Best Self-Publishing Sites for Authors (And How to Pick the Right One for Your Book)
So you’ve written a book—or at least screamed into a Google Doc long enough that it’s beginning to look like one. Yay! 🎉 Now comes the next big question:
Where the heck should you publish it?
There are tons of self-publishing sites out there—and not all of them are created equal. Some are sleek and easy. Others are, uh… not. Some will help you reach readers. Others will try to take your lunch money.
Let’s break down the best places to self-publish your book, how the money works (aka royalty rates), and how to decide whether to go with a retailer like Amazon or a distributor like IngramSpark or Draft2Digital. Or both.
🧭 First, What’s the Difference Between a Retailer and a Distributor?
Here’s the cheat sheet:
- Retailers (like Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Press) = Sell your book directly to readers on their own store.
- Distributors (like IngramSpark, Draft2Digital) = Deliver your book to multiple retailers + libraries + schools + more. (Also called aggregators.)
Think of distributors as your personal book delivery service. They don’t sell the book themselves—they get it on the shelves (virtual or physical) everywhere else.
If you want max reach (also known as going wide,) you’ll probably want to use both: Amazon (as a retailer) + a distributor like IngramSpark or Draft2Digital for everyone else.
Why? You could get your books selling on all the major sites just by using a distributor like Ingram Spark, but you'll keep a lot more of your hard-earned money if you upload your book directly to the major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and let Ingram (who takes a bigger cut) handle all the smaller retailers and places you can't get into yourself.
📚 Best Self-Publishing Sites for First-Time Authors
You asked: Who is the best publisher for first-time authors?
Trick question. You are. That’s the beauty of self-publishing—you don’t need permission.But here are some top-tier self-publishing sites worth checking out:
🛒 Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
- Free to upload
- 70% royalty on ebooks priced $2.99–$9.99, 60% on paperbacks over $9.99 and 50% under $9.99 (minus print cost.)
- Giant reach, but ebook exclusivity if you join Kindle Unlimited
- Easiest to use for newbies.
📚 Barnes & Noble Press
- Free to upload
- 70% royalty on ebooks, 55% on print
- Great for reaching B&N customers directly
- Platform is straightforward for beginners
🍏 Apple Books
- Free to upload (Mac required or use an aggregator)
- More of a pain to upload directly than other platforms, but still worth the effort
- 70% royalty on all ebooks
📱 Google Play Books
- Free to upload
- Royalty rate: 70% on most titles
- Reach millions of Android users worldwide
- A bit quirky to set up (Google loves forms), but worth it for the reach
📦 IngramSpark (Distributor)
- Free to upload (as of May 2023)
- Access to 40,000+ retailers & libraries
- Includes one free revision within 60 days, then $25 per file after that
- 1% market access fee on each distributed sale
- Great for print distribution to bookstores, libraries, and academic outlets
🌀 Draft2Digital (Distributor)
- Free to upload
- Takes 10% of the royalty after the retailer cut
- Distributes to Apple Books, B&N, Kobo, libraries, and more
💡Pro tip: You can use multiple platforms. Just don’t double-publish the same version of your book in the same store.
🌍 More Self-Publishing Sites Worth Exploring
If you’re looking to go wide, reach global markets, or distribute in audio and international stores, here are a few more great platforms to consider:
📚 Kobo Writing Life (Distributor & Retailer)
- Free to upload
- 70% royalty on ebooks priced $2.99–$9.99
- Strong international presence, especially in Canada, Europe, and Asia
- Great for going wide without exclusivity restrictions
🌐 PublishDrive (Distributor)
- Distributes to 400+ global stores including Amazon, Apple, Google, libraries, and subscription services
- Pricing: Royalties go 100% to you, but you pay a monthly flat fee (starts around $19.99/month)
- Ideal for power users who want full control and predictable fees
🌍 StreetLib (Distributor)
- Global distributor with strong reach in Europe and Latin America
- Free to upload
- Royalties: 60–70%, depending on channel
- Supports multiple formats: ebooks, print, audiobooks
🎧 ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange)
- Audiobook publishing platform for Amazon, Audible, and iTunes
- Free to upload (you’ll share royalties with a narrator or keep 100% if you produce it yourself)
- Royalty: 40% if exclusive to ACX, 25% if you go non-exclusive
- Best if you want fast access to Audible listeners
🔊 INAudio, Formerly Findaway Voices (Audiobook Distributor)
- Audiobook distributor to 40+ platforms (including Spotify, Hoopla, Chirp, and more)
- Free to upload, no exclusivity required
- Royalty varies by retailer, but you keep more control than ACX
- Great alternative if you want to go wide with your audio
🥇 Who Is the Best Publisher for First-Time Authors?
If you’re publishing your first book, the best publisher might not be a “publisher” at all—but a platform that empowers you to publish on your own terms.
For most first-time authors, Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the top choice for self-publishing ebooks and print-on-demand paperbacks. It’s easy to use, free to set up, and gives you access to the world’s largest bookstore.
👉 If you want personalized help choosing the best publishing option for your book, check out my Book Coaching Services or schedule a free intro call to get started.
💸 Can I Publish My Own Book for Free?
Mostly, yes!
Here’s the breakdown:
- Amazon KDP, B&N, Apple Books, Draft2Digital, IngramSpark: Free to upload
- IngramSpark also includes free revisions within 60 days—after that, it’s $25 per file unless you get a free revision code from professional organizations like Alli.
- With distributors like Ingram Spark, the trade discount is between 40-55%, with 55% being the industry standard. (And the expectation if you want to sell your books through physical bookstores, etc.)
Your real investment will likely go toward:
- Book Coaching
- Editing
- Cover design
- Formatting
You can absolutely publish for free—just be mindful of where the hidden costs actually are.
💰 How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish?
Let’s break it down:
- DIY barebones: $0 (but can be tougher to get traction with readers, media, booksellers, and libraries) You do your own editing, cover design, interior design, etc (or trade services with a friend.)
- Smart indie strategy: $500–$2,000 (coaching/editing, cover design, tools)
- Professional polish: $3,000–$25,000+ (done-for-you publishing help, marketing support, coaching)
Want to write fast without sacrificing quality?
🚩Try my bestselling resources:
📘 How to Write a Self-Help Book in 14 Days (book + workbook)
🎓 Write a Self-Help Book in 30 Days (course)
➡️ Read next: How to Write a Self-Help Book
👩🏫 Why Work With a Writing Coach?
You don’t need one. But also: yes, you kind of do.
A writing coach helps you:
- Choose the right platform based on your goals
- Get your book written faster
- Avoid newbie mistakes that cost time and sales
- Actually finish the thing instead of letting it rot on your desktop
Whether you’re publishing your first book or your fifth, having a guide is never a bad idea.
☎️ Book a free call if you want help picking the best self-publishing site for your book.
💬 Final Thoughts from Your Book Coach
The best self-publishing sites are the ones that work for your book, your goals, and your readers. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution—but there is a smart, profitable, strategic path forward.
You don’t need a traditional publisher to call yourself an author. You don’t need to spend thousands. You just need a message, a plan, and a platform to make it all happen.
☎️ Book a call and let’s get your book out into the world—on your terms.
💖 Lisa
https://author.coach