How to Self-Publish: Using Funding to Publish Your First Book
Updated: July 20, 2026
through crowdfunding
How to pay for a book
It's helpful for people like this
If you are preparing to publish independently, please check if it is applicable below.
- I have a manuscript, but there is no publication fee
- Posts from large publishers are constantly being rejected
- I don't know how to pay for printing and editing
- I want to publish my own book, but I have a lot of initial burden
- I'm curious about the success story of independent publishing
When preparing for independent publishing, the first thing I think about is how to publish a book.
This is because the preparation and production costs required vary depending on whether you submit it to a publisher, publish it on your own, or start with an independent publication! In this article, we compare the representative methods of publishing books and introduce how to use crowdfunding to meet the first reader while reducing the burden of production costs. Check out the actual success stories of independent publishing and how to prepare for the project.
1. What do you think about the most before a book is released
After completing the manuscript, the first thing that comes to mind is how to publish a book. At first, whether to submit to a publishing company, choose self-publishing or independent publishing, and how to pay for production can feel hopeless. In fact, Wadiz also asked, "The manuscript is completed, how should I pay for the production?" and "I'm preparing for independent publication, can I start with funding?"As such, inquiries about how to publish and how to prepare for the cost are continuing.
2. Comparison of four book publishing methods
There are four main ways to publish a book. If you look at when and how to prepare the initial production cost, you can understand the difference between each method more easily.
| Way | Advantages | Weakness |
| Planning and publishing (publishing by publisher) | We can secure a distribution network for bookstores nationwide | The adoption rate is low, and it may take a long time to publish due to the need for coordination with the publisher. |
| self-publishing | If you have a manuscript, you can proceed from editing to publishing at once. | You have to pay for the production of millions of won first, including editing, design, and printing. |
| independent publication | You can choose the method you want, from manuscript, design, and printing. | In addition to the production cost and inventory burden, you have to prepare distribution and promotion yourself. |
| crowdfunding | You can first prepare the production cost for publication and reduce the inventory burden by producing it according to demand. | The project will proceed only when the target amount is achieved. |
3. Why Crowdfunding Is Right for Independent Publishing
Among them, independent publishing has the advantage of being able to freely decide in the direction you want, from manuscript to design to production method. However, you have to prepare for distribution and promotion, as well as production costs and inventory burdens. Wadiz Funding helps reduce this burden and start independent publishing without more burden.
- You can first raise the production costs for publishing a book, such as printing and editing costs: Wadiz Funding is significantly less expensive because it prints books after paying for production through pre-ordering from supporters.
- Before publication, you can meet your first readers to see the demands and market reactions of the book: Wadiz can start funding without the need for a complete version of the book, so you can meet your first readers quickly.
- After the end of funding, it can be produced according to the actual order quantity, reducing the inventory burden: It is easy to manage inventory because we only produce as much as we need to meet demand.
4. Criteria for selecting independent publishing platforms
In order to take full advantage of crowdfunding, it is also important to choose a platform where book projects are actively underway. In the book category of Wadiz, Korea's leading crowdfunding platform, 391 projects were opened in 2025, and the average achievement rate of the first funding project was 2,147%. Many independent publishers are already making the beginning of their first book publication in Wadiz.
Independent Publishing Funding Seen as Wadiz Success Story
[Photo Book] Umori Studio Project: Successful Independent Publishing of First Photo Book
- It was revealed in the title that it was the artist's "first photo book," and it gained trust as an honest debut.
- The goal of 5 million won was filled with 25.74 million won, resulting in a 514% achievement rate.
| Category | Key Rewards | Number of supporters | the amount of money offered |
| a book / photographer / photography book | a collection of independent photographs | 261 people | 25.74 million won |
[Fiction] Baek Eunbyul Writer Project: A case of publishing a novel with funding and leading to overseas translation
- After the funding, it was translated and published in Taiwan, Indonesia, and Turkey, leading to overseas expansion.
- The goal of 500,000 won was filled with 11.6 million won, resulting in a 2,321% achievement rate.
| Category | Key Rewards | Number of supporters | the amount of money offered |
| books, humanities, and liberal arts | a full-length novel | 279 people | 11.6 million won |
[Electronic Book] The Sophist Project: Independent Publishing Success Story Achieving 511% Funding With E-Books
- He put his experience of "achieving 511% with the first book" in the title, giving trust to prospective writers in the same situation.
- The goal of 500,000 won was filled with 260.1 million won to achieve a 520% achievement rate.
| Category | Key Rewards | Number of supporters | the amount of money offered |
| Books and e-books | E-book <First, Becoming a Writer> | 150 people | 2.6 million won |
5. preparation process for independent publication funding
If you are preparing a project for the first time, start preparing step by step according to the funding steps.
STEP1. Create a project: It's the step of writing what you need to reveal your project.
STEP2. Setting the target amount: Set the amount you need to publish a book.
STEP3. Rewards Design: Set the composition and price of rewards provided to supporters who participate in funding.
STEP4. Storywriting: Introduce how you came to write a book, the charm of the book, and the production plan.
STEP5. Project Open: Open the project and meet supporters to fund it.
6. Independent Publishing Crowdfunding FAQ
Q. Can I start funding independent publishing without the manuscript being completed?
A. Yes, Wadiz can start funding even if the manuscript is not 100% complete. However, it is recommended to prepare materials that can show the direction of the project, such as some of the draft, the table of contents, the expected amount, and the production schedule in advance.
Q. Do I have to get an ISBN issued when publishing independently?
A. ISBN issuance is not mandatory for Wadiz funding. However, if you are planning to enter a bookstore or another distribution channel in the future, I recommend you to get it issued in advance.
Q. Is it possible to fund independent publication of photo books and e-books?
A. Yes, it's possible. In Wadiz, various types of book projects such as essays, novels, and professional books, as well as photo books and e-books, are being funded.
Q. Can I open the funding just to pay for printing or production?
A. Yes, it's possible. In fact, there are many writers who open funding for various purposes such as printing costs or editing, design, and proofreading. If there is enough direction and reason to persuade supporters, individual writers (creators) can also proceed with sponsorship funding to pay for printing.
It's not easy to complete the manuscript, but you don't have to leave it to yourself after that. There is also Wadiz Funding, which raises production costs, meets the first reader who will wait for my book, and completes the publication together. If you participate in the 'Find My Side Through Funding' campaign now, you can also receive 90% support for sponsorship funding success support fees. Watch "My Side" at Wadiz to support my first publication.
It starts with Wadiz. Just Start on Wadiz.
Everyone's start, everyone's funding.
Publishing a book with funding
