# Self-Publish for Under $300

> A professional-quality stack that won't break the bank

Source: https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/stacks/under-300
Budget: Under $300

## Picks

- writing-tools: [Scrivener](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/writing-tools/scrivener) — Industry-standard writing software — a one-time $49 purchase you'll use for every book
  - Alternatives: [dabble-writer](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/writing-tools/dabble-writer), [plottr](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/writing-tools/plottr)
- editing: [ProWritingAid](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/editing/prowritingaid) — One month of Premium ($30) gives you unlimited AI editing for your manuscript
  - Alternatives: [grammarly](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/editing/grammarly), [autocrit](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/editing/autocrit)
- formatting: [Atticus](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/formatting/atticus) — One-time $148 purchase for beautiful cross-platform formatting — works on any device
  - Alternatives: [reedsy-book-editor](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/formatting/reedsy-book-editor), [kindle-create](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/formatting/kindle-create)
- cover-design: [SelfPubBookCovers](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/cover-design/selfpubbookcovers) — Exclusive premade covers from $60-$150 that look professional and genre-appropriate
  - Alternatives: [getcovers](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/cover-design/getcovers), [canva](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/cover-design/canva)
- publishing: [Amazon KDP](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/publishing/amazon-kdp) — Free to publish with the highest royalty rates in the industry
  - Alternatives: [draft2digital](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/publishing/draft2digital)
- marketing: [BookFunnel](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/marketing/bookfunnel) — Starting at $20/year for reader magnet delivery to build your mailing list
  - Alternatives: [storyorigin](https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/marketing/storyorigin)

## The Under $300 Stack

This stack balances cost and quality, investing in tools you'll reuse across every book you publish. The biggest expenses — Scrivener and Atticus — are one-time purchases that pay for themselves after your first book.

**Estimated total: ~$250-$300** (less for subsequent books since Scrivener and Atticus are one-time purchases)

**Where to splurge if you have extra budget:** Upgrade to a custom cover design ($220-$350 from Miblart, or $10-$35 from its budget sibling GetCovers). A great cover is the single best investment you can make.