which self-publishing service should I use?

Choosing the right self-publishing service depends entirely on your goals, budget, and how much control you want over distribution. There is no single "best" option, but rather the best option for your specific project.

Here is a breakdown of the top platforms categorized by what they do best:

- **Best for:** Absolute beginners, ebooks, and maximum reach on the world's largest retail platform.
- **Strengths:** Free to use, user-friendly, dominates the ebook market, and offers print-on-demand (POD) for paperbacks and hardcovers. Enrolling in *KDP Select* gives you access to Kindle Unlimited (KU) promotional tools.
- **Drawback:** If you choose KDP Select, you must make your ebook exclusive to Amazon. Print distribution outside of Amazon can also feel limited.
- **Link:** Get started via Amazon KDP.[](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EV9vJOGzRX0?vl=en) [[1]](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EV9vJOGzRX0?vl=en)

- **Best for:** Getting your physical books into independent bookstores, libraries, and global academic networks.
- **Strengths:** Unmatched global distribution to over 40,000 retailers and libraries, high-quality printing, and industry-standard wholesale discounts.
- **Drawback:** They charge setup fees (though waived via codes occasionally), and the platform has a steeper learning curve with strict file formatting requirements.
- **Link:** Explore options on IngramSpark.[](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EV9vJOGzRX0?vl=en) [[1]](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EV9vJOGzRX0?vl=en)[[2]](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EV9vJOGzRX0?vl=en)

- **Best for:** "Going wide" (selling your ebook and print books everywhere *except* exclusively on Amazon) with minimal headache.
- **Strengths:** Excellent automated formatting tools, distributes to Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and libraries. They take a percentage of sales rather than charging upfront fees for standard distribution.
- **Drawback:** Retailers take their cut, and you still have to manage Amazon KDP separately if you want your books on Amazon too (though D2D can distribute to Amazon, managing KDP direct is usually preferred).
- **Link:** Check out Draft2Digital.[](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EV9vJOGzRX0?vl=en) [[1]](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EV9vJOGzRX0?vl=en)

- **Best for:** Independent print-on-demand quality, specialty book projects, or direct-to-consumer sales (e.g., integrating with Shopify or Payhip).
- **Strengths:** Superb print quality, competitive printing costs, and great options for niche or independent storefront integration.
- **Drawback:** Lower organic marketplace traffic compared to Amazon or Ingram.
- **Link:** Learn more at Lulu or BookVault.[](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EV9vJOGzRX0?vl=en) [[1]](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EV9vJOGzRX0?vl=en)

- **Best for:** Authors looking to hire vetted, independent professionals (editors, cover designers, formatters) before publishing.
- **Strengths:** High-quality freelance marketplace where you retain 100% control and ownership; they also offer fantastic free educational resources and book-planning tools.
- **Drawback:** It is a marketplace for services, not a direct distributor. You still publish via KDP, D2D, etc.
- **Link:** Browse professionals on Reedsy.[](https://www.manhattanbookgroup.com/2026/07/19/self-publishing-services/) [[1]](https://www.manhattanbookgroup.com/2026/07/19/self-publishing-services/)

To help narrow this down, tell me:

• What format is your book? (ebook, paperback, hardcover, or audio)
• Do you want to go wide (sell on multiple platforms) or stick exclusively to Amazon?
• Are you looking for a free DIY platform or do you need paid assistance with editing/covers?

If you mean self-publishing a book where you keep the rights and control, my default recommendation is:

My recommendation

For most authors: use Amazon KDP + IngramSpark.

• kdp.amazon.com — best for reaching Amazon/Kindle readers and for straightforward print-on-demand. KDP offers ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers, with print royalties of up to 60% before printing costs.
• ingramspark.com — best for broader print distribution, particularly if you want bookstores, libraries, schools, and independent retailers to be able to order your book. Its network reaches tens of thousands of retailers, libraries, and other outlets.

I wouldn't pay a "self-publishing company" thousands of dollars just to upload your book. You can retain control and publish directly through these platforms.

Which one fits your goal?

Draft2Digital is particularly useful if you don't want to individually manage multiple ebook retailers. It distributes to Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, libraries and other channels, taking roughly 10% of the retail price as its commission.

One important distinction: KDP's Expanded Distribution isn't the same thing as having a strong bookstore distribution strategy. KDP says Expanded Distribution pays 40% of list price minus printing costs, while IngramSpark is built around a much larger wholesale distribution network.

If this were my book

I'd generally do:

Professional editing → professional cover → KDP for Amazon → IngramSpark for wider print distribution → Draft2Digital only if I wanted additional ebook channels.

The answer changes quite a bit depending on what kind of book you're publishing (novel, nonfiction, children's book, memoir, cookbook, academic book, etc.) and whether your priority is making money, getting into bookstores, building an author career, or simply getting the book published.

If you tell me what kind of book it is, approximate page count, and whether you already have the manuscript/cover, I can tell you which setup I'd use and roughly what it should cost.

Choosing the right self-publishing service depends entirely on your budget, technical skill, and how you want to distribute your book. Most successful indie authors don't just use one—they mix and match.

Here is a breakdown of the top platforms categorized by their strengths:

• 1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
  • Best for: Ebooks and paperbacks/hardcovers with a massive, ready-to-buy audience.
  • Pros: Free to use, dominates the global ebook market, offers high royalties (up to 70% on ebooks), and has seamless print-on-demand (POD) integration. Enrolling in KDP Select gives you promotional tools like Kindle Unlimited.
  • Cons: Exclusive distribution if you choose KDP Select for ebooks; limited reach into traditional brick-and-mortar bookstores compared to IngramSpark. You can get started directly at Amazon KDP.
• 1. Draft2Digital (D2D)
  • Best for: Wide ebook and paperback distribution outside of Amazon.
  • Pros: Super user-friendly interface. Instead of uploading to Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google Play individually, D2D distributes your book to all of them at once. They also offer automated formatting tools and take a percentage of sales rather than charging upfront fees. Check them out at Draft2Digital.
• 1. IngramSpark
  • Best for: Getting your book into physical bookstores, libraries, and academic catalogs.
  • Pros: The gold standard for global trade distribution. Reaches tens of thousands of retailers and libraries that Amazon's expanded distribution rarely touches. Offers high-quality hardcover and paperback printing.
  • Cons: Charges setup fees (unless you use discount codes) and charges for revisions after files are uploaded. It requires a steeper learning curve regarding file preparation. Learn more at IngramSpark.
• 1. Lulu
  • Best for: Independent print projects, workbooks, photo books, or direct-to-consumer sales.
  • Pros: Excellent print quality, diverse binding/formatting options, and great integration with global distribution channels or e-commerce platforms like Shopify. Explore options at Lulu.
• 1. BookBaby / Assisted Services
  • Best for: Authors with a budget who want a hands-off, all-inclusive package.
  • Pros: Offers professional editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing services under one roof.
  • Cons: Expensive upfront packages ($1,000+) rather than being a free DIY platform. Review their packages at BookBaby.

A Common Strategy for Indie Authors

• For Ebooks: Publish direct on Amazon KDP (for the lion's share of sales) and use Draft2Digital to push wide to Apple, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
• For Print Books: Use Amazon KDP for Amazon sales and IngramSpark for bookstore/library distribution.

To help me give you a personalized recommendation , tell me:

• What genre is your book? (Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children's, etc.)
• Do you plan to sell mostly ebooks, paperbacks, or hardcovers?
• Are you looking for a free DIY approach or do you have a budget for professional help?

If you mean “Which platform should I actually use to publish my book?”, my default recommendation is:

🥇 For most first-time authors: Amazon KDP

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the best starting point for most self-published authors. It’s free, handles both ebooks and print-on-demand paperbacks/hardcovers, and puts the book directly on Amazon. KDP currently offers up to 70% ebook royalties and up to 60% print royalties before printing costs.

The other major options

IngramSpark is especially worth considering if getting into independent bookstores and libraries matters to you. It distributes print books through a broad network, and there's currently no cost to create an account or upload a new book.

What I'd actually do

For a typical novel or nonfiction book, I'd not choose just one:

KDP for Amazon + IngramSpark for wider print distribution.

That gives you Amazon's enormous retail audience while giving bookstores/libraries a more conventional distribution route. You should generally avoid putting the same print edition into competing distribution channels in a way that creates duplicate listings or distribution conflicts, though.

If you're writing fiction, there's another important decision: KDP Select/Kindle Unlimited requires ebook exclusivity to Amazon while enrolled. KDP says Select allows readers to access the ebook through Kindle Unlimited and pays authors based on pages read.

If you tell me what kind of book you're publishing (novel, memoir, children's book, cookbook, business book, poetry, etc.), approximate page count, and whether you care more about Amazon sales or getting into bookstores, I can tell you exactly which setup I'd use and why.

If you mean which self-publishing platform is best for your book, my short answer is:

🥇 For most first-time authors: Amazon KDP

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is my default recommendation if your priority is getting the book published easily and selling copies online.

• Free to publish
• eBook, paperback, and hardcover
• Up to 70% eBook royalties
• Up to 60% print royalties
• Print-on-demand, so you don't have to buy inventory
• Direct access to Amazon's enormous customer base
• You retain your rights and control over pricing.

🏪 If bookstores and libraries matter: IngramSpark

IngramSpark is particularly attractive for wide print distribution. It distributes through retailers, libraries, educational institutions and other channels. There is currently no cost to create an account or set up a book.

I'd seriously consider KDP + IngramSpark rather than choosing only one if you want both Amazon sales and broad bookstore/library availability.

📱 If you want wide eBook distribution

A distributor such as Draft2Digital can make sense if you want your eBook available across multiple retailers rather than managing each store individually. However, I would generally publish directly through KDP for Amazon rather than using an aggregator for Amazon.

My recommendation by situation

One important distinction: self-publishing platforms like KDP and IngramSpark are publishing/distribution tools, not necessarily companies that will edit, design, market, or professionally prepare your book. You may get much better results by hiring those services separately and keeping control of your publishing accounts.

If you tell me what kind of book you're publishing (novel, memoir, children's book, cookbook, nonfiction, etc.), approximate page count, and whether you care more about Amazon, bookstores, or both, I can recommend the best specific setup and estimate what you'd make per $15–$25 book.

The "best" self-publishing service depends entirely on your budget, your technical skill, and your goals (e.g., do you want a massive online marketplace, physical bookstore distribution, or a helping hand with editing and design?).

Most successful independent authors don’t use just one service—they mix and match. The top choices are broken down below by what they do best:

1. Best for DIY & Maximum Reach: Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

• Best for: Ebooks and paperbacks/hardcovers on Amazon.
• The Cost: Free to use. Amazon takes a cut of each sale (up to 70% royalty on ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99).
• Why use it: It controls roughly 70–80% of the English-language ebook market. If you write genre fiction or popular nonfiction, skipping Amazon is a non-starter. You can also enroll in KDP Select (which requires 90 days of digital exclusivity) to earn money via Kindle Unlimited page reads.
• The Catch: It is strictly DIY. You must provide your own edited manuscript, cover, and interior layout.

2. Best for Wide Ebook Distribution: Draft2Digital

• Best for: Getting your ebook everywhere except Amazon.
• The Cost: Free to upload; they take a percentage (about 10%) of the royalties you earn through retailers.
• Why use it: Instead of setting up individual accounts with Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google Play, Draft2Digital pushes your file to all of them from one dashboard. They also offer handy automated formatting tools.
• The Catch: Their distribution to Amazon is limited, so most authors prefer using KDP directly for Amazon and Draft2Digital for everyone else ("going wide").

3. Best for Bookstores & Libraries: IngramSpark

• Best for: Getting physical books onto the shelves of brick-and-mortar bookstores and libraries.
• The Cost: Small setup fees per format/revision (though they occasionally run promo codes), plus wholesale printing and discount requirements.
• Why use it: Ingram is the massive wholesale distributor that traditional bookstores use. If a local indie bookstore wants to order your paperback, they will look for it in the Ingram catalog.
• The Catch: Files must be technically flawless, customer support is minimal, and you are responsible for setup formatting. Many authors use KDP for Amazon printing and IngramSpark exclusively for "expanded distribution" to bookstores.

4. Best for Specialty & High-End Print:

• Best for: Hardcovers, children’s books, photo books, workbooks, or selling direct to consumers.
• The Cost: Free to print-on-demand; competitive margins, especially if you integrate directly with an e-commerce platform like Shopify.
• Why use it: Lulu has superior print-on-demand variety and quality for non-standard trim sizes, premium colors, and specialized binding (like spiral or coil).
• The Catch: Not optimized for broad wholesale retail distribution compared to Ingram.

5. Best for Hiring Professionals / All-in-One Help: Reedsy or BookBaby

• Best for: Authors who have a budget and want professional help with editing, cover design, and formatting.
• The Cost: Paid services. BookBaby offers packaged bundles ranging from roughly $1,000 to $4,000+; Reedsy acts as a curated marketplace where you hire individual freelance editors and designers.
• Why use it: If you don't want to format your own book or design your own cover, these services ensure a retail-ready product.

Recommended Strategy

• For a zero-budget, maximum-independence launch: Use Amazon KDP for your ebook/paperback and Draft2Digital for your wide ebook distribution.
• If you care about physical bookstores: Add IngramSpark to the mix for your print edition.

If you tell me what genre your book is (fiction, memoir, poetry, business, etc.) and your budget , I can give you a more specific roadmap and tool recommendation.

Choosing the right self-publishing service depends on your budget, how much control you want, and your distribution goals. Here is a breakdown of the top platforms categorized by their strengths:

• Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) : The undisputed giant for eBooks and paperbacks. It offers the largest global market share, high royalty rates (up to 70% for eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99), and free setup.
• IngramSpark : The gold standard for wide distribution. While Amazon KDP covers Amazon well, IngramSpark connects your paperback and hardcover books to thousands of independent bookstores, libraries, and global retailers. It charges setup fees, but it is essential for wide physical availability.
• Draft2Digital : The best choice for distributing your eBook to non-Amazon retailers (Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, etc.) all at once. They take a small percentage of royalties instead of charging upfront fees and make going "wide" effortless.
• Lulu : Great for specialized printing needs, hardcovers, spiral-bound workbooks, and photo books. Lulu offers direct-to-consumer storefronts and global distribution options, with a user-friendly interface for independent creators.
• Smashwords (now merged with Draft2Digital) : Historically a pioneer in indie eBook distribution, its robust network and tools are now fully integrated into the Draft2Digital platform, making it a seamless choice for multi-platform distribution.

To help narrow down the best fit for your project , tell me:

• What format is your book? (eBook, paperback, hardcover, or audio?)
• Do you want to sell only on Amazon or go wide across all retailers?
• What is your budget for upfront setup costs?

If you're self-publishing a book yourself rather than paying a company to handle everything, I’d usually recommend Amazon KDP as the starting point—but the best choice depends heavily on what kind of book you're publishing and where you want it sold.

My quick ranking

If it were my book

For a typical novel: I'd publish the paperback/hardcover and ebook through KDP, at least initially. KDP is free, prints books on demand, and currently offers up to 70% ebook royalties and up to 60% print royalties before applicable costs.

If I wanted independent bookstores and libraries to have better access to the print edition: I'd consider KDP + IngramSpark. IngramSpark specifically emphasizes global distribution, and its current pricing page says there is no charge to create an account or upload a book.

If I wanted my ebook everywhere rather than concentrating on Amazon: I'd look at Draft2Digital. It distributes to retailers including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and others, while taking a commission from sales.

One important distinction

I'd avoid paying a "self-publishing service" thousands of dollars simply to upload your book unless you're specifically buying legitimate editorial, design, marketing, or production services.

You can separate the jobs:

You own the book → hire an editor → hire a cover designer → format it → upload it yourself → keep control of the rights.

That's generally a much better arrangement than handing the whole thing to a vanity-publishing package.

If you tell me what kind of book you're publishing (novel, memoir, children's book, cookbook, nonfiction, etc.), approximate page count, and whether you care more about Amazon sales or getting into bookstores, I can tell you exactly which service(s) I'd use and why.

If you mean which platform to actually use to publish your book, my default recommendation is Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)—unless you have a specific reason to prioritize bookstores or wide ebook distribution.

My recommendation

Why I'd start with KDP

KDP is free to use, handles both ebooks and print-on-demand paperbacks/hardcovers, and gives you direct control over pricing and publishing. Amazon currently offers up to 70% ebook royalties and up to 60% print royalties, before applicable delivery/printing costs.

For example, on a $15 paperback sold through Amazon, the royalty calculation can be 60% of the list price minus printing costs.

The big advantage is simplicity: you don't need to buy inventory, and KDP prints and ships copies when they're ordered.

But there's an important exception

If your goal is "I want my book sitting on the shelves of independent bookstores and available to libraries," I'd seriously consider KDP + IngramSpark rather than KDP alone.

If your goal is "I want my ebook available everywhere—Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, etc.", I'd look at KDP + Draft2Digital rather than putting all your eggs in Amazon's basket.

So I wouldn't necessarily choose one service. A lot of successful indie authors use different distributors for different formats.

If you tell me what kind of book you're publishing (novel, memoir, children's book, cookbook, business/nonfiction, etc.), whether you want ebook/paperback/hardcover, and whether your priority is money, bookstore availability, or ease, I can tell you exactly which setup I'd use.

For most independent authors, the best overall choice is Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) because it is completely free to use , handles both ebooks and print-on-demand paperbacks/hardcovers , and gives you direct access to the largest book marketplace in the world . However, the "best" service truly depends on whether you want to sell exclusively on Amazon or distribute your book widely across all major online stores, bookstores, and libraries.

Best for Beginners & Maximum Online Sales: Amazon KDP

• Best for: Ebooks and paperbacks aimed at online readers.
• Cost: Free (they take a percentage of each sale).
• Pros: Owns a massive share of the global ebook market , easy upload process , and offers KDP Select for inclusion in Kindle Unlimited.
• Cons: Enrolling in KDP Select requires your digital book to be exclusive to Amazon.

Best for Going "Wide" (Selling Everywhere Else): Draft2Digital

• Best for: Distributing your ebook and print books to Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google Play all at once.
• Cost: Free to start (takes a small cut of royalties upon sale).
• Pros: Excellent user-friendly interface , automated formatting tools , and wide global reach.
• Cons: You can use this alongside Amazon KDP to get your books everywhere.

Best for Physical Bookstores and Libraries: IngramSpark

• Best for: Getting your physical book into indie bookstores, retail chains, and library catalogs.
• Cost: Charges small upfront setup/revision fees.
• Pros: The undisputed industry standard for offline and wholesale distribution.
• Cons: Requires a steeper learning curve with file preparation and a wholesale discount setup . Many indie authors use Amazon KDP for Amazon sales and IngramSpark strictly for bookstore orders.

Alternative Retailers & Specialty Printers

• Kobo Writing Life : Great alternative platform with a strong international and Canadian market presence.
• Barnes & Noble Press : Solid option if your target audience heavily shops through Barnes & Noble online or select physical stores.
• Lulu : Excellent choice if you need specialized printing options, high-end hardcovers, or direct-to-consumer sales tools.

To help narrow down which platform fits your project, tell me:

• Is your book an ebook, paperback, or hardcover (or all three)?
• Do you want to sell exclusively on Amazon or go wide on multiple storefronts?
• Are you looking to get into physical bookstores?