Whether you’re fixing formatting issues, updating outdated information, or reclaiming your rights from a traditional publisher, knowing how to republish a book can breathe new life into your work.
Many successful authors choose to republish in order to improve book quality, reach a wider audience, and increase long-term sales—especially if they’re switching to self-publishing.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about republishing a book the right way.
Table of Contents
Why You Might Need to Republish a Book
There are many valid reasons to republish a book—and most of them come down to improving results or regaining control.
Common Reasons to Republish:
- Fixing errors (typos, formatting, or poor editing in a previous version)
- Updating outdated content (such as old stats, strategies, or time-sensitive examples)
- Reclaiming rights from a traditional publisher
- Changing your publishing model (e.g., moving from a hybrid publisher to full self-publishing)
- Rebranding your book (new cover, title, or subtitle)
Step 1: Confirm You Have the Rights to Republishing
Before making any changes or re-releasing your book, verify that you legally own the publishing rights.
If you previously used a traditional or hybrid publisher:
- Review your contract for a reversion of rights clause
- Look for terms related to exclusivity, expiration, or royalty violations
- If your publisher is no longer in business or is not fulfilling contract obligations (like paying royalties), you may have grounds to reclaim rights
Tip: Use the ALLi Watchdog Service to research publishers before signing any contract.
Step 2: Unpublish the Original Book
You’ll need to remove the original edition from sale before releasing a new version—especially if you’re using a different ISBN or changing the content significantly.
How to Unpublish an eBook:
- Amazon KDP: Go to your bookshelf and choose “Unpublish” under the book’s settings
- Other platforms: Each retailer has their own unpublishing steps—check their help centers for guidance
How to Unpublish a Print Book:
If your book was distributed through IngramSpark:
- Contact support via email and include your book title and ISBN
- Request that it be removed from distribution
- Expect a delay of up to 6–8 weeks for the book to be removed from online retailers
Note: You can’t remove used copies from the resale market, but new copies will no longer be available once your book is unpublished.
Step 3: Decide How You’ll Republish the Book
Do You Need a New ISBN?
You’ll need a new ISBN if:
- You’re making major content updates
- You’re changing the title, subtitle, or cover
- You’re switching from a traditional publisher to self-publishing
- You’re issuing a new edition of the book
📌 Minor updates (like formatting or correcting typos) may not require a new ISBN, but significant changes do.
Learn more at Bowker ISBN Services.
Revised Edition vs. New Edition
- Revised Edition: Minor updates, corrected errors, slight layout or formatting changes
- New Edition: Substantial updates, added chapters, or a complete content overhaul (usually labeled as “Second Edition” or “Updated & Expanded”)
Choose the appropriate format based on the depth of your changes.
Step 4: Manage Amazon Reviews When Republishing
One major consideration when republishing a book on Amazon is whether to keep your existing reviews.
You Can:
- Request a review merge through Amazon Author Central if your book retains the same content, title, and author name (with a new ISBN)
- Keep social proof that helps potential readers make a decision
You May Want to Start Fresh If:
- The old version had negative reviews due to poor formatting or content
- You’re rebranding completely with a new title, audience, or direction
Tip: If keeping the reviews, update your book description to clearly state that this version includes updated content, a new cover, or major improvements.
Step 5: Relaunch and Market the New Edition
A fresh edition deserves a strategic relaunch. Treat it like a new book launch—even if it’s an updated version.
Relaunch Checklist:
- Update your book description to highlight what’s new or improved
- Redesign the cover if needed to align with your current branding
- Send an announcement to your email list and post on social media
- Run a Kindle Countdown Deal or price promotion to boost early sales
- Use Amazon Ads to drive visibility and rankings
A revised edition is a great reason to reconnect with your readers and reignite interest.
Step 6: Understand Royalties When Republishing
If you’re republishing a book through self-publishing, you’ll keep more of the profit compared to traditional publishing.
Royalty Comparison:
- Traditional publishing: Typically pays 10–15% of net sales
- Amazon KDP: Offers 35–70% royalties depending on your eBook’s pricing and format
- IngramSpark or other POD platforms: Offer flexible pricing and distribution options
Bottom line: Republishing your book independently gives you full control—and a much higher earning potential per copy.
Final Thoughts: Is Republishing Your Book Worth It?
Absolutely. Republishing gives you the opportunity to correct, improve, and relaunch your book with a better strategy—whether it’s fixing mistakes, updating content, or regaining control from a past publishing deal.
Key Takeaways:
- Always check your publishing rights before republishing
- Follow proper steps to unpublish your old edition
- Use a new ISBN when making significant content changes
- Decide whether to keep or reset Amazon reviews
- Approach your relaunch like a new book release
- Self-publishing your republished book offers higher royalties and full control
Need expert help republishing your non-fiction book the right way?
Talk to a strategist at Book Launchers. We’ll guide you through editing, design, publishing, and promotion—so your republished book has the impact it deserves.
