10 facts about self-publishing for Canadian authors just getting started on the self-publishing journey!
Knowledge is power, and by learning more about self-publishing, including 10 self-publishing facts, you’ll be better positioned to sell more books.
As a new self-published Canadian author, or even one with a few books under your belt, learning more about the self-publishing landscape in Canada can only further help you to capitalize on the potential success of your book and sell more copies.
In the following article, we’ll be looking at 10 self-publishing facts for Canadian authors to help them better understand the Canadian publishing industry and landscape.
If you’re a new Canadian author still considering where to self-publish your book, read The Best Self-Publishing Platforms for Canadian Authors! We cover everything there is to know about the most popular self-publishing platforms in Canada, including Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark Publishing, Apple Books, and many more.
10 Self-Publishing Facts Canadian Authors Need to Know!
Even though ebooks were supposed to spell the doom of print books, and audiobooks were supposed to end ebooks, all three book mediums, print, digital, and audio, are still going strong, and now the biggest threat to the publishing industry is AI. However, we’re not here today to talk about the influence of AI in the self-publishing industry.
Today, we’re here to look at 10 self-publishing facts to assist Canadian authors learn more about the industry they’re a massive part of.
Self-Publishing Fact #1: According to The Business Research Company, and their annual book publisher’s global report, the book industry is expected to be worth approximately $97.1 billion USD in 2025, with a projected growth rate of 2.8%. It’s also expected to continually grow at an annual average rate of 3%, hitting a peak of $110.5 billion USD by 2029.
Self-Publishing Fact #2: In a report published on Toner Buzz, it was estimated that the publishing industry employs up to 315,000 people. However, the true number is a lot higher than that, but also difficult to calculate because of the number of freelancers involved in cover design, publishing, editing, print and ebook formatting, and other self-publishing service providers.
Self-Publishing Fact #3: According to Made In CA, there are approximately 10,000 new books published in Canada alone each year. Globally, the number is difficult to estimate, but on average, between 2.5 and 4 million books are published worldwide.
Self-Publishing Fact #4: The Bible is the world’s best-selling book, with the United Bible Societies estimating between 5 and 7 billion copies sold globally. Establishing the exact numbers is difficult because the Bible has been available for so long, but it’s estimated that 80 million new copies are printed annually.
Self-Publishing Fact #5: Although almost impossible to verify, it’s believed that only 1-5% of Canadians who start writing a book ever finish it, and of those who finish it, even fewer go on to publish. There are a variety of reasons for this, including budget, skill, time, and not having access to professional self-publishing services.
Self-Publishing Fact #6: Exact figures are hard to determine, but best estimates put the chances of having your manuscript accepted and published by traditional publishers at less than 1%. That means for every 1,000 manuscripts publishers receive, only one would make it through the publishing process.
Self-Publishing Fact #7: According to a study published on Words Rated, between 30-40% of the top 100 books on Amazon are self-published. This number fluctuates year-to-year, and is only an estimate, but based on even 25%, self-published authors are well represented amongst some of the best-selling authors on Amazon.
Self-Publishing Fact #8: Some self-published authors regularly report incomes in the six-figure range. While they only make up a small percentage of self-published authors and even traditionally published authors, it’s not impossible if you invest in your books with professional editing, professional cover design, and professional print and ebook formatting.
Self-Publishing Fact #9: Every year, there are close to 10,000 new publishing companies created. While it’s not essential to create a publishing imprint or company when you self-publish a book, it’s also not as hard as you think, and it helps add a layer of additional privacy and respectability to self-published authors.
Self-Publishing Fact #10: According to BookNet Canada, online sales for book publishers topped out at over 71% in 2023, with that number only expected to climb higher as more and more brick-and-mortar bookstores close down.
10 Self-Publishing Facts for Canadian Authors | Conclusion
There is no denying that self-publishing is a marathon, not a sprint, and the more self-publishing facts you know, including self-publishing FAQs, the better prepared you’ll be for the journey.
One thing is for sure: just because you’re self-publishing, you don’t have to do it alone. Along with a dedicated and professional team of self-publishing service providers, Indie Publishing Group will be right there with you to guide you through the process.
If you are writing a book and need any assistance with paperback or ebook formatting, cover design, professional editing, uploading to self-publishing sites such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, or Amazon KDP keyword and category research, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We also offer children’s book illustrations and formatting services.
For Canadian authors still considering whether or not Amazon KDP is the best self-publishing platform for them, check out The Complete Guide to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing for Canadian Authors, where we cover everything you’ll need to know about getting started on Amazon KDP for the first time.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below, and we’ll do our best to answer them or direct you to the correct information.
