The zero-to-low-cost publishing pipeline

Draft, format and distribute an ebook and paperback with free or one-time-cost tools.

Steps

1. Draft in any editor (free: LibreOffice, Google Docs, Manuskript, bibisco).
2. Format: free Reedsy Studio, or a paid formatter (Vellum on Mac; Atticus cross-platform).
3. Publish on Amazon via KDP; go wide with Draft2Digital (note its account fees).
4. Keep a launch checklist in Notion or a doc.

Tools for this workflow

• LibreOffice Writer: Zero-cost drafting and .docx editing.
• Reedsy Studio: Free ebook/print formatting in the browser.
• Vellum: Mac-based indie authors producing ebook and paperback editions from one file.
• Atticus: Authors on Windows or Chromebook who need book formatting.
• Kindle Direct Publishing: Publishing on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
• Draft2Digital: Going 'wide' beyond Amazon.

AI output can be wrong. Check facts and keep final prose in your own voice. See using AI responsibly.