The Top 5 Self-Publishing Platforms for Indie Authors
While the publishing industry keeps evolving, so is the self-publishing side of the industry
Despite the hesitance of many writers in regard to self-publishing, the realm of self-publishing is slowly paving an easier way for authors to get books to readers.
In the past ten years, self-publishing has been on the rise, the amount of self-published authors increasing.
According to Self-PubishingAdvice.org:
The emergence of smart devices, e-books, and online subscription models has transformed both the publishing landscape as well as the reading behavior of readers. Some of the popular e-commerce vendors that offer e-books include eBay, Walmart, and the Alibaba Group, as well as Apple Books, Google Play, and Kobo.
Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited paid out over a quarter of a billion dollars to indie authors in 2019, apart from regular sales.
One in every four books that sells on Kobo comes from their self-publishing platform, Kobo Writing Life.
Kindle Unlimited (KU), Amazon’s eBook subscription program, is estimated to represent about 14% of all ebook reads in the Amazon ecosystem, according to Author Earnings and 85 percent of these are produced by self-published authors, plus 2,000 audiobooks from Amazon’s Audible business.
KU’s biggest US competitor is Scribd which offers 500,000 books at time of writing, with a major content contribution from self-publishers plus books from nearly 1,000 publishers including HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and others.
Just a quick Google search will tell you that the future of self-publishing looks brighter than anyone anticipated.
Now the question is, with so many platforms to use for self-publishing, which are the best?
Amazon paved the way for self-publishing back in 2007 and since has been the top choice for many self-publishing authors. It is easy to see the advantages as an author of the additional options such as Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Vella.
Perks:
Royalty rates range is from 70% on eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 OR 35% if priced below $2.99
Use of Kindle Unlimited which offers free deals and countdown sales plus the potential for new readers to find you
Huge visibility to readers if your marketing is done right
Allows you to create an author central page that lists all your books, website, profile, and blog link
Free to upload
Can provide audibooks, eBooks, paperbacks, and now hardcovers
Cons:
Enrolling in Kindle Unlimited allows your book to Amazon exclusively
Despite huge visibility to readers on the platform, the rank of your book can quickly drop due to the volume of books published per day or deals happening
Having formed in 2010, and showing a library of 400 million books uploaded, Apple Books is a huge contender. Having your book uploaded to Apple Books allows you to access tons of readers who tend to stay loyal to the Apple brand.
Perks:
Royalty rates range from 70% on most books
Gain access to loyal Apple brand users
No exclusive distribution contract for the platform and you can schedule deals at anytime
Cons:
Monetizing books can be a challenge
Amazon has a larger audience
Formerly known as NOOK Press, the big box store created the platform to change with the tides of the evolving publishing industry. They also worked to create a portal in 2021 to allow self-published authors to use marketing tools and deals for the platform.
Perks:
Royalty rates range at 70% on all books above $0.99
Easy to use
Comes from a big box bookstore which allows some of their stores to carry indie authors in the local author section
Free to upload
Cons:
Based on an existing business that was fading because of Amazon and Apple Books
4. Rakuten Kobo
A Canadian company, it is based on a successful Japanese company which therefore allows them great reach over international sales. Their self-publishing platform is called Kobo Writing Life.
Perks:
Royalty rates range 70% on eBooks priced more than $2.99 in the U.S. OR 45% for books priced below $2.99
Free to upload
Helpful in terms of international sales
Cons:
Not as big in the US just yet
This company recently acquired Smashwords this past year, but is already proving to be quite the tool for authors hoping to self-publish across platforms. One upload for an eBook file can allow you publish to 8 different platforms including Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, and more. They don’t offer much in royalties as they do calculate what you should be getting across platforms.
Perks:
Uploads to multiple platforms
Allows you to track reports
Provides UBL links to share
Cons:
10% of the book’s retail price per copy sold
Don’t offer paperbacks for distribution through them
As the industry continues to change, indie authors should know that they have a wonderful array of options for self-publishing available.