Self-publishing has become a viable and empowering route for authors looking to share their works with the world, thanks to platforms like Lulu. Lulu offers a wide range of services that cater to the needs of both new and established authors, allowing you to publish your book with ease and reach global audiences. Whether you’re an author, an educator, or a content creator, Lulu can help you print and sell your books, journals, or other media without the overhead of traditional publishing.

In this blog, we will take an in-depth look at how to publish a book on Lulu, covering everything from creating your account, preparing your manuscript, designing your cover, and making your book available to readers worldwide.


What is Lulu?

Lulu is an online self-publishing platform that enables authors to publish and distribute their books in both print and digital formats. It caters to a broad spectrum of publishing needs, offering tools for print-on-demand books, eBooks, and other printed media such as photo books, calendars, and journals. Founded in 2002, Lulu has helped millions of creators share their work with the world.

The appeal of Lulu lies in its flexibility, allowing authors to print anything from a single copy to thousands of copies based on demand. There are no upfront costs for basic publishing, and you retain control over your intellectual property while keeping a high percentage of your royalties.


Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing a Book on Lulu

Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of publishing your book on Lulu, from setting up an account to making your book available to readers.

1. Create a Lulu Account

The first step is to create an account on Lulu. Go to Lulu.com and click on the “Sign Up” button. You will be prompted to enter your email address, create a password, and fill out some basic information to set up your profile.

Having a Lulu account will allow you to access the tools and resources needed to publish your book, as well as track your sales and earnings once your book is available for purchase.

2. Prepare Your Manuscript

Before you begin the actual publishing process on Lulu, it’s important to ensure that your manuscript is polished and ready to be published. This includes proofreading, formatting, and ensuring that your content adheres to Lulu’s guidelines.

Manuscript Guidelines:
  • File Format: Lulu accepts manuscripts in several file formats, including DOCX, PDF, and EPUB for eBooks. For print books, it’s best to upload a print-ready PDF.
  • Margins and Bleed: When formatting your manuscript for a print book, make sure you have the correct margins and bleed settings to ensure your content doesn’t get cut off during printing.
  • Font and Size: Use a professional font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Garamond, and stick to a standard font size (usually 11 or 12 points).
  • Proofreading: Proofread your manuscript multiple times or hire a professional editor to ensure it’s free of grammatical and spelling errors.

Once your manuscript is ready, you’re prepared to move on to the next step.

3. Choose Your Book Type

Lulu allows you to choose from a wide variety of book types depending on your publishing goals. You can publish anything from a novel, a children’s book, a photo book, to an eBook. Here are the different book types you can choose from on Lulu:

  • Print Books: Lulu offers both paperback and hardcover options, and you can select different sizes, paper types, and binding styles.
  • eBooks: You can publish your book digitally in EPUB or PDF formats.
  • Calendars and Photo Books: If you’re interested in creating a calendar or a photo book, Lulu also offers templates for these types of projects.

Select the type that best suits your content.

4. Set Up Your Print Book Specifications

If you’re publishing a print book, you’ll need to define the physical specifications of your book. This includes details like:

  • Size: Lulu offers multiple trim sizes for print books, including standard sizes like 6x9 inches (great for novels) and custom sizes.
  • Paper Type: Choose from a range of paper types, including cream, white, or glossy paper depending on your book’s needs.
  • Binding: Decide on the binding type for your book—options include paperback, hardcover, coil-bound, and saddle stitch.
  • Cover Finish: You can choose between matte or glossy finishes for your book’s cover.

Lulu provides a print cost calculator, so you can see how different combinations of size, paper, and binding will affect the cost of printing.

5. Design Your Book Cover

Your book’s cover is its first impression on potential readers, so it’s important to create a professional and eye-catching design. Lulu offers several options for creating your book cover:

  • Upload a Pre-Designed Cover: If you already have a professionally designed cover, you can simply upload it in PDF format.
  • Lulu’s Cover Wizard: For those without design experience, Lulu offers a simple “Cover Wizard” that allows you to create a custom cover using their templates. You can choose colors, fonts, and add your own images.
  • Hire a Professional Designer: If you want a truly unique and polished cover, consider hiring a professional designer through Lulu’s network or another service like Fiverr or 99designs.

Make sure your cover adheres to Lulu’s guidelines regarding dimensions, resolution, and file type. If you’re not confident about your design skills, it’s always a good idea to invest in a professionally designed cover.

6. Upload Your Manuscript and Cover

Once your manuscript and cover are ready, the next step is to upload them to Lulu. Navigate to your project dashboard, and upload your files according to the type of book you’re creating (print or digital).

For print books:

  • Upload a PDF of your manuscript.
  • Upload a PDF or use Lulu’s Cover Wizard to create your cover.

For eBooks:

  • Upload your manuscript in EPUB format (Lulu also offers EPUB conversion tools if your manuscript is in another format).

After uploading, Lulu will process the files and generate a print-ready or digital file for your review.

7. Review and Approve Your Proof

After uploading your files, Lulu will generate a digital proof of your book. This is your opportunity to review the layout, check for any formatting issues, and ensure that the content is exactly how you want it to appear in the final product.

For print books, you can also order a physical proof copy to see how your book looks in print before making it available for sale. It’s highly recommended to review a physical proof, as this will allow you to spot issues that may not be visible in the digital proof.

8. Set Your Pricing and Royalties

Lulu gives you full control over how you price your book and how much royalty you earn per sale. The platform operates on a print-on-demand model, meaning you only pay for the cost of printing when a customer orders a copy of your book. You can set your own price above this cost, and the difference between the printing cost and your retail price is your profit.

For eBooks, you’ll also have the ability to set your price, with Lulu taking a small percentage of each sale.

Additionally, you can offer discounts or create promotional codes to encourage more sales.

9. Select Distribution Options

Lulu offers several distribution options for your book, depending on where and how you want to sell it:

  • Lulu Bookstore: By default, your book will be available for purchase on Lulu’s marketplace. You can direct readers to Lulu.com, where they can buy both print and eBooks.
  • Global Distribution: If you want to reach a wider audience, Lulu offers distribution through major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Ingram’s global network. This will allow your book to be sold through online retailers, bookstores, and libraries worldwide.
  • Custom Sales Channels: If you have a personal website, you can also sell your book directly through it by embedding a Lulu storefront or using Lulu’s API.

When selecting global distribution, keep in mind that you may need to purchase your ISBN (International Standard Book Number) through Lulu, or you can provide your own if you’ve already purchased one elsewhere.

10. Publish and Promote Your Book

Once you’ve set everything up, the final step is to publish your book on Lulu. After hitting the publish button, your book will be live on Lulu’s bookstore, and if you’ve opted for global distribution, it will also be submitted to retail partners.

However, publishing your book is just the first step—promoting it is equally important. Here are some strategies to get your book in front of readers:

  • Social Media Marketing: Use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to announce the release of your book. Share sneak peeks, book trailers, and promotional content to engage your audience.
  • Email Marketing: If you have a mailing list, send an announcement to your subscribers, offering them special promotions or limited-time discounts.
  • Book Launch Events: Host a virtual or in-person book launch event to celebrate your release and generate excitement.
  • Influencer Outreach: Reach out to book bloggers, reviewers, and influencers who may be interested in reading and promoting your book.

The key to a successful book launch is building awareness and engaging with your target audience consistently.


Why Choose Lulu Over Other Platforms?

Lulu is not the only self-publishing platform available—alternatives like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark also offer self-publishing services. However, Lulu stands out in several ways:

  • Flexible Options: Lulu offers a wide range of book types and customization options, including calendars, photo books, and coil-bound books, which many other platforms do not.
  • Global Distribution: With Lulu, you can distribute your book not only on its own bookstore but also to major online retailers and bookstores around the world.
  • No Upfront Costs: You can publish your book for free on Lulu, paying only for printing costs when an order is placed.
  • Higher Royalties: Lulu offers a higher percentage of royalties compared to some other platforms, giving you more control over your earnings.

Lulu is a great choice for authors who value flexibility, global reach, and the ability to publish a variety of book types.


Conclusion

Publishing a book on Lulu is a straightforward and flexible process, whether you’re looking to print a single copy for personal use or distribute your work to readers around the world. By following the steps outlined above, you can go from manuscript to published author in no time.

Lulu’s platform offers a wealth of tools and resources for authors, providing everything from print-on-demand services to global distribution. With a bit of planning and attention to detail, you can publish a high-quality book that reaches your target audience and generates sales.

Whether you’re a seasoned author or a first-time publisher, Lulu can help bring your vision to life. Good luck, and happy publishing!