Have you ever watched an anime or read a manga and thought, “I want to create something like this”? Many fans feel inspired to tell their own stories, whether through writing or drawing. But once the story is ready, the next big question comes up: how do you publish it?
Publishing isn’t just about printing your work or uploading it online. It also involves planning, promoting, and finding the right platform or method to reach readers. If people can’t find your story, they won’t get the chance to enjoy it—no matter how great it is.
In this blog, I’ll explore the different ways to publish a manga or story, the steps involved, and some tips to help you get started. Whether you want to go digital, self-publish, or aim for a traditional publisher, understanding your options is the first step forward.
Are you ready
The first thing to consider when preparing to publish a book—or any long-term creative project—is whether you’re truly ready. Have you written a full chapter? Have you planned your story from beginning to end? Can you finish a chapter in a week or a month and keep a consistent pace? Many creators also struggle with self-doubt, often asking, “Is my art good enough? Will people read this? What if it’s boring or full of mistakes?” This feeling, known as imposter syndrome, holds back a lot of talented artists from publishing their work. But remember, even famous creators like the original artist of One Punch Man started with very simple drawings. Some of his early work looked like it was drawn by a child—but that didn’t stop him. He kept creating because he loved it, not because it was perfect. That’s the most important thing.
Don’t wait until your work is perfect. No one expects your first story to be a masterpiece. What matters is that you take the step forward. Publish it, even if it’s rough. Keep writing, drawing, and sharing. The more you do, the better you’ll get. Growth comes from doing, not just planning. Each chapter you finish is progress, and each story you share helps you learn and improve. The sooner you break free from that fear of not being “good enough,” the faster you’ll start growing as a creator.
Another important point is knowing when you’re truly ready to publish. Many beginners start by planning an epic, long-running manga like Naruto or One Piece, but those stories didn’t begin that way. Most successful artists started small—with short comics, simple ideas, and easy-to-draw characters. That’s how they developed their style and skills. If you’re just beginning, try to create a short story or a one-shot. Aim for something around 50–60 pages, or a mini-series of about 5–8 chapters. And before publishing the first chapter, try to finish at least three in advance. This gives you time to improve and keep a steady release schedule, even as your art evolves midway. Starting small will help you grow into something much bigger.
Marketing
Marketing is a very important part of publishing—especially if you want your story to reach readers and grow your presence as an artist. Having a clear goal for your creative career can help you make decisions that lead to your story becoming more popular and accessible worldwide. In this part of the process, it’s important to think about who will read your book and why. Try to define a target audience—a specific group of people who are most likely to enjoy your story. This focus will help you shape your content, style, and even how you present your work online. Whether it’s teenagers who love action and adventure or older readers who enjoy emotional slice-of-life stories, knowing your audience is key to making your story connect and stand out.
Targeting the right audience is one of the best ways to help your manga grow as quickly as possible. While success won’t happen overnight, focusing on a specific group of readers gives your story a better chance of being noticed. Personally, I believe this is something you should think about before you even start writing. Ask yourself: Who am I writing this for? Who would enjoy this story the most? The answer depends on the genre, tone, and themes of your manga. Is it made for kids or adults? Is it wholesome and heartwarming, or intense and action-packed? Will it include violence, romance, comedy, or mystery? These choices will guide you in shaping a story that speaks clearly to the right audience.
Once you know your target group, it becomes easier to connect with them online. There are communities for nearly every genre—fans of detective stories, superhero adventures, romance dramas, slice-of-life tales, and more. Whether it’s on forums, Discord servers, Reddit, Instagram, or manga-specific platforms, you’ll find readers who are already interested in the kind of story you’re telling. Engage with those spaces: share your progress, post your work, and talk to people. Building an audience takes effort and time, but when you focus on the right people, that effort turns into real support. This is how your story finds its readers—and how your passion starts to grow into a real presence in the manga world.
A fanbase plays a major role in the growth and popularity of your book. In fact, it’s even better if you start building that fanbase before you finish writing. When people are already expecting your story, it can give your manga a strong boost right from the beginning. After you’ve identified your target audience, the next step is to start sharing content—whether that’s sketches, character designs, short comics, or previews from your upcoming work. This helps people get to know your style, understand your story, and become part of your creative journey.
That’s exactly what I’m doing right now—writing blog articles, posting on Instagram, and slowly building a community of people who enjoy my content. So when I’m ready to release my manga, there will already be readers excited to see it. Over time, this can even open up opportunities for extra income through things like digital products, art commissions, or merchandise. If you dream of turning your manga into a full career, building a fanbase early is not just helpful—it’s essential. It creates support, excitement, and momentum that can carry your book further than you imagined.
Ultimately, building a fanbase and preparing your audience before your book is fully written or published can make all the difference in its success. It’s about creating anticipation and engagement from the start. By consistently sharing your process, interacting with your followers, and staying active in the communities you’re targeting, you build not just an audience, but a group of supporters who are genuinely excited to see your work come to life. This ongoing relationship with your readers is what will help you grow as a creator and set the stage for your future success.
Ways To Publish
There are two main ways to publish a book: through a traditional publisher or by self-publishing. Both methods have their own advantages and challenges, and the right choice depends on your goals and how you want to manage your creative work. Publishing through a company can give you access to professional editing, marketing, and distribution, but it may also mean giving up some creative control or waiting for approval. On the other hand, self-publishing allows you to keep full control over your story and release it on your own schedule, but it requires more effort in promoting and managing everything yourself. Both paths are valid—it’s just a matter of choosing what works best for you.
Publishers
When you’re ready to share your manga or story with the world, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is how to publish it. Traditional publishers are a powerful option—they can help you reach a wide audience, provide professional editing and printing, and even guide you through marketing. However, it’s important to understand that not all publishers are the same. Depending on where you live or where you want your story to be read, different companies offer different opportunities. Let’s take a look at some well-known publishers across different regions, including the USA, Europe, and Japan.
In the US and Europe, manga and graphic novels have exploded in popularity, and a bunch of publishers have jumped in to bring stories from all over the world to local readers. These companies not only translate and distribute manga, but they also support original creators from outside Japan. So if you’re creating in English, this could be a solid way to go.
Some well-known Western publishers include:
- VIZ Media – The powerhouse behind Naruto, One Piece, and Jujutsu Kaisen in English.
- Kodansha USA – Bringing titles like Attack on Titan and Tokyo Revengers to the West.
- Dark Horse Comics – Known for publishing Berserk and Mob Psycho 100 in English.
- Seven Seas Entertainment – A favorite for niche genres, romance, and indie-style manga.
These publishers often look for polished work or existing popularity online—so building your fanbase early helps!
Now let’s talk about the big leagues. Japan is the heart of the manga industry, and their publishers are the titans. If you ever dreamed of having your manga next to One Piece on a shelf in Tokyo, these are the names you need to know. That said, they’re super competitive—but hey, dream big, right?
Top Japanese manga publishers include:
- Shueisha – The giant behind Shonen Jump, One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer.
- Kodansha – Publishes Attack on Titan, Fairy Tail, and Edens Zero.
- Shogakukan – Known for titles like Detective Conan and Inuyasha.
- Kadokawa – Big on light novels and anime-style manga like Re:Zero and Konosuba.
Getting published here is like reaching final boss level, but even creators outside Japan have made it in—so never count yourself out!
Regulations
Whenever you’re dealing with publishers, there are a lot of rules and guidelines to keep in mind. Once you’ve chosen a publisher you’d like to work with, you don’t always have to send them a fully finished manga. In fact, many publishers accept a portfolio or proposal instead. This usually includes a short summary of your story, introductions to the main characters, and your overall plan for the series. For manga specifically, it’s a good idea to include sample pages or a storyboard/plot outline with visuals, so they can get a clear idea of your art style and storytelling.
After reviewing your submission, the publisher will let you know whether they’re interested. Sometimes, they might ask for changes or improvements, so it’s better to approach them with flexibility. Once both sides agree to move forward, they’ll send you a contract. This isn’t an employment contract—it’s a publishing agreement. It usually includes how much you’ll get paid, the rights to your story and artwork, and what changes the publisher is allowed to make. In some cases, they may even suggest edits to the story, character designs, or even the title. That’s why it’s very important to read the contract carefully before signing. You’re not just sharing your story—you’re entering a legal partnership, and you want to make sure it’s fair and something you’re truly okay with.
Self publishing
Okay, so when it comes to self-publishing, there are two main routes: physical publishing (printed copies of your book) and digital publishing (online books, manga, or comics). Let’s start with the classic—physical publishing. This one’s a bit trickier. Why? Because it costs money upfront. You’ll need to print the books, possibly store them, and figure out how to distribute them—whether that’s through local shops, conventions, or online shipping. Sure, you can go with Print-on-Demand services like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Lulu—these let you avoid stockpiling hundreds of books in your bedroom—but even then, designing a good cover, getting a clean layout, and marketing it is a whole mission in itself. The biggest challenge? Without a publisher to back you, it’s hard to reach people fast unless you already have an audience. So yeah, it’s totally doable—but you’ve gotta be ready to hustle!
Now for the other side of the coin—digital publishing. This is where most indie creators start, and honestly? It’s way easier to jump into. Anyone can start uploading stories today on platforms like:
- Webtoon Canvas (for webcomics/manga)
- Tapas
- Wattpad (great for light novels)
- GlobalComix
- Even Instagram and your own website!
You can publish chapters weekly, build a fanbase, and get instant feedback. It’s low-cost, low-risk, and perfect for beginners. BUT—and this is a big one—you probably won’t make a living just from posting pages online. Because digital books are cheap (or often free), you’ll need other income streams to support your work. That means opening a Patreon, selling merch like T-shirts, posters, or art prints, maybe even doing commissions or launching Kickstarter campaigns. Basically, your story becomes the core, and everything else you build around it is how you turn it into a real career.
So, whether you want to print it out and sell it in stores or drop it chapter-by-chapter online, both paths work—you just need to pick the one that fits your goals, your budget, and your hustle level. And hey, even One Punch Man started as a webcomic!
My thoughts
I don’t have any personal experience in publishing a book yet. Everything I’ve shared in this article comes from research, reading stories from people who have published books, and learning from others online. These are ideas collected from various sources, and I’ve done my best to put them together in a way that can help beginners like me.
As for me personally, if I ever decide to publish a story, I’d start small—maybe post it on my own website or use free online platforms. If things go well and there’s a good response from readers, I’d consider printing physical copies based on the demand. And if it really grows from there, maybe one day I’d work with a publishing company. But in the beginning, I’d just keep it simple—share it, let people read it, and slowly build a fanbase.
Of course, everyone’s journey is different. If you already have an audience or supportive friends, maybe you can jump straight into printing your work. The important thing is to understand what path works best for you. Whether it’s self-publishing, going with a publisher, or doing a mix of both—do your research. Look into the risks, costs, contracts, and all the small details. And most importantly, don’t stop writing. You’ve got this—happy Writing!
