Choosing the best self-publishing platform ultimately depends on your personal needs as an author. The top three options on the market today include Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, and Barnes & Noble Press (formerly known as NOOK Press).
Amazon's KDP platform is arguably the most widely used and popular self-publishing service for ebooks. With a user-friendly interface and the option to enroll in the marketplace's exclusive Kindle Select program, authors can easily upload their manuscripts and have their books published quickly. However, while the KDP Select program can offer benefits such as access to promotional tools and the chance to earn higher royalties, it requires exclusivity on Amazon's platform and eliminates any opportunity to sell your ebook on other digital marketplaces.
IngramSpark, offered by one of the world's largest book distributors, provides an easy-to-use interface for authors to create print books and ebooks. Its partnership with a vast network of international retailers, libraries, and academic institutions enables authors to reach a broader audience while also giving them more control over printing, distributing, and promoting their works. However, IngramSpark does charge a setup fee and has a steeper learning curve compared to KDP.
Barnes & Noble Press offers authors the ability to make their books available on the Barnes & Noble website and in their physical bookstores. While it may not have the same reach as Amazon or IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press does have competitive royalty rates and offers customers the option to purchase ebooks in a variety of formats, including NOOK, PDF and EPUB.
When deciding which self-publishing platform to use, it's important to consider your specific needs as an author, including your budget, audience, time frame, and distribution goals. Regardless of which platform you choose, remember that the most critical element of self-publishing is to produce a quality book. Therefore, strive to deliver the best writing and editing possible, as well as an engaging cover design that will attract readers and help you stand out in a crowded marketplace.