We chuckle a little every time a first-time author says the hard part is truly over after penning down the last chapter of their book. We hate to give you this reality check, but the real challenge is getting that book published.
And when it comes down to it, you’ll find yourself at a crossroads between traditional vs. self-publishing options. In the past, we might’ve recommended you to go with a renowned conventional publisher. But in this day and age, it wouldn’t be so wise of you to go down that road.
With self-publishing, you have more control over the process. You won’t have to nod along with everything those literary agents decide to do. Instead, you’ll be doing things your way. Besides, with so many eBook publishing platforms out there, becoming a self-publisher isn’t much of a challenge anymore.
If you’re eager to learn more about your options, continue reading. This blog will explain everything about the best self-publishing companies. Let’s begin!
The World Of Self-Publishing Firms: What They Are And Their Types
Self-publishing houses help authors who want to publish their books on their own. While they may have different ways of doing things, their main job is to create and publish books. Now, let’s give a brief overview of the different kinds of self-publishing companies:
Aggregators
These platforms act as bridges to get your book into numerous online stores. The advantage of using these aggregators is that they make your life easier by saving you time, effort, and cash. You simply provide your book to them, and they handle the task of distributing it to more than 30 retail platforms, including popular ones like Apple Books and Google Play Books.
Retailer
Now, this one’s a platform that sells books directly through its own store. Have you ever heard of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo? These are all retailers! Authors can upload their books to these sites and generate sales directly through them.
Publishing Educator
These companies offer author education programs, including self-publishing courses and coaching. Their goal is to assist authors in understanding the self-publishing journey and establishing a successful career as a writer. While some of these programs are free, most of them come with a fee.
Author Services
These are book publishing companies UK primarily focused on offering services to authors. These services include extensive support, including ghostwriting, book editing, formatting, cover design, illustration, and much more.
Explore Your Options: The Top 5 Self-Publishing Firms In The Market
Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital stands out as an excellent platform for publishing eBooks. They cover all the major stores, including Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. What makes Draft2Digital even more enticing is that they provide authors with their own pages and book sections, so you don’t have to create a personal website. Plus, they offer a useful sales tracker that gives you valuable insights into the performance of your books.
Smashwords
If we talk about aggregator sites, Smashwords is undoubtedly one of the best. If you trust them with your book, they’ll make it accessible on Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble, along with other library networks and retailers.
The platform also offers a complimentary ISBN if you need one, making it even more convenient. Furthermore, they provide daily sales reports from major online stores, allowing you to monitor your book’s performance closely.
In terms of earnings, you receive 60% of the sales made through a retailer, with a minor percentage going to Smashwords as well. If your book is sold through the Smashwords Store, you can earn a more substantial 85%, and you’ll receive 70.5% for affiliate sales.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon is a massive seller of eBooks – we all know that! So, its publishing platform, Amazon KDP, is no exception either. Using Amazon KDP, you can reach a vast and diverse audience. This platform accepts various file formats, but all your content will be converted into a Kindle book available exclusively on Amazon.
Enrolling in the optional KDP Select program allows you to enjoy higher royalties and access to promotional tools. However, this comes with the requirement that your book must be exclusive to Amazon in digital form.
Barnes And Noble Press
Formerly known as Nook Press, this eBook publishing service UK is a major bookseller in the United Kingdom as well as the USA. If you price your eBook between $0.99 and $199.99 and sell it directly through B&N, you’ll receive a 70% royalty rate.
This means you’ll earn more by going through Barnes & Noble directly instead of using an aggregator site. But of course, uploading your books to individual retailers can be a bit more of a hassle.
One major advantage of using B&N is the extra promotional opportunities you get by being on their site. It has millions of customers! They also provide an easy-to-use dashboard for tracking your sales.
Gatekeeper Press
Gatekeeper Press is a reputable choice for new authors, boasting an impressive A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Their transparent pricing and clear service descriptions make it a user-friendly option.
They offer flexible pricing, allowing you to choose individual services or opt for a package deal. These packages include essential services such as copyright, eBook and print book formatting, and cover design, and you’ll also get four free paperback copies of your book.
Key Takeaway: So, What Is The Best Publishing Platform For My Book?
In all honesty, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Self-publishing companies have unique approaches, advantages, and specific terms and conditions. It’s not just a matter of personal preference or basic marketing.
Selecting the best self-publishing company depends on how you want to navigate your publishing journey. For instance, you might wish to begin with cost-effective options and avoid expensive or print-on-demand services.
Determining which distribution channels suit your needs and defining your target audience is also essential. So, ultimately, the right choice for you depends on your specific goals and strategy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I publish my book on more than one platform?
A: It depends on your choice. There are no limits if you opt for self-publishing through platforms like Amazon KDP and Barnes & Noble. You can also use one of the aggregator self-publishing services mentioned above to simultaneously publish your book on multiple platforms.
Q: Why is self-publishing better than traditional publishing?
A: Authors who decide to self-publish enjoy full creative control. This means they won’t encounter disagreements with a publisher regarding elements like the book’s cover design or its pricing. This creative autonomy can be incredibly empowering, as you get to make all the decisions yourself.
Q: Is self-publishing more profitable?
A: When you opt for self-publishing, your royalty earnings can range from 20% to 100%. However, it depends on whether these royalties cover your publishing expenses and provide a greater profit than a traditionally published book.
Q: How soon can you self-publish a book?
A: As a general guideline, it typically takes about six months from beginning the writing process to finally holding the printed book in your hands. If you’re feeling ambitious, you might aim for a timeline of five or even four months. However, it’s important to note that producing a high-quality book in less time than this can be pretty challenging.
