# What it takes to get a book published

An episode of [Life Kit](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1461493560), 7 Apr 2026, 22 min.

Audio: https://tracking.swap.fm/track/XvDEoI11TR00olTUO8US/prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510338/npr.simplecastaudio.com/8ae5a040-e346-4b89-ba6b-625f91f1fbd4/episodes/b75f1e4a-6636-41ec-8a3f-de01ce58736d/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=8ae5a040-e346-4b89-ba6b-625f91f1fbd4&awEpisodeId=b75f1e4a-6636-41ec-8a3f-de01ce58736d&feed=XkY2SBZJ&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5775865&p=510338&d=1292&size=20678575

Writing and publishing a book is just as much about money as it is about creativity. Planet Money co-host Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi walks us through how publishing works. He also explains the differences between publishing fiction and nonfiction, the chain of people that help get a book from rough draft to hard copy, and when self-publishing is a good option. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

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