Best Self-Publishing Platforms for Independent and Hybrid Authors in 2026
- Jan 3, 2025
- 14 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Self-publishing has become a central force in the book industry, providing writers with direct access to readers through digital and print-on-demand technology. A small number of platforms dominate the field—Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing and IngramSpark among them—while others, such as Draft2Digital, Barnes & Noble Press, and Apple Books, provide authors with alternative routes to distribution. The landscape also includes Lulu and Blurb for high-quality print projects, Smashwords and PublishDrive for wide eBook reach, and BookBaby for full-service support. Recent years have expanded the field further with Kobo Writing Life, Google Play Books, Author’s Republic for audiobooks, and ComiXology Submit for comics. Hybrid publishing services, though more complex, also play a role for some. Together, these platforms demonstrate how independent authors can tailor publishing strategies to their goals, balancing visibility, cost, and creative control in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Self-publishing now accounts for roughly one-third of all ebooks sold in major English-language markets and about a third of Amazon’s own ebook sales. For many months, self-published titles have made up a majority of the Kindle “Best Sellers” list. At the same time, self-published output with ISBNs passed 2.6 million titles in 2023, roughly double the volume a decade ago, while traditionally published output declined. The self-publishing sector is expanding at a double-digit annual growth rate and is projected to exceed $5 billion in value over the next decade.
Income patterns tell the same story. The first global study of indie author earnings found a typical self-publishing income of approximately $12,700 in 2022, almost 50% higher than the previous year and significantly above the median for traditionally published authors in comparable surveys. Follow-up analyses suggest that a significant minority of serious indies now report annual book revenues in the mid-fives, with a smaller but notable group earning six-figure sums from publishing alone. In other words, self-publishing has become a primary economic path for working writers rather than a consolation prize.
Platform choice is directly tied to this economic reality. Amazon still controls well over half of the ebook market, yet recent sales data indicate that roughly forty percent of book revenue happens elsewhere. Authors who remain within Amazon’s ecosystem capture the largest single pool of buyers but forfeit meaningful reach in other ecosystems, including Apple’s device base, Kobo’s international network, regional retailers, subscription platforms, and libraries. As subscription and institutional models now account for the majority of ebook revenue growth, and as library demand for digital lending rises each year, the question is no longer where a book can be uploaded but where it can earn revenue.
For self-published authors, the platform stack is the distribution department. It dictates which readers ever see the book, which formats exist, how royalties flow, and how exposed the business is to policy changes or account issues at a single retailer. For hybrid authors with both traditional and self-published work, platform decisions determine whether the independent side of the catalog complements or collides with publisher-led editions, how backlist is exploited when rights revert, and whether self-published titles can reach markets their traditional contracts ignore. For small independent presses, the same decisions shape whether they can offer authors credible reach that competes with larger houses and whether their own lists remain visible once initial launch windows close.
Core models of distribution
Core Models of Distribution
Before examining individual platforms, it helps to identify the core strategic models that underlie most successful independent publishing operations.
Amazon-centric strategies concentrate on Kindle Direct Publishing, often with KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited at the center. Revenue comes from a mix of à la carte Kindle sales and reads from subscription customers, who, as a group, buy and consume books at a high rate. Other outlets exist in a supporting role, if at all. This approach aligns with Amazon’s scale and tools but accepts dependence on a single company’s algorithms, terms, and enforcement practices.
Wide direct strategies involve establishing separate accounts with several major retailers, typically including Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, and Barnes & Noble Press. Authors use each store’s dashboards, promotional programs, and analytics, and they spread risk across multiple storefronts. The aim is to reach readers who purchase their ebooks and audiobooks outside Amazon’s ecosystem, maintain a presence in markets where other devices dominate, and avoid a single policy change that disrupts the entire business.
Aggregator-first strategies route distribution through services that deliver titles to multiple outlets from a single dashboard, particularly to subscription services and library platforms that would be impractical to manage individually. The author trades fine-grained control and instant store-level reporting for reach, administrative simplicity, and access to networks that can be pivotal for long-tail exposure and institutional sales.
Alongside these retailer-based approaches, a growing group of experienced authors now layer direct-to-reader sales on top of their other channels through their own storefronts and membership platforms. This route offers higher per-unit margins and direct ownership of reader relationships, but it relies on an existing audience and a more complex operational setup.
Most career-minded authors eventually adopt a hybrid of these models. Amazon remains central for many because of its scale. Still, wide outlets, aggregators, and direct sales play defined roles in stabilizing revenue, expanding formats, and ensuring the rights they control are actually earning. Understanding which model exists at the center of your plans clarifies what each platform contributes to your stack and why these decisions are structural choices for a long-term writing career, not housekeeping details.
1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the central infrastructure for independent publishing on Amazon, giving authors direct access to the Kindle Store and to Amazon’s global print-on-demand network. Through a single dashboard, writers can release ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers, order author copies at print cost, and keep titles continuously available without warehousing or reprint decisions. Ebook royalties are typically 35 or 70 percent of list price, depending on price band and territory, while print editions pay a percentage of list price after print cost. Enrollment in KDP Select provides access to programs such as Kindle Unlimited, Kindle Countdown Deals, and free promotions, in exchange for exclusive digital distribution of the enrolled ebook on Amazon for each term. For many independent authors, KDP functions as the commercial hub of the catalog, with other platforms selected to extend reach, diversify formats, or reduce reliance on a single retailer.
Continue reading: Amazon KDP: Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing on Kindle Direct.
2. IngramSpark
IngramSpark is the primary self-publishing route into the Ingram Content Group network that supplies bookstores, libraries, and academic outlets worldwide. When a title is set up on IngramSpark, it enters the same ordering system that independent booksellers, chain stores, wholesalers, and library vendors already use, which is what makes the book realistically orderable for physical shelves, author events, and institutional purchasing. As of recent policy changes, the economics for most print projects center on unit print cost, the discount offered to retailers, and Ingram’s per-sale distribution fee rather than on one-time setup charges. Authors can provide paperbacks and hardcovers in trade-standard trim sizes, set discounts and returns to match their goals, and order copies at print cost for direct sales. In practice, many independent authors pair IngramSpark for wholesale and retail print distribution with KDP for Amazon-facing editions, using the two systems together to cover both online discovery and bricks-and-mortar supply.
3. Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital is a wide-distribution aggregator that lets authors manage a broad ebook footprint from a single dashboard. One upload can feed Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, primary subscription services, and an extensive network of library platforms and international retailers, with Draft2Digital handling file conversion and delivery. The service includes free, template-based formatting, automated back matter and series links, universal book links that route readers to their preferred store, and a built-in royalty-splitting system that simplifies co-authored or multi-contributor projects. There are no upfront listing fees; Draft2Digital takes a percentage of net receipts from each sale and provides consolidated sales and payment reporting. For many widely published authors, it functions as the central hub for non-Amazon ebook sales, reducing administrative work while maintaining access to a broad range of outlets.
4. Barnes & Noble Press
Barnes & Noble Press is the direct publishing portal for the Nook ecosystem and for print-on-demand titles sold through the Barnes & Noble website. Authors can publish ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers from a single dashboard, choose standard black-and-white or premium color interiors, and order author copies at printing cost for events, hand selling, or local partnerships. Ebook royalties are typically a flat 70 percent on titles priced at 0.99 and above, and print projects pay a percentage of list price after the per-book print cost, with no setup fees or annual charges for listing.
For readers who prefer dedicated Nook devices or purchase through bn.com, this channel remains a meaningful part of the US ebook market, particularly in categories such as romance, mystery, and book club fiction, where in-store and online discovery reinforce one another. Strong online performance, a clear marketing plan, and regional relevance can help an author make a credible case for in-store consideration, though shelf placement is curated and never guaranteed. In practice, Barnes & Noble Press functions as a key component of broader strategies: it provides independent authors direct access to Nook promotions, keeps a major non-Amazon retailer in the mix, and allows print editions to integrate naturally into Barnes & Noble events and local store relationships.
5. Apple Books
Apple Books is the primary self-publishing route into Apple’s reading ecosystem, reaching readers on iPhones, iPads, and Macs across dozens of countries. Ebooks earn a flat 70 percent royalty at almost any price point, with no delivery fees, price-band cliffs, or exclusivity requirements, which makes the platform especially attractive for box sets and higher-priced nonfiction. Authors can publish directly through Apple’s portal on a Mac or iPad, or deliver titles via aggregators such as Draft2Digital or PublishDrive while retaining the same underlying EPUB files and metadata. In practice, many independent authors treat Apple Books as a key non-Amazon pillar in a wide strategy, pairing it with KDP for Amazon-facing sales and using Apple’s store to reach readers who prefer to keep their purchases inside the Apple ecosystem.
6. Lulu
Lulu is a print-on-demand and distribution platform built around format flexibility and durable print quality, making it a common choice for photo books, art and design projects, workbooks, and academic or institutional publications that do not fit standard trade templates. Authors and organizations can produce paperbacks, hardcovers, coil-bound workbooks, and a wide range of trim sizes and paper stocks, then choose whether to sell only through the platform's own bookstore, extend listings to major online retailers, or order runs at print cost for direct distribution. The economics hinge on unit print cost and markup rather than on platform fees, which suits projects with smaller, highly targeted audiences that value production values over rock-bottom pricing. In practice, many creators pair Lulu with other platforms, designating Lulu for specialized or premium editions that require its format range, and services such as KDP or IngramSpark for standard trade paperbacks aimed at the broader retail and library market.
7. Blurb
Blurb is a creator-focused print-on-demand platform built for visually driven projects such as photo books, cookbooks, portfolios, magazines, and design-heavy trade books. Its own BookWright software and plug-ins for Adobe InDesign and Lightroom give photographers, artists, and designers precise control over layout, typography, and image handling, with access to premium papers, layflat options, and large-format sizes that mirror high-end art books. Creators can sell directly through Blurb’s bookstore, order short runs or bulk copies at print cost for galleries and events, or extend distribution to Amazon and Ingram-linked channels for broader retail reach. In practice, many use Blurb for the showcase edition of a project, where print quality and aesthetics are the priority, while relying on more conventional POD services for standard trade formats aimed at the general book market.
8. Smashwords
Smashwords, founded in 2008, was among the first platforms to allow authors to upload a single manuscript, convert it into multiple ebook formats, and distribute it to a vast network of retailers and libraries. After its 2022 acquisition by Draft2Digital, Smashwords’ publishing and distribution functions were folded into Draft2Digital’s tools, while the Smashwords Store continued as a branded, reader-facing marketplace. Today, authors typically reach Smashwords readers by distributing through Draft2Digital, which can place titles in the Smashwords Store with royalties in the 80–83 percent range, along with access to marketing tools such as site-wide sales, coupons, and presales events. In practice, Smashwords now functions as a specialized storefront and promotion engine inside the broader Draft2Digital ecosystem, and authors who want maximum ebook reach often include it as part of an aggregator-first strategy that also delivers to major retailers and library systems.
9. PublishDrive
PublishDrive is an aggregator built for global reach, distributing ebooks, audiobooks, and some print-on-demand titles to more than four hundred stores, subscription services, and library platforms worldwide. Instead of taking a percentage of each sale on its standard plans, it uses a subscription model: authors pay a monthly fee and keep 100 percent of net royalties from retailers, which becomes increasingly cost-effective as a catalog grows across multiple formats and territories. The platform has particular strength outside the usual US–UK focus, with access to outlets in Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, and emerging digital markets that many other aggregators do not cover, making it a natural fit for authors and small presses who see international sales as a core part of their strategy rather than a bonus. In practice, many use PublishDrive alongside direct accounts at Amazon or Apple Books: direct, where store-specific tools and advertising matter most, and PublishDrive everywhere else to extend distribution into regions and storefronts they would never have the time or infrastructure to manage one by one.
10. BookBaby
BookBaby is a full-service self-publishing company aimed at authors who want a managed, “done-for-you” path rather than assembling their own production team. It sells bundled packages that can include editing, cover and interior design, ebook and print formatting, ISBN assignment, printing, and distribution to major retailers, along with listings in its own BookShop store and options for short-run or bulk print orders. Instead of platform fees, authors pay up front for services and then retain the net royalties that flow from retailers after print costs, which makes the economics very different from DIY platforms such as KDP or IngramSpark. For writers who prefer to hand off logistics, work with a single point of contact, and treat production as a one-time project expense, BookBaby can function like an outsourced publishing department. For those who are comfortable hiring individual freelancers or learning basic production tools, its higher price point is often the main reason to compare it carefully against building a bespoke team.
11. Kobo Writing Life
Kobo Writing Life is Kobo’s direct self-publishing platform, providing authors a direct line into a global ebook store that is particularly strong in Canada, parts of Europe, and several Asian markets through retail partners such as Indigo, FNAC, and Rakuten-branded outlets. Authors can publish without any exclusivity requirement and typically earn up to 70 percent royalties within standard price bands, with lower but still competitive rates below those thresholds. Kobo’s merchandising leans heavily on curated lists, price promotions, and country-specific storefronts, which means a single well-positioned title can perform very differently in, say, Canada and France. The Writing Life dashboard surfaces country-level sales data and supports scheduled price promos and free days, making it a practical tool for authors running wide strategies who want to see where their books are actually moving outside Amazon. In practice, Kobo Writing Life often sits alongside KDP, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble Press as one of the core direct accounts in a wide distribution plan, ensuring that readers who buy primarily through Kobo’s ecosystem are not excluded from a series or backlist.
12. Google Play Books Partner Center
Google Play Books Partner Center is Google’s self-publishing portal for reaching readers on Android devices and inside Google’s own search environment. Titles published through Play Books are sold in the Play Store and surfaced in organic search results, so a reader who types a book or topic into Google can land directly on the book’s purchase page without ever visiting a separate retailer site. Royalty terms differ from the familiar Amazon and Apple models: Google sets list and sale prices region by region, with revenue shares that typically amount to around half of the list price, but it allows fine-grained territorial pricing, facilitates experimentation with discounts, and participates in limited-time promotions. Because Android dominates smartphone usage in many countries, Google Play can be a significant channel in markets where Kindle or Apple Books are less entrenched, and it is especially useful for non-fiction, technical, and educational titles that benefit from search-driven discovery. In practice, most independent authors treat Google Play Books as a strategic complement to KDP, Apple Books, and Kobo, using it to capture readers within the Android and Google ecosystem who are more likely to buy where they already have a payment profile on file.
13. Author’s Republic
Author’s Republic is an audiobook-focused aggregator that lets authors reach a wide range of audio retailers and library platforms through a single account, including outlets such as Audible, Apple Books, Google Play, Spotify, Chirp, and major library vendors. Instead of setting up and managing separate logins, file specs, and royalty statements for each destination, authors upload a mastered audiobook once, choose where it should be distributed, and receive consolidated reporting and payments. The service supports both royalty-share-style splits and flat-percentage deals, depending on the retailer, and authors usually retain control over suggested list pricing and territory choices, which is not always the case with exclusive audio contracts. Because audiobook consumption has been growing faster than print or ebook reading in many markets, and production costs can be recouped across years of long-tail listening, Author’s Republic is often used alongside KDP, IngramSpark, and ebook aggregators as the audio arm of a catalog, turning turns a finished recording into global availability without requiring the author to become an expert in the technical and contractual quirks of every individual audio store.
14. ComiXology Submit
ComiXology Submit was Amazon’s dedicated portal for independent comics and graphic novel creators, providing direct access to the ComiXology marketplace at a time when it was the dominant digital comics platform. Creators could upload finished issues or volumes, set prices, and reach a readership that arrived specifically looking for panel-based storytelling, something general ebook stores were never built to serve well. The program stopped accepting new submissions and was effectively retired when ComiXology was folded into the broader Kindle and Amazon storefronts. Its functionality has since been replaced by Kindle Direct Publishing’s support for comics and fixed-layout content. For today’s independent creators, ComiXology Submit is best understood as an essential historical bridge, demonstrating that digital-first, creator-owned comics could reach a robust, paying audience at scale, and it paved the way for current KDP-based workflows and newer specialist platforms that now carry that work forward.
15. Hybrid and Assisted Publishing Services
Hybrid and assisted publishing services sit between traditional publishing and pure self-publishing. They typically sell packages that bundle editing, cover design, interior layout, ISBNs, project management, and distribution, and are paid through a mix of upfront fees and ongoing revenue shares. In a best-case scenario, a reputable hybrid house functions as an outsourced publishing department: the author retains primary rights, contributes capital rather than an advance, and receives professional-level production, with transparent royalty accounting and clear reversion terms. At the other end of the spectrum are vanity-style operations that charge high fees for minimal work, lock up rights for long periods, or upload books under their own retailer accounts so authors cannot easily move or audit their titles. Anyone considering this route needs to read contracts line by line, insist on retaining copyright and key subrights, check how and where the books will be uploaded, and understand how and when they can exit the relationship. Independent watchdogs and organizations that rate self-publishing services, including those that maintain recommended, caution, and “avoid” lists, are essential reference points before signing anything.
Choosing the Right Platform
Choosing a self-publishing platform is a strategic decision. The best fit depends on what you write, who you are trying to reach, and how you want the business side of your career to look three or five books from now. Authors who rely primarily on Amazon’s traffic and tools typically center their strategy on KDP, sometimes with KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited at the core, and add other platforms only when they are confident that such additions will not dilute momentum. Writers who care as much about bookshop and library presence as about Amazon rankings tend to pair KDP with IngramSpark, allowing Ingram to handle wholesale print distribution to bookstores, library vendors, and academic channels, while Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) remains the primary retail engine for ebooks and direct-to-consumer print.
For a broad digital reach beyond those two anchors, aggregators such as Draft2Digital and PublishDrive provide a single point of entry to dozens or hundreds of additional outlets, from regional ebookstores to subscription services and library platforms. That is why many experienced authors run a mixed model: direct accounts with KDP, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, and Barnes & Noble Press, where store-specific tools and data matter, plus one or more aggregators for everything else. Niche platforms like Blurb and Lulu slot in when the format itself is unusual or premium enough to need their capabilities, whether that means gallery-quality photo books, coil-bound workbooks, or museum-shop editions.
Hybrid and assisted publishing services, when chosen carefully, step in for authors who want a coordinated team to manage production and distribution in exchange for higher upfront costs. In practice, most independent authors end up with a small, deliberate set of platforms rather than a single one: each piece has a role, and the combination is designed to balance reach, cost, and control over the long term.
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