I had started writing another book in 2010. I spoke with my agent. We tried to reach out to publishers, as I wasn't sure whether I wanted to self-publish it. But no one agreed to publish it.

As a publisher for over eight years, here are some of my best tips for how to self-publish a book in a way that will increase your chances of seeing it in bookstores.

Most traditionally published authors make a couple of bucks on a $20 book. If you self-publish, your take-home can rise to 80 percent, depending on the deal you strike – and you can even choose ...