117 Publishing Questions Answered (2026 Edition)

The complete self-publishing FAQ — every question I get asked about writing, publishing, marketing, and building an author career, answered honestly. By Derek Murphy (50K+ books sold).

Q1Why should I write a book in 2026 when AI can do it in seconds? Q2Is it "cheating" to use AI for plotting or descriptions? Q3How do I know if my book idea is actually "good"? Q100What is the most important thing I should do TODAY? Q4What software should I use to write my book in 2026? Q5What about formatting? Do I still need to hire a professional formatter? Q14Should I offer a Large Print edition? Q6Can I use AI instead of a human editor? Q7Midjourney or human designer for the cover? Q8Do I really need to buy my own ISBNs? Q9IngramSpark vs. KDP Print -- which is better? Q10What about AI narration for my audiobook? Q11Is AI translation good enough to go global? Q12What trim size should I choose? Q13Cream vs. white paper? Q15Are hardcovers worth the extra cost? Q16Copyright and AI -- do I still "own" my book? Q51Why was my print book rejected for "bleed" issues? Q17Is traditional publishing still relevant in 2026? Q18How do I get a literary agent? Q19What should I look for in a publishing contract? Q20Should I go "Exclusive" with Amazon (KDP Select) or go "Wide"? Q21How do I get my book into libraries? Q22Can I sell books directly on my own website? Q23Why should I sell books directly on Shopify or Payhip? Q24How does external traffic help my Amazon ranking? Q25Should I use Pre-orders? Q26How do I handle Amazon's "3 Category" limit? Q27Do "Keywords" actually matter for SEO in 2026? Q28What is the "80/20" of book marketing? Q29E-book, Print, or Audio — which should I launch first? Q30How do I find Beta Readers? Q31Should I use Substack or a traditional email provider? Q32How much should I price my book? Q33What is a "Lead Magnet" and do I need one? Q34Should I set up my own publishing "Imprint"? Q35How do I turn readers into subscribers? Q36How do I get more reviews without being "spammy"? Q37What is the best way to use TikTok (BookTok) in 2026? Q38How do I get on Podcasts as an author? Q39Can I really sell high-ticket courses from my book? Q40What is an "ARC" and how do I get them? Q41Series vs. Standalones? Q42What should I put on my "Copyright Page"? Q43Do I really need a website? Q44Amazon Ads vs. Facebook Ads? Q45How do I build a "Brand" as an author? Q47Should I publish on "Global" markets? Q63How should I price my book in Europe or Australia? Q52What is the "Gutter" and why does it matter? Q53Do I need to convert my cover to CMYK? Q54What does "300 DPI" really mean? Q59Which trim size is "Best"? Q60Hardcover: Jacket vs. Case Laminate? Q55How do I handle the "AI Disclosure" on Amazon? Q56AI-Assisted vs. AI-Generated: What is the line? Q57Can I use Claude to proofread my book? Q58How do I translate my book into German or Spanish? Q61What is a "Ghostwriter" in 2026? Q62Can I copyright a book if I used AI? Q72Should I start an LLC for my books? Q64Why is my non-fiction book $9.99? Q65Barnes & Noble Press vs. IngramSpark? Q66Are Apple Books and Kobo worth the effort? Q67How do I get my book into libraries? Q68Do I need an ISBN for an Audiobook? Q69ACX vs. Findaway Voices in 2026? Q70Where does the $9.99 go? (Royalty breakdown) Q71Do I have to pay US taxes if I live in the UK? Q78How do I protect my book from AI Scrapers and Piracy? Q79Is DRM worth it? Q80Are NFTs for books still a thing? Q81Traditional Publishing: Is it worth the 15% royalty? Q82How do I write a Non-Fiction Proposal for an Agent? Q83What is the "Platform" requirement for Trad Pub? Q84What is a "Vanity Press" and how do I spot one? Q85What happens if I don't "Earn Out" my advance? Q86Do I need a Literary Agent to Self-Publish? Q87What are "Subsidiary Rights"? Q46What is "Artificial Creativity" and why does it matter? Q48How do I deal with Negative Reviews? Q49What is a "Street Team"? Q50Can I quit my day job yet? Q88What is "The Long Tail"? Q89How do I "Re-launch" an old book? Q90Should I use a Pen Name? Q73How do I avoid "Author Slop"? Q74Why should I add "Sensory Details" to Non-Fiction? Q75What do I do when I'm stuck? Q76Amazon Ads: Auto vs. Manual? Q77How much should my "Daily Budget" be for Ads? Q91How much time should I spend writing vs. marketing? Q92What should I outsource first? Q93Are Author Retreats worth it? Q94What is "Topical Authority"? Q95Can I sell the same book on my website and Amazon? Q96Content Repurposing: Book -> Course -> Podcast? Q97The "Murphy Method" for sustainable creativity Q98What is the "Artificial Creativity" mindset? Q99How do I handle burnout?