If you perform a quick Google search, you'll discover that there are a number of websites dedicated to self-publishing. Begin by researching these sites. Explore what each one offers and the costs involved. Many of the sites require that you set up an account before you can gain access to this information. Be aware of privacy concerns any time you provide information to a site.
Once you've settled on a site, you'll be asked to make a series of choices. Some sites offer a choice of book format--hardcover or paperback. In choosing your format, consider the type of material you're publishing. Photographic books are generally printed in hardback, as are other art books and illustrated children's books. Novels, poetry, short story collections, and self-help books are commonly issued in paperback. But the choice is up to you.
Next you'll have the opportunity to choose such things as the type and size of paper, the binding, and the color of your book cover. On some sites, paper choice involves a decision between publisher grade paper and standard grade paper. Publisher grade paper is more economical in the U.S., while standard grade paper is available in more sizes. You may also be able to choose the paper's color (generally cream or white). One of the most important choices you'll make is whether to publish in full-color or black and white. Black and white is far less expensive, but color is a better choice if you want to publish color illustrations or photographs.
Before uploading your book to the website, change the size of your manuscript so it matches the size of the book format you chose. For instance, a trade paperback is typically 6" wide and 9" tall, not the standard 8.5" by 11" document format, so your manuscript must be 6" by 9" as well. Most websites require PDF format for uploaded documents so you'll probably need to convert your manuscript to PDF format prior to uploading.
Create a cover. Most websites offer a cover wizard or templates that you can change up to a certain point. Information necessary for the cover typically includes the book title, author name, book synopsis, author photo, and your publisher name and logo. You should prepare your book synopsis and author biography in advance.
Websites often ask for an International Standard Book Number (ISBN). This number is a coding system consisting of 10 or 13 digits that allows a book to be electronically recognized by publishers, libraries, booksellers, and others. If you do not have one, the site should be able to assign an ISBN number to the book on your behalf. Some sites will let you create a book without an ISBN number and will sell your book on that particular site only. However, if you want to sell to a larger market, sites such as Amazon.com (and most book distributors) require an ISBN number. You can also buy your ISBN from a different website. Compare prices and determine which approach is more cost-effective.
Once you've completed these steps you have, believe it or not, published your book. Now it's up to you to market it.
While self-publishing an academic paper or political commentary is less common than self-publishing a book, there are options. For instance, if your paper or commentary is book-length, you can use the process outlined above and publish through a self-publishing website. This is also an option if you have a series or collection of papers you want to publish.
Another option regarding self-publishing your paper or commentary lies in the blogosphere. You can create your own blog on a popular site or on a more specialized site related to your topic. You can simply "publish" your paper or commentary in the blog, then use it to publish future works.
Instead of creating your own blog, you can join an existing blog. Try doing a Google search for blogs that match your academic or political interests. Assuming that you find one or more, you should be able to create an account and begin blogging. Once again, be cautious of privacy concerns when providing information to a website.