How I went from paying a hybrid publisher to formatting my own books.
When I published my first memoir, Beyond the Heidi Tale, I paid US$4,999 for a publishing package from an American hybrid publisher.
Was it expensive? Absolutely. Do I regret it? Not entirely.
As a first-time author, I had little idea how to turn a manuscript into a finished book. The package included editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, ebook creation, and distribution assistance. Having professionals handle these tasks was reassuring, especially since I had neither the experience nor the time to learn everything myself.
But there was one problem: sales of my memoir barely covered what I had spent publishing it.
I was proud of the book, but I also had to face a reality familiar to many independent authors. Writing a book is one thing. Selling enough copies to recover your investment is another.
And I wanted to write more books.
An Expensive Lesson in Self-Publishing
Looking back, I believe I paid too much. Yet I don't consider the experience a waste of money. It taught me how publishing works and what goes into producing a book.
Ironically, had the package been more affordable, I might have continued using the same publisher.
Instead, I began asking myself which parts of the process I could learn to do independently.
Formatting was an obvious candidate, although it was also one of the tasks that intimidated me most. I didn't want to spend hours figuring out margins, chapter headings, page breaks, and other technical details.
So I turned to online writing forums to see how other independent authors managed their manuscripts.
That's how I discovered Atticus.
Discovering Atticus: Learning by Doing
What attracted me to Atticus was its simplicity, flexibility, and pricing model.
You can write your manuscript directly in Atticus or import one you've already written in another program, such as Microsoft Word. If you already have a Word document in .docx format, you can bring it into Atticus and prepare it for publication. There's no need to abandon your preferred writing program.
Another advantage is its one-time purchase. Unlike subscription-based software or formatting services that charge per manuscript, Atticus lets you create and format as many books as you want without recurring fees.
At the time of writing, it costs US$147.
For someone who had just spent nearly $5,000 publishing one book, this was an appealing proposition.
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Of course, buying software and knowing how to use it are two different things.
Fortunately, I found Atticus relatively straightforward. I didn't take a formatting course or spend weeks studying complicated tutorials. I simply started using it, experimenting with layouts and learning as I went along.
My first independent projects were two books in my Pinoy Gay Mafia series: Rexona Gomorrah and Michelle.
With each book, I became more comfortable preparing my own manuscripts. Formatting gradually stopped being something I dreaded.
From English to German: Another Pleasant Surprise
Later, I began publishing in German, including Heidiland war nur der Anfang, the German edition of my memoir.
I was pleased to discover that I could continue using Atticus for my German-language manuscripts. The general workflow remained familiar, so I didn't need to learn another program.
One technical limitation worth mentioning is that Atticus's print hyphenation rules are designed for English. If you're publishing in German, you'll want to review the final layout carefully, particularly where words break across lines.
For me, however, being able to prepare books in two languages using the same software was a considerable advantage.
Is Atticus Worth It?
Based on my experience, yes, particularly if you intend to publish more than one book.
Here's what I like most about it:
It's relatively easy to learn. You don't need to be a professional book designer to get started.
You can write or import manuscripts. Whether you start in Atticus or Microsoft Word, you can use the software to prepare your book.
It's a one-time purchase. You can format multiple books without recurring software subscription fees.
It supports ebook and print formatting. You can prepare files for different publishing formats.
It gives you more control. You can experiment with layouts and make changes yourself instead of relying on someone else.
That doesn't mean Atticus replaces a publisher. You may still need professional editing, proofreading, cover design, and marketing assistance.
And it certainly won't guarantee that your books will sell.
But it helped me take control of an important part of publishing while keeping my expenses more manageable.
Would I Do Things Differently Today?
If I were publishing Beyond the Heidi Tale for the first time today, I would probably approach it differently.
I might still hire professionals for tasks requiring expertise, but I wouldn't automatically pay thousands of dollars for a complete publishing package without first exploring what I could manage myself.
My first publishing experience was expensive, but it encouraged me to become a more independent author.
Since discovering Atticus, I've formatted books in different genres and languages, and I continue recommending it to fellow writers who ask how I prepare my manuscripts.
The greatest lesson I learned wasn't simply how to save money on formatting. It was that publishing independently becomes less intimidating once you're willing to learn.
And sometimes, an expensive first experience is what motivates you to try.
Thinking of Formatting Your Own Book?
If you're considering self-publishing and want to explore a more affordable way of preparing your manuscripts, take a look at Atticus.
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Affiliate disclosure: This article is based on my personal experience as a paying Atticus customer. Once affiliate links are added, I may receive a commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. My recommendation reflects my own experience with the software.