The best places to publish eBooks and how to do so
These days, ebooks are extremely common. Self-published authors are becoming more widespread than ever. Consequently, many diverse eBook publishing platforms are available for selection. Below, we’ve reviewed and ranked some of the top publishing websites along with the information on how to publish your eBook on these famous platforms in 2024.
Many authors take a dual strategy, putting their eBooks on Amazon KDP and using aggregator websites to reach more shops. Although it’s important to investigate different publishing platforms, exercising prudence and avoiding taking on too many at once is advisable. Keeping track of several platforms can take time, and it is pointless to submit your book to the same retailers repeatedly. The top eBook publishing platforms are highlighted in our roundup, but we advise independent confirmation. For all-inclusive publishing services, consider hiring a ghostwriter for an ebook with experience in book PR and manuscript editing for a smooth and fruitful publishing process.
Now, please scroll down to the top eBook publishing sites and how to do it.
Draft2Digital:
Among the best places to publish eBooks is Draft2Digital, which provides easy distribution to all main retailers, including Smashwords, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. In addition to standard publishing services, Draft2Digital offers authors book tabs and a customized author’s page, removing the requirement for a personal website. The user-friendly sales tracker provided by Draft2Digital, which provides insightful data on book sales performance, is what makes it unique.
One of Draft2Digital’s best features is its automated formatting service, a free service that turns any ordinary Word document into a polished and businesslike eBook. This service handles the formatting hassles so that viewers are presented with an eye-catching presentation.
Early in 2022, Draft2Digital and well-known rival Smashwords strategically merged, which was a noteworthy occurrence. By working together, they can better publish and distribute books on their platform as a group, which makes them a more powerful and significant player in the eBook publishing market.
Draft2Digital is dependable for authors seeking all-inclusive publishing solutions because it provides automated formatting, wide distribution, and intelligent sales tracking. To guarantee a polished, market-ready eBook as you start your publishing journey, consider working with experienced book publishers for manuscript editing and book PR and hiring a ghostwriter for an ebook.
Website: https://www.draft2digital.com/
Cost: Free
Royalties: Up to 60%.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP):
With Amazon’s wide distribution and market leadership, Kindle Direct Publishing, or Amazon KDP, is a formidable force in the eBook publishing industry. Being one of the most widely used publishing channels, Amazon KDP offers writers unrivaled access to a sizable worldwide readership.
Authors can submit their work flexibly because the site supports many file formats. Regardless of format, all contributions are eventually turned into Kindle novels that are only available on Amazon. KDP provides your book with a free ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number), which functions similarly to an ISBN.
The KDP Select program is an option for authors, providing them with enticing benefits like increased royalties and marketing resources. To participate, your digital book must be exclusively distributed on Amazon, restricting its availability on other platforms.
Regional variations exist in royalty rates. The royalty rate paid to authors for publications sold within “70% territories” (a limited group of nations) is 70%; for works sold outside of these nations, the royalty rate is 35%.
KDP offers extra assistance to writers who are writing illustrated books. Kindle Kids’ Book Creator is for picture books; Kindle Comic Creator is for graphic novels and original hand drawings. Leveraging Amazon KDP gives you unmatched exposure to a large reading audience, especially given Amazon’s dominance in the eBook market. However, before deciding which works are exclusive to distribute, authors should carefully consider the advantages and limitations of the KDP Select program.
To improve your eBook’s professionalism and commercial viability, you should work with experienced book publishers who can offer manuscript editing services. Participating in book advertising campaigns can also increase the visibility of your work. Hiring a ghostwriter for your eBook guarantees a polished and captivating final result that appeals to your target audience, even in cases where time limits or writing difficulties occur.
Website: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/
Cost: Free
Royalties: Up to 70%.
Lulu:
Emerging eBook aggregator Lulu distinguishes itself by providing distribution services to big merchants, such as the market leader Amazon. The platform hopes to support authors through its publishing assistant service, which walks users through the creation process. However, authors must be aware that for their works to be accepted into the platform, they must successfully pass Lulu’s Distribution Review and pay a one-time cost of £4.99. This extra step, plus the acknowledged complexity of Lulu’s procedures, suggests that authors with some experience with eBook publishing already rather than those who are completely new to the field could find the platform more appropriate.
The platform’s distribution capabilities are impressive for writers considering using Lulu, particularly for reaching a wide and varied readership through big retailers. Authors who want to be well recognized will find it especially enticing that Amazon is part of its distribution network. Although the publishing assistant program is meant to assist, authors should be ready for what could be a more involved procedure than on other platforms.
Although writers wishing to distribute their eBooks worldwide can take advantage of Lulu’s services, it’s important to consider the associated challenges. The one-time cost of the obligatory Distribution Review adds another level of inspection to the acceptance procedure. Authors on other platforms may find the procedure easier, especially if they are new to eBook publishing.
Ultimately, authors looking for ease of use and a streamlined process may look into alternate eBook publishing choices. The market is broad, with multiple platforms serving a range of demands and skill levels. Authors are advised to investigate and choose the platform that best suits their objectives and comfort level in navigating the complex world of digital book publication as the self-publishing industry grows.
Website: https://www.lulu.com/
Cost: Free
Royalties: up to 80%
Kobo Writing Life:
Though it may not have the same global reach as industry titans like Amazon or Apple, Kobo is nevertheless a significant eBook retailer with over 190 countries in which it operates. The platform offers a good substitute for authors looking for a large, global readership outside the industry leaders.
The capability of Kobo to convert manuscripts into the widely used EPUB format for eBooks is one of its standout features. This solution ensures compatibility with many eReaders and devices while streamlining the publication process.
Kobo offers authors an easy-to-understand royalty system. The author is paid a competitive 70% of the book’s quoted price if it is priced at £1.99 or more (or the equivalent in other currencies). This increases the possibility of earning more money. Authors receive a reasonable 45% for works priced below this cap, giving them flexibility in pricing tactics.
One of Kobo’s main benefits is that it allows authors to publish their works on multiple platforms. Unlike some exclusive publishing arrangements, Kobo does not restrict an author’s freedom to release their book elsewhere. Because of this adaptability, writers can experiment with a multi-platform approach, connecting with various readers via different mediums.
Kobo’s dedication to global accessibility aligns with the international scope of the digital publishing industry. Kobo’s wide readership allows authors to access readers in various geographic and cultural contexts, which might help them break into markets outside their usual comfort zones.
Even though Kobo might be less dominant in the eBook industry than Amazon is, individuals looking for a reputable platform with a large global readership may find it appealing due to its unique features, global reach, and author-friendly policies. Platforms like Kobo provide authors with various easily accessible ways to share their literary works with a worldwide public as the publishing environment changes.
Website: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en
Cost: Free
Royalties: Up to 70%
Barnes & Noble Press:
Barnes & Noble Press, formerly known as Nook Press, is the official eBook publishing platform for the well-known Barnes & Noble chain of bookstores. Due to its market share, Barnes & Noble is a prominent shop with a sizable following in the United States and the United Kingdom.
For eBooks priced between $0.99 and $199.99, authors who publish directly through Barnes & Noble Press are eligible for an attractive royalty rate of 70%. Barnes & Noble Press is an attractive choice for authors looking for a good wage because of its simple royalty system. Notably, writers within the designated price range may make more money if they distribute directly through Barnes & Noble Press instead of using an aggregator website. In addition to monetary rewards, authors gain from Barnes & Noble’s broad marketing reach. With millions of users visiting their website every month, authors are exposed to a wide range of readers, which may improve the discoverability of their writing.
Barnes & Noble Press provides easy-to-use dashboards for tracking sales and performance indicators as an additional means of supporting authors. Because of its accessibility, authors can keep an eye on how well their eBooks are performing on the platform, which gives them important information for improving their marketing tactics and comprehending the preferences of their readers.
Direct distribution through Barnes & Noble Press offers authors looking to maximize their presence in the digital space a compelling option due to its higher royalties and improved promotional opportunities, even though uploading books to retailers one at a time may take more work.
Website: https://press.barnesandnoble.com/
Cost: Free
Royalties: Up to 70%
Where should your eBook be published?
Authors need to select the best publishing platform and know the various models. Platforms can be broadly classified into two groups: aggregators, which distribute eBooks to several retailers, and sellers that sell books directly to consumers, serving as publishers and retailers (like Amazon and Barnes & Noble).
Although the aggregator approach appears to offer a wider audience, it’s crucial to remember that they frequently take a cut of profits. Being a direct seller, Amazon commands a substantial portion of the eBook market.
While choosing the best platform, keep the following in mind:
Costs and Services:
- Evaluate charges for conversion and hosting (many platforms offer these services for free).
- Determine if you need your own ISBN.
- Check if the Word document submission is accepted.
- Understand the supported eBook formats, with EPUB being the most common.
Conversion Process:
- Assess the duration of the conversion process.
- Confirm if you can download the converted EPUB for marketing purposes.
- Inquire about transferring your book to another platform in the future.
Distribution:
- Learn how long your book will be available in stores and which stores are included.
Earnings and Payments:
- Understand the royalty structure for each sale, considering the platform and the store’s share.
- Clarify payment timelines, methods, and currency.
Authors will be better able to make selections that align with their publication objectives if they consider these factors and compare features across platforms. Authors can maximize their reach and profits by prioritizing venues that suit their tastes, whether they use aggregators or direct sales.
Conclusion:
With the rise of ebooks and self-published writers, authors in the eBook publishing scene in 2024 need help with many platform options. The introduction emphasizes the importance of choosing the right platform, pointing out the popular dual approach of aggregator sites and Amazon KDP, and warns against taking on too much.
The investigation conducted by Draft2Digital highlights the company’s automatic formatting, user-friendly methodology, and smart merging with Smashwords, all of which contribute to their increased market relevance. With its unmatched worldwide access, support for book illustrations, file format compatibility, and KDP Select program, Amazon KDP reigns supreme. Growing aggregator Lulu attracts attention for its distribution skills, even drawing attention from Amazon, which notes that authors experienced with eBook processes could find the Distribution Review useful. One of Kobo Writing Life’s unique selling points is its worldwide distribution, EPUB conversion, and adaptable royalty structure that lets writers publish elsewhere.
Accolades to Barnes & Noble Press for their eye-catching royalty and extensive marketing outreach, bolstered by an intuitive dashboard. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of choosing a platform based on costs, conversion, distribution, and earnings and advocates for alignment with personal objectives. It is advised to seek professional book publishers‘ assistance, such as proofreading and public relations services from book publishers. Aspiring writers can use this guide to get insight into the constantly changing world of digital book publicity.