The steps I took to self publish and the costs of self publishing:

This is a big undertaking! There are so many elements and the cost can be as much as $15K! You must do everything yourself so you need to be organized and persistent!

1. Choose printer - I chose Versa Press, offset printing, perfect binding, 5 color (extra), and you can choose raised print on the cover for an extra cost. Keep in mind that some printers have a “digital printing” option for less. These books usually look self-published. Versa Press does not offer this option. The turn around time is 20 business days from the day they receive your file. Add another 3-5 days for shipping (you pay).
2. Choose Editor. I worked with two. This is best because each editor is different and this gives you an idea of what you like. Also, they find mistakes that the other does not. Make sure your editor knows your style. For instance, I like to write with as few commas as possible. In addition, all changes to words were tracked so that I could approve or disapprove. Don’t let your editor change your voice!
3. Choose person to do cover design and typeset. The person I chose did both. In addition, this person works often with Versa Press so they know exactly how to lay out the book for my dimensions and the printer’s specs. Don’t send the manuscript to the layout person until you are absolutely sure it is ready to go and has been checked one final time by you and your editor. Even with this level of detail, you must re-check the layout in galley form and you will find mistakes. I went back and forth with small changes (commas, words etc) about 3 times.
4. Hire web-master for website. I will sell books from my site so I had to get a paypal account. Your webmaster must be able to set up shopping carts and when complete, teach you how to manage your own site for blog updates etc. Other costs will be on-going hosting or management.
5. As soon as possible, secure your domain name. I secured epicearthbook.com a year before my book was published. This is very important.
6. Open a PO Box if needed.
7. I formed an LLC through LegalZoom to keep the expenses and income separate.
8. Once the company is legal, open a bank account and order checks.
9. Visit isbn.org. This is the site for R.R. Bowker, the U.S. ISBN Agency in the United States. You must get and ISBN for your book and a bar code. In addition, I got a SAN – which is the digital signature for your company address. Also, register book in the Books in Print database at www.bowkerlink.com which you can do right before you get your first shipment of books.
10. Open an Amazon.com Advantage account if you intend to sell books on Amazon. They take a % of each book and you pay shipping.

These are the main elements. All told, it took about 1,300 hours to write the book and another 150 hours to publish. I committed to spend 2 hours per day writing and it took 2 years. I calculate the first round of books will cost about $4-$6 each in overhead expense.

Hope this helps you learn how to self publish! Happy writing!