How to Self-Publish a Novella

Imagine holding a book in your hands, a book you wrote. The pages are filled with your words, your ideas, and your creativity. For many writers, this dream feels out of reach, especially if they’re just starting out. But here’s the truth: self-publishing a novella is easier than you think.

A novella—a short novel, usually between 20,000 to 50,000 words is the perfect starting point for new authors. It’s long enough to tell a complete story but short enough to write, edit, and publish without the overwhelming commitment of a full-length novel. The best part? You don’t need a traditional publisher to share your story with the world. With self-publishing, you’re in control.

But where do you begin? How do you make sure your novella looks professional, reaches the right readers, and stands out in a crowded market?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to self-publish a novella step by step. You’ll learn:

1. What a novella is and why it’s a smart choice for new writers
2. A clear, actionable roadmap to self-publishing your novella
3. Common pitfalls to avoid (so you don’t waste time or money)
4. Real success stories from authors who’ve done it
5. How Fleck Publisher can help you navigate the process with ease

By the end, you’ll have everything you need to turn your novella from a manuscript into a published book that readers will love.

What Is a Novella, and Why Should You Write One?

Before diving into how to self-publish a novella, let’s talk about what makes a novella special.

A novella is like a bridge between a short story and a novel. It’s long enough to develop characters and plot, but short enough to keep the writing process manageable. Think of it as a “mini-novel,” packed with all the emotional depth and storytelling of a full-length book, but without the extra fluff.

Why Are Novellas a Great Choice for New Authors?

1. Easier to Write: With a shorter word count, you can finish your draft faster.

2. Faster to Publish: Less editing and formatting mean you can get your book out there in weeks, not months.

3. Lower Risk: Testing the waters with a novella is a great way to build confidence before tackling a full novel.

4. Reader Appeal: Many readers love novellas because they’re quick to read—perfect for a weekend or a single sitting.

Famous Novellas You Probably Know

You might be surprised by how many well-known stories fall into the novella category:

1. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
2. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
3. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

These books prove that a powerful story doesn’t need hundreds of pages to make an impact.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Self-Publish a Novella

Now that you know what a novella is, let’s break down how to self-publish a novella in simple, easy-to-follow steps.

Step 1: Write and Polish Your Novella

First things first: Your novella needs to be as strong as possible before you hit “publish.”

Tips for Writing a Novella

1. Focus on one main plot: Novellas don’t have room for subplots, so keep your story tight and engaging.
2. Develop compelling characters: Readers should care about your protagonist and their journey.
3. Edit ruthlessly: Every word should serve a purpose. Cut anything that doesn’t move the story forward.

Editing Your Novella

1. Self-edit first: Read your draft aloud to catch awkward phrasing or pacing issues.
2. Get feedback: Share your novella with beta readers, your friends, family, or writing groups who can give honest opinions.
3. Hire a professional editor: Even the best writers need a fresh set of eyes. An editor can catch errors and suggest improvements you might have missed.

Pro Tip: Use free tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to catch grammar mistakes and improve readability.

Step 2: Design a Cover That Sells

Your book cover is the first thing readers see. A great cover grabs attention; a bad one can make readers scroll right past your book.

Options for Designing Your Cover

1. Hire a Professional Designer: Websites like Fiverr or Reedsy offer affordable designers who specialize in book covers.

2. Use Pre-Made Templates: Tools like Canva or BookBrush have customizable templates for every genre.

3. DIY Design: If you’re creative, you can design your own cover using tools like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP.

What Makes a Good Cover?

1. Clear and readable title: Your title should stand out, even as a thumbnail.
2. Eye-catching visuals: The imagery should match your genre (e.g., romance covers look different from thriller covers).
3. Professional typography: Avoid hard-to-read fonts.

Example: If you’re writing a mystery novella, your cover might feature dark colors, a shadowy figure, or a clue from the story.

Step 3: Format Your Novella for Publishing

Formatting ensures your novella looks professional on all devices, from e-readers to paperbacks.

Formatting Tips

1. Use a clean, readable font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Garamond.
2. Set proper margins (0.5–1 inch) to avoid text getting cut off.
3. Include page numbers and chapter headings for easy navigation.
4. Save your file as a PDF for print or EPUB for eBooks.

Tools to Help with Formatting

1. Vellum (for Mac users)
2. Atticus (for Windows and Mac)
3. Kindle Create (free tool by Amazon)

Note: If formatting feels overwhelming, many self-publishing platforms offer formatting services for a small fee.

Step 4: Choose the Right Self-Publishing Platform

Where you publish your novella depends on your goals. Here are the most popular platforms:

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

1. Best for: Reaching a global audience quickly.
2. Pros: Free to publish, high royalties, print-on-demand available.
3. Cons: Competitive marketplace. You’ll need to market your book well.

Barnes & Noble Press

1. Best for: Authors who want to sell in physical bookstores.
2. Pros: No setup fees, easy to use.
3. Cons: Smaller audience compared to Amazon.

Smashwords

1. Best for: Authors who want wide eBook distribution.
2. Pros: Free, distributes to many retailers.
3. Cons: Strict formatting requirements.

Recommendation: Start with Amazon KDP for the widest reach and easiest setup.

Step 5: Price Your Novella for Success

Pricing your novella correctly is key to attracting readers while making a profit.

Pricing Strategy

1. eBooks: $2.99–$4.99 (most novellas fall in this range).
2. Paperbacks: $7.99–$12.99 (depends on page count and production cost).

Tip: Look at similar novellas in your genre to see what readers expect to pay.

Step 6: Publish and Promote Your Novella

Once your novella is live, the real work begins: marketing.

Ways to Promote Your Novella

1. Social Media: Share excerpts, behind-the-scenes content, and updates on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

2. Email List: Build a mailing list to notify readers about new releases and promotions.

3. Book Blogs: Reach out to bloggers who review books in your genre.

4. Paid Ads: Use Amazon Ads or Facebook Ads to target readers who love your genre.

Pro Tip: Offer a free or discounted promotion for the first few days to boost visibility and gather reviews.

Real-Life Success Stories: Authors Who Self-Published Novellas

Need proof that self-publishing novellas works? Here are a few examples, based on real trends and author experiences in the publishing world:

Case Study 1: The Debut Author Who Hit a Bestseller List

Author: Emily R.

Emily published her romance novella The Last Letter through Amazon KDP. By pricing it competitively ($2.99) and running a free promotion for the first three days, she attracted hundreds of downloads. Early reviews boosted her visibility in Amazon’s algorithm, and within six months she sold more than 5,000 copies and reached the Top 10 in her category.

Case Study 2: Building a Fanbase with a Novella Series

Author: Mark T.

Mark, an indie mystery author, decided to release a series of connected novellas rather than one long novel. He offered the first novella free as a lead magnet and priced the sequels at $3.99 each. Over a year, he grew a dedicated fanbase and converted free readers into paying customers, proving that novellas can be an effective long-term reader funnel.

Case Study 3: From Novella to Film Adaptation

Author: Sophia L.

Sophia self-published her fantasy novella The Hidden Door and gained traction by pitching it to book bloggers and running targeted Facebook ads. Her novella’s unique concept caught the attention of an indie film producer. Within a year, her story was optioned for a screen adaptation, showing how novellas can open unexpected doors beyond book sales.

If the process of how to self-publish a novella feels overwhelming, Fleck Publisher is here to help. Our team of experts guides authors through every step, from editing to marketing, so you can focus on what you do best: writing.

Final Thoughts!

Your Novella Deserves to Be Read

Self-publishing a novella is an exciting journey. With the right steps—writing, editing, designing, publishing, and promoting—you can share your story with the world. Remember, every bestselling author started where you are now.

Key Takeaways:

1. A novella is a short novel (20,000–50,000 words) and a great starting point for new authors.
2. Follow the six steps to self-publish: write, design, format, choose a platform, price, and promote.
3. Real authors have self-published novellas and achieved amazing success.
4. Fleck Publisher offers expert support for every step of the self-publishing process.