5 Best Platforms To Self Publish Your Storybooks
The journey of self publishing is an exciting adventure filled with enthusiasm and opportunities. This new chapter also comes with a set of challenges and roadblocks which demotivate many self publishing authors. Your content and story might be perfect but with the plethora of platforms available out there, choosing the correct one is crucial. It all boils down to the outcome you are seeking; is it more royalty and profit? Or a wider reach over a long time for the establishment of a loyal fanbase? Each platform is unique in their own way, catering to the needs and preferences of different users.
Let us take a look at 5 Best Platforms To Self Publish Your Storybooks -
- Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
Perhaps the most famous and widely used platform in contemporary times for self-publishing authors, Amazon KDP occupies around 60% of the market. As the largest e-book publisher in the market, it is said that Amazon KDP generates around $28 billion globally through their print and digital medium combined. Having already dominated the market in terms of reach, this platform is very versatile with features such as KDP Select. Authors may opt for KDP Select, applicable to Kindle ebooks that grants exclusivity of the rights to Amazon for 90 days.
While this does grant some potential for higher earrings, authors may not be able to reach a wider audience. One of the main reasons why people decide to join this 90 day programme is the benefits through Kindle Unlimited and increased royalties in certain countries.
For the books priced below $2.99, you can earn up to 35% royalty on sales whereas for the books priced above $2.99, authors can earn up to 70% royalties. However, authors can earn a 70% royalty on sales in Brazil, Japan, Mexico, and India only through KDP Select.
- Barnes & Noble Press
One of the best platforms for self publishing in the US and for indies alike, Barnes & Noble Press is very convenient. A credible and popular platform, it is best suited for the print medium, dominating the print sales. For instance, the innovative Barnes & Noble’s brick-and-mortar stores since 2008, offer additional reach for print sales. Unlike Amazon KDP Select, there is no sort of exclusivity in this platform, allowing you to reach a wider audience.
In terms of the royalty structure, the platform offers a 70% royalty on their e-books and a 55% royalty rate on the print books, excluding the print costs. Due to such competitive prices, many authors opt for this platform but do face some issues in terms of marketing. The site will feature your book in the editorial collection but you might have to market it further using a third party.
- IngramSpark
A reliable platform for self publishing authors to publish their books, IngramSpark is celebrated for its large network. The core difference between a platform such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark spark would lie in its connections to bookstores and libraries. IngramSpark clearly outmanoeuvred all the other platforms in this aspect, taking the lead and partnering with over 39,000 retailers, libraries, and schools.
You can make a considerable amount of profit with the wholesale discount on this platform, impacting the final royalty by nearly 40%. The royalties on ebooks typically extend to around 60% whereas for the print on demand model it is calculated by the page. Apart from the profit margin, you can capitalise on their book-building tool for special assistance especially with the book cover.
- KOBO Writing Life
KOBO Writing Life gains its reputation from its vast success in regions such as Europe, Australia and nearly 25% of the Canadian market. Nonetheless, its immense reach spanning over 190 countries, makes it a suitable choice for authors looking to sell beyond the US. Being the official digital partner for Booktopia, one of Australia’s best online bookstores, offering promotional and subscription based opportunities.
It gets the better of many platforms including Amazon KDP in terms of royalties on combo and book sets. Normally, a 70% royalty on eBooks priced at $2.99 USD or higher and a 45% royalty for eBooks priced below $2.99 USD is offered. The platform offers other subscription based models for promotions accompanied by a sales tracker and tools to understand the wider audience.
- Apple Books
The closest competitor to Amazon in the US, Apple Books is a reliable and prominent platform to self publish your storybook. This platform is one of the dominating platforms in New Zealand and Australia too. Some may argue that the platform holds only 10% of the market in the US, however, other platforms except Amazon KDP do not outshine Apple books.
Offering around 70% royalties on all of its e-books, this rate applies to all the books ranging from between $0.99 and $200. Compared to other platforms, Apple books offer much more royalty, aiming to dominate the ebook market. The integration of the platform solely to Apple devices is looked upon, nonetheless using an aggregator such as Draft2digital will prove very beneficial.
In conclusion, each platform offers their own set of pros and cons which have to be taken into account. For a massive reach, Amazon KDP leads the charts whereas IngramSpark beats all the other platforms with its large network. Choosing between print and e-book formats is also a crucial decision, as platforms like Barnes & Noble offer superior options for print media. A major area to focus should also be marketing, combining aggregators such as Draft2Digital and PublishDrive to scale the growth of your storybook.