Emacs, Word, whatever...the first draft is the task at hand, not typesetting. Writing does not require software: Paper and pen are enough to start. Searching for the optimal software feels like work and is attractive because it is easier than producing a manuscript.

I have a related question - I am looking to (self) publish a hardcover dead-tree book aimed at a luxury niche and sold via Amazon.

Can anyone recommend an online publisher? So far blurb.com looks like it ticks all the boxes but reviews are mixed.

selfpublishing.com

Thanks, I will check them out. A shame that their quotes are hidden behind a lead capture form, though.

Good news is, they were a client of a place I used to work. So, I can safely say that you can put any data in there and it'll give you the quote.

I saw this yesterday and haven't checked it out fully but it'll probably be interesting to you. https://www.gitbook.com/

Another alternative to Leanpub is Softcover (https://www.softcover.io/)

LaTeX comes to my mind.