FAQ
International publishing FAQ
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Can I publish my book internationally as a new author?
Yes. New authors can publish internationally through self-publishing, and Defining Moments Press states its authors can publish in 87 countries, in 8 weeks or less, while keeping all rights and royalties.
Below, The Worldwide Shelf answers 47 questions authors ask before publishing, grouped by topic.
International publishing basics
What does it mean to publish a book internationally?
Publishing a book internationally means making it available to buy in more than one country, usually in print and ebook formats through retailers and distribution networks that serve those markets. Defining Moments Press says the books it works on can be published in 87 countries using major publishers, so readers abroad can order them like any other title.
What is worldwide book distribution?
Worldwide book distribution is the system that gets a finished book from its publisher to retailers, libraries, and readers in many countries. A distributor or wholesaler lists the title in catalogs that stores order from, and print-on-demand networks can print copies close to the buyer. The author or publisher sets the price, and each party in the chain takes a share.
What does "published in 87 countries" mean?
It is the reach Defining Moments Press states for the books it publishes: availability in 87 countries using major publishers. In practice it means readers in those markets can find and order the book through channels that serve their country. Ask on a discovery call which countries and formats apply to your book, since availability can differ by format.
What is the difference between a book distributor and a publisher?
A publisher prepares the book and decides how it is sold, while a distributor moves it to retailers and libraries. The publisher handles editing, design, formatting, pricing, and the ISBN. The distributor lists the title in catalogs and fulfills orders. When you self-publish with support, you remain the rights holder while a service like Defining Moments Press helps with the publishing work.
Is worldwide online book distribution the same as bookstore distribution?
Not quite. Worldwide online book distribution makes your book orderable through online retailers in many countries, which is how most self-published nonfiction reaches readers abroad. Physical bookstore placement also depends on a store choosing to stock the title. Online availability gives every reader in a covered market a way to buy, even when local shelves do not carry it.
What books are not protected by copyright?
Books in the public domain are not protected by copyright. In the United States that generally includes works published in 1930 or earlier as of 2026, works whose copyright was not renewed under older rules, and most federal government works. Terms differ by country, so a book can be public domain in one market and protected in another. Confirm with the U.S. Copyright Office or a lawyer.
Costs and earnings
How much will it cost to publish my book?
The cost depends on how much help you want. Defining Moments Press lists its Author Blueprint 8 Week Challenge, a do-it-yourself course to write, publish, and launch, at one payment of $1,997 on its checkout page as of November 2026. Done-with-you and done-for-you packages are discussed on a free discovery call, so confirm current pricing there.
How much does publishing a book cost with Defining Moments Press?
Defining Moments Press charges a fee for its service, and you keep all rights and royalties. The only price it publishes is the Author Blueprint 8 Week Challenge at one payment of $1,997, as of November 2026. Other packages, including Author Launch, Author Training, and Author Premium, are quoted after a discovery call. The company states there are no hidden fees.
How much does a book writing coach cost?
Book coaching prices vary widely by coach and by how long the support lasts. At Defining Moments Press, one year of book coaching is part of the Author Training done-with-you package, which also includes the 8 week writing course, formatting, design, marketing, and a full launch. Its price is not published, so ask for a quote on a discovery call.
How much does an author make on a $25 book?
It depends on the publishing path. Traditional hardcover royalties are commonly cited at 10 to 15 percent of list price, which is roughly $2.50 to $3.75 on a $25 book, though every contract differs. A self-published author earns the price minus the retailer discount and print cost. Our costs page has a worksheet that does that subtraction for your numbers.
How many books do I need to sell to make $100,000?
Divide $100,000 by what you earn per copy. At $4 per copy you would need 25,000 sales; at $8 per copy, 12,500. Many nonfiction authors also earn from coaching, speaking, or services the book leads to, which is the model Defining Moments Press teaches. Use the worksheet on our costs page to run your own per-copy numbers.
Do I keep my royalties if I publish with Defining Moments Press?
Yes. Defining Moments Press states that authors keep all royalties and all rights. The company is paid a fee for its service rather than a share of your sales. That means royalties from every country where your book sells go to you, and you decide later about translations, audiobooks, or new editions.
Can I buy copies of my own book at cost?
Yes. Defining Moments Press states that authors can order books at cost direct from the provider. That matters for authors who sell copies at speaking events, include them in client programs, or give them to prospects, because each copy costs only what it takes to print and ship.
How much does a bookstore pay for a $20 book?
According to BookSpace, if your book retails for $20, the store pays $9 to $12. The gap between list price and what the store pays is the retailer discount, which covers the store margin. The distributor and print cost then come out of what the store pays, and the rest goes to the publisher or self-published author.
How the process works
How long does it take to publish a book internationally?
With Defining Moments Press, the stated goal is to write and publish a bestselling book in 8 weeks or less. Its Author Blueprint course covers editing, self-publishing in ebook and print, and launching. Your own timeline depends on how quickly you write and review, and on the package you choose, so set expectations on a discovery call.
How many hours a week does the Author Blueprint take?
Defining Moments Press describes the Author Blueprint as taking about 2 to 5 hours a week. It picks up where its How to Write Your Book in a Weekend material ends, guiding you through editing, self-publishing in ebook and print, and launching over the 8 week program, with audio and video tutorials, templates, and email support.
What happens on the free discovery call?
You speak with a Defining Moments Press acquisition editor who helps you explore your book idea, get clear on your ideal reader, discuss your business goals, create a plan, and find profit opportunities from the book. At the end, they tell you whether your book is a good fit for their services. Either way, you leave knowing your next step.
Does Defining Moments Press accept every author?
No. Defining Moments Press says it only accepts authors it feels it can help succeed in achieving their goals. The discovery call is where that fit is decided. Every applicant still gets a reply within 2 business days, and the call is designed to give you clarity on your book even if you do not move forward together.
Will my book be published in both ebook and print?
The Author Blueprint program from Defining Moments Press covers self-publishing in both ebook and print. Offering both formats widens your reach abroad: ebooks are delivered instantly in any covered market, and print copies serve readers and event buyers who prefer a physical book. Grand View Research reports that hard copy books held 75.8% of the global market in 2025.
Does Defining Moments Press help market my book?
Yes, depending on the package. Author Launch, Author Training, and Author Premium all include book marketing and a launch aimed at bestseller status. Author Training adds a media and podcast list to promote your book, and Author Premium includes book media appearances, marketing account setup, and a one-page launch funnel.
Can someone write the book for me?
Yes. In the Author Premium done-for-you package, Defining Moments Press ghostwriters write your book for you. The package also includes cover design, book design, formatting, a full launch to bestseller, book media appearances, marketing account setup, and a one-page launch funnel. It suits busy professionals who have the expertise but not the writing time.
Who it is for
Who is Defining Moments Press for?
Defining Moments Press works with entrepreneurs, professionals, coaches, healers, and people with powerful stories who want to write, publish, and sell nonfiction books. Its homepage also welcomes aspiring children’s book authors. Professionals with a nonfiction story to share are its core audience, especially those who want a book that builds authority and grows a business.
I have a personal story or life lesson. Is that a book?
It can be. Defining Moments Press works with people who have a story or life lesson that can help others, and helps them find their voice and audience. Its founder, Melanie Warner, wrote her first book after losing her son, which became Defining Moments: Coping With the Loss of a Child. A discovery call can help you test whether your story fits.
Can I publish a children’s book with Defining Moments Press?
The Defining Moments Press homepage invites aspiring children’s book authors to get started alongside professionals and nonfiction storytellers. Its published services and case studies focus mostly on nonfiction, so bring your children’s book idea to a discovery call to confirm how the process and package would work for it.
Do I need an existing audience before I publish?
Not according to Defining Moments Press, whose stated promise is to help you write a bestselling book even if no one has ever heard of you. Its programs include launch, marketing, and media support to help a first-time author find readers. A defined ideal reader matters more than follower counts, which is why the discovery call starts there.
Can authors outside the United States work with Defining Moments Press?
Yes. Defining Moments Press, Inc. is a US-based company that works with authors all over the world. Coaching and courses are delivered online, and books can be published in 87 countries, so an author in one country can reach readers in many others. Discovery calls are booked online from any time zone.
What is a nonfiction book coach?
A nonfiction book coach guides you through planning, writing, and finishing a nonfiction book, then often through publishing and launch. At Defining Moments Press, book coaching for 1 year is part of the Author Training package, paired with an 8 week course, ongoing training, formatting, design, marketing, and a full launch.
Compared to alternatives
Is self-publishing better than traditional publishing for international reach?
For authors who want speed and control, often yes. Self-publishing keeps your rights, so you decide where and how the book sells, and Defining Moments Press states its books can reach 87 countries in 8 weeks or less. Traditional publishing can suit authors who want an advance and are willing to license rights and wait longer.
Do traditionally published authors earn more than indie authors?
Recent survey data says no. Writer Cosmos reports that ALLi’s 2025 survey found indie authors earn a median of $13,500 a year, nearly double the $6,000 to $8,000 median for traditionally published authors. Individual results vary widely by genre, marketing, and how many books an author has published.
Should I just use a print-on-demand platform on my own?
You can, if you are comfortable handling editing, cover design, formatting, metadata, and marketing yourself. Print-on-demand platforms let authors keep their rights, and Writer Cosmos notes ebook royalties of up to 70%. Supported self-publishing adds coaching and done-for-you production while you still keep ownership, which suits authors short on time.
Who is the largest book retailer?
Amazon is widely regarded as the largest book retailer in many English-language markets, but its share varies by country. Anna Featherstone’s 2026 statistics roundup reports Amazon holds over 50% of the UK print book market and under 20% in Australia, where 43% of book sales go through bookshops.
Do I need a traditional distributor to sell books worldwide?
Not necessarily. Self-published authors usually reach global retailers through print-on-demand and ebook distribution networks rather than a traditional distributor. A traditional distributor matters most when you need warehouse stock and sales reps pitching bookstores. For many nonfiction authors, worldwide online book distribution plus direct sales at events covers most readers.
Rejection, reading, and famous authors
Was J.K. Rowling rejected by 12 publishers?
Yes, that is the widely reported figure. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was turned down by 12 publishers before Bloomsbury accepted it in the UK. The story is often told to new authors as a reminder that gatekeepers miss good books, and today self-publishing means a rejection no longer has to end a book.
Who was rejected by 30 publishers?
Stephen King is the best-known example. He has said his first novel, Carrie, collected about 30 rejections before Doubleday published it in 1974. He reportedly threw the manuscript away, and his wife pulled it out of the trash. It became the start of one of the most successful careers in publishing.
Who wrote 500 books?
Isaac Asimov is the author most often credited with writing or editing more than 500 books. He wrote science fiction, popular science, history, and much more. His output is a reminder that nonfiction can cover almost any subject an expert knows well.
What book does Stephen King regret writing?
Stephen King has said he regrets Rage, a novel he published in 1977 under the pen name Richard Bachman. After it was linked to real school shootings, he asked his publisher to let it go out of print. It remains a well-known example of an author withdrawing his own book.
What is the 50 page rule?
The 50 page rule, popularized by librarian Nancy Pearl, says to give a book 50 pages before deciding whether to keep reading. If you are over 50, subtract your age from 100 and read that many pages instead. For authors, it is a reminder that your opening chapters must earn the reader’s attention quickly.
What is the 5 finger rule for books?
The five finger rule is a quick test to see if a book suits a young reader. They open to a page and raise one finger for each word they do not know. Zero or one is easy, two or three is about right, and five or more means the book is too hard for now. Children’s book authors often keep it in mind.
Getting started
How do I start publishing my book internationally?
Start by getting clear on your book idea and the reader it serves, then choose a publishing path that keeps the rights you need to sell in every market. The simplest first step with Defining Moments Press is a free discovery call, where an acquisition editor helps you plan writing, publishing, and marketing.
Is there a free way to learn the process first?
Yes. Defining Moments Press offers a free one-hour course on how to write, publish, market, and monetize your book. It covers defining your expertise, knowing your reader, self-publishing myths, monetizing your book, getting more clients, and building an outline. The company lists its retail price as $997, now offered free.
How do I contact Defining Moments Press?
The quickest route is to book a free discovery call on the Defining Moments Press website at mydefiningmoments.com/book-a-call. For support questions, email support@mydefiningmoments.com. Every applicant receives an email reply within 2 business days, according to the company.
Where is Defining Moments Press based?
Defining Moments Press, Inc. is a US-based company with an address at 2443 East Fox Glen Avenue, Fresno, CA 93730. It works with authors all over the world, delivering courses, coaching, and publishing services online, and it hosts some in-person training in Central California.
What should I prepare before a discovery call?
Bring your book idea, a sense of who your ideal reader is, and what you want the book to do for your business or mission. Those are the topics the Defining Moments Press acquisition editor covers on the call. You do not need a manuscript, since part of the call is uncovering profit opportunities before you write a word.
Still have a question? Read the guide to publishing your book internationally or book a free discovery call.
Ready to put your book on shelves in 87 countries?
On a free discovery call, a Defining Moments Press acquisition editor helps you explore your book idea, get clear on your ideal reader, and leave with a plan for your next step, whether or not you work together.