Becoming Your Own Publishing House: A Guide to Self-Publishing in the UK
The first article in our series on becoming an author - for pleasure or for business
In a world where your voice deserves to be heard, there's something deeply empowering about seeing your words transformed into a tangible book. At The Emerald Agency, we believe that every story matters, every idea has value, and every professional has wisdom worth sharing. Setting yourself up as your own publishing house isn't just about printing books—it's about investing in yourself, your knowledge, and your legacy.
Why Establish Your Own Publishing House?
Professional Gravitas and Authority
There's an undeniable gravitas that comes with being a published author. Whether you're a consultant, therapist, business leader, or creative professional, having a book with your name on it elevates your credibility in ways that few other achievements can match. It positions you as a thought leader in your field and opens doors that might otherwise remain closed.
Complete Creative Control
When you establish your own publishing house, you maintain complete control over your work. From the cover design that captures your vision to the marketing message that resonates with your audience, every decision remains yours. This control extends to pricing, distribution channels, and the timeline for publication—elements that traditional publishers often dictate.
Professional Presence
Listing your own publishing company in your book's details—rather than just your own name—makes readers and bookstores more likely to take your work seriously. Additionally, starting your own publishing company shows other industry professionals that you're serious about the writing and publishing world, which will help you build contacts at other publishing houses, at bookstores, and with agents, editors, and designers.
Financial Benefits
When you work with a traditional publisher, they have to take their cut. By self-publishing your own book, you can earn more for each book that you sell. As your own publisher, you keep a larger percentage of the profits and have direct control over pricing strategies.
The Legal Foundation: Setting Up Your Publishing Business
Choosing Your Business Structure
In the UK, you have several options for structuring your publishing business: sole trader, partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited liability company. Each structure offers different levels of protection and responsibility.
VAT Registration
If your VAT taxable revenue exceeds £85,000, you must register your business with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). You will get a VAT registration certificate after you've registered. If the revenue is less than £85,000, you can register voluntarily.
Legal Considerations to Remember
The publishing industry comes with specific legal responsibilities. As a publisher, you must be familiar with copyright and plagiarism laws, as well as what constitutes libellous and defamatory words. You'll also need to make sure all of your licenses and permissions are up to date.
Essential Steps to Establish Your Publishing House
1. Register as a Publisher with Nielsen
You need to register yourself as a Publisher as well as registering your new book. You can register yourself on Nielsen's website. This will ensure that anyone in the book trade knows who the publisher is and how to contact you about your new book.
The Nielsen registration process involves:
Creating a publisher account at www.nielsenisbnstore.com
Providing your business details and contact information
Setting up your publisher profile for industry recognition
2. Obtain Your ISBNs
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique product identifier for books and related material. While it is not a legal requirement to allocate ISBNs to your books, it is used by publishers, booksellers and libraries for ordering, listing and stock control purposes.
How Many ISBNs Do You Need?
If you are going to publish only one book in only one format, the single ISBN will be enough. If you plan to publish more than one book, or to publish a revised edition of the original, or if you are going to publish your book in different formats (such as paperback and e-book), you will need a different ISBN for each version and each format, so ten ISBNs would be more suitable.
Purchasing ISBNs in the UK
To buy ISBNs from this site, you must be based in the UK, Ireland or a British Overseas Territory. Visit www.nielsenisbnstore.com to purchase your ISBNs directly from the official UK agency.
3. Choose Your Printing and Distribution Method
Print-on-Demand Solutions
Services like Ingram Spark offer professional print-on-demand solutions that eliminate the need for large upfront investments in inventory. IngramSpark makes titles available to 45,000+ retailers, libraries, schools, and e-commerce companies including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo, Foyles, Waterstones, and more across the globe.
Setting Up Distribution
Once you have an ISBN you need to provide your book data to the book trade. This will ensure the book is discoverable and orderable as soon as it's available and that all the details are shared correctly to both online and offline book sellers. Both Nielsen and BDS offer this service free to Publishers.
4. Establish Your Publishing Infrastructure
Essential Business Elements:
Professional website for your publishing house
Business bank account
Accounting system
Domain name and email addresses
Professional logo and branding
Contracts for authors, editors, and designers
Legal Deposit Requirements
Don't forget that you are legally required to send your books for legal deposit. The National Library of Scotland is one of the libraries of deposit. This means it is entitled in terms of the Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003 to request a copy of all printed items published in the United Kingdom.
Navigating the AI Revolution Responsibly
As we embrace this changing landscape of publishing, artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and challenges. AI can be a powerful ally in streamlining workflows—from initial research and editing assistance to marketing copy generation. However, the key is using it responsibly and ensuring that everything published under your name authentically reflects your voice and expertise.
AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
Think of AI as a sophisticated assistant that can help with:
Research and fact-checking
Initial draft reviews and suggestions
Content structure optimisation
Marketing copy variations
Administrative task automation
Maintaining Your Authentic Voice
While AI can enhance your workflow, the heart of your work—your unique perspective, experiences, and insights—must remain authentically yours. Every piece of content should feel like you, carry your expertise, and reflect your values.
The Opportunity in Change
Where there is change, there is opportunity. The publishing landscape is evolving, and those who adapt thoughtfully will thrive. AI can free you from mundane tasks, giving you more time and mental space for the creative and strategic thinking that only humans can provide.
Investment in Yourself and Your Legacy
Establishing your own publishing house is more than a business venture—it's an investment in your intellectual property, your professional reputation, and your long-term legacy. It's a declaration that your knowledge and experiences have value and deserve to be shared with the world.
Building Your Platform
Your publishing house becomes the foundation for building a broader platform. It positions you for speaking engagements, consulting opportunities, and partnerships that extend far beyond book sales.
Creating Multiple Revenue Streams
A well-established publishing house can generate income through:
Direct book sales
Rights licensing
Educational materials
Corporate training content
Subscription-based content
Looking Ahead
This is just the beginning of our series on becoming an author. In our next article, we'll explore the crucial decision between self-publishing through your own publishing house versus using platforms like Amazon KDP. We'll examine the trade-offs, benefits, and strategic considerations that will help you choose the path that best aligns with your goals.
Your Publishing Journey Starts Here
Remember, every successful author started with a single step. Setting up your own publishing house might seem daunting, but it's a journey worth taking. At The Emerald Agency, we understand that your story is unique, your expertise is valuable, and your voice deserves to be heard.
Whether you're sharing professional insights, personal experiences, or creative works, establishing your own publishing house gives you the foundation to share your genius with the world in a way that feels authentic and true to who you are.
The question isn't whether you have something worth publishing—it's whether you're ready to invest in yourself and take that first step toward becoming not just an author, but a publisher who controls their own destiny.
Ready to start your publishing journey? The Emerald Agency is here to help you turn your ideas into adventures. From digital presence to publishing guidance, we believe in capturing the essence of who you are and helping you share your story with the world.
