In this article we will be exploring the different self-publishing platforms you can use to self-publish your book for free. We’ll be focusing on Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, Apple Books and Kobo. Let’s get started!”
What is Self-Publishing?
Self-publishing is the process by which an author independently publishes their work without the involvement of a traditional publishing house. This means the author YOU take on all aspects of the publishing process. This includes writing, editing, designing, formatting, and marketing your book. Self-publishing can be done for various types of content, such as print books, eBooks and audiobooks.
Self-publishing has become increasingly popular due to advancements in technology and the rise of digital platforms. This has made it easier than ever for authors to bring their stories to readers around the world.
Self-Publishing Opportunities
Self-publishing has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for aspiring writers to get published. Gone are the days when you had to practically beg an editor to consider publishing your book only to wait forever and be turned down repeatedly by multiple editors. Now, the power is in your hands. That’s the good news!
The bad news is … you don’t have anyone to help you navigate this complex and often confusing process of publishing. You, as a writer, have a steep learning curve and definitely have to wear many hats. That is why I started this blog. To help authors navigate this complex and confusing journey of self-publishing.
Advantages of Self-Publishing
What are the advantages of self-publishing?
Creative Control: Authors retain full creative control over their work, from the content to the cover design.
Higher Royalties: Authors typically earn higher royalties compared to traditional publishing, as they keep a larger percentage of the sales.
Faster Time to Market: Self-publishing allows authors to publish their work quickly without waiting for approval from a publishing house.
Ownership: Authors maintain all rights to their work, giving them the freedom to make decisions about distribution and pricing.
Disadvantages of Self-Publishing
You may be thinking I know there’s got to be a catch, so what are the disadvantages of self-publishing?
Upfront Costs: Authors may need to invest in professional services such as editing, cover design, and marketing.
Responsibility: The author is responsible for all aspects of the publishing process, which can be time-consuming and require different skill sets.
Visibility: Without the backing of a traditional publisher, it can be challenging to gain visibility and reach a wide audience.
Personal Story
I’m going to share a story with you. I began my self-publishing journey several years ago when I published my first book. I remember it was quite a steep learning curve trying to navigate the ins and outs of self-publishing, such as how to format a book, how to create a cover. I’m not a designer, I’m a writer. I would get errors from KDP and I wasn’t sure how to resolve them all. I didn’t think I would ever get to publish my book. I remember thinking I can’t be the only person to have these issues. When people knew I published a book they would immediately ask me all kinds of questions about how to self-publish a book. Shortly after I decided to start my website and blog Blue Crab Books.com to help other authors navigate the world of self-publishing.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
We can’t talk about self-publishing without mentioning the elephant in the room, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, or KDP. Amazon KDP is one of the most popular self-publishing platforms out there. It’s completely free to use and allows you to publish both eBooks and paperbacks.
Advantages of KDP
One of the biggest advantages of using KDP is its wide reach. Amazon has a massive global audience, giving your book significant exposure.
Ease of Use: User-friendly interface for uploading and managing your book.
Royalties: Offers up to 70% royalties on eBooks priced within a certain range.
Print-on-Demand: Allows you to publish paperbacks without upfront costs.
Disadvantages of KDP
Exclusivity Requirements
If you enroll in Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited (KU) subscription service it requires exclusivity, meaning you can’t sell your eBook on other platforms. But this is only when your book is enrolled in KU. After the 90 days you can opt out of KU and you are free to sell your book on any platform you want.
Competition: High competition due to the large number of books available on Amazon.
Amazon Market
Amazon holds a significant share of the eBook market, with KDP accounting for about 67% of eBook sales in the US. When you include Kindle Unlimited or KU Amazon’s subscription service, this share jumps to around 83%.”
“Kindle Unlimited is a subscription service that allows readers to access a vast library of books for a monthly fee. As an author, enrolling your book in Kindle Unlimited can increase its visibility and potentially boost your earnings. You get paid based on the number of pages read by subscribers. It’s worth noting that 60% of the best-selling titles on Amazon are part of Kindle Unlimited.”
Other Platforms
Let’s look at some other free self-publishing platforms. Although Amazon KDP is a major player, there are several other platforms you can consider:
Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital is a popular self-publishing platform known for its ease of use and wide distribution network. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of using Draft2Digital.
Advantages:
Wide Distribution: Distributes to multiple retailers like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.
Ease of Use: Simple and intuitive interface for formatting and publishing.
Simple Setup: Creating an account and setting up your book is straightforward. You can upload your manuscript in various formats, including Word documents1.
No Exclusivity: No requirement to be exclusive to their platform.
Free to Use: There are no fees for formatting or updating your eBook. Draft2Digital takes a 10% cut of the retail price for each sale.
Flexible Pricing: You can set your own prices and make changes at any time.
Print-on-Demand: Draft2Digital offers print-on-demand services, allowing you to publish paperbacks without upfront inventory costs.
Disadvantages:
Lower Royalties: Takes a small percentage of your royalties.
Limited Marketing Tools: Fewer promotional tools compared to Amazon.
Success Stories
Many authors have found success using Draft2Digital due to its user-friendly interface and extensive distribution network. The platform’s flexibility and support make it an excellent choice for both new and experienced self-published authors.
Apple Books
Advantages:
Apple Ecosystem: Access to a large audience of Apple device users.
Higher Royalties: Offers competitive royalty rates.
No Exclusivity: No requirement to be exclusive to their platform.
Disadvantages:
Complex Interface: Can be more challenging to navigate compared to other platforms.
Limited Reach: Primarily targets Apple users, which may limit your audience.
Kobo Writing Life
Advantages:
International Reach: Strong presence in Canada and Europe.
Ease of Use: Simple platform for uploading and managing your book.
No Exclusivity: No requirement to be exclusive to their platform.
Disadvantages of Kobo:
Smaller Market Share: Less market share compared to Amazon.
Limited Marketing Tools: Fewer promotional tools compared to Amazon.
Google Play Books
Advantages:
Global Reach: Access to a global audience through Google’s ecosystem.
Ease of Use: Simple platform for uploading and managing your book.
No Exclusivity: No requirement to be exclusive to their platform.
Examples of Successful Self-Published Authors
There are quite a number of successful self-published authors for you to be inspired by. Here are some notable examples of successful self-published authors who have made a significant impact.
Andy Weir
Notable Work: The Martian
Success Story: Andy Weir initially self-published The Martian as a serial on his website before releasing it as an eBook. It gained immense popularity, leading to a traditional publishing deal and a successful film adaptation.
Hugh Howey
Notable Work: Wool
Success Story: Hugh Howey self-published Wool as a series of novellas. The series’ success led to a major publishing deal and international acclaim.
Amanda Hocking
Notable Work: Trylle Trilogy
Success Story: Amanda Hocking self-published her paranormal romance novels and sold over a million copies before signing a traditional publishing deal.
E.L. James
Notable Work: Fifty Shades of Grey
Success Story: E.L. James initially self-published Fifty Shades of Grey as an eBook and print-on-demand paperback. The series became a global phenomenon, leading to a traditional publishing deal and a successful film franchise.
Christopher Paolini
Notable Work: Eragon
Success Story: Christopher Paolini self-published Eragon with the help of his family. The book’s success caught the attention of a major publisher, leading to a traditional publishing deal and a film adaptation.
Mark Dawson
Notable Work: John Milton Series
Success Story: Mark Dawson turned to self-publishing after his traditionally published books didn’t perform well. He has since sold millions of copies and built a successful career as a self-published author.
L.J. Ross
Notable Work: DCI Ryan Series
Success Story: L.J. Ross self-published her crime thrillers, which have sold over 7 million copies worldwide. She has been called “the Queen of Kindle” for her eBook sales success.
These authors have demonstrated that self-publishing can be a viable and successful path for writers. Their stories can serve as inspiration for anyone looking to take control of their publishing journey.
Creative Freedom in Self-Publishing
Self-publishing offers authors a remarkable level of creative freedom, allowing them to take full control of their work from start to finish. Here are some key aspects of the creative freedom that self-publishing provides:
1. Content Control
Unrestricted Creativity: Authors can write about any topic, genre, or style without needing approval from a publisher. This freedom allows for more experimental and niche works that might not fit traditional publishing criteria.
Voice and Vision: Authors maintain their unique voice and vision throughout the book, ensuring that their work remains true to their original intent.
2. Design and Formatting
Cover Design: Authors can choose or create their own book covers, ensuring that the cover art aligns perfectly with their vision and the book’s content.
Interior Layout: Authors have the freedom to format the interior of their book as they see fit, including font choices, chapter headings, and overall layout.
3. Publishing Timeline
Flexible Schedule: Authors can publish their books on their own timeline, without waiting for a publisher’s schedule. This means they can release their work as soon as it’s ready.
Multiple Releases: Authors can publish multiple books in quick succession, which is particularly beneficial for series or serialized content.
4. Marketing and Promotion
Personal Branding: Authors can develop and execute their own marketing strategies, tailoring their promotional efforts to their target audience.
Direct Engagement: Self-publishing allows authors to engage directly with their readers through social media, newsletters, and other platforms, building a loyal fan base.
5. Pricing and Distribution
Pricing Control: Authors set their own prices, allowing them to experiment with different pricing strategies to maximize sales and reach.
Global Reach: Self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, and others provide global distribution, giving authors the ability to reach readers around the world.
6. Rights and Royalties
Full Ownership: Authors retain all rights to their work, giving them the freedom to make decisions about adaptations, translations, and other derivative works.
Higher Royalties: Self-published authors typically earn higher royalties compared to traditional publishing, as they keep a larger percentage of the sales.
7. Adaptability
Quick Updates: Authors can quickly update their books to correct errors, add new content, or respond to reader feedback.
Multiple Formats: Authors can publish their work in various formats, including eBooks, paperbacks, hardcovers, and audiobooks, without needing separate contracts for each format.
Self-publishing empowers authors to bring their creative visions to life without compromise. This level of control and flexibility can be incredibly rewarding, allowing authors to connect with their audience in a more personal and direct way.
Examples of Creative Freedom in Self-Publishing
Here are some inspiring success stories of self-published authors who leveraged the creative freedom of self-publishing to achieve remarkable success:
1. Mark Dawson
Notable Work: John Milton Series
Success Story: Mark Dawson initially published his first two novels through traditional means but found they didn’t receive the attention they deserved. Turning to self-publishing, he gained full control over his work and marketing strategies. By consistently releasing new content and engaging directly with his readers, Dawson built a loyal fanbase and achieved significant commercial success. His ability to make quick decisions about his books’ content, cover, and pricing has been a key factor in his success.
2. Kristen Ashley
Notable Work: Rock Chick Series
Success Story: Kristen Ashley started as a blogger, where she developed a unique voice and a dedicated readership. She transitioned to self-publishing, which allowed her to maintain her distinctive style and connect directly with her audience. Her books quickly gained popularity, leading to a successful career as a self-published author. The creative freedom of self-publishing enabled her to write the stories she wanted without compromise.
3. Amanda Hocking
Notable Work: Trylle Trilogy
Success Story: Amanda Hocking’s journey is one of the most well-known self-publishing success stories. After facing numerous rejections from traditional publishers, she decided to self-publish her paranormal romance novels. The creative freedom allowed her to write and publish at her own pace, leading to over a million copies sold and a subsequent traditional publishing deal. Hocking’s success demonstrates the power of self-publishing to bring unique voices to the forefront.
4. Hugh Howey
Notable Work: Wool
Success Story: Hugh Howey self-published Wool as a series of novellas, which quickly gained a following. The creative freedom of self-publishing allowed him to experiment with the format and release schedule. His success led to a major publishing deal and international acclaim. Howey’s story highlights how self-publishing can provide the flexibility to innovate and connect with readers in new ways.
5. L.J. Ross
Notable Work: DCI Ryan Series
Success Story: L.J. Ross self-published her crime thrillers, which have sold over 7 million copies worldwide. The creative freedom of self-publishing allowed her to set her stories in her native Northumberland and maintain control over her branding and marketing. Her success has earned her the title “Queen of Kindle” and a loyal global readership.
These authors have shown that self-publishing can be a powerful tool for creative expression and commercial success. By taking control of their publishing journey, they were able to bring their unique stories to readers around the world.
I hope you found this information helpful and feel more confident about choosing the right platform for your self-publishing journey. If you enjoyed this blog, check out our YouTube channel Blue Crab Books – YouTube and our podcast Write, Publish, Repeat where we dive into the world of self-publishing and help you navigate your journey as an author.