If you are new to self-publishing, here’s a list of the main online self-publishing platforms and also self-publishing companies in Victoria, BC.
Top online Self-Publishing Companies for Indie Authors
- Amazon KDP – ebooks, paperback, hardcover
- IngramSpark – ebooks, paperback, hardcover
- Barnes & Noble – ebooks, paperback, hardcover
- Apple Books – ebooks & audiobooks
- Direct2Digital – ebooks, print, formatting; aggregator / distributor (gets your book to many platforms)
- PublishDrive – aggregator / distributor (better for authors with several books) also, emphasizes they comply with accessibility standards
- Google Play Books – ebooks & audiobooks
- Kobo Books Canada – ebooks & audiobooks
- Lulu.com – ebooks, paperback, hardcover
- LeanPub – in-progress publishing; plus ebooks & PDFs
- LaterPress – in-progress and more (see Youtube review)
- Blurb.com – high-quality art and photo book options
Self-Publishing Companies – Victoria & Vancouver BC
- Printorium Bookworks via Island Blue Print (no ebooks)
- LeanPub (full and ‘in-progress’ publishing; ebooks, PDFs, no print books)
- First Choice Books (print and ebooks)
- LifeWriters (memoirs, family, corporate histories)
- Agio Publishing (boutique author services)
- Page Two Books (boutique author services)
- Your Novel Experience (author services)
- Iryna Spica Book Design (book design and author services)
- Art Ink Print (fine art printing services)
- Digital Direct Print Books (print only, no ebooks)
- Coast Dog Press (aviation focus, print only, no ebooks)
Note: not a complete list.
Self-Publishing for Children & Youth
- StoryStudio.com (BC)
- Creative Writing for Children (BC)
- Writers’ Exchange (BC)
- StoryTreasures.com (for teachers and students)
- StoryJumper.com (for teachers and students)
before you self-publish
Questions to ask yourself before choosing a self-publishing path:
- Are you willing to learn self-publishing skills to become an independent self-publishing author? This gives you quality control over book covers, editing, and prices. You still need to hire professionals for specific tasks (e.g. cover design), however, being an indie author will greatly reduce costs over the long term.
- Or would you rather outsource all publishing tasks to a full-service publishing company? This means more time to focus on writing (and perhaps marketing), but costs much more. Additionally, when looking for a full-service self-publishing company, you have to make sure you don’t get scammed.
Choosing the Indie self-publishing path
Independent publishing means learning new skills, troubleshooting, and finding professional help when needed. This is especially true when it comes to making a book cover. Don’t make your own cover unless you are a skilled graphic designer. (Book covers are a key book marketing tool.) Review libel and defamation laws as well as rules regarding mentioning brands and trademarks in fiction. To help get organized, review our self-publishing author checklist here.
Choosing the ‘outsource’ Self-publishing path
If decide to outsource your book project, you might purchase all or most of your self-publishing services from one company (e.g. BookLocker or BookBaby). There are many large international self-publishing companies. However, you should check a reputable source like the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) prior to connecting with a company.
NOTE: Research and review carefully before signing any contract. Get expert advice if possible. Check other writers’ experiences with the company. Assess print quality and pricing to ensure you don’t overpay. Most of all, be sure to avoid scams targeting writers.
Read about one self-published author’s costly learning experience.
Another option is to hire a “book shepherd” ––someone who offers a personalized self-publishing service. This company in Ontario offers services similar to a book shepherd and they are an ALLi partner.)
Helpful Master Lists of Self-Publishing Resources
Canadian print book companies
- Friesens.com (MB)
- Houghton Boston Printers (SK)
- Hignell Book Printing (MB)
- Rapido Books (QC)
- International Web Express (BC) magazines, booklets & more.
What Is Print-On-Demand (POD) and hybrid publishing?
Print-On-Demand means printing just a few books at a time as needed, or “on demand”. POD became possible with the arrival of digital printing. Before that, books had to be printed in high quantities due to print set-up time. For self-published writers, this meant big costs and boxes of books to be stored and, hopefully, sold. There was much waste with this method. However, once digital printing was an option, it suddenly became affordable to print small numbers of books.
What is “hybrid publishing”? You may come across this term when exploring self-publishing options. “In a hybrid publishing model, the author typically shares the costs of publication with the publisher. In return, the publisher provides services such as editing, cover design, marketing, and distribution. Hybrid publishers often aim to balance the author’s independence with a professional publishing process.” (Source: ChatGPT). As usual, be sure to check for any red flags or scam warnings before signing anything. Check out this longer article about the “4 things writers should know about hybrid publishing” at Writer’s Digest or this in-depth guide over at Trivium Writing.
Next: Learn about Ebook Resources here.
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Updated July 2025 by 3PennyPublishing – Victoria, BC, Canada; researching and sharing self-publishing resources with writers since 2010.
Note: Links and information are for research purposes only and do not indicate endorsements. No affiliate links on this page. Links do not replace professional advice. In addition, accuracy of third-party websites cannot be verified.