# 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.

Source: https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/courses/self-publishing-launchpad
Website: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com
Category: Courses & Education (https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/courses)
Pricing: paid — $597/one-time
AI-powered: no
Tags: self-publishing, book-launch, amazon, marketing, comprehensive, lifetime-access
Last verified: 2026-06-18
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
Commitment: self-paced
Course Focus: publishing-business
Format: Video Course
Instructor: James Blatch
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Topics: Self-Publishing, Book Launch, Amazon KDP, Book Marketing, Author Platform, Wide Distribution

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.