14 Best Self-Publishing Platforms for New Authors
Writing a manuscript is a great achievement requiring skill and patience for authors. Naturally, you'll be excited to publish your work.
Why not consider self-publishing? While the majority of writers opt for the traditional publishing route, which involves a publishing house handling all aspects of publication, self-publishing is also a robust alternative. Self-publishing entails releasing a book without traditional publishing house assistance. You take on most of the work and cover all publication expenses.
If you're new to self-publishing, you might not know where to start. As a rule, seek as much help as possible. Don't worry, though; numerous self-publishing platforms are available to assist you.
What are self-publishing platforms? These are companies or websites that specialize in simplifying the self-publishing process. They offer various services, with some being free and others charging fees for their assistance in self-publishing. These platforms are experts in helping self-published authors achieve their goals, which can include book publishing, marketing, and distribution.
Please note that these self-publishing companies can vary in their specialties. Some function as aggregators, bridging the gap between authors and online retailers. Others operate as print-on-demand companies, storing manuscripts digitally and printing books only upon purchase. There are also full-service self-publishing companies that guide authors through every step of the self-publishing process. Many platforms are available, all designed to help you reach your full self-publishing potential.
However, it's important to understand that not all self-publishing platforms are the same. If you're investing in the self-publishing process, you want to get the most value for your money. Here are 14 of the best self-publishing platforms for authors:
1. Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital is a versatile eBook aggregator that can distribute to Kobo, Scribd, Bibliotheca, Amazon, and Apple Books.
Key Feature: Draft2Digital is a potent, established self-publishing platform. As an eBook aggregator, it bridges the gap between authors and online retailers, ensuring your eBooks reach as many outlets as possible. D2D handles formatting for you, making it ideal for self-publishing eBooks.
2. PublishDrive
Founded in 2015, PublishDrive works with over 4,500 publishers and connects users to over 400 stores. It is a comprehensive aggregator that addresses eBook publishing and distribution needs.
Key Feature: What sets PublishDrive apart is that you retain all book royalties. For a monthly fee of $100, you keep your earnings. PublishDrive offers wide distribution, including Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Overdrive, Scribd, and Bookmate.
3. Smashwords
Smashwords, one of the original aggregators, offers extensive distribution options. While it shares features with newer aggregators like Draft2Digital, it doesn't provide formatting or book distribution to Amazon.
Key Feature: Smashwords has an extensive distribution network, providing more options for book distribution and opportunities to reach smaller retailers.
4. XinXii
For expanding your book distribution to international markets, consider XinXii, a Berlin-based platform with a strong presence in countries like Austria and Germany.
Key Feature: XinXii offers international distribution opportunities but may need improvement in areas like customer service and the book distribution process.
5. Reedsy
If you're looking to hire the best publishing professionals in the market, Reedsy is an excellent choice. It's a gathering place for publishing professionals, making it easy to connect with them.
Key Feature: Reedsy is a potent self-publishing platform that allows you to contact publishing professionals and negotiate their services' pricing. In addition to connecting authors with experts, it offers a useful book formatting tool for creating high-quality eBooks and print book files for free.
6. Milton & Hugo
Milton & Hugo, while a newcomer to the self-publishing scene, offers a multifaceted approach, including printing, marketing, and distribution services.
Key Feature: Despite being relatively new, Milton & Hugo is a potent self-publishing platform designed to simplify the entire self-publishing process. The company has a roster of highly skilled publishing professionals to address all your self-publishing needs. It also provides effective book marketing services to ensure your book's success.
7. IngramSpark
IngramSpark, owned by Ingram, the world's most prominent book wholesaler, is your go-to choice for getting your self-published book into bookstores. It boasts a distribution network of over 40,000 retailers and libraries, a great opportunity for any self-published author.
Key Feature: IngramSpark is a powerful platform, though its user interface can be somewhat cumbersome and challenging for new authors. While it may take some time for beginners to learn, the rewards are substantial, thanks to Ingram's extensive distribution network.
8. Apple Books
Apple Books, Apple's main self-publishing platform, remains a potent choice despite losing some ground to Amazon in recent years. You can upload your book for free using the iBooks Author feature.
Key Feature: Apple Books is an excellent option if your primary goal is to publish your manuscript. With the iBooks Author feature, you can upload your work without any cost.
9. Amazon KDP
Amazon KDP is one of the most potent self-publishing platforms, recognized as the largest seller of digital books. Authors can self-publish their work with a range of benefits, including access to Kindle Countdown Deals and promotions, as well as enrollment in Kindle Unlimited.
Key Feature: Amazon KDP offers several benefits, including Kindle Countdown Deals, promotions, and Kindle Unlimited enrollment, making it a top choice for many authors.
10. BookBaby
For authors starting out as self-published authors, BookBaby provides an easy-to-use interface and comprehensive services for editing, publishing, marketing, and distribution.
Key Feature: BookBaby offers a straightforward approach to self-publishing, covering multiple aspects of the process. It provides excellent customer support and ensures a fast turnaround time for self-publishing. However, please note that the print-on-demand services can be relatively expensive, making this option more suitable for authors in a hurry with ample resources.
11. Written Word Media
Written Word Media offers a versatile book marketing platform with options for promoting free and discounted books. The company includes 37,000 authors, including self-published authors.
Key Feature: Written Word Media allows you to market your book across multiple platforms and offers various book marketing and promotion services, along with links to book marketing communities.
12. Rakuten Kobo
Rakuten Kobo, originating from Canada, has a strong international presence in the eBook market. It currently ranks fifth in the American market but is gaining influence as time passes.
Key Feature: Rakuten Kobo's self-publishing component, Kobo Writing Life, provides an easy-to-understand interface and free usage, making it appealing to self-published authors. It also offers various book marketing features worth your time and effort.
13. Barnes & Noble Press
Barnes & Noble Press, formerly known as Nook Press, is a prominent book retailer and a powerful platform for authors. While it doesn't match Amazon's market share, it's an effective choice, offering an efficient user interface, the ability to set books for free, and innovative features for creating marketing campaigns on the platform's website.
14. Blurb
Blurb is widely regarded as a top print-on-demand platform, offering innovative services to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the self-publishing process. Although its services may be somewhat more expensive compared to other print-on-demand companies, it delivers top-quality services
Final Thoughts
When it comes to self-publishing for the very first time, it is important that you use the best self-publishing platform. Remember that the self-publishing process is very multi-faceted. So it is best that you get the best help. With these self-publishing platforms, you’ll get the very best help and at the best prices possible.
