How to self-publish a book in the UK

The UK process at a glance

1. Edit your manuscript (British or US spelling — decide early).
2. Buy ISBNs from Nielsen and choose an imprint name.
3. Design and format your book; put the ISBN on the copyright page and barcode.
4. Set up KDP and IngramSpark, completing the W-8BEN tax interview.
5. Publish, then send your legal deposit copy to the British Library within a month.
6. Register for PLR and ALCS so you are paid when your book is borrowed or copied.

ISBNs from Nielsen

Nielsen is the UK and Ireland ISBN agency. A single ISBN costs about £93, and a block of ten about £174 — much better value if you'll publish more than one format. Your Nielsen record also feeds book data to UK retailers and libraries, so fill it in carefully.

Legal deposit

UK law requires publishers — including self-publishers — to send one copy of each print book to the British Library within one month of publication. Five other legal deposit libraries may request a copy through their agency: the Bodleian Libraries (Oxford), Cambridge University Library, the National Library of Scotland, the National Library of Wales and Trinity College Dublin. Your book becomes part of the national record.

PLR and ALCS: payments you might be missing

Public Lending Right (PLR) pays authors each time their books are borrowed from UK public libraries. The rate was about 12.4p per loan in 2024/25, with an annual cap. Registration is free through the British Library, and covers eligible print books, eBooks and audiobooks.

ALCS collects money from photocopying and digital copying of your work (for example, in schools and universities) and pays it to members. Membership is low-cost and worthwhile for non-fiction especially.

The W-8BEN and US royalties

Amazon and other US companies withhold 30% of royalties from non-US authors by default. The UK–US tax treaty reduces withholding on book royalties to 0% for UK residents who complete the W-8BEN tax interview correctly (with your UK tax reference). The form usually lasts about three years, so set a reminder to renew it.

HMRC, VAT and your imprint

• Income tax: royalties are self-employment income. If your trading income exceeds the £1,000 trading allowance, register for Self Assessment with HMRC.
• VAT: printed books and eBooks are zero-rated. Most authors won't reach the VAT registration threshold.
• Imprint: you can publish under a trading name without forming a company; check Companies House to avoid clashing with an existing name.

This is general information. For your situation, speak to an accountant.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

The rules above apply across the UK, but some support differs by nation:

• Scotland: the National Library of Scotland is a legal deposit library, and Creative Scotland offers funding and development opportunities for writers.
• Wales: the National Library of Wales receives legal deposit copies on request; the Books Council of Wales supports publishing in Welsh and English.
• Northern Ireland: the Arts Council of Northern Ireland runs support programmes for writers.
• England: Arts Council England's Developing Your Creative Practice grants are open to writers, subject to eligibility.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Nielsen ISBN Store
• British Library — Legal deposit
• British Library — Public Lending Right
• ALCS — Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society
• IRS — Form W-8BEN
• GOV.UK — Self Assessment and VAT

Rules and prices change. We review this guide regularly, but always confirm with the official source before you act. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.