Self-Publishing · South Africa

Publish a Book in South Africa

Self-publishing services and packages to help you publish a book in South Africa: editing, design, printing and ebooks, while you keep control of your project.

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There are two ways to publish a book in South Africa. You can submit your manuscript to a traditional publisher, who decides whether to accept it and pays you royalties on sales, or you can self-publish: you pay for the production work and keep control of your book, its rights and its sales. Creative Books SA supports the self-publishing route.

Book publishing in South Africa through self-publishing brings several jobs together: shaping the manuscript, checking the language, laying out the pages, designing the cover and choosing the final format. Creative Books SA provides these services individually or as an agreed combination, so you can commission the support your book needs.

How to publish a book in South Africa with us

We are based in Fourways, Gauteng, and work remotely with authors across South Africa. Start by telling us about your manuscript, intended readers and preferred formats. We assess the scope before quoting, including whether you need a printed book, an ebook or both.

The usual order is: edit the manuscript, design the cover and typeset the pages, obtain your ISBN from the National Library of South Africa, approve the final proof, then print your book, release it as an ebook, or both.

Book publishing services in South Africa

Manuscript preparation

Editing and proofreading, with the level of work agreed before the project starts.

Book design

Typesetting and cover design for a consistent interior and a cover matched to the final print specification.

Print and ebook production

Softcover printing from 100 copies and separately scoped ebook conversion, including EPUB where appropriate.

Scope and project stages

Initial brief
Manuscript, word count, intended reader, services needed and desired format
Quotation
Choose a fixed package (Bronze, Silver or Gold, shown below) or ask for a project-specific quote for the services you need
Preparation
Agreed editing and proofreading before final layout
Design
Typesetting and cover preparation, with author review
ISBN
Guidance available; author applies through the National Library of South Africa
Printing
Softcover only; minimum bulk order of 100 copies
Ebook
Separately scoped conversion; agree the format and target platform
Payment
75% deposit to start; remaining 25% before completion
Timing
Editing and design scheduled separately; print production 10 working days after proof approval
Self-Publishing Packages

Choose Your Package

Once-off pricing for editing, cover design, layout and printed A5 books.

Once Off

Bronze

100Copies
150Pages Max
R21,000Once Off

First-time authors needing a complete, affordable publishing package.

What's Included

  • A5 Book Size
  • 100 Printed Copies
  • Book Cover Design (2x Concepts)
  • Editing (2x Drafts)
  • 150 Pages Max
  • Book Layout
  • Cream Paper · B&W Inners
  • Facebook Banner Design
  • Book Mockups
  • Publishing Consultation
Choose Bronze
Most Popular

Once Off

Silver

150Copies
200Pages Max
R25,500Once Off

Authors needing more copies, a higher page limit and stronger layout support.

What's Included

  • A5 Book Size
  • 150 Printed Copies
  • Book Cover Design (2x Concepts)
  • Editing (2x Drafts)
  • 200 Pages Max
  • Book Layout (2x Styles)
  • Cream Paper · B&W Inners
  • Facebook Banner Design
  • Book Mockups
  • Publishing Consultation
  • Save R2,450
Choose Silver
Best Value

Once Off

Gold

200Copies
250Pages Max
R35,000Once Off

Authors wanting the most complete package with ebook conversion and launch support.

What's Included

  • A5 Book Size
  • 200 Printed Copies
  • Book Cover Design (2x Concepts)
  • Editing (2x Drafts)
  • 250 Pages Max
  • Book Layout
  • Cream Paper · B&W Inners
  • Roll Up Banner Design + Print
  • Ebook Conversion (All Platforms)
  • Publishing Consultation
Choose Gold

Not sure which package fits your book?

Tell us your page count, genre and goals and we will guide you to the right package, or quote only the services you need.

Get a Custom Quote

Compare the packages

FeatureBronzeSilver ✦Gold
Once-off priceR21,000R25,500R35,000
Book sizeA5A5A5
Printed copies100150200
Book cover design2x Concepts2x Concepts2x Concepts
Editing drafts2x Drafts2x Drafts2x Drafts
Maximum pages150200250
Book layout styles1x2x1x
Paper typeCreamCreamCream
Facebook banner✓✓—
Book mockups✓✓—
Roll up banner + print——✓
Ebook conversion——✓
Publishing consultation✓✓✓
What the packages include

What you get in each self-publishing package

Every package takes your manuscript from a Word file to printed A5 books. The packages differ in page limit, number of copies and launch support. Here is what each part involves.

Publishing consultation

All packages

We start by talking through your book: the intended readers, page count, book size, paper and timeline, and which package fits. We also explain the ISBN process. You apply for your ISBN through the National Library of South Africa, and once you send us the 13-digit number we place the barcode on your cover.

Editing (2 drafts)

All packages

Your manuscript is edited in two rounds. We return the first edited draft for you to review, accept changes and answer queries, then complete a second pass to finalise the text. Editing covers grammar, spelling, sentence structure, consistency and readability. The level of editing is agreed before work starts.

Book cover design (2 concepts)

All packages

Our designers create two cover concepts based on your title, genre and readers. You choose a direction and we refine it into a full print cover with front, spine and back. The spine is sized to your final page count so it fits the printed book exactly.

Book layout (typesetting)

All packages · Silver includes 2 layout styles

Your edited manuscript is typeset into a print-ready A5 interior: chapter openings, headings, margins, page numbers and spacing are set consistently so the book reads like a professionally published title. Silver gives you two layout styles to choose from.

Page limit (150, 200 or 250 pages)

Bronze 150 · Silver 200 · Gold 250

Each package covers a typeset A5 book up to its page limit. If your manuscript is longer, choose a larger package or ask us for a custom quote.

Printed copies (100, 150 or 200)

Bronze 100 · Silver 150 · Gold 200

Your book is printed as an A5 softcover on cream paper with black-and-white inside pages and a full-colour laminated cover. Printing starts once you approve the final proof and takes 10 working days, then the books are delivered to you by courier.

Launch assets

Bronze & Silver: Facebook banner + book mockups · Gold: roll-up banner

Bronze and Silver include a Facebook banner and realistic book mockups to announce your book online. Gold includes a roll-up banner, designed and printed, for launches, signings and events.

Ebook conversion

Gold

Gold includes converting your book into an ebook for online platforms, so readers can buy a digital edition alongside the printed copies.

Which package is right for you?

Bronze

R21,000

First-time authors needing a complete, affordable publishing package.

Up to 150 pages · 100 printed copies

Silver

R25,500

Authors needing more copies, a higher page limit and stronger layout support.

Up to 200 pages · 150 printed copies

Gold

R35,000

Authors wanting the most complete package with ebook conversion and launch support.

Up to 250 pages · 200 printed copies

From manuscript to printed book

  1. 01

    Send Your Manuscript Details

    Share your title, genre, page count, word count and preferred package.

  2. 02

    Choose Your Package

    Select Bronze, Silver or Gold based on budget, copies needed and publishing goals.

  3. 03

    Submit Your Manuscript

    Send your Word file so editing and layout can begin.

  4. 04

    Design & Editing Begins

    Our team works on editing, cover concepts, layout and package deliverables.

  5. 05

    Review & Approve

    You approve the edited manuscript, cover design and layout before print.

  6. 06

    Print & Deliver

    Your book enters print production and is delivered according to your package.

Planning your project

You remain responsible for publishing decisions and sales. We provide paid production services and do not act as a traditional publisher, pay royalties, place books in shops or provide marketing and distribution. ISBN guidance is available; the author obtains the ISBN through the National Library of South Africa.

Publishing a book in South Africa: common questions

Where can I publish my book in South Africa?+

You can submit it to a traditional publisher, or self-publish with a production partner such as Creative Books SA, which edits, designs and prints your book while you keep control. Many authors also publish an ebook on platforms such as Amazon KDP.

How much does it cost to publish a book in South Africa?+

With us, complete self-publishing packages start at R21,000 for Bronze (editing, cover design, layout and 100 printed A5 copies), with Silver at R25,500 and Gold at R35,000. You can also choose single services, such as printing 100 A5 copies from R4,500.

Do I have to order all your services?+

No. Request the services you need. For example, you may have an edited manuscript and need only typesetting, a cover and printing.

Can you prepare an ebook without printing?+

Yes. Ebook conversion can be quoted separately. Tell us which platform and format you intend to use so the deliverable is agreed from the start.

Will you obtain my ISBN and place my book in shops?+

We can guide you on the ISBN process and place a barcode on the cover once you supply the 13-digit ISBN. We do not provide retail placement or book distribution.

Can I choose printing only?+

Yes, if your files are print-ready. Softcover bulk orders start at 100 copies. File preparation and any additional services are quoted separately.

Related pages

Start Your Publishing Journey

Tell us about your manuscript and the support you need.

We will assess the project and prepare a quotation for the agreed services.