Self Publishing in India: The Ultimate Guide for 2026 (Low Cost & High Royalty)

By BeeSquare Team | Updated: December 2025 | Reading Time: 12 Minutes

“It used to be that if you wanted to publish a book, you needed permission. You needed a ‘Big Publisher’ in Delhi to like your manuscript, sign a contract, and eventually—years later—print your book.

Today, the power has shifted. You don’t need permission anymore. You just need a plan.

At BeeSquare, we meet authors every day who are confused. They see ads for ‘Free Publishing’ that turn out to be expensive traps. They see packages costing ₹50,000 and wonder if that’s the only way.

It isn’t. In fact, you can launch a global paperback for less than the cost of a new phone. This guide isn’t about selling you a ‘Gold Package.’ It’s about showing you exactly how the Indian publishing industry works—from the free ISBNs you’re entitled to, to the real cost of printing—so you can make the right choice for your story.”

They are lying to you.

At BeeSquare, we believe publishing should be accessible to everyone—from the student poet in Delhi to the retired teacher in Kerala. In this massive 2026 guide, we are going to break down the real cost of self publishing in India, compare the top platforms, and show you how to get your book on Amazon for as little as ₹2,500.

Part 1: Why Self Publishing in India is Taking Over

(Keywords: Traditional vs Self Publishing, Indian book market trends)

Before we talk about money, let’s understand the market. The Indian book market is the sixth-largest in the world. But how you enter it matters.

Traditional Publishing vs. Self Publishing in Inda

Most new authors are confused between these two. Let’s clear it up.

Feature	Traditional Publishing	Self Publishing (BeeSquare/Notion)
Who Pays?	The Publisher pays for everything.	You (The Author) pay for setup.
Time to Publish	18 months to 2 years.	7 to 14 Days.
Control	They decide cover, title, & price.	You decide everything.
Royalty	7% to 10% of MRP.	70% to 100% of Net Profits.
Acceptance	Rejects 99% of scripts.	Accepts everyone.

The Verdict for 2025: Unless you are a celebrity or have a massive social media following, self publishing in India is your best route. It allows you to build an audience first and make money from the very first book sold.

Part 2: How to Publish a Book in India (7-Step Process)

(Keywords: How to publish a book step by step, ISBN registration India, Book formatting)

Publishing is not magic. It is a manufacturing process. Here are the exact steps you need to follow to turn a Word document into a Paperback.

Step 1: The Manuscript Cleanup (Editing)

Do not publish your first draft. A book with spelling mistakes will get 1-star reviews on Amazon, killing your sales forever.

• Self-Edit: Use tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid.

• Beta Readers: Ask 5 friends to read it and give harsh feedback.

• Professional Edit: If you can afford it, hire a freelance editor. If not, read your book aloud to catch awkward sentences.

Step 2: ISBN Registration in India (The Truth)

LSI Keyword: ISBN number cost India

Here is the biggest scam in the industry. Many agents will tell you an ISBN costs ₹5,000.

Fact: The Raja Ram Mohun Roy National Agency (RRMRNA) under the Ministry of Education provides ISBNs to Indian authors for FREE.

• The Catch: Their website is slow, and approval takes 2-4 weeks.

• The Solution: You can apply yourself for free. Or, if you use a publisher like BeeSquare, we handle the paperwork for you instantly as part of our package.

Step 3: Interior Formatting (Typesetting)

You cannot just upload a Microsoft Word file to a printer. It needs to be converted into a print-ready PDF.

• Margins: You need “Mirror Margins” so text doesn’t get cut off in the binding.

• Fonts: Use professional fonts like Garamond or Palatino, not Times New Roman.

• Chapter Headers: These need to be consistent.

• Cost: Freelancers charge ₹2,000 – ₹5,000. (Included in BeeSquare packages).

Step 4: Cover Design (The Salesmaker)

LSI Keyword: Book cover designer India

People do judge a book by its cover. On Amazon, your cover is a tiny thumbnail. If it looks amateur, people scroll past.

• DIY: Canva (Free, but risky if you don’t know design principles).

• Professional: Custom illustration or high-end stock manipulation. This is the one place you should spend money.

Step 5: Printing (POD vs Offset)

 Print on Demand India

• Print on Demand (POD): Books are printed one by one as orders come in. No upfront cost. Higher cost per copy (approx ₹150). Best for new authors.

• Offset Printing: You print 500 copies at once. Lower cost per copy (approx ₹70). High upfront risk (₹35,000+). Only for established authors.

Step 6: Distribution process of Self Publishing in India(Amazon & Flipkart)

Sell books on Amazon India

You need your book listed where people shop.

• Amazon KDP: Great for eBooks.

• BeeSquare Distribution: We list your paperback on Amazon.in, Flipkart, and our own store. We handle the shipping so you don’t have to run to the courier office every time you get an order.

Part 3: The Real Cost of Self Publishing in India (2025 Breakdown)

Self publishing cost India, Book printing rates

This is what you came for. How much does it really cost? Let’s look at the market rates vs. the BeeSquare transparency model.

The “Vanity Publisher” Bill (Average Competitor)

• Package Fee: ₹25,000 (Silver Package)

• Editing: ₹10,000 (Extra)

• Marketing: ₹15,000 (Upsell)

• Total: ₹50,000+

• Result: You have a book, but your wallet is empty.

The BeeSquare “Smart Author” Bill

• BeeSquare Essential Package: ₹2,500

• Includes: ISBN, Barcode, Amazon Listing, Flipkart Listing.

• Optional Cover Design: ₹2,000

• Total: ₹4,500

• Result: You save ₹45,000 to spend on ads or your next book.

Why is there such a huge difference?

Big publishers have fancy offices in Delhi and Mumbai. They have huge sales teams calling you every day. You are paying for their salary.

BeeSquare is a digital-first, lean team. We pass the savings to you.

Part 4: Top 5 Best Self Publishing Companies in India (Ranked)

(Keywords: Best self publishing platforms, Notion Press vs Pothi)

If you want to shop around, we encourage it! Transparency means we aren’t afraid of competition.

1. BeeSquare Publishing

• Best For: Authors on a budget who want more ebook reach.

• Pros: Monthly payouts, lowest entry cost (₹2,500), WhatsApp support.

• Cons: We don’t accept low-quality AI-written content.

2. Notion Press

• Best For: Authors who want a prestigious brand name.

• Pros: Excellent dashboard, international distribution.

• Cons: Expensive packages (₹30k+), quarterly payouts, high printing costs for author copies.

3. Pothi.com

• Best For: Pure DIY (Do It Yourself).

• Pros: Just upload a PDF and print. Good for personal copies.

• Cons: Zero support. If your file is wrong, they print it wrong. No marketing help.

4. BlueRose Publishers

• Best For: Guided publishing.

• Pros: Dedicated project managers.

• Cons: Known for aggressive upselling of marketing packages.

5. Amazon KDP (Direct)

• Best For: eBooks (Kindle).

• Pros: 70% royalty on eBooks.

• Cons: Printing paperbacks in India via KDP is difficult (often shows “Currently Unavailable” or high shipping costs).

Part 5: How to Market Your Book in India

 Book marketing strategies, How to sell books on Amazon)

Publishing is 10% of the work. Marketing is 90%. Here is how to sell your first 100 copies without spending money on ads.

1. The “WhatsApp Launch”

Don’t just post a link. Send a personal message to 50 friends:

“Hey, I finally wrote my book! It’s a thriller set in Mumbai. I’m trying to get 10 reviews on Day 1 to trigger the Amazon. Would you mind buying a copy for ₹199 and supporting me?”

Conversion rate: 20-30%.

2. Instagram Reels

You don’t need to dance.

• Show your book cover.

• Read a 30-second emotional quote from your book.

• Use trending audio.

• Hashtags: #BookstagramIndia #IndianAuthors #NewBookAlert.

3. Amazon Reviews are Gold

The Amazon algorithm loves activity. If you get 10 verified sales and 5 reviews in the first week, Amazon will start showing your book to strangers for free. This is called “The Flywheel Effect.”

Part 6: Understanding Royalties (Where is the Money?)

Book royalty calculator India, Author earnings)

Let’s do the math. Suppose your book’s MRP is ₹250.

Scenario A: Traditional Publisher

• Royalty: 8% of MRP.

• You earn: ₹20 per book.

Scenario B: BeeSquare (Self Publishing)

• MRP: ₹250

• Printing Cost: ₹100

• Amazon/Shipping Fees: ₹50

• Net Profit: ₹100

• You earn: ₹100 per book.

The Reality: You need to sell 5 Traditional books to make the same money as  Self-Published book. This is why self publishing in India is the smartest financial choice for new authors.

Conclusion: Start Your Journey Today

The only difference between you and a “published author” is action.

You don’t need permission. You don’t need a massive budget. You just need a partner who tells you the truth.

At BeeSquare, we are ready to help you launch.

• ₹2,500 One-Time Fee.

• ISBN Included.

• Lifetime Distribution.

[Click Here to Start Publishing Your Book Now]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Self Publishing in India

• Q: How much does it cost to self publish a book in India in 2025?

  • A: It can range from free (DIY) to ₹1,00,000. A standard professional package with BeeSquare costs ₹2,500 for distribution and ISBN, whereas vanity publishers charge ₹20,000+ for similar services.

• Q: Is ISBN free in India?

  • A: Yes, the Raja Ram Mohun Roy National Agency (RRMRNA) issues ISBNs for free to Indian citizens. However, the process takes time. Publishers like BeeSquare can expedite this for you.

• Q: Can I publish in Hindi or Tamil?

  • A: Absolutely. Self publishing in India supports all regional languages including Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, and Malayalam. BeeSquare specializes in regional language formatting.

• Q: Who owns the copyright in self publishing?

  • A: You (the author) retain 100% of the copyright.⁶ You are simply granting the publisher a non-exclusive license to print and sell the book.

• Q: How do I get paid?

  • A: Most platforms pay via NEFT/Bank Transfer. BeeSquare offers monthly payouts, meaning you get your royalty 30 days after the month ends.