After school activities

I’m exploring options for publishing my first book and wondering about book editing and formatting services. Are these services truly necessary, or can a careful author manage editing and formatting alone? How do you know which providers offer quality results versus just basic fixes? For authors who have used these services, did it make a significant difference in the final book, both in readability and presentation? I’d love to hear your experiences and recommendations.

I’ve been exploring self book publishing but I’m still unsure if it’s truly the smartest route for new authors. Does self-publishing really offer more freedom and higher royalties, or does it come with hidden challenges people don’t talk about? How do you handle editing, design, and marketing on your own without overspending? And what platforms actually work best for beginners? I’d love to hear from authors who’ve tried it what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d recommend.