Top ebook publishing platforms for authors
Authors now have more options than ever when picking the best ebook platform. Publishing platforms for ebooks have eliminated traditional barriers, notably because it’s free to publish on major services like Kindle. You can transform your manuscript into a professional ebook with just a few clicks, making ebook publishing a realistic goal for writers at any stage.
Selecting the right ebook publishing platform requires careful thought. Amazon KDP offers 70% royalties and IngramSpark provides access to over 45,000 retail outlets, so understanding each platform’s strengths is key. I’ll walk you through the best ebook platforms in this piece, what you need to start publishing, how to choose wisely and common mistakes to avoid.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon KDP dominates the ebook market with 68% of global ebook sales. The platform offers free publishing for ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcover books. Ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 earn you up to 70% royalties. Prices outside this range get 35%. Print books earn up to 60% royalties, minus printing costs. KDP Select provides exclusivity benefits. You get access to Kindle Unlimited subscribers and promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals. The tradeoff is that your ebook cannot be sold elsewhere during the 90-day enrollment period.
Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital simplifies wide distribution by publishing your ebook across multiple retailers from one dashboard. The platform takes 10% of your list price in exchange for handling distribution to Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and library services like OverDrive. You keep 60% when selling through Amazon instead of Amazon’s standard 70%. Draft2Digital handles formatting and provides daily sales reporting for most retailers. You maintain the freedom to publish elsewhere at the same time since no exclusivity is required.
Apple Books for Authors
Apple Books serves over 100 million monthly users and offers a flat 70% royalty rate whatever your ebook’s price point. This is different from Amazon’s tiered structure. The platform reaches readers in over 50 countries and integrates across all Apple devices. Publishing requires either a Mac computer or using an aggregator like Draft2Digital. EPUB files must pass EPUBCheck validation before submission. Payment arrives 30 days after the month’s end.
IngramSpark
IngramSpark connects you to one of publishing’s largest distribution networks, with access to over 45,000 retailers, libraries, and wholesalers. The platform excels at getting books into physical stores since Ingram is a major distributor where bookstores order inventory. Print-on-demand services extend through the Global Connect program, with printing partners in Germany, UK, India, Italy, Poland, and other countries. Note that if you’ve provided ebooks to Amazon Kindle in the last 12 months, IngramSpark cannot distribute to Kindle.
Kobo Writing Life
Kobo Writing Life reaches readers in over 190 countries without requiring exclusivity. You earn 70% royalties on ebooks priced at $2.99 or higher. The platform processes accounts quickly and publishes titles within 72 hours. Payments arrive 45 days after month-end once you reach the $50 threshold. Kobo maintains strong presence in Canadian and European markets.
Barnes & Noble Press
Barnes & Noble Press offers 70% royalties on all ebooks whatever the price. The platform publishes both ebooks and print books for free. They become available on BN.com and NOOK devices within 72 hours. You retain full control without exclusivity requirements. The reach focuses on the United States market.
How to choose the right ebook publishing platform
Think about your distribution goals
Your distribution strategy shapes your entire publishing approach. Amazon captures roughly 80% of ebook sales, which is why most authors publish there. The question becomes whether you want to sell exclusively on Amazon or distribute widely to multiple retailers.
Wide distribution means you publish on platforms like Kobo, Apple Books and Barnes & Noble. This diversifies your income streams and protects you if Amazon’s algorithms change. It also reaches readers in countries where Amazon has limited presence. Amazon exclusivity through KDP Select offers promotional tools and Kindle Unlimited access in exchange for a 90-day commitment.
Compare royalty rates and payment terms
Royalty structures vary substantially between platforms. Amazon offers 70% royalties on ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99. It drops to 35% outside this range. Apple Books provides a flat 70% whatever the price. Barnes & Noble pays 70% for ebooks between $2.99 and $9.99, while Kobo matches this structure.
Aggregators like Draft2Digital take 10% of your list price. This means you receive 60% when selling through Amazon instead of the standard 70%. PublishDrive offers 100% royalties for a $19.99 monthly subscription.
Check formatting and file requirements
EPUB has become the standard format because it supports reflowable text that adjusts to different screen sizes. Amazon accepts EPUB, MOBI and KPF files. IngramSpark requires EPUB files under 100MB with no single image exceeding 5.6 million pixels.
Review exclusivity agreements
KDP Select requires 90-day exclusivity for your ebook. You cannot sell it anywhere else, including your own website. In return, you gain Kindle Unlimited page reads, Kindle Countdown Deals and free promotion days. Most platforms operate on non-exclusive terms by default.
What you need to start publishing your ebook
Prepare your manuscript file
Save your manuscript in the correct format before you upload it to any ebook publishing platform. Amazon KDP accepts DOC, DOCX, EPUB, and PDF files, with a maximum file size of 650MB. Convert your manuscript to PDF before uploading to get the best results. Set paragraph indents to 0.2 inches with single line spacing and apply Heading 1 to chapter titles to generate a table of contents automatically. Remove page numbers, headers, footers, and track changes since ebooks are reflowable. EPUB has become the standard format on most platforms because it adjusts to different screen sizes naturally.
Get an ISBN number
ISBNs are optional for ebooks on Amazon but required to distribute to other retailers and libraries. Amazon assigns a free ISBN through KDP, though it lists “Independently published” as your imprint. Purchasing your own ISBN costs $125 for one or $295 for ten from Bowker in the United States. Each ebook format needs its own unique ISBN.
Design your ebook cover
KDP requires minimum cover dimensions of 1000 x 625 pixels and recommends 2500 x 1563 pixels at 300 DPI resolution. Most platforms follow a 1.6:1 height-to-width ratio. Your cover must remain readable at thumbnail size since 70% of book discovery happens on mobile devices.
Set your pricing strategy
Amazon offers 70% royalties on ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99, dropping to 35% outside this range. Apple Books provides 70% royalties whatever the price. Barnes & Noble pays 65% for ebooks between $0.99 and $199.99. Most fiction ebooks perform well between $2.99 and $5.99, while nonfiction can justify higher pricing.
Common mistakes to avoid when choosing a platform
Many authors stumble when selecting publishing platforms for ebooks. They often make decisions that limit their earnings or complicate their publishing strategy.
Publishing on too many platforms at once
You damage your chances of building readership at competing retailers when you cycle your books in and out of KDP Select. You can’t establish a consistent presence anywhere if you keep moving between exclusivity and wide distribution. Manual uploads to five or six platforms create slow processes prone to errors. These lead to mismatched prices and incorrect category selection. Start with one or two platforms. Expand as you understand each system.
Ignoring the terms and conditions
Publishing contracts deserve careful review before you sign. Check what rights you’re granting the publisher and whether you’re transferring copyright or licensing specific rights. Look for termination clauses that let you end the relationship if needed. Publishers can keep books “in print” indefinitely with print-on-demand technology. This makes traditional out-of-print clauses meaningless. So define termination terms clearly upfront.
Not understanding royalty calculations
Amazon’s 70% royalty rate comes with delivery fees that vary by file size. A book priced at $4.99 with a $0.20 delivery fee nets you $3.29, not $3.49. Territory restrictions further complicate earnings since the 70% rate only applies in specific countries. Sales outside these territories default to 35% even when your price falls within the approved range.
Conclusion
Choosing the best ebook platform depends on your distribution goals and royalty expectations. Amazon KDP offers the largest audience, while platforms like Draft2Digital simplify wide distribution to multiple retailers. You don’t need to publish everywhere at once. Start with one platform that fits your strategy and learn its system really well. Then expand when you’re ready. You’ll build a lasting publishing presence without overwhelming yourself. Take what you’ve learned here and launch your ebook with confidence.
