Helping indie authors publish with confidence

Your partner for formatting, cover design, distribution and more
Oak and Apex self-publishing services
Book : Don't judge a book by it's cover
Book : Mandala coloring book
Book : Wear your crown

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Book : Love and death
Book : Become an improver
Book : Freds the super friend

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Publish your book on these Major plateformes

And more...

Amazon KDP
Apple Books
Google Play Books
Ingramspark
Don't judge a book by it's cover
Mandala coloring book
Wear your crown
Love and death
become an improver
Freds the super friend

Words From Authors We've Helped Publish

April 24 2025

5 stars reviews Oak and Apex

I've been working with Oak and Apex for a long time, and they've always been wonderful and prompt with our work. We'll continue to work with them in the future and highly recommend their service.

June 18 2025

5 stars reviews Oak and Apex

Oak and Apex truly impressed us with their creativity and brand alignment in book design, delivering visually appealing work that stands out! Working with them was a breeze thanks to their proactive communication and polite approach. Highly recommend!

July 14 2025

5 stars reviews Oak and Apex

Oak and Apex did an exceptional job on my book design! Their attention to detail and brand alignment were spot on, and their professionalism truly shines. Plus, their quick responses and proactive communication made the process smooth and stress-free.

September 2 2025

5 stars reviews Oak and Apex

Oak and Apex turned the files around quickly without compromising on quality. It was a pleasure working with them, and I’ll certainly ask for their help with future book releases.

September 19 2025

5 stars reviews Oak and Apex

Hi Oak and Apex, thanks again — everything looks great now! In the future, when I need to format PDFs or EPUBs, I’ll definitely come back to you. You’ll be my go-to team for this kind of work. Wishing you all the best with your continued success.

January 01 2026

5 stars reviews Oak and Apex

Oak and Apex’s expertise in book design truly shines with their professional approach to delivering top-notch work. Their quick responsiveness made the collaboration a joy, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.

Explore Our Complete Publishing Services  

From Draft to Bookstore

Book formatting for indie authors

Professional Formatting

Professional formatting ensures your manuscript is clean, readable, and fully compatible with all publishing platforms. At Oak & Apex, we take care of layout, spacing, fonts, and structure so your book looks professional in both print and digital formats. The result: a smooth reading experience that meets industry standards.

Cover design for indie authors

Custom Cover Design

Your cover is the first thing readers see — and first impressions matter. Our custom cover designs are created to capture the essence of your book while appealing to your target audience. From concept to final artwork, we design covers that stand out on digital stores and physical shelves alike.

Woldwide book distribution

Global Distribution

We help you distribute your book across major online retailers, bookstores, and libraries worldwide. From eBook platforms to print-on-demand services, we manage the technical side of distribution so your book reaches readers everywhere — smoothly and efficiently.

Book ISBN

ISBN Registration

An ISBN gives your book its professional identity. We assist with ISBN registration to ensure your book is properly listed, identifiable, and ready for global distribution. By handling this process for you, we make sure your work is correctly registered and protected from the start.

Why choose Oak & Apex for your

publishing journey

Why choose us?

At Oak and Apex, we're authors too—with nearly a decade of experience in self-publishing. We understand your journey and offer real, personalized support. Our professional-quality results, fast turnarounds, and competitive pricing are designed for indie authors like you. With global reach and a personal touch, we help you publish with confidence. Your story matters. Let’s bring it to life, together.

How Oak and Apex compares to other self-publishing platforms

Unlike large self-publishing platforms that rely on automation and fixed packages, Oak & Apex offers a personal, author-first approach. We work directly with you to ensure your book is professionally formatted, designed, and distributed—without hidden limitations or loss of control.

Get Our Free Guide for Aspiring Publishers

Free Resource

A clear and helpful overview of formatting, cover design, ISBNs, and distribution—ideal for getting started on your publishing journey.

Download our guide

Tailored Self-Publishing Services

for Every Genre

At Oak and Apex, we tailor our publishing services to your genre’s unique tone. Click any category to learn how we can help you self-publish with confidence.

Romance

Expert help for thriller and suspense writers

Mystery & Crime

Help for young adult fiction writers

Young Adult (YA)

Explore Oak and Apex services for fantasy authors

Fantasy

Publishing solutions for horror fiction authors

Horror

Self-publishing support for science fiction writers

Science Fiction

Expert help for thriller and suspense writers

Thriller & Suspense

Publishing services tailored to historical fiction

Historical Fiction

Self-publishing for children’s authors made easy

Children’s Books

Publishing support for literary fiction creators

Literary Fiction

Oak and Apex resources for self-help authors

Self-Help

Publishing tools for business and finance writers

Business

Academic and educational self-publishing support

Educational Books

Guidance for memoir and biography self-publishing

Memoirs & Bios

Personal Growth

Services for religious and spiritual authors

Spiritual & Religious

Publishing tools for business and finance writers

Politics & Affairs

Support for authors writing travel-focused books

Travel Writing

Services for food writers and cookbook authors

Cookbooks & Food

Publishing help for health and wellness books

Health & Fitness

Romance

Expert help for thriller and suspense writers

Mystery & Crime

Help for young adult fiction writers

Young Adult (YA)

Explore Oak and Apex services for fantasy authors

Fantasy

Publishing solutions for horror fiction authors

Horror

Self-publishing support for science fiction writers

Science Fiction

Expert help for thriller and suspense writers

Thriller & Suspense

Publishing services tailored to historical fiction

Historical Fiction

Self-publishing for children’s authors made easy

Children’s Books

Publishing support for literary fiction creators

Literary Fiction

Oak and Apex resources for self-help authors

Self-Help

Publishing tools for business and finance writers

Business

Academic and educational self-publishing support

Educational Books

Guidance for memoir and biography self-publishing

Memoirs & Bios

Personal Growth

Services for religious and spiritual authors

Spiritual & Religious

Publishing tools for business and finance writers

Politics & Affairs

Support for authors writing travel-focused books

Travel Writing

Services for food writers and cookbook authors

Cookbooks & Food

Publishing help for health and wellness books

Health & Fitness

Publishing Packages for indie authors

Find the right package for your publishing journey, complete with free unlimited revisions to ensure your

book is polished to perfection.

Now available: Split your payment in 4 with PayPal  interest-free and hassle-free.
(Option shown at checkout for eligible customers)

Premium package

$ 999

$ 799

Enhanced support for a polished publication

 

FORMATTING 

Ebook and Print

Amazon

Apple Books

Google Book

Barnes and Noble

Ingramspark

Lulu Book

COVER DESIGN

Full cover design (front & back)

ISBN

ISBN Registration

DISTRIBUTION

Distribution on the platforms listed above

 

unlimited free revisions

 

For authors seeking a complete, professional publishing experience. Includes everything in the Starter Package, plus formatting for IngramSpark, Lulu, and B&N. Also includes a custom cover design and ISBN registration—all in one competitive package.

Order now

STARTER PACKAGE

 $ 599

$ 399

Essential tools to get your book published

 

FORMATTING 

Ebook and Print

Amazon

Apple Books

Google Book

DISTRIBUTION

Distribution on the platforms listed above

COVER DESIGN

Assistance only

 revision

3 free revisions

on-demand

QUOTE

Custom publishing tailored to your individual needs

A flexible option for authors with specific needs. Choose formatting, cover design, ISBN support—or all three. Tailored services let you stay in control of your project. Get professional help when you need it, backed by the team at Oak and Apex.

Not Sure Which Package Is Right for You?

Have questions or need guidance before you get started? Leave your details and we’ll be in touch to help you make the best choice for your publishing journey.

Custom Author Websites

Your author brand deserves a professional online presence. We build stunning, custom websites that turn readers into fans. We handle everything from the initial design concept to the final, mobile-ready launch, ensuring your site is an authentic extension of your brand. With a focus on clean design, SEO, and seamless reader experience, we create a powerful platform that helps you sell books and grow your audience.

Find Out More
About Oak & Apex

As an author embarking on my very first book, I initially believed the hardest part would be the writing itself. Pouring my ideas onto the page, shaping characters, refining language—it felt like climbing a mountain.  I assumed that once the manuscript was finished, publishing would be a simple matter of uploading a file to Amazon and clicking "publish".

Frequently Asked Questions for indie authors

Q What is self-publishing, and how does it work?
A Self-publishing allows authors to publish their work independently without going through a traditional publishing house. You control every aspect—writing, design, pricing, and distribution. We help guide you through the process from manuscript to marketplace.

 

 

Q Which platforms can I publish my book on with Oak and Apex?
A We assist with publishing on all major platforms, including Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Barnes & Noble Press, IngramSpark, and Lulu.

 

 

Q Do I retain all rights to my book?
A Yes. You keep 100% ownership of your content, royalties, and creative rights. We’re simply here to support and streamline the publishing process for you.

troubleshooting and resources for indie authors

Written by KC Life, Oak & Apex Blog Editor
Updated on 21 January 2026

Helpful? Share with your author friends

How Much Does It Really Cost to Self-Publish a Book in 2026?

Stop guessing and start budgeting. This 2,000-word deep dive breaks down every dollar of the self-publishing process, from the "Free Myth" to the reality of the 2026 marketplace.

Who Writes What? Gender Trends

in Self-Publishing

Gender Trends in Self-Publishing

Click to enlarge and download

The world of publishing is shaped not only by story and style but also by who is writing. Certain genres lean heavily toward female authors, while others are still dominated by male voices — and these patterns can influence everything from readership expectations to marketing opportunities. For instance, romance is overwhelmingly female-led at around 90%, while fantasy and sci-fi remain male-leaning. Genres like crime and thrillers strike a more balanced mix, and children’s books are strongly driven by women, with nearly three-quarters of authors being female.

 

For new and established writers, understanding these trends can offer valuable perspective. It highlights where your voice fits within the wider publishing landscape and where there may be untapped opportunities for your work. At Oak & Apex, we support authors in every genre — from memoirs and self-help guides to thrillers, fantasy, romance, and more. By recognizing both the creative and market dynamics of your chosen category, we help you publish with confidence and connect with the readers who matter most.

 

Want to see the full breakdown? Dive deeper into the numbers, explore why these gender trends exist, and learn what they mean for indie authors in today’s publishing world.

Read the full article here

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Plus: learn the 5 most common mistakes indie authors make when publishing their first book.