Self-Publishing
Which Platform Is Right For You
Introduction
Self-publishing has become more popular because of its convenience and affordability. With the rise of technology and the internet, self-publishing is now an option for anyone looking to write and publish a book that they can share with the world. There are a variety of self-publishing platforms you can choose from, and it can be overwhelming when trying to choose the one that's right for you.
It's important to know what your options are before you decide on a platform, as each one offers distinct features and advantages. It’s also important to consider the fees associated with self-publishing, as these can vary between platforms. To make the best decision, you'll need to know the pros and cons of each platform and weigh them against your own goals and needs.
To help make your decision easier, this article will summarize five platforms and the need to choose those that are right for you. I will also explain the benefits of self-publishing and the advantages of each platform. Finally, I’ll discuss the pros and cons of self-publishing platforms overall.
Self-publishing can be a great way to get your work out into the world and potentially start a career as a writer. With the right platform, you can make your work available to a large audience and potentially make some money. To help you decide which platform is right for you, let's look at what I consider the top five.
Note: these are NOT the only options available and I’m not implying they are the best. They are the ones I’m published on and I feel they are worth mentioning.
ONE | Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
Self-publishing is a great way for authors to get their work out into the world and reach new audiences. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is one of the most popular self-publishing platforms available, and for good reason. It has become the go-to option for authors looking to take full control of their writing career and find success on their own terms.
With KDP, authors can easily upload, format, and publish their work to the Amazon Kindle Store. The platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it a good choice for first-time authors or those simply looking to self-publish.
There are a few key benefits of choosing KDP. First, authors can keep up to 70% of their book’s royalties, meaning they can earn more from their work than they would with a traditional publishing house. KDP allows authors to set their own pricing and gives them complete control over the look and feel of their books.
In order to use KDP, authors need to have the rights to their work and an understanding of the platform's terms and conditions. Author’s must agree to Amazon's Terms of Use and fulfill the content filing requirements, including submitting a PDF, EPUB, or MOBI file. Once meeting the requirements, authors can submit their work for publication.
Getting started with KDP is easy. Authors simply sign up for an Amazon account, upload their work, and fill out the required publishing information. They can select the countries where they would like their book to be available and set the price. Once completing these steps, authors can submit their work for review and Amazon will publish it, normally within 72 hours.
For authors looking to take their writing career into their own hands, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is a great option. Authors can upload and publish their work quickly, set their own prices, and keep 70% of their royalties.
TWO | Kobo Writing Life
Kobo Writing Life is another great self-publishing platform. It is easy to use and provides lots of support for authors. With Kobo Writing Life, you can publish your book in e-book, as well as print format, and can also have your book translated into multiple languages. It also offers a range of resources to help you with your journey.
There are many advantages to using Kobo Writing Life. The platform is free to use and does not charge any hidden fees or membership fees. It is easy to find your way around the site and the user-friendly interface makes it easy to submit your book for publication.
Kobo Writing Life offers a variety of helpful resources for authors. The site provides various templates for formatting your book, as well as a wide range of tutorials and FAQs to help you get started. You can use the Kobo Writing Life Dashboard to track and analyze your book sales.
In order to use Kobo Writing Life, you will need to have a valid Kobo account. This account will give you access to the Kobo Writing Life Dashboard, where you can manage your book sales and track your royalties. Your book will need to be formatted according to the Kobo Writing Life file format guidelines and meet quality standards.
Once you have your Kobo account set up, and your book formatted and uploaded, you can submit your book for publication. The submission process is straightforward and easy to navigate. Once accepted, you have the option to set the price for your book and choose the countries in which you would like your book to be available.
Kobo Writing Life offers a range of payment options, including PayPal, direct deposits, and check payments. You can also choose to receive payments in different currencies. The royalties you earn may vary depending on the region in which your book is available, as well as the currency you choose to receive payments in.
Choosing to self-publishing your book through Kobo Writing Life is an exciting option. The platform provides authors with a great way to get their work out into the world. With Kobo Writing Life, you can create a book that will reach readers around the globe.
THREE | Apple Books
Self-publishing is a bold step for authors and there are many platforms available to choose from. Apple Books is a popular choice. Apple Books is a self-publishing platform available to authors who wish to make their work available to a wide audience through the Apple Books Store.
Apple Books is a great platform for self-publishers, as it offers several advantages. This platform is available to authors in over 85 countries, so it's a great way to reach an international audience. With Apple Books, authors can get their work into the Apple Books store quickly, and there are no upfront costs or fees for using the platform. Apple Books provides authors with real-time analytics and insights into sales performance. Author’s can easily track their progress.
To get started with Apple Books, authors need to have their book ready for sale. This entails having the book formatted according to Apple’s standards. You must also have a cover image that meets the specifications of the Apple Books Store. Once the book is ready, authors can then use the self-publishing portal to submit their work for review. Apple reviews submissions within a few days, after which the book becomes available in the Apple Books Store.
It is important to note that while Apple Books does not have any upfront costs or fees associated with self-publishing, there is a commission fee of 30% which is deducted from the sale of each book. They calculate this fee based on the list price of the book. Authors should set their prices at a rate that allows them to make a profit after considering the commission fee.
Apple Books is a great platform for authors who want to make their work available to a wide audience. It is a great way to reach an international audience, and it is easy and fast to get your work into the Apple Books Store. Authors should keep in mind that while there are no upfront costs or fees, they are still subject to a commission fee of 30% on all sales.
FOUR | Google Play
For authors who want to reach a large global audience, Google Play is an excellent platform choice. It offers an expansive reach that extends to over 75 countries and millions of readers. Google Play is the second largest digital book retailer in the world and has a reputation for being reliable and secure.
For self-publishing, Google Play offers authors a range of advantages. They offer easy author registration and uploading and listing books is simple. Authors can manage their own book prices, giving them more control over their book’s profitability.
In terms of what you’ll need to use Google Play, authors will need an AdWords account and a Google Checkout Merchant account. They will also need to provide basic information about themselves, such as their contact details and banking details.
To get started with Google Play, authors will first need to create a Google Books Partner account. This account will allow them to upload their book and set the pricing and availability. Once published, authors can track sales through their Partner Dashboard.
Overall, Google Play is an excellent self-publishing platform for authors who want to reach a global audience. It is easy to use, allows authors to control the pricing of their books, and offers the flexibility to publish in multiple formats.
FIVE | Barnes & Noble
Barns & Noble is one of the world’s leading self-publishing platforms. It offers authors the opportunity to publish their works digitally and in print. The platform provides access to over a million customers, with hundreds of thousands of new customers added every week. With Barnes & Noble, authors can publish their books in both digital and paperback versions, with the option to add audio and eBooks.
Barns & Noble provides authors with a wide range of services, such as book design, marketing, and cover design. It also offers authors the ability to preview their books before publishing. Authors can also use the platform’s analytics to track their book’s performance.
To use the platform, authors need to have their book ready in either PDF or EPUB format. Authors can use the platform’s book template to make preparing their book for publication easier and faster. Once the book is ready, authors will need to set up a Barnes & Noble account and submit their book for review. The review process is rather quick. My books were reviewed and approved within 24 hours.
With pricing, authors can choose from a wide range of options. For digital books, Barnes & Noble allows authors to set their own price. For print books, authors can choose between different price points, depending on factors such as page count and size. The platform also offers authors the option to set up a royalty system that will allow them to receive royalties for each copy of their book sold. Authors can also choose to have their books featured in Barnes & Noble’s stores. They offer a handy Printing Cost Estimator that will show you how much it will cost to print your book.
See the Printing Cost Estimator Tool
Barnes & Noble also provides authors with access to a comprehensive customer service team. Authors can reach out to the team with questions about the platform or about their book. Authors can also take advantage of the platform’s promotional services.
Barnes & Noble is a great option for authors who are looking to self-publish. It offers authors the chance to reach a large audience, set their own prices, and receive royalties for each copy sold. Authors can benefit from comprehensive customer service, promotional services, and analytics.
A Word About Covers
You will need to have a cover designed and ready to upload before submitting your work for publication. Be sure you understand the specifications and requirements before hiring a designer or if you intend to design your own cover. Here are some links to the specs from each of the platforms noted in this article.
Amazon KDP
Kobo Writing Life
Apple Books
Google Play
Barnes & Noble
The Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing Platforms
Self-publishing platforms can be a great way for writers to get their work out to the public, without having to rely on a publisher. There are several self-publishing platforms out there, each with their own unique advantages and drawbacks. Before deciding on which platform to use, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option.
The Pros of Self-Publishing Platforms
One of the key benefits of using a self-publishing platform is that it gives authors the freedom and control to publish their writing on their own terms. Authors can reach more audiences through self-publishing. Self-published books offer higher royalty rates. With higher royalty rates, authors might earn more money than if a traditional publisher published their book.
Self-publishing platforms are typically quick and easy to use. Authors can upload their work and make it available for sale in just a few clicks. Authors can get their work out to readers much quicker, as there is no need to wait for a publisher to pick up their work.
The Cons of Self-Publishing Platforms
Although there are many benefits of using a self-publishing platform, there are also some drawbacks. One of the biggest drawbacks is that authors have to take on all the marketing and promotion work themselves. This can be a daunting and expensive task. Many authors are unfamiliar with the techniques that are used for successfully marketing a book. Authors will have to pay for marketing or promotional expenses associated with their book’s sales, as there is no publisher to take on these costs.
Another potential issue with self-publishing platforms is that the quality of the book may not be as high as it would be with a traditional publisher. This is because there is no editor or publisher to provide feedback or guidance to the author. The author is responsible for editing and formatting their book. Self-publishing may not provide the same level of distribution as a traditional publisher..
Overall, self-publishing platforms can be a great way to get a book out to readers. Before taking the plunge, it’s important to assess the pros and cons of each option and decide which platform is the best fit for a particular project.
Conclusion
Self-publishing is an exciting option for authors who want to get their work out into the world without having to go through a traditional publisher. There are many self-publishing platforms available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Kobo Writing Life, Apple Books, Google Play and Barnes & Noble are among the leading self-publishing platforms. They each offer authors unique features and services to assist them in getting their work published.
There are several advantages to self-publishing, such as complete control over the process, the ability to keep more of the profits, and the freedom to choose how to market and promote the book. Additionally, authors can take advantage of the wide range of services that self-publishing platforms offer, such as formatting, design, and distribution.
When deciding which self-publishing platform is right for you, it is important to consider the fees associated with each one, the features and services offered, and the ease of use. Each platform has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to weigh the pros and cons for each before deciding which one is best for you.
Overall, self-publishing is a great way to get your work out into the world without having to go through the traditional publishing process. With the right platform, self-publishing can be an enjoyable and profitable experience. By doing your research and finding the right platform for your needs, you'll be well on your way to success as a self-published author.
