How Do I Self-Publish a Book a Publisher Used to Sell?

First get the rights back in writing. Then publish the book as a new book, with you as the publisher, your own ISBN (or KDP’s free one), and cover and interior files you control. Below is what that means, step by step.

What proof do I need that the rights are mine?

A reversion letter, or written confirmation from the publisher that the rights are back with you. KDP’s rights FAQ says an author can show that “the previous publisher’s rights have reverted back to you or expired”, usually with a reversion letter. It also says the copyright page in your book “is not sufficient to prove that you hold the necessary publishing rights.”

If you do not have the rights back yet, see how to get your book rights back. Keep the letter somewhere safe. KDP may ask for it after you publish. I cover what to send and when in KDP asked me to prove my publishing rights.

Can I keep the old ISBN?

I would not plan on it. The ISBN was registered by your old publisher. ISBN International says the ISBN identifies “the registrant as well as the specific title, edition and format”, and that it is “always the publisher of the book who should apply for the ISBN.”

On KDP, the imprint is the name of the publisher tied to the ISBN. KDP checks it against what is on file with the ISBN agency, and “if there’s a mismatch, you won’t be able to publish.” You are the publisher now, so get your own ISBN, or use KDP’s free one for a paperback or hardcover. The free one shows “Independently published” and works only on KDP.

KDP’s Change or view your ISBN page says the ISBN can only be changed while a book is still in draft, so settle this before you publish. Its Book Titles & Editions page says a significantly changed version of a book that was previously published takes edition number 2 or higher. I did not find a KDP page that says an old ISBN can be kept, so I won’t say it can.

What can I reuse from the old edition?

The text is yours once the rights are back. The rest depends on your contract. Cover art, typeset files and edits the publisher paid for may not be yours to use. This is my advice: read the contract for who owns them, and ask the publisher in writing. A short, polite email often settles it.

If the publisher has no files, scan or retype the book from a printed copy, then proofread it. Scanning leaves odd errors that spell check misses. Plan a full read-through.

What happens to the old listing and reviews?

KDP says reviews are shared between versions only when “the new version of your book metadata information must match the previous version”. So if you keep the same title and author name, you have a chance of keeping your reviews. If you change both, don’t count on it. KDP’s editions page also says that if you publish an updated version as a new title, the description must start with “Previously published as [book title] by [author name].”

Your old publisher controls its own listing. If an old edition stays on sale, that is a question for them. My post on republishing a self-published book goes through new editions and reviews.

Can I schedule a release date?

Probably not. KDP’s Schedule a Release page lists “previously-published books” as not eligible. Plan your launch around publishing when you are ready, not around a set date. If KDP shows an error you don’t understand, contact KDP with your ISBN record.

What if my publisher was a vanity press?

If you paid to be published, the same steps apply: get the rights back in writing first. For how these companies work, see vanity presses and how to avoid publishing scams.

This is not legal advice. If your contract is unclear, ask a lawyer.

Want a second pair of eyes on your plan?

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