covers easily, even without a design background. They offer ready-made templates, customizable fonts, and drag-and-drop features and with the help of these tools, authors can create covers that are suitable for both print and online promotion.
You can check out these tutorials on youtube for book cover designs.
- For EbookÂ
- For Print versionÂ
Printing & Publishing
For printing and publishing, authors can opt for Pakistan-based platforms like Daastan, that provides budget friendly publishing options or they can opt for international platforms such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, depending on their distribution goals.
Budget-Friendly Publishing Options for New Authors
For authors working on a limited budget, ebook publishing is often the most practical option, as it eliminates printing and storage costs altogether.Â
Authors who want a physical copy of their book as well can consider Print on Demand (POD) services, where books are printed only when an order is placed. This allows authors to avoid bulk printing expenses and pay for printing based solely on actual sales.
ISBN and Copyright Registration
Every book needs an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) to be officially recognized and sold in bookstores or online platforms. Authors can easily apply for an ISBN through the National Library of Pakistan (NLP) by submitting their ISBN registration form.Â
For copyright protection, authors can register their work with the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Pakistan, which provides the application form and all necessary information to secure legal rights over their book.
Copyright registration protects your intellectual property, and ensures that your work cannot be copied or used without your permission.
MarketingÂ
Book marketing is as important as book publishing, and a book’s success highly depends on the marketing efforts done to market that book.
Book Marketing EssentialsÂ
Social Media Websites
Authors can promote their books through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn depending on the genre of their books. In these platforms they can create author pages and share visually engaging posts.
Content CreationÂ
To promote their book through an author website,you can use beginner-friendly tools like Canva, which help in designing promotional posts, banners, and teasers without requiring professional design skills.
Alternatively, you can purchase ready-made author branding kits from Etsy which include editable Canva templates for book launches and promotions. These kits allow easy customization of text, colors, and images to create professional-looking social media posts and marketing materials.
Author Starter Kits by Daastan
For authors who prefer professional support instead of handling every step on their own, Daastan offers structured author starter kits designed around different budgets and publishing needs. These kits help writers choose only what they actually need without overspending or missing essential services.
Understanding the scope of each kit can help authors decide whether they want a complete hands-off solution or support for only specific stages of publishing.
1. All-in-One Package (Hardcover)
This package is best suited for first-time authors who have a finished manuscript but want the entire publishing process managed professionally from start to finish.
What it includes:
- EditingÂ
- Book formatting
- Cover preparation
- Print-ready file creation
- Book Registration (ISBN and Barcodes)
- Hardcover printing
The package includes approximately 150 printed copies along with publishing services.
This package is suitable if you:
- Do not want to handle technical or design-related tasks
- Want a complete, end-to-end publishing solution
- Prefer hardcover or premium print quality
This is the most comprehensive option and covers all core publishing requirements under one package.
Here’s a closer look at our hardcover quality and premium finishing.
2. Intermediate Package (Paperback-Focused)
This package offers a similar scope of services to the All-in-One option but is specifically designed for paperback publishing, providing a more budget-friendly alternative.
What it includes:
- EditingÂ
- Book formatting
- Cover preparation
- Print-ready file creation
- Book Registration (ISBN and Barcodes)
- Paperback printing
It also includes around 50 printed copies.
This package works well for authors who want professional assistance but are comfortable choosing paperback over hardcover to reduce costs.
Wondering how the paperback version will look? Here’s a quick preview.
3. Standard Package
The Standard Package is designed for authors who have already completed most of the publishing work independently.
This package is ideal if you already have:
- A fully edited manuscript
- Finalized formatting
- A completed book cover
- Print-ready files
In this case, Daastan provides book registration and printing services only.
Pricing:
- Ebook publishing:Â PKR 25,000
- Print (paperback or hardcover):Â Starting from PKR 50,000
Editing, formatting, or design services are not included in this package. If required, these services are offered separately with an additional quotation.
This is the most affordable entry point, but it requires the author to manage more responsibilities independently.
How to Choose the Right Package
- Choose All-in-One:Â If you are a beginner with only a manuscript and want a stress-free, fully managed publishing process.
- Choose Intermediate:Â If you want professional support but prefer paperback publishing at a lower cost.
- Choose Standard:Â If your book files are already finalized and you only need registration and printing.
Marketing services are not included in these packages. Authors who require complete marketing and promotional support can opt for a separate marketing package or choose an annual membership that includes book marketing along with other premium services..Â
Conclusion
Publishing a book does not have to be expensive or overwhelming, especially for authors who are willing to learn and take ownership of the process. With the right guidance, free tools, and reliable inspiration sources, writers can manage many publishing steps on their own.
For authors working on a limited budget, a practical approach is to handle most tasks independently and opt for Daastan’s standard package to cover essential publishing and legal requirements.Â
If professional support is needed at any stage such as editing, book cover design, or interior layout those services can be availed separately. This flexible approach allows authors to stay in control of their budget and invest only where expert assistance adds real value.
Ultimately, the goal of this blog is empowerment. Whether you choose the DIY route, professional services, or a mix of both, the choice should always align with your publishing goals, resources, and creative vision.
FAQs
What is the easiest way to get a book published for first-time authors?
The easiest way for first-time authors is self-publishing through self-publishing platforms or companies. It allows writers to publish ebooks or print books with professional support while retaining full creative control, ownership, and publishing rights over their work.
As a first-time author, how much can I do by myself to publish my book?
Authors can handle most publishing tasks themselves, including editing with online tools, formatting, cover design, and ebook publishing. With the right tools and guidance, first-time authors can manage a large part of the process independently and reduce overall costs.
Is self-editing enough, or do authors need professional editing?
Professional editing gives a manuscript a polished, high-quality finish by improving clarity, structure, and overall readability. However, authors can still achieve acceptable market standards by carefully using online editing tools.Â
While these tools cannot fully replace the insight of a human editor, they can significantly improve a manuscript and help authors publish confidently without harming the book’s credibility.
What is the best publishing option for authors with a limited budget?
Ebook publishing is the most budget-friendly option, as it avoids printing and storage costs. Print-on-Demand (POD) is another affordable choice for authors who want physical copies without investing in bulk printing.
Do authors retain copyright when choosing publishing packages in Pakistan?
Yes, in most self-publishing and assisted publishing models, authors retain full copyright of their work. However, authors should always review contracts carefully before signing to make sure their rights are fully protected.
