My Honest Self Publishing Launchpad Review

Updated March 5, 2025Hi there, I'm Amy. I became an online creator in 2004. In 2010, I turned down a traditional book deal and self published. My book's sales have been an income stream ever since and contributed to my early retirement in 2021. I personally bought this course. My affiliate links below are at no extra cost to you.

Summary (TL;DR)

Want to make money as an author of multiple books? Self Publishing Launchpad is worth it. Just a casual writer who will write a book or two? I'd pass. Either way, I highly recommend watching the testimonials.Update March 5, 2025: The course is open now for about 3 weeks. It won't open again for at least 6 months.

Why I turned down a traditional publishing book deal

In 2010, I was approached by a traditional publisher. They expressed interest in my ebook (as we called them then). They offered me a low 5-figure advance if I would stop selling it and let them turn it into a "real book."I declined.Walking away was a scary step. Back then, self publishing was far from mainstream, but I had made over $5000 within the first few weeks after launching that ebook on my own. I figured I had a good thing going.I admit, the status of being a "traditionally published author" was pretty tempting. However, in the end, I simply did not want to turn over control, pad my already-written book with extra content to make it 9 times longer (yes, that was what they wanted...to make it "worth the cost of publishing"), stop selling it, and wait 1-2 years for the traditional publishing machine to push out my book.Do I regret turning down the deal? Not for a second.I have since become a huge fan of self publishing. It allows authors to retain control, sidestep the gatekeepers, work on their own timeline and retain more profit. As an outside-the-box type, I'm thrilled writers are making great livings as authors, on their own terms.I always recommend self publishing to aspiring authors, with two exceptions: (1) those for whom the dream of "traditionally published author" is a deep goal, and (2) non-fiction writers who want to break into the speaking circuit of a particular niche. Otherwise, self publish!When I launched my book, I was winging it. I didn't have a solid plan. Digital self publishing was so new, there were few resources to help. It was messy! Over time though, several serious authors developed proven systems for self publishing and turned it into a lucrative income stream. I was fascinated by their processes.In 2018, my curiosity got the best of me. Despite having no immediate plans to launch another book, I spent over $1500 to buy three comprehensive courses about self publishing. Of the three, two were meh. One blew me away: Self Publishing Launchpad, formerly Self Publishing 101. It was comprehensive then. Today, it's significantly more so. Because I paid for it myself, I still have access to it. I still recommend it.

Is Self Publishing Launchpad worth it?

After buying it myself, yes, I think Self Publishing Launchpad is worth it for anyone who plans to write multiple books. It's robust and updated as self publishing changes.

How much does Self Publishing Launchpad cost?

$597 includes:

I've been vetting courses for writers and creators for years. Many are money grabs honestly. This one is legit.

What does it teach?

How to self publish your books. The focus is on marketing your books (this is the key!) not on the writing process itself. Update: This has changed. The main focus is still on marketing, but more writing help has been added.The benefits of self publishing cannot be overstated. Authors are not subject to the gatekeepers and very slow timelines of traditional publishing. They retain more control and often make much more money.To get details of what's included and what you'll learn, scroll through this page here.

Who is it best for?

It’s best for those who have written or will write multiple books. If you only plan to write one or two books, the course is helpful, but may not be worth the investment (but as I said above, I would still watch the testimonials).Have you always dreamed of making writing your occupation? If you commit to it, I think you'll find it invaluable. It's a proven roadmap. Plus the community of authors is strong.You can definitely figure out how to self publish on your own but it will cost you time and probably money. Or, pay for this course, save the time, and get the ball rolling sooner.

What method of making money online does it teach?

Books in digital format.

Does it work?

Yes. It has for many.

When is it open?

It's open now but only for about 3 weeks. It will not open again for at least 6 months.

Are there extra costs to be aware of?

Yes. Expect to pay for tools and services beyond the course itself, such as an email list, ads, possibly a website, etc. However, it seems care has been taken to keep incidental costs down.

How to get a taste

Watch a replay of a past webinar such as Five Key Tips for Profitable Book Marketing or 3 Secrets to Starting Your Novel.Or, explore the website which has extra resources including the podcast, blog, and free books under the Resources tab.

Who made it & are they qualified to teach it?

Co-founder James Blatch is the face of Self Publishing Launchpad today. Many successful authors and experts in the field contribute, including huge players in the space such as former Amazon employees. Yes, the qualifications are there.Co-founder Mark Dawson, an author with over 4 million books sold, recently took a step back and handed the reigns over to James Blatch.

Pros

Success stories. As I've said, there are many student testimonials.Solid framework for all genres. I'd say the process favors fiction writers, but students write in all genres.Experience & style. The course is the product of many who are knowledgeable, thorough and detailed.A focus on building your list. The course revolves around building an email list. This is smart and something a lot of traditionally published authors find tricky because they are several steps removed from their readers (publishers get in the way!). An email list is an author's greatest asset.Community. The public Facebook Group has over 55,000 members at the time of this update. There is also a private Facebook Group for members. These give you a chance to ask questions, get ideas, share ideas, ask for advice, get support, provide encouragement and interact with other writers who “get” you.In-depth information. The course is packed with information. I'm not sure what else to say about that.Packaged well. The course platform is easy to navigate and familiar to many.Lifetime enrollment. You’ll have access to current and future updates of the course. It's so nice not to be charged annually.30-day money back guarantee. That’s just good customer service.

Cons

Cost. For some, the cost is prohibitive (although there is a generous payment plan). If you are willing to invest in a college course to further your career, this would be comparable.Potentially overwhelming for some. There are a lot of moving parts to the plan. That’s both good and bad. It’s super thorough, but also might be overwhelming for some.An ever-changing landscape. There’s no doubt this course will need updates as online things change (they always do). Now that I've had access to the course for 7 years, I can say it has been updated and added to many times over.

Conclusion

As I said, I’m a huge fan of self publishing. I rejected a traditional book deal and consider it to be one of my best income-generating decisions.Self Publishing Launchpad is impressive. If you dream of making a living writing, you’ll be hard pressed to find something comparable, especially at this price point. Get more details or check it out here.

Amy Lynn Andrews is a veteran blogger, author, newsletter writer and minimalist online business owner. Earnings from her online career allowed her and her husband to retire early.