How to Write and Self-Publish a Book in 2024: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Becoming a published author has never been easier—or more overwhelming. With dozens of tools, platforms, and strategies out there, it’s tough to know where to start. If you’re asking, “How can I write and self-publish a book on Amazon without going broke or wasting time?”—you’re in the right place.

In this article, we explore the best way to write, format, and self-publish your book in 2024 using trusted online courses like the Book Writing & Self-Publishing class on Udemy. We’ll break down what the course offers, how it compares to alternatives, and whether it’s worth your time and money.

Why Learn Self-Publishing Now?

Digital publishing has completely changed the book industry. You no longer need a literary agent or a big publisher to sell thousands of copies. With Amazon’s KDP and platforms like IngramSpark, publishing your own book is easier, faster, and more affordable than ever before.

But here’s the issue: self-publishing without a solid plan leads to poor-quality books, zero visibility, and disappointment.

That’s where structured, step-by-step courses like Book Writing & Self-Publishing by Udemy come in.

What You’ll Learn in the Book Writing & Self-Publishing Course

The Udemy course covers everything you need to take your book from idea to finished product on Amazon. While it may not offer the high-ticket features of courses like Self Publishing Launchpad, it’s accessible, beginner-friendly, and includes lifetime updates.

Here’s an overview of what the course typically walks you through:

• How to develop your book idea and outline your content
• Drafting and editing techniques that speed up the process
• Book formatting for Kindle, paperback, and ePub platforms
• Cover design tips using free tools like Canva
• Uploading your book to Amazon KDP and IngramSpark
• Marketing basics like launching your book and using keywords

What makes this type of course different from free YouTube videos is the structure. You’re not piecing together bits of advice; you’re following a proven roadmap from someone who’s already done it.

🎯 Bonus: Most of these courses also include templates, checklists, and private community groups for extra support.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is ideal if:

• You’re a first-time author with no experience in publishing
• You’ve started writing a book but are stuck on what comes next
• You want to avoid costly mistakes with formatting or pricing
• You prefer guided learning rather than guessing your way through the process

If you’re already selling books and want advanced marketing tactics (like Facebook ads or building email funnels), something like Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Launchpad may be more appropriate. But for beginners, it’s hard to beat the clarity and value of Udemy’s course.

How It Compares to Other Book Publishing Courses

There’s no shortage of writing and publishing courses online—some amazing, some overrated. Here’s a quick comparison based on public feedback and feature sets:

• 🔥 Self Publishing Launchpad by Mark Dawson: Advanced, expensive ($597), covers advertising and audience growth.
• 📚 Your First 10K Readers by Nick Stephenson: Best for authors focused on email list building.
• 💡 A Fearless Way to Publish by Alessandra Torre: Affordable and beginner-friendly.
• 📓 IngramSpark Academy & Amazon’s KDP University: Free, but less structured, better for platform-specific training.

The Udemy course fills a gap here—it brings solid foundational training to beginners at a low one-time cost. According to a Reddit thread on self-publishing courses, many users recommend starting with an affordable course before upgrading to more advanced programs (source: Reddit Publishing Forum).

Pros and Cons

Still unsure? Let’s weigh the pros and cons.

👍 Pros

• Affordable entry point (often under $50 on sale)
• Clearly structured lessons from idea to published book
• Includes downloadable templates and publishing checklists
• Access forever—learn at your own pace

👎 Cons

• Basic marketing strategies—advanced users may find it limited
• Not ideal for niche or genre-specific tactics
• No access to 1-on-1 mentorship or intensive coaching

Is It Worth the Investment?

In a world where publishing mistakes can cost hundreds of dollars (or serious hits to your reputation), guidance is key. This course provides exactly that—in a clear, budget-friendly package. Whether you dream of writing a memoir, novel, or non-fiction book that sells, the roadmap inside this course will save you time, frustration, and money.

Worst case? You spend less than a dinner date and walk away with a complete plan to publish your book.

Best case? You build a new income stream and grow your authority through publishing.

According to IngramSpark Academy, more indie authors are finding success by combining free resources with affordable coaching and guided training like this one (source: IngramSpark Academy).

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever said, “I want to write a book, but I don’t know where to begin,” here’s your chance to start—with confidence.

The Book Writing & Self-Publishing course on Udemy is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform your idea into a professional, published book. You’ll learn not just how to write a book, but how to make it look good, get it in front of readers, and possibly build an author brand.

Don’t let your story stay stuck in your head or trapped as a draft in Google Docs. It’s time to share it with the world.

Are you already self-publishing or considering it for the first time? Let us know in the comments what’s holding you back—or what your dream book is about.