You have about a hundred poems you’ve been compiling over a period, or a very captivating romance story of a woman caught up in a love hexagon typed out in Microsoft Word, or you probably haven’t written a sentence yet, but plan to give your thriving audience on social media a paperback book on some ‘how-to’ tips.
So, how about the traditional publishing route? Well, though you do less work with that method, facing the big struggle of getting a publisher who would love your work and want it printed into a book can be frustrating. And let’s not forget the many rejections you may face.
This is a major reason why many writers are self publishing today. The headache of looking for a publisher is avoided, but as usual, every pro has a con. You can read the advantages and disadvantages in this post.
Now, let’s say you’ve decided to go down the self publishing route. What are your options? Which sites will help that idea you’ve always had become a reality?
Let’s look at 10 self publishing sites that will help you get your writing published into an e-book or printed work. Note that these options have been listed in no particular order. There is also a table of contents to guide you through.
Self Publishing Sites To Get You Started
1. Amazon Kindle Publishing (KDP)
Talk about a large audience, and Amazon would feature first. Amazon is a big online market site for all sorts of products and goods, and books aren’t left out. There are many readers who go book shopping, hoping to occupy themselves with an interesting story, non fiction or poem collection during their leisure time.
There is also the benefit of Kindle Unlimited subscription, where book lovers pay a monthly fee (currently around $9.99) to access a large library of ebooks. Authors are paid from a global fund based on the number of pages read, and while the payout per page can vary each month, it can still add up depending on how much readers engage with the book.
Since 2007, Amazon made it possible, through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), for writers to self publish and get their books in front of their large number of readers.
KDP allows the following formats: ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers, all using print-on-demand, so books are printed only when ordered. Books can also be published as a series, if you are planning to write a serial story.
There are no upfront fees when publishing. Amazon KDP however takes a percentage of each sale you make. For paperbacks and hardcovers, royalties are calculated based on your list price minus printing costs. Books priced at $9.99 and above typically earn 60 percent, while those priced below that may earn around 50 percent. For ebooks, royalties can be 70 percent in eligible regions if the book is priced between $2.99 and $9.99. Otherwise, royalties are 35 percent.
When uploading your manuscript and cover, you have the option of using your own ISBN you purchased, or getting a free ISBN from KDP. Note that you cannot use a free ISBN from KDP anywhere else, meaning you would have to use a different ISBN if you want to publish on other sites.
There is the option of selecting expanded distribution, where Amazon makes your paperback available to bookstores, libraries, and other retailers through third-party distributors. This does not make your book exclusive to Amazon, but royalties are lower, typically around 40 percent.
When publishing your ebook, you have the option of choosing Kindle Select, which enrolls your book in Kindle Unlimited. This can help you reach more readers, but it requires ebook exclusivity with Amazon for a 90-day period, which automatically renews unless you opt out. You are still free to publish print or audiobook versions elsewhere.
Creating a KDP account is free, and you can use your already existing Amazon account if you have one. Every individual is entitled to only one KDP account. You cannot have more than one KDP account, or you risk having both accounts being closed.
2. Barnes and Noble Press
Though not as large as Amazon’s, Barnes and Noble has a big audience regularly buying books through its online bookstore and physical stores.
Just like Amazon KDP, there are no upfront fees and it is free to create an account. Authors can publish their work in ebook, paperback and hardcover formats.
However, publishing through Barnes and Noble means your book will primarily be sold through Barnes and Noble’s own platform and retail network, and there isn’t an expanded distribution option to other retailers. That said, you are not restricted from publishing your book on other platforms as well.
Also, publishing through Barnes and Noble Press is limited to select countries. These include the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
For royalties, authors get a flat 70 percent for ebooks priced at $0.99 and above, with no delivery fees deducted. For print books, you earn 55 percent of the list price minus printing costs, for both paperbacks and hardcovers sold through their platform.
Print distribution is strongest within the United States, and while books can appear on the Barnes and Noble website, placement in physical stores is not guaranteed unless certain criteria are met.
When it comes to ISBNs, you can choose to use your own ISBN or accept a free one provided by Barnes and Noble Press. If you use their free ISBN, it can only be used within their platform.
3. Lulu
Lulu is a great platform known for its good print quality and wide variety of print format options, from spiral books to photo books, comic books to calendars. There’s quite a tall list. Paperbacks, hardcover books and ebooks aren’t left out of that list.
With Lulu, you can also sell your books directly on your website through their integrations. This is especially useful if you prefer to have readers purchase your books from your own platform instead of relying entirely on marketplaces.
Lulu offers expanded distribution, unlike Barnes and Noble. When uploading your manuscript, you can choose to enable global distribution, which makes your book available through major retailers like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online bookstores via distribution partners. Your book is also listed on Lulu’s own marketplace, unless you decide to set it to private. Lulu, however, does not have as large a built-in audience compared to platforms like Amazon.
For royalties, Lulu uses a profit-based system. This means you set your book price, and your earnings are what remains after printing costs and retailer fees are deducted. For ebooks, you can earn up to 90 percent when selling directly through Lulu’s store, while earnings may vary when sold through external retailers.
It’s worth noting that although Lulu is praised for its print quality, printing and fulfillment can take longer compared to some other platforms. Delivery times vary depending on location and shipping options, so this is something to keep in mind when your readers place orders.
4. Kobo Writing Life
Kobo is another option if you are looking for a site that does not require any fees before you can publish.
Kobo allows you to publish ebooks, making it a strong option for authors and poets who prefer digital formats. Kobo, however, does not support print publishing, so if you are looking to distribute both ebooks and print books from one platform, it may not be the best fit.
In terms of distribution, Kobo has a wide reach, especially in international markets like Canada and parts of Europe. The platform does not require exclusivity, which means you can sell your ebooks on Kobo and on other platforms at the same time.
Ebook royalties on Kobo are up to 70 percent for books priced at $2.99 and above. For books priced below that, royalties are typically 45 percent.
Kobo also allows authors to publish audiobooks directly through Kobo Writing Life. This feature may not be enabled by default for all accounts, and some authors may need to request access before they can upload audiobooks.
For audiobooks, royalties typically start at around 45 percent for titles priced above $2.99, with lower rates for cheaper titles. Additional earnings may come from Kobo’s subscription model depending on listener engagement.
5. Draft2Digital
Still want an alternative? Draft2Digital is a good choice for indie authors, offering book publishing mainly in ebook formats, with print (paperback) options also available. They give self publishing writers the ability to distribute wide and even choose which platforms and online stores they want their books to appear on.
Draft2Digital has also acquired Smashwords, and while both platforms still exist, most of the distribution and publishing tools are now handled through Draft2Digital. Smashwords continues to operate mainly as a storefront and legacy platform within that ecosystem.
Draft2Digital helps writers with author pages they can share with readers, making it easier to find and purchase their books across multiple retailers. Links to an author’s other books are also automatically added to the back of every ebook, helping to promote their work. Authors can also publish print books through the platform.
For royalties, Draft2Digital takes a 10 percent cut of your book’s list price, while the retailer also takes their share depending on the platform. This means your final earnings will vary, but for most ebooks priced at $2.99 and above, authors typically earn around 60 percent of the list price after all deductions.
For print books, earnings are based on your list price minus printing costs and retailer discounts, rather than a fixed royalty percentage.
6. IngramSpark
IngramSpark is a very popular self publishing platform, often used by authors looking to go beyond Amazon and reach bookstores and libraries worldwide.
It is known for high quality printing and one of the widest distribution networks in the industry. Through Ingram’s global catalog, books can reach thousands of retailers, bookstores, and libraries, even though the platform does not always specify exactly where your book will appear.
IngramSpark offers both ebook and print publishing. Unlike before, there are now no upfront setup or revision fees, making it easier for authors to get started. Instead, the platform applies a small market access fee on each sale.
For royalties, IngramSpark works differently from platforms like Amazon. For ebooks, authors typically earn a percentage of what remains after the retailer takes its share, which often comes out to around 40 percent of the list price depending on the platform.
For print books, you set a wholesale discount, usually between 30 percent and 55 percent, and your earnings are calculated based on your list price minus that discount, printing costs, and the small distribution fee. A higher discount can improve your chances of getting into physical bookstores, while a lower one can increase your profit per sale.
7. Google Play Books
Google has one of the widest audiences in the world, but when it comes to books specifically, Google Play Books has a smaller, less concentrated reading audience compared to platforms like Amazon or Kobo. That’s not a reason to be discouraged. It’s still a good option to add to your publishing list if you want to reach an extra audience.
Google Play Books is mainly used for publishing ebooks, and it does not offer print-on-demand services like some other platforms. This makes it more suitable for authors focused on digital formats.
Google Play also supports audiobooks, and authors can publish them directly through the platform in supported regions.. There is even an option to create AI-narrated audiobooks using Google’s built-in tools, which can be useful if you want to produce an audiobook without hiring a narrator.
Royalty is typically around 70 percent for authors across most price ranges, and unlike some other platforms, there are no delivery fees deducted based on file size.
Another advantage is discoverability. Because Google indexes its books in search results, your book can show up in regular Google searches, giving you an extra way to reach readers outside of traditional bookstores.
8. Publish Drive
Now, this is one site that publishes ebooks, print books and audiobooks, all on one platform. Exciting right? And that’s not all. Their distribution is quite wide, covering major platforms like Amazon, Ingram, Kobo, Apple Books, and many other stores and libraries.
One of the standout features of PublishDrive is its pricing model. Instead of taking a percentage from your sales, the platform uses a subscription system, meaning you keep 100 percent of your net earnings after retailers have taken their share.
PublishDrive also offers audiobook production options, including AI narration. Authors can convert their ebooks into audiobooks using tools like Apple Digital Narration, and through partnerships with platforms like ElevenLabs, they can create high-quality AI-narrated audiobooks at scale.
PublishDrive does charge upfront fees, which are based on subscription plans. These plans vary depending on factors like the number of books you publish or your revenue, rather than a single fixed price.
9. Apple Books For Authors
Just like Google Play Books, Apple Books for Authors focuses on ebook distribution, giving authors a royalty of 70 percent, regardless of the price of the book. This makes it a straightforward option for authors who want consistent earnings without worrying about pricing tiers.
It is a great option, especially if your aim is to reach readers within Apple’s ecosystem, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. While the audience may not be as large as Amazon’s, it is still a strong and active marketplace.
Apple Books also supports audiobooks, but unlike ebooks, audiobooks cannot be uploaded directly through the platform. Authors typically need to distribute audiobooks through approved partners or use Apple’s Digital Narration tools to create and publish them.
Thankfully, non-Apple users can still publish through Apple Books for Authors, although an Apple ID and iTunes connect account is needed.
10. Blurb
Last on our list is Blurb, a site for publishing ebooks and print books. Blurb is known for high quality printing and a wide range of print options, making it especially popular for visually rich books like photo books and art collections.
Authors can distribute their books through Blurb’s own online bookstore, and also make them available on platforms like Amazon and other retailers through its distribution network. With its API integration, you can also publish and sell your books directly on your own website.
For earnings, Blurb uses a profit-based model rather than a fixed royalty percentage. This means you set your book price, and your profit is what remains after printing costs and retailer fees are deducted.
It’s worth noting that printing costs on Blurb are often higher than on some other platforms, which can mean setting higher retail prices to maintain a reasonable profit.
Conclusion
Your choice of a self publishing site is dependent on the format you would prefer to publish your book in, your preferred audience size, your budget, especially if you don’t mind using a platform that requires upfront fees, and many other factors. Every platform is quite efficient in the publishing sector but the final choice depends on your needs as a writer.
Thanks for reading! I hope this was helpful.
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