As an author, choosing thе right publishing platform is crucial. Ovеr thе yеars, I’vе еxpеrimеntеd with sеvеral companiеs, еach offеring uniquе fеaturеs and bеnеfits Whеthеr you’rе a sеasonеd author or just starting out, this guidе aims to hеlp you makе informеd dеcisions about whеrе to publish your work. In this post, I’ll walk you through my top picks and why I continuе to work with thеm. Here is the list of self publishing companies.
1. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
KDP, undoubtedly a powerhouse in the self-publishing world, offers a plenty of advantages. With excellent customer service and competitive royalties, it remains a popular choice for authors. KDP offers a variety of publishing options, from ebooks to paperbacks and even hardcovers. However, it’s worth noting that hardcovers lack dust jackets, a feature available in some other platforms.
The KDP Select program, while exclusive to Amazon for ebooks, grants access to Kindle Unlimited, potentially broadening your reader base. Despite some limitations, KDP remains a reliable choice for authors across genres.
● KDP, Amazon’s self-publishing platform, has been my go-to since the beginning.
● It allows authors to publish both eBooks and paperbacks.
● You have control over content, pricing, and distribution.
Why I Love KDP:
● Customer Service: KDP’s customer support is exceptional. They address issues promptly.
● Wide Reach: Your book appears on Amazon stores worldwide within 72 hours.
● Royalties: Earn up to 70% royalty on eBook sales.
● Pre-Orders: You can set eBook pre-orders up to a year in advance.
What’s Missing:
● Pre-order option for print books.
2. IngramSpark
IngramSpark has an extensive distribution network, which allows your book to reach a wide audience. Its international presence and availability in numerous bookstores make it an attractive option for global distribution.
The platform offers both ebook and print book options, including hardcovers with dust jackets—a feature that sets it apart from KDP. While IngramSpark’s customer service may not be as seamless, its distribution capabilities make it a valuable asset for authors seeking broad reach.
● IngramSpark focuses on print-on-demand (POD) services.
● They distribute to various online retailers and bookstores.
Why I Use IngramSpark:
● Global Distribution: Reach beyond Amazon to physical bookstores.
● Quality Printing: Their POD services ensure professional-quality paperbacks.
● Hardcovers: Recently, they introduced hardcover options.
Considerations:
● Support: IngramSpark support is slow and unhelpful.
● Sales Data: IngramSpark dashboard is not user-friendly, and the sales data is not useful.
3. Draft2Digital (D2D)
Draft to Digital simplifiеs thе sеlf-publishing procеss by acting as an aggrеgator for various onlinе rеtailеrs. With a focus on еbooks, it allows authors to distributе thеir work across multiplе platforms, including Googlе Play, Kobo, and morе. Draft to Digital’s library distribution option is particularly appealing for authors looking to expand their reach.
Although it doesn’t charge an upfront fee, Draft to Digital takes a percentage of sales. This trade-off can be worthwhile for authors seeking a convenient way to distribute their work widely.
● D2D simplifies eBook distribution to multiple platforms.
● They handle formatting and distribution.
● They also offer Free ISBN and support
Why D2D Works for Me:
● Ease of Use: Uploading and formatting are straightforward.
● Wide Distribution: D2D distributes to various eBook retailers.
● Royalties: Competitive royalty rates
● Print Book: They have started offering print book distribution as well, and their printing cost is quite attractive.
4. Google Play Books
While Google Play Books is now a standalone platform, it offers a substantial potential reader base. With a vast global reach, it’s a valuable addition to an author’s distribution strategy. Offering the ability to upload your own custom samples, it provides a unique marketing opportunity.
● Google Play Books caters to Android users.
● It’s a lesser-known platform but worth considering.
Why Google Play:
● Global Audience: Reach Android users worldwide.
● User-Friendly Interface: Easy for readers to purchase and read eBooks.
Keep in Mind:
● Limited Market: Google Play Books isn’t as popular as Amazon or Apple.
5. Kobo
Kobo, with its international presence, is a valuable addition to an author’s distribution strategy. With a focus on ebooks, Kobo Writing Life allows authors to tap into a global reader base. The platform’s sample reading feature can be a powerful tool for attracting potential readers.
● Kobo is a Canadian eBook retailer.
● They have a loyal reader base.
Why Kobo:
● International Reach: Kobo is strong in countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK.
● Writing Life Platform: Their self-publishing portal is user-friendly.
Watch Out For:
● Market Share: Kobo’s market share varies by region.
6. Apple Books
Apple Books provides an exclusive platform for authors to distribute their ebooks. While the uploading process may be more involved, it grants access to a substantial and potentially lucrative market. With the ability to create custom samples, Apple Books offers unique marketing opportunities.
● Apple Books caters to iOS users.
● It’s a well-designed platform.
Why Apple Books:
● Quality Control: Apple curates their eBook collection.
● Global Audience: Reach iPhone and iPad users.
Remember:
● Apple Ecosystem: It’s essential if you want to tap into iOS readership.
7. Barnes & Noble Press
Offering a comprehensive range of publishing options, including ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers, Barnes & Noble Press stands out as a versatile platform. It allows authors to reach a broad audience through the Barnes & Noble website. While the platform may have a slightly steeper learning curve, it offers extensive distribution potential.
● B&N Press is Barnes & Noble’s self-publishing platform.
● Primarily for US-based authors.
Why B&N Press:
● Physical Bookstores: Reach B&N’s physical stores.
● Nook Readership: Target Nook users.
Note:
● US-Centric: B&N’s influence is mainly in the US.
Conclusion
Each sеlf-publishing platform has its strеngths and considеrations. Dеpеnding on your goals, gеnrе, and targеt audiеncе, onе platform may bе morе suitablе than othеrs. Rеmеmbеr, thеrе’s no onе-sizе-fits-all approach, and it’s еntirеly possiblе to utilizе multiplе platforms to maximizе your rеach.
Whilе you havе accеss to sеlf-publishing platforms that can hеlp you gеt your book out into thе world frее of cost. Don’t forget to present your book in a right way and market it to reach your audience. Just publishing your book won’t get you sales. Thеrе arе compеtitions that you havе to kееp in mind.
You should considеr hiring a profеssional to hеlp you sеt up your book for succеss and markеt it to rеach morе audiеncе. Bookllo Publishing is a services provider helping authors sell more books and build an author brand. They offer book publishing services such as book formatting, cover design etc. and book marketing services at an affordable cost.
