If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of self-publishing puzzles, chances are you got stuck in the same mental loop most people do:
“This sounds fun… but it also sounds like a lot of work. And what if it doesn’t sell?”
That hesitation is not a failure of motivation. It’s a rational response to a real problem.
Puzzles are time-consuming to create. They do require accuracy. And unlike fiction, there’s no emotional promise that a reader will “fall in love” with your work. So many people quietly think about puzzle publishing, bookmark a few examples on Amazon, maybe even sketch an outline… and then never move forward.
This post is about solving that problem.
Not by pretending the concerns aren’t valid, but by showing why puzzles are still one of the best low-risk ways to dip your toe into self-publishing, if you approach them the right way.
Let’s be honest about the problem first (you’re not wrong)
Most people who consider puzzle publishing already know a few uncomfortable truths:
- Creating puzzles takes time, especially if you care about quality
- The market looks crowded at first glance
- There’s no guarantee that effort equals sales
- A “big book” feels like a big commitment
And that’s exactly why so many people stall. The default mental image is a 150-page puzzle book that must be perfect before it ever sees the light of day.
That image is the problem.
Because self-publishing puzzles does not have to start there.
Why puzzles are still a smart place to start in self-publishing
Despite the hesitation, puzzles remain one of the most beginner-friendly entry points into self-publishing, for a few key reasons:
- Evergreen demand: People don’t stop wanting word searches, sudoku, logic puzzles, or brain games
- No personal brand required: You don’t need an author platform or a social media presence
- Repeatable formats: Once you understand a format, you can reuse and expand it
- Low emotional risk: You’re selling utility and enjoyment, not your life story
The mistake most beginners make isn’t choosing puzzles. It’s choosing the wrong starting format.
There are really two very different paths here, and understanding the difference changes everything.
Path One: Self-Publishing Puzzle Books (Amazon and Barnes & Noble)
This is the path most people think of first.
Printed puzzle books sold through Amazon KDP or Barnes & Noble Press feel “real.” They look legitimate. They’re easy to imagine as gifts or impulse purchases. And yes, they can sell well.
But here’s the key mindset shift:
A first puzzle book is not about building an empire. It’s about proof of concept.
Where people get stuck
- They try to create too many puzzle types at once
- They aim for hundreds of pages instead of a focused volume
- They delay publishing because they want it to be “worth it”
A better way to start
Instead of asking, “Will this big puzzle book sell?” ask:
“Can I publish one clean, focused puzzle book and see what happens?”
Examples of smart starter books:
- One puzzle type only (all word ladders, all sudoku, all word searches)
- One clear audience (kids, seniors, ESL learners, cozy mystery fans)
- One clear promise (easy, relaxing, large print, themed)
A 40–60 page book that solves a specific problem for a specific reader is infinitely more publishable than a giant “everything” book that never gets finished.
This path is ideal if you:
- Like the idea of physical books
- Want passive sales through large marketplaces
- Prefer set-and-forget publishing once the book is live
But it’s not the only option, and for many beginners, it’s not the best first step.
Path Two: Puzzle Printables (the faster, lower-risk option)
Printables don’t get as much attention in self-publishing conversations, but they quietly solve many of the exact problems that stop people from starting.
If the fear is time, effort, and no guaranteed return, printables reduce all three.
Why printables feel easier
- Smaller scope (10–20 puzzles instead of 100+)
- Faster creation and revision
- No printing or formatting constraints
- Easier to test niche ideas quickly
And there are established places where puzzle printables already sell every day.
Where printables shine
- Educational marketplaces where teachers actively search for activities
- Consumer marketplaces where buyers want instant downloads
- Direct sales where you control pricing and bundling
Printables are especially powerful if you:
- Want quick feedback from the market
- Like experimenting with themes or audiences
- Want to build toward bundles, collections, or memberships
Many successful puzzle publishers quietly start here, then turn their best-selling printables into printed books later.
The real reason most people never start (and how to fix it)
Most people don’t fail at self-publishing puzzles because puzzles are a bad idea.
They fail because they try to skip the testing phase.
They assume they must commit to:
- A large book
- A perfect system
- A long timeline
In reality, the most sustainable path looks like this:
- Start small
- Publish something simple
- Learn from real buyers
- Expand only what works
Whether you choose printed books or printables, the goal of your first product is not income. It’s information.
Information about:
- What people actually buy
- What themes resonate
- What’s worth your time to expand
If you’ve been circling the idea, this is your sign
If you’ve thought about self-publishing puzzles more than once, that’s not an accident.
It means you’re drawn to a model that:
- Doesn’t require constant visibility
- Can grow quietly over time
- Rewards consistency more than creativity burnout
You don’t need to decide your entire publishing future today.
You just need to decide on one small puzzle product and choose one path.
That’s how almost every successful puzzle publisher actually begins.
Access our free puzzle builders here: Generator Hub