Understanding Publishing Platforms: Choosing Your Digital Home

Last week, we explored the technical foundations of publishing — ISBNs, barcodes, copyright, and distribution options. Now it’s time to take a closer look at the platforms that will carry your book to readers around the world.

Choosing the right publishing platform(s) is like selecting business partners. Each offers different advantages, requirements, and compensation structures. Some may be perfect for certain types of books but less ideal for others.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the major publishing platforms, sharing my experiences and helping you determine which combination might work best for your specific publishing goals. From upload requirements to royalty structures, you’ll learn what to expect when working with each platform.

Let’s dive into the details of these potential publishing homes for your book!

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the largest self-publishing platform in the world, offering access to millions of potential readers.

KDP allows you to publish:

One thing I’ve found personally: When people learn your book’s available on Amazon… somehow, you’re considered a worthy! There is a certain amount of prestige that attaches itself to Amazon and, therefore, your book(s).

If that matters to you, then you’ll want to publish through Amazon.

The KDP dashboard is relatively user-friendly, but there are specific requirements for each format:

KDP has two versions. One is the basic version, which allows you to publish through Amazon as well as any other platform you choose.

However, if you choose KDP Select, then you’ll be locked in for a three-month period. During that time, you won’t be able to shop your book on any other platform.

There are benefits to KDP Select, but there are also drawbacks. Be sure you understand both sides before deciding.

Pros of KDP Select:

Cons of KDP Select:

Many authors don’t realize they’re trading wide distribution for the KDP Select benefits, and it’s a significant decision that deserves careful consideration. So please do your homework before clicking on the “KDP Select” option.

While KDP offers tremendous reach, it does come with a learning curve. My first upload experience was challenging (and that’s putting it mildly) — from formatting issues to cover display problems.

Oh, it wasn’t that I had trouble with the forms. Even a tech illiterate like me was able to navigate the almost endless fields to fill out.

No, my trouble came with the previewer — that bodyless entity that holds almost unyielding power over the formatting preview process. It denied, first, my eBook, then my paperback, and finally my hardcover… no matter what changes we made.

And when I finally was able to deal with the almighty Review Team… ugh. Let’s just say that from chat representatives to the Review Team, there was nothing but inconsistency in feedback and significantly varying timelines.

I do intend to do a series dedicated to my KDP process in which I’ll give more detail. But for now, for new authors, I recommend thoroughly reading their formatting guidelines before uploading. Pay particular attention to margin requirements and cover file specifications to avoid frustrating delays.

And when you’ve finally achieved some semblance of success, may I recommend a reservation at a relaxing spa retreat? Trust me. You’ll need it!

After exploring the retail giant Amazon, let’s turn to another household name in books.

Barnes & Noble Press offers an alternative platform with its own unique advantages and considerations.

While it doesn’t command the same market share as Amazon, Barnes & Noble’s publishing platform brings something different to the table: the legacy and recognition of one of America’s most established bookstore chains.

Barnes & Noble Press offers both eBook and print publishing, with the advantage of potential physical store placement.

Your book even has a chance to be noticed by libraries and schools through B&N because of their affiliation with IngramSpark (below).

Barnes & Noble Press has its own quirks, including different metadata requirements and a unique approach to categorization.

Their upload forms can sometimes be limited in options, particularly when it comes to disclosure questions about process and tools.

I decided to sell my eBook and paperback through Barnes & Noble because I’m old-school and really like the association with an actual brick-and-mortar bookseller.

Amazon is great. I’m not denying their reach, but when I was a little girl, I loved going into bookstores. My mom (another book junkie) would take me into Crown Books or Barnes & Noble (or those invaluable mom-and-pop used bookstores!)… and we’d just get lost inside all day!

(There’s really nothing like the smell of books, new or used. And try as it might, Amazon will never be able to outdo or recreate it.)

I found the process of uploading my books on B&N easy enough. (Again, that’s coming from a tech illiterate!)

The only issue I had was with the print books. Please note that if you have a book with its own barcode printed on the back cover, Amazon won’t have any issues with this. But B&N will.

Remember, they’re a bookstore. While it’s true your book probably won’t make it onto the shelves inside the store (you are a newbie after all!), B&N still has its own regulations. And they don’t want a cover with its own barcode.

So make sure to have your cover designer give you two covers if you sign up with B&N. One print cover with a barcode that will work for Amazon. One print cover without a barcode for B&N.

I would’ve uploaded my hardcover version as well, but they needed a different cover from the one used on my paperback, and my publisher would’ve charged me extra. (She created a barcode-less cover for my paperback, but she doesn’t actually deal with B&N. She was just doing me a favor because of all the issues I incurred with KDP.)

So, please, if you’re interested in Barnes & Noble, make sure you read through all their requirements. Because you might need special print covers from your cover designer and formatter.

While Amazon and Barnes & Noble offer direct access to their respective customer bases, what if you want to reach virtually every bookstore, library, and academic institution worldwide?

That’s where IngramSpark enters the picture.

It’s a powerful option for authors seeking wide distribution, particularly to bookstores and libraries.

Though I haven’t personally used IngramSpark yet, its reputation for global reach makes it worth exploring, especially for authors with international ambitions or those targeting institutional markets.

I do intend to deal with IngramSpark in the future. Perhaps I should’ve started with Amazon and IngramSpark instead of Barnes & Noble for my first kids’ series, the Swallowtail Four,* especially since I was dealing with a limited budget.

But I will absolutely go through IngramSpark for the next books in the series (and add the first book, too).

That’s part of the indie learning process as well as the fun of it. You’re going to make mistakes. That’s inevitable. Just learn from them as you go.

And, well, you can always do it differently (and maybe better) the next time… and that’s fun! Knowing there’s a next time keeps an indie pushing through those missteps in the hope of finding the right combo!

Be sure to do your research before deciding. And ask around. Join a couple Facebook groups for authors and ask questions. Did anyone have a bad experience? Was the setup fee worth it?

Whatever questions are needling your mind, ask. Then weigh each response. What did or didn’t work for one person may or may not work for you. It’s all trial and error.

That’s why you need to have fun during the process. Once you get to this point in your publishing journey, treat yourself to something special! Remember, not everyone can write a book. And even fewer publish it. You deserve a treat for being one of the few. 😊

While platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IngramSpark each offer their own unique advantages, managing separate accounts, dashboards, and reporting systems can quickly become overwhelming.

What if there were a way to simplify this process?

Enter aggregators — services that distribute your book to multiple platforms from a single upload point.

For authors looking to go wide without the headache of juggling multiple accounts, these services offer an appealing middle ground.

Aggregators like Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, and Smashwords distribute your book to multiple platforms from a single dashboard.

I have seriously considered going through Draft2Digital myself. I really like their benefits, which include more than just distributing your book wherever you want. You also get help keeping track of books sold, royalties, revenues — and you can list your book at a special launch price, then schedule it to go to regular price afterwards.

Draft2Digital also has affiliates for audiobooks, marketing, author advocates, and directory services. Each partner/service provided gives an indie author another steppingstone in the process, which can be such a tremendous help.

While I haven’t used Draft2Digital, I know authors who do and swear by it. They confirm to me what I’ve always felt to be true: that the nominal percentage they charge is worth it for the wide-ranging service you get from them.

And speaking of that “nominal percentage”…

Draft2Digital doesn’t charge a membership fee to utilize their services. So you can sign up and get your book formatted and ready for distribution without being charged a penny.

However, they will take a cut off every book you sell.

Now, when investigating Draft2Digital, I noticed their fee is advertised as 10% in some places but 15% in others during signup. This highlights the importance of carefully reading all terms before committing to any platform.

You might think that 10% or 15% isn’t a big deal (and, on the surface, it’s not), but remember that every platform you sell your book on will also take a percentage.

For instance, Amazon takes either 30% or 65% depending on the price of your book (and for most print books, you’re probably looking at the 65% cut). Add Draft2Digital’s 15% (because that’s the actual fee, even though places specify 10%), and you’re looking at 20% in your own pocket — a very small amount.

This is why understanding the complete financial picture is crucial. For some authors, the convenience and time saved through aggregators outweighs the additional percentage taken. For others, especially those with higher sales volumes, direct platform relationships might be more profitable.

So, consider every option carefully. Maybe Draft2Digital’s pros outweigh the cons for your situation. The beauty of being indie is flexibility — you’re not locked into any contract. If one approach doesn’t work well for your first book, you can always pivot for your next release.

It’s all about finding the right balance between convenience and profitability for your unique publishing journey.

With all these platforms and aggregators taking their cut of your hard-earned royalties, you might be wondering…

“Is there a way to keep more of my earnings?”

The answer is direct sales — selling your books straight to readers from your own website or at in-person events.

This approach represents the ultimate in both creative and financial control, though it comes with its own set of challenges and learning curves.

Let’s explore how to make direct sales work for your publishing business.

As I mentioned last week, I’m exploring direct sales through my website.

This approach offers:

For authors considering this route, there are many e-commerce options available.

My web provider, Systeme.io, offers e-commerce functionality. Or you can sell your books (both physical and eBooks) on your website through Shopify.

For print-on-demand [POD] fulfillment, you’ll need to connect with a POD service that integrates with your store or fulfills orders manually.

In researching Shopify, I found that it has apps that can help you with the many different avenues of selling your books and that includes POD integration.

I haven’t yet learned all the e-commerce advantages within Systeme.io, but if I can’t figure out how to set up the direct-to-you on my site, I will be looking into Shopify.

The learning curve for direct sales may be steeper than simply uploading to established platforms, but the benefits can be substantial. Beyond the higher profit margins, you’re building a direct relationship with your readers — something incredibly valuable for long-term career growth. You’re also collecting reader data and email addresses that you can use for future book launches.

For authors willing to invest some time in setting up the technical aspects, direct sales can become a cornerstone of a sustainable publishing business.

Even if you start small, having your own store gives you independence from platform changes and complete control over your author brand.

As we’ve explored each publishing option, from retail giants to direct sales, you’ve probably realized there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The right platform mix for your books depends on your specific goals, resources, and audience.

Consider these factors when making your decision:

Many successful indie authors use a hybrid approach — perhaps keeping some titles in KDP Select while distributing others widely, or selling special editions directly while using major platforms for standard formats.

Your platform strategy will likely evolve as your author career grows. What works for your first book might not be ideal for your fifth. The beauty of indie publishing is the flexibility to experiment and adapt as you learn what works best for your unique situation.

That goes for me, too. My strategy continues to evolve. While I started with traditional platforms, I’m increasingly drawn to direct sales to maximize both income and reader relationships.

Next week, we’ll begin Part 4 of our journey: Marketing & Promotion. We’ll explore how to build your author platform and connect with readers who will love your books — because getting your book onto platforms is just the beginning of your publishing adventure.

Which publishing platforms have you tried? Which are you considering? Do you have questions about a specific platform’s requirements? Share your experiences or thoughts in the comments below!