Self Publishing Launchpad
James Blatch's comprehensive A-to-Z self-publishing course with 40+ hours of video covering everything from finished manuscript to sustained book marketing — built on the legacy of Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula program.
Best for: Authors with a finished manuscript who need a clear A-to-Z publishing roadmap and plan to add SPF Ads for Authors later
Cheaper than 12 of 20 tools · this price is one-time
Tools at this price point typically fit a Professional Stack ($2,000+ total).
Details
- Skill Level
- Beginner, Intermediate
- Course Focus
- Publishing Business
- Instructor
- James Blatch
- Format
- Video Course
- Topics Covered
- Self Publishing, Book Launch, Amazon KDP, Book Marketing, Author Platform, Wide Distribution
- Commitment
- Self Paced
Self Publishing Launchpad (formerly Self Publishing 101) is the foundational A-to-Z course in the Self Publishing Formula ecosystem, now led by James Blatch — co-host of the Self Publishing Show podcast and founder of Vinci Books. Where Mark Dawson's flagship Ads for Authors course focuses specifically on paid advertising, Launchpad covers the full publishing journey for authors who are just starting out or who want a structured framework from manuscript to marketplace.
The course spans 40+ hours of video and covers every stage of the self-publishing process in a logical sequence, walking authors through decisions most beginners get wrong: cover design briefs, choosing categories and keywords, formatting for different platforms, writing metadata that converts, executing a launch, and then sustaining sales momentum afterward.
Enrollment: Launchpad now enrolls year-round directly at learnselfpublishing.com/launchpad — the old "opens once or twice a year with a waitlist" cohort model has been retired in favor of evergreen open enrollment (live "Buy Now" CTAs). Price is $597 one-time or 12 monthly payments of $54, with lifetime access including all future updates and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Alongside James Blatch, the course brings in specialist contributors for key modules — Stuart Bache on cover design, Bryan Cohen on blurb writing, and Dave Chesson on metadata and keywords.
Core curriculum:
- What readers want: understanding genre expectations and cover design briefs
- Formatting your manuscript for ebook and print (tools covered, including Vellum and alternatives)
- Publishing on Amazon KDP: step-by-step from upload to going live
- Wide distribution: IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Kobo Writing Life, and other platforms
- Writing book descriptions, keywords, and categories that drive discovery
- Planning and executing a launch — including ARC readers, launch teams, and launch-week tactics
- Building an author website and email list from scratch
- Sustaining sales: promotions, newsletter swaps, and BookBub applications
Best for: Authors who have just finished their manuscript and need a clear, structured roadmap through every publishing decision — or experienced authors who want to audit their current approach against a proven framework.
Connection to Self Publishing Formula: Launchpad pairs naturally with SPF's Ads for Authors course for authors who want both the publishing foundation and the advertising mastery. The two courses are designed to complement each other within the wider SPF ecosystem.
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Steve Scott and Barrie Davenport's comprehensive nonfiction self-publishing course teaching authors to build a long-term publishing business rather than just publish a single book — six modules and 96 video lessons covering mindset, writing, publishing, launch, and scaling.
Also offers Self Publishing
Lower price than Self Publishing Launchpad
- Instructor:
- Steve Scott & Barrie Davenport
- Best For:
- Nonfiction authors in self-help, personal development, or business who want to build a sustainable publishing backlist rather than publish one book
Publish & Thrive (Heart Breathings)
Sarra Cannon's intensive six-week self-publishing course for fiction authors covering the complete indie publishing workflow, from preparing your manuscript to marketing your book and building a sustainable author career.
Also offers Self Publishing
Lower price than Self Publishing Launchpad
- Instructor:
- Sarra Cannon
- Best For:
- Romance and genre fiction authors who want cohort accountability and community alongside structured weekly modules rather than a self-paced video course
TCK Publishing – Complete Kindle Publishing Course
Tom Corson-Knowles's 48-lesson self-paced course covering the complete Amazon Kindle publishing process — from formatting and cover design to publishing, marketing, and financial management.
Also offers Amazon
Lower price than Self Publishing Launchpad
- Instructor:
- Tom Corson-Knowles
- Best For:
- Nonfiction authors who want a methodical KDP walkthrough covering royalty tracking and financial management, available on Udemy for as little as $10
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