What Are the Best Self-Publishing Platforms Beyond Amazon KDP

If you want to look beyond Amazon KDP, the strategy you choose depends on whether you want to publish directly to other individual retail storefronts, use an all-in-one distributor (aggregator), or control your sales completely by selling directly to readers. 

Direct Retail Marketplaces (The “Big Wide” Competitors)

If you decide to “go wide” (meaning you do not enroll your ebooks in the exclusive Kindle Unlimited program), you can publish directly to Amazon’s biggest direct retail rivals: 

• Apple Books:
  • Standout Feature: Seamlessly pre-installed on billions of iOS and macOS devices worldwide.
  • Key Details: Great for authors targeting high-spending tablet and phone users. You maintain direct control over your metadata and pricing.

• Kobo Writing Life:
  • Standout Feature: Domination in international markets. Kobo is highly popular in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe.
  • Key Details: Offers higher royalty structures on multi-author box sets than Amazon and features its own non-exclusive subscription program, Kobo Plus. 

• Google Play Books:
  • Standout Feature: Incredible global discoverability via semantic Google Search results.
  • Key Details: Pre-installed on Android devices across 75+ countries. It offers a standard 70% royalty rate and a highly customizable Partner Center dashboard.

• Barnes & Noble Press:
  • Standout Feature: Direct access to the loyal Nook eBook audience and physical book buyers.
  • Key Details: Features excellent formatting tools for both digital and hardcover printing. It provides a generous 55% royalty rate for print-on-demand hardcovers. 

Aggregators & Distributors (Upload Once, Sell Everywhere)

If you do not want to manage dozens of individual retail accounts, you can use an aggregator. They distribute your book to hundreds of smaller bookstores and digital libraries while taking a small cut of your royalties: 

• Draft2Digital:
  • Standout Feature: Automated backmatter tools that instantly update your entire book catalog.
  • Key Details: Widely regarded as the easiest platform for ebook distribution. Following its acquisition of Smashwords, D2D offers massive distribution channels including libraries like OverDrive.

• IngramSpark:
  • Standout Feature: The industry standard for physical brick-and-mortar bookstore distribution.
  • Key Details: Connects your print-on-demand (POD) books to over 40,000 retailers and libraries globally. Tip: Most wide authors use KDP for Amazon sales, but use IngramSpark to fulfill all non-Amazon print book orders. 

Specialty, Premium, & Direct-to-Consumer Platforms

For authors who want specialty printing or wish to cut out retail middlemen entirely:

• BookVault:
  • Standout Feature: Exceptional UK and international print fulfillment optimized for direct e-commerce integration.
  • Key Details: Connects seamlessly to Shopify and WooCommerce, allowing you to print custom special editions on demand and mail them directly to customers. 

• Lulu:
  • Standout Feature: Unrivaled flexibility in printing formats.
  • Key Details: Excellent for hardcovers, comic books, photo books, and magazines. Features “Lulu Direct” to sell directly from your website for higher overall profit margins. 

• Books.by:
  • Standout Feature: Keep 100% of your royalties on direct-to-reader sales.
  • Key Details: Best for established authors with their own built-in email lists or social traffic who want daily payouts.

• BookBaby:
  • Standout Feature: A premium, hands-on, full-service self-publishing team.
  • Key Details: Ideal for authors with a budget who want expert editing, professional cover design, and a fully managed publishing process from start to finish. 

The best self-publishing platforms beyond Amazon KDP include IngramSpark for print distribution, Draft2Digital for reaching several ebook stores, Apple Books and Kobo Writing Life for direct ebook publishing, and Lulu for website sales. However, choosing by name alone can mean paying for the wrong service; the starting point is the book’s intended readers.

Key Takeaways

• Match the platform to print, ebook, or direct website sales.
• Compare account fees, sales commissions, and production costs separately.
• Treat Smashwords as a store served through Draft2Digital.
• Check KDP Select enrollment before distributing an ebook elsewhere.

These self-publishing options solve different problems. For example, a family memoir intended for relatives needs a different sales plan from a business book aimed at bookstore buyers. Format decisions should come before account setup.

Therefore, Professional self-publishing planning should begin with format, audience, and distribution needs. The recommendations below reflect those uses, rather than a universal ranking.

How do the best self-publishing platforms compare?

The strongest choice depends on where an author expects readers to buy. First, distinguish a retailer, which sells books, from an aggregator, which sends books to several sales outlets.

In addition, separate print-on-demand, which prints copies as orders arrive, from marketing. A printing or distribution arrangement does not establish reader demand.

When is IngramSpark the right choice?

IngramSpark is a strong candidate when bookstore and library ordering matters. According to IngramSpark, enabling wholesale distribution makes a title available through its retail and library network; it does not promise shelf placement. (IngramSpark)

According to IngramSpark’s pricing page, account creation and title setup are free. However, authors still need to calculate printing expenses, applicable distribution charges, and the wholesale discount, which reduces the amount received from the retail price.

Bookstore returns deserve a separate budget decision. According to IngramSpark’s returns guidance, publishers can face charges for returned copies, including applicable handling costs. (ingramspark.com)

Therefore, an author comparing Book Printing Services should request a physical sample and an itemized production estimate. Print quality and the amount left after each sale belong in the same decision.

How do Draft2Digital and Smashwords work together?

Draft2Digital suits authors who want ebook distribution managed through a central account. According to its FAQ, participating outlets include Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and library services.

However, older descriptions calling publication entirely free are outdated. According to Draft2Digital, new publishing accounts face a $20 activation fee, while accounts earning under $100 annually face a $12 maintenance fee; accounts without titles in distribution are exempt from maintenance.

In addition, according to Draft2Digital, its sales commission is approximately 10% of the retail price. Authors should use the store-specific earnings estimate instead of treating the remaining percentage as their payment. (FAQ)

Smashwords now serves as the ebook store within this arrangement. According to Draft2Digital’s merger FAQ, publishing and distribution functions have moved into Draft2Digital, so these should not be ranked as competing upload platforms. (FAQ Regarding Draft2Digital Acquiring Smashwords)

Should authors publish directly with Apple Books or Kobo?

Apple Books and Kobo Writing Life suit authors who want direct control of their retailer accounts. However, handling each account separately adds work when prices, files, or descriptions change.

According to Apple Books for Authors, ebooks earn 70% royalties regardless of price, with no file delivery fees. In contrast, according to Kobo Writing Life, original ebooks earn 70% at US prices of $2.99 or above and 45% below that threshold. (Apple Books for Authors)

The practical choice is control versus administration. For example, an author testing different ebook prices may prefer direct dashboards, while someone managing publication alongside a full-time job may prefer an aggregator.

For file preparation, Book Formatting Services should match the chosen outlet’s requirements. Apple accepts EPUB submissions, whereas IngramSpark requires separate print interior and cover files.

When does Lulu make sense?

Lulu makes sense when an author plans to sell printed books through an existing website. According to Lulu, its direct selling tools connect with Shopify, Wix, and WooCommerce to support printing and order fulfillment. (Lulu)

For example, a workshop leader selling a companion workbook could consider this route. However, the website still needs a clear offer and a way to attract readers.

Before choosing, compare printing, shipping, and store expenses for the intended order. In addition, decide who will answer customer questions and how delivery expectations will appear at checkout.

What should authors prepare before uploading?

Authors should prepare the manuscript, cover, book description, and format-specific files before opening distribution channels. First, create a master record of the title, subtitle, author name, and edition details.

An author discussing publication with Canadian Ghostwriters can use that record to define the requested work. The brief should also identify which accounts the author will manage and which production tasks need assistance.

Then, review the print cover against the selected printer’s template. According to IngramSpark’s file guidance, the print cover includes the front, back, and spine rather than the front image alone. (ingramspark.com)

FAQs

Can an author use Amazon KDP and other platforms together?

An author can combine Amazon KDP with other platforms, subject to the selected programs. According to Amazon KDP, KDP Select requires ebook exclusivity during its 90-day term. Therefore, an enrolled ebook must remain exclusive until that obligation ends before it can be distributed elsewhere. (kdp.amazon.com)

Does IngramSpark guarantee placement in bookstores?

IngramSpark provides bookstore ordering access rather than guaranteed placement on shelves. According to its distribution guidance, retailers receive the book’s listing and can order it. Therefore, authors should treat distribution setup and bookstore outreach as separate tasks when planning a print launch and deciding what support they need.

Is Draft2Digital suitable for a first book?

Draft2Digital can suit a first book when the author wants to manage several ebook outlets through a central account. However, the author should compare its current account charges and commissions with expected sales. Its conversion tools also require review of the finished files before publication.

Can the same print files be used everywhere?

Print files should be checked against each platform’s requirements before reuse. According to IngramSpark’s file guidance, the interior and full cover must meet its specifications. Therefore, a cover prepared for another printer needs checking against the selected template, even when the manuscript text has stayed unchanged.

For review planning, the related guide How to Get Your Book Reviewed by Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly belongs alongside the launch checklist. Authors should confirm each publication’s current submission requirements before scheduling review outreach.

Conclusion

The best self-publishing platforms are those that fit the book’s format, sales route, and management needs. IngramSpark supports print distribution, Draft2Digital coordinates ebook outlets, Apple Books and Kobo offer direct accounts, and Lulu supports website sales.

Finally, authors can bring a defined publishing goal to Canadian Ghostwriters and request a scope covering the preparation they need.