How Veterans Can Self-Publish Their Books – A Step-by-Step Guide
You Have a Story. Now What?
If you’re a veteran, chances are you’ve got a story worth telling. Maybe it’s about your time in the service, maybe it’s about what came after, or maybe it’s just a wild tale from a deployment that somehow involves a feral cat, MRE coffee, and a deeply questionable decision. Whatever it is—you’ve thought about writing a book.
And then, reality sets in.
Where do you even start?
Do you need an agent? A publisher?
What if no one reads it?
If any of those thoughts have crossed your mind, congratulations—you’re a writer.
The good news? Self-publishing has made it easier than ever to get your book out into the world without begging some New York publishing house to take a chance on you. The bad news? It’s still work. But if you made it through boot camp, a deployment, or even just a day of military bureaucracy without losing your mind, you can handle this.
So here’s your step-by-step guide—no fluff, no nonsense, just exactly what you need to do.
Step 1: Write the Damn Book
Obvious, right? And yet, this is where most people get stuck.
Here’s the secret: your first draft is supposed to be terrible. It’s not a masterpiece. It’s a mess. It will make you cringe. That’s normal. The goal of a first draft is simple: get it done.
How to Actually Finish a Draft Without Losing Your Mind:
✅ Set a Schedule – Write at least 3 times a week, even if it’s just 500 words.
✅ Ignore Perfection – No one writes a flawless first draft. Not even Hemingway.
✅ Find Your Routine – Morning? Night? Dictation while driving? Do what works.
✅ Use Tools That Work for You – Google Docs, Scrivener, or even a voice-to-text app if writing feels too slow.
And if you’re stuck, just write like you’re telling the story to a friend over beers. You can clean it up later.
Step 2: Edit Without Wanting to Set Your Manuscript on Fire
Once you have words on a page, the next step is making it readable.
Self-editing tips:
Read it out loud—you’ll catch awkward phrasing fast.
Use Grammarly or ProWritingAid for grammar fixes.
Cut out every unnecessary word. (If you can say it in fewer words, do it.)
Print it out and mark it up with a pen—your brain processes text differently on paper.
After you’ve done everything you can, it’s time to bring in fresh eyes.
✅ Find beta readers – Other vets, friends, or even an online writing group.
✅ Hire an editor – A good copyeditor will catch things you missed.
✅ Be open to feedback – Yes, even if it stings.
Step 3: Formatting & Cover Design – Because People Judge Books by Covers
Now that you have an actual book, you need it to look like an actual book.
Formatting (aka: Making It Look Professional)
Ebooks – Use Kindle Create or Draft2Digital’s free tools.
Paperbacks – Vellum (Mac), Atticus (PC/Mac), or Fiverr formatting services.
Fonts Matter – No Comic Sans. Ever.
Cover Design (aka: The Thing That Gets People to Click)
DIY Option – Canva (if you know what you’re doing).
Professional Option – Fiverr, 99Designs, or a professional book cover designer.
If you’re wondering whether hiring a cover designer is worth it, let me answer with a question: Would you wear a uniform two sizes too small on inspection day? No? Then don’t skimp on the cover.
Step 4: Self-Publishing Platforms – Where to Actually Publish
Now for the fun part: getting your book out there.
Best Platforms for Self-Publishing:
✅ Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) – Biggest market, best royalties.
✅ IngramSpark – Great for wider distribution (libraries, bookstores).
✅ Draft2Digital – Distributes to Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and more.
Print vs. Ebook vs. Audiobook?
If you can, do all three. Audiobooks are huge for veterans (especially those with dyslexia or TBI).
Step 5: Pricing, ISBNs, and Other Fun Legal Stuff
How much should you charge?
Ebooks: $2.99 – $4.99 (sweet spot for sales).
Paperbacks: $9.99 – $19.99 (depends on page count).
Audiobooks: Priced based on length—Audible sets this automatically.
ISBNs & Copyright:
Amazon gives you a free ISBN, but if you want full control, buy one from Bowker (US site).
Register your copyright if you’re paranoid, but technically, it’s copyrighted the second you write it.
Step 6: Marketing (aka: Making Sure People Actually Read It)
A book that no one reads is just an overpriced journal. Here’s how to get people to actually buy it.
The Non-Sleazy Marketing Plan:
✅ Build an Author Website – Even a simple one (Wix, Squarespace, WordPress).
✅ Get Social Media Involved – Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.
✅ Use Email Lists – Offer a free chapter download to collect emails.
✅ Ask for Reviews – Friends, family, beta readers—anyone who’s read it.
✅ Do Interviews & Podcasts – Veteran podcasts are a great place to start.
Final Thoughts – Your Story Matters
Self-publishing is work, but it’s worth it. Your story matters. Maybe it’ll inspire someone. Maybe it’ll give another vet a reason to pick up a pen and do the same.
But none of that happens unless you start writing.
So get to it.
And when you hit publish? Welcome to the ranks of veteran authors.
