Which Self-Publishing Platform Should I Use?
Excellent question!
But… I don’t have the answer to that. Sorry. I’m afraid you’ll have to decide this one for yourself, based on what fits your needs. If you want nothing to do with formatting, you’ll choose a platform that offers this service (several do, fees involved). If you’re comfortable learning the steps to do it all yourself, and you like things that are free, then you’ll likely choose KDP. Fortunately, I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 self-publishing platforms currently available in our Writer’s Resources to help you make that decision!
What I DO have the ability to cover in this post, is the two platforms I work with. AND you get the benefits of learning from MY mistakes… which I will, of course, throw myself under the bus and tell you about.
When I first self-published, I did little to almost no research. I wrote a book, I wanted to publish it, heard about Creatspace (now KDP, both owned by Amazon), and BOOM! I didn’t know or care what significance an ISBN (learn about it HERE) had, I just knew they were giving me one for FREE, and I really like free! What else didn’t I know?
- I didn’t know that using the free ISBN meant only Amazon could distribute my books.
- I didn’t know that this meant I couldn’t sell my books on other self-publishing platforms (with that ISBN)
- I didn’t know that retail booksellers (think Barnes & Noble,, libraries, and indie book stores) generally won’t buy your books if they list Amazon as your publisher (actually, it will say “independent publishing” in place of a publishing company name, a tip-off to retailers that it’s Amazon)
- And I didn’t know it would be a pain in the ass to fix this.
The upside, though, is 1) Now I know! and 2) It’s fixable!
The following is for if you have a free ISBN: (otherwise, you can skip it)
- Follow the steps to create a new book in KDP.
- At the ISBN & Publisher section, input your own ISBN (bought from BOWKER. This is the ONLY source of ALL ISBNs) and the publishing company you’ve created.
- When you get to pricing & territories, do not check the box for expanded distribution.
Next, you’ll be able to repeat the process on another platform (I’ll be using IngramSpark) and you’ll use the SAME ISBN number and files.
Why Do I Want Two Publishing Platforms?
As I mentioned above, retailers hate don’t care for Amazon because they are direct and brutal competition. If you want libraries and booksellers to carry your books, they must be available through Ingram and Baker and Taylor. The best way to do that, is through someone like IngramSpark. If you want the millions of Amazon shoppers to have fast, easy access to buying your books, you’ll want them on Amazon, too.
A slightly painful fact about making your books available and accessible to libraries and booksellers, is that when they buy books to stock, they are at a discount and they are made returnable. You will want (not have) to make yours available at a discount & be returnable, for them to consider buying them. Everyone’s got a bottom line, I’m afraid.
