Before diving into the platforms, ensure your manuscript is ready. This involves several crucial steps:
- Editing: Professional editing is highly recommended to ensure quality. Other options include using beta readers or writer swaps.
- Cover Design: A professional cover design is vital for market appeal. While outsourcing is common on sites like Upwork or Fiverr, free tools like Canva can be used if on a budget.
- Formatting: Each platform has specific file requirements for e-books, audiobooks, and print books. General needs are a correctly formatted cover file and manuscript file.
- Marketing Plan: Do not forget to develop a strategy for marketing your book to gain visibility.
The 8 Best Free Self-Publishing Sites
Here is the rundown of the top platforms:
Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
Amazon KDP is widely considered the dominant player in the self-publishing arena, capturing at least half of the digital book market. It is a go-to platform for indie authors due to its massive reach and established customer base.
- Formats: E-book, paperback, and hardcover.
- Royalty Payout: Authors can earn up to 70% on e-books priced between $2.99 and $9.99, or 35% if priced below that range. Print book royalties are up to 60% after printing costs.
- Reach: Billions worldwide via Amazon’s extensive stores.
- Key Feature: Access to the Kindle Unlimited program, which can provide great visibility for genre fiction, though it requires a 90-day exclusivity period for the e-book version.
PublishDrive
PublishDrive is an aggregator site that distributes content to a vast network of stores and libraries, allowing authors to “go wide” with their distribution strategy. The platform offers robust promotional and conversion tools as well.
- Formats: E-book, audiobook, print.
- Royalty Payout: Authors keep 100% of the royalties earned from each store, as PublishDrive operates on a subscription model rather than taking sales commissions.
- Reach: Over 400 digital bookstores and thousands of libraries globally.
Barnes & Noble Press
As Amazon’s main competitor, Barnes & Noble Press provides a strong presence in the U.S. market and is noted for its quality print options.
- Formats: E-book and print.
- Royalty Payout: 70% for e-books and 55% for print books.
- Reach: Millions of readers through BN.com and the NOOK e-reader devices.
Apple Books for Authors
Leveraging the massive install base of Apple devices, this platform opens access to a significant global audience without requiring content exclusivity.
- Formats: Primarily e-book, though audiobooks can be distributed via an approved partner like PublishDrive.
- Royalty Payout: Approximately 70% for most books.
- Reach: Over 1.4 billion Apple users across more than 50 countries.
Google Play Books
Being integrated with the world’s largest search engine, Google Play Books offers unparalleled discoverability for your work. The app comes pre-installed on Android devices, reaching a vast number of potential readers.
- Formats: E-book and audiobook.
- Royalty Payout: 70% for most titles.
- Reach: Over 3 billion Android users in more than 75 countries.
IngramSpark
IngramSpark is a premier choice for authors focused on print distribution. It connects to one of the largest global distribution networks available. While the platform traditionally had a setup fee, free setup options are available.
- Formats: E-book and print.
- Royalty Payout: Varies by market, typically 65-70%.
- Reach: Over 39,000 stores and libraries globally.
- Key Feature: Specialization in professional POD, making physical shelf placement in local bookstores a more viable option than other online-only platforms.
Kobo Writing Life
Kobo provides significant international reach and partnerships with major retailers like Walmart, a massive U.S. retail presence.
- Formats: E-book and print.
- Royalty Payout: 70% for books priced above $2.99, and 45% for those below.
- Reach: Online book stores in over 190 countries and millions of monthly visitors on Walmart.com.
Dreame
Dreame is a rapidly growing niche reading app from Southeast Asia, making it a unique option for authors looking to tap into a specific, high-growth market for e-stories.
- Formats: E-story e-book format only.
- Royalty Payout: 25% via distribution through platforms like PublishDrive.
- Reach: Millions of readers within the niche community.
Conclusion
Choosing the right platform is about aligning your book’s goals with the platform’s strengths. While Amazon KDP offers the largest audience, combining it with wide distributors like PublishDrive or Draft2Digital, or print specialists like IngramSpark, can maximize your book’s global reach and selling potential.
