CreateSpace (Amazon)
CreateSpace was the second place I found for self publication, without the high startup costs most companies seem to require. It is pretty simple to use, but does not have the gallery, templates, or wizard that Lulu offers. So, a suggestion, publish with both. This way you can use the same cover you generate with Lulu to upload to CreateSpace. Also, if you are unable to create your own PDF files, you may want to try CutePDF or use the one Lulu creates from your Word document; just remember to adhere to the format sizes given by Lulu and CreateSpace respectively. With CreateSpace, you have the availability to create and sell paperback copies of your book directly from CreateSpace, along with the option to select for it to be listed at www.amazon.com also. You are also issued an ISBN (free), but remember it is only usable within self-publishing through CreateSpace (not with Lulu, etc.). You set the list price, based on what royalties you would like to receive over the cost charged by CreateSpace or Amazon for manufacturing/selling items. This is a per item cost, not a monthly fee.
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iTunes (iBooks)
https://itunesconnect.apple.com/
With iBooks Author, you can create or convert your book into an eBook to be listed in the Apple iBooks store. There are a few more steps than with Amazon and Barnes & Noble, but it wasn't too difficult. There is an option for free and for profit book listing. A different account is needed for each.
Pordlaw LaRue
Publishing Tips
Fotolia
Every book needs a good cover. Fotolia has over 29,000,000 images to choose from. Prices range from around $1.40 per credit, with an average needed amount of 8 or 10. Check it out and see what you find. You can always tweak them as you add your title and name.
I thought I would take a moment to suggest a few sites which I have personally used to make my books available to a wider audience, hoping to come in contact with those who may be interested in reading them. I am sure there are plenty of other options available, so please feel free to share your suggestions and experiences, and I will try to update this list as I am made aware of new avenues to present our works to the public.
Amazon (Kindle)
https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/signin
With Amazon’s free Kindle conversion tools, this site shares all you need so that you can covert and sell your book digitally in the Kindle format directly from Amazon.
Barnes and Noble (Nook)
[formerly, http://pubit.barnesandnoble.com/]
With Barnes and Noble’s free online conversion tools, this site shares all you need so that you can covert and sell book digitally in the ePub format for the Nook directly from Barnes and Noble.
Lulu
I have used Lulu since around 2007, when I published by first book, Ekleipsis. I have found it rather easy to use, and it is virtually free unless you decide to purchase a physical copy of your book yourself. It offers a gallery of pictures that may be customized and used as cover art, along with easy to use templates for different book sizes. They have created a pretty simple wizard which walks you through the conversion of your uploaded document into PDF, and walks you through uploading and customizing your cover. Although, I would suggest (if possible) converting your document into PDF yourself, setting all of your customizations to embed, then uploading your PDF file so that it remains more true to your original format. With Lulu, you have the availability to create and sell paperback, hardback, and digital PDF download copies of your book directly from Lulu. You set the list price, based on what royalties you would like to receive over the cost charged by Lulu for manufacturing/selling/hosting items. This is a per item cost, not a monthly fee.