You’ve finished your book. Editing is complete. The cover is designed. The formatting is polished. Now comes a decision that will affect your earnings for years: where do you actually sell your book?
For most first-time authors, the answer seems obvious. Amazon. Just publish on Amazon. Done.
This default choice misses 30-40% of potential book revenue and ignores some of the most important strategic decisions in self-publishing. Amazon dominates book retail, but Amazon-only distribution means missing Apple Books readers, Kobo readers, library readers, international markets where Amazon isn’t dominant, and direct sales opportunities that can generate higher per-sale margins than any retailer.
The decisions about distribution involve genuine tradeoffs. KDP Select (Amazon-exclusive enrollment) provides additional promotion tools and Kindle Unlimited revenue but requires complete Amazon exclusivity. Wide distribution across multiple platforms generates more total revenue but requires more management and excludes you from KU. Direct sales offer the highest margins but require building your own commerce infrastructure.
This guide walks through every distribution option available to self-published authors in 2026: the major retail platforms, aggregator services that simplify multi-platform distribution, print distribution channels, audiobook distribution platforms, library distribution opportunities, and direct sales possibilities. By the end, you’ll understand the genuine options and tradeoffs to make informed distribution decisions for your specific books and goals.
See Publishing Setup Across Distribution Channels
The Big Decision: Amazon Exclusive vs Wide Distribution
The most consequential distribution decision involves Amazon exclusivity through KDP Select versus going wide across multiple platforms. Each path has genuine advantages and significant tradeoffs.
KDP Select Pros and Cons
KDP Select enrollment provides several benefits: Kindle Unlimited inclusion (subscription readers can read your book and you earn from page reads), Kindle Owners’ Lending Library access, ability to run free promotions (5 days per 90-day enrollment), Kindle Countdown Deals (limited-time discount promotions), and 70% royalty rate on books in countries where the standard 70% tier wouldn’t apply (India, Brazil, Mexico, Japan).
The cost of KDP Select is total Amazon exclusivity. You cannot sell your ebook on any other platform during the 90-day enrollment period. No Apple Books. No Kobo. No Barnes & Noble. No Google Play. No direct sales through your own website or Patreon. Your ebook exists only on Amazon.
The economics of KDP Select depend heavily on genre. Romance, thriller, and many fiction genres have substantial Kindle Unlimited audiences that can generate meaningful page-read revenue. Some authors earn more from KU page reads than from direct sales. Other genres (literary fiction, certain nonfiction) have minimal KU audiences and exclusivity loses access to other platforms without meaningful KU compensation.
Wide Distribution Pros and Cons
Wide distribution publishes your book across multiple platforms simultaneously. Apple Books reaches Apple device users. Kobo serves Canada, Europe, and parts of Asia strongly. Barnes & Noble Press reaches Nook device users and bn.com customers. Google Play Books has global reach. Specialty platforms like Smashwords serve particular markets.
Wide distribution typically generates 30-40% additional revenue compared to Amazon-only. Apple Books often produces 10-15% of total ebook revenue for wide-distributed books. Kobo can be substantial in certain genres (especially European markets). Barnes & Noble produces consistent if smaller revenue.
The trade-offs of wide distribution include exclusion from Kindle Unlimited (often eliminating significant page-read revenue), more complex publishing logistics, multiple platform relationships to manage, varied royalty structures across platforms, and potentially lower per-platform sales due to less platform-specific optimization.
The Major Distribution Platforms Beyond Amazon
Understanding each major platform helps authors make informed wide-distribution decisions.
Apple Books
Apple Books reaches the substantial Apple device user base (iPhones, iPads, Macs). Royalty rate: 70% across all price points without delivery fees. Distribution requires Apple ID, tax interview, and ITIN/EIN for non-US authors. Direct upload through Apple’s iTunes Producer or via aggregators like Draft2Digital.
Apple Books works particularly well for literary fiction, business nonfiction, and other genres with affluent reader audiences. Apple’s user base tends to spend more per book than other platforms.
Kobo
Kobo dominates Canadian ebook sales and has strong European market presence (especially Italy, Netherlands, France). Royalty rate: 70% on ebooks priced $2.99-$9.99, 45% outside that range. Distribution direct via Kobo Writing Life or through aggregators.
Kobo features include subscription program access (Kobo Plus in some markets) similar to Kindle Unlimited but smaller, plus targeted promotion opportunities. Authors with international audiences should typically prioritize Kobo distribution.
Barnes & Noble Press
B&N Press distributes to bn.com and Nook devices in the US. Royalty rate: 70% on ebooks priced $2.99-$9.99, 40% outside that range. Distribution requires US bank account or established international payment methods.
B&N Press produces smaller revenue than Amazon but consistent base sales for wide-distributed books. The platform also offers print distribution options and limited promotion programs.
Google Play Books
Google Play Books has substantial global reach but requires direct distribution (most aggregators don’t include Google Play). Royalty rate: 70% across most price points but with discounting that Google applies independently of the author’s listed price. Authors should price slightly higher than other platforms to compensate for Google’s automatic discounting.
Specialty Platforms
Smashwords distributes to multiple smaller retailers and library systems. Scribd offers subscription distribution. Tolino reaches German-speaking markets. Bookmate has presence in Russia and other Eastern markets. Each specialty platform serves specific niches and can supplement major platform revenue.
Aggregator Services: Simplifying Wide Distribution
Aggregators allow single uploads that distribute to multiple platforms simultaneously, simplifying wide distribution at the cost of revenue sharing.
Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital is the most popular aggregator for indie authors. They distribute to Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Tolino, OverDrive (libraries), and others. They take 10% of net royalties from these platforms. Their interface is straightforward, conversion tools work well, and customer service is responsive.
Draft2Digital does NOT distribute to Amazon (authors handle Amazon directly through KDP), Google Play (which Draft2Digital doesn’t include), or some specialty platforms.
PublishDrive
PublishDrive distributes to over 400 retailers and library systems globally. Their fee structure is subscription-based ($14-$199 monthly depending on number of titles) rather than royalty-based, which works better for authors with multiple titles and consistent sales.
Smashwords
Smashwords combines being a retail platform itself with distribution to other retailers. Their distribution reaches Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, library systems, and others. They take 15% of retail sales.
IngramSpark
IngramSpark focuses on print distribution but also handles ebook distribution to multiple platforms. Their print distribution is particularly important for authors wanting bookstore presence and library print distribution. Setup fees apply ($49 per book initially).
Print Distribution Options
Print distribution involves different platforms and considerations than ebook distribution.
Amazon KDP Print
Amazon KDP Print is the dominant self-publishing print platform. Print-on-demand means books are printed when ordered, eliminating inventory costs. Distribution covers Amazon worldwide marketplaces. Royalty calculation: list price × 60% minus printing cost.
KDP Print limitations include difficulty getting books into bookstores (which mostly avoid Amazon-printed books due to competitive concerns), no traditional library distribution, and inability to set up wholesaler discounts that stores expect.
IngramSpark
IngramSpark print distribution is the alternative for authors wanting bookstore and library access. IngramSpark’s distribution flows through traditional book trade channels including Ingram (the largest book wholesaler), enabling bookstore orders and library system purchases.
IngramSpark royalties are slightly lower than KDP Print and setup fees apply, but bookstore and library access can substantially expand market reach for appropriate books. Many authors use both Amazon KDP Print (for Amazon distribution) and IngramSpark (for everything else).
BookBaby and Other Print Services
BookBaby and similar services offer print distribution through their own networks. These services typically charge upfront fees rather than per-book royalty cuts, which works for some authors and not others.
Audiobook Distribution Channels
Audiobook distribution operates through different channels than ebook or print distribution.
ACX (Audible/Amazon)
ACX is the dominant US audiobook distribution platform, distributing to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. Exclusive distribution pays 40% royalties. Non-exclusive distribution pays 25%.
ACX exclusivity prevents distribution through other audiobook platforms but provides access to Audible’s substantial subscription audience. The exclusivity vs revenue trade-off matters significantly for audiobook strategy.
Findaway Voices
Findaway Voices distributes to multiple audiobook platforms including Apple Audiobooks, Google Play, libraries through OverDrive and Hoopla, Kobo, Storytel, and others. Their non-exclusive nature complements or replaces ACX depending on author strategy.
Author’s Republic
Author’s Republic provides another non-exclusive audiobook distribution option similar to Findaway Voices, with somewhat different platform partnerships. Authors comparing these services should examine specific platform reach for their target markets.
See How Our Service Sets Up Distribution
Library Distribution Opportunities
Libraries represent a substantial market that many self-published authors overlook entirely.
OverDrive is the dominant library ebook and audiobook distribution platform. Libraries pay licensing fees for ebook copies that allow circulation among library patrons. Author royalties from library sales are typically smaller per-license but generate consistent revenue without requiring marketing investment.
Hoopla offers another library distribution platform with somewhat different library partnerships and content categories.
BiblioBoard focuses on specifically supporting indie author distribution through libraries, often featuring local and regional indie content.
Library distribution typically happens through aggregators rather than direct relationships. Draft2Digital, Smashwords, and IngramSpark all include library distribution among their channels. Authors going wide through aggregators usually get library distribution as part of the package.
Direct Sales: Highest Margins, Most Work
Direct sales through your own website or platforms like Patreon offer the highest per-sale margins but require building commerce infrastructure that retailers provide automatically.
WooCommerce on WordPress allows author websites to sell books directly with customizable storefronts. Setup costs include hosting, security, payment processing, and tax compliance management. Per-sale margins can be 90%+ versus 35-70% on retailers.
Shopify, BookFunnel, Payhip, and other platforms provide turnkey direct-sales solutions for authors. Each has different feature sets and fee structures.
The challenge with direct sales is driving traffic. Authors must market their direct sales storefront just like they market Amazon listings, but without the discoverability Amazon’s algorithm provides. Direct sales typically supplement rather than replace retailer distribution for most authors.
Direct sales work particularly well for: authors with substantial email lists driving traffic, series authors with binge-reading audiences willing to buy direct, authors offering exclusive direct-sales content (special editions, bonus chapters), and authors building reader subscription models.
International Distribution Considerations
International distribution adds complexity but expands market reach significantly.
Amazon’s international marketplaces (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, India, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Netherlands) extend KDP distribution automatically when authors enable international markets. Royalty structures vary by market.
Kobo’s strong presence in Canada, Europe, and parts of Asia means international reach typically requires Kobo distribution beyond Amazon’s international markets.
Translation creates additional distribution opportunities. Translated editions reach entirely new markets unreachable in the original language. Translation rights deals can generate substantial additional revenue beyond original-language sales.
International tax considerations require attention. US authors with international sales face foreign tax considerations. Non-US authors with US-platform sales face W-8BEN documentation requirements to avoid 30% withholding.
Choosing the Right Distribution Strategy
The right distribution strategy depends on genre, audience, and author goals.
Genre matters significantly. Romance and certain fiction genres have substantial Kindle Unlimited audiences that often justify KDP Select exclusivity. Literary fiction and specialized nonfiction often perform better with wide distribution that reaches Apple Books and library readers.
Author goals matter. Authors prioritizing maximum revenue typically benefit from wide distribution. Authors prioritizing simplicity often choose Amazon-only. Authors with substantial direct-traffic audiences benefit from direct sales channels.
Series considerations matter. KDP Select’s free promotion tools work well for first-in-series books to generate readthrough sales. Wide distribution for series works when readers find books on their preferred platforms and stay loyal to those platforms.
Time investment matters. Wide distribution requires more management than Amazon-only. Authors with limited time available for publishing management may benefit from Amazon-only simplicity even at the cost of lower total revenue.
How Parkbury & Dunn Handles Distribution Setup
Parkbury & Dunn includes distribution setup in our publishing packages, ensuring books are properly configured for whichever distribution strategy you choose. Whether you prefer Amazon exclusivity, wide distribution through aggregators, or hybrid approaches, our team handles the technical setup correctly.
Our service includes Amazon KDP setup with optimized metadata, category selection, keyword research, and pricing configuration. For wide distribution, we configure files appropriately for each major platform including Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Google Play. Print distribution setup covers KDP Print and IngramSpark depending on your strategy.
As a boutique publisher, we work with limited authors at a time, ensuring distribution setup receives careful attention rather than assembly-line shortcuts. Distribution mistakes (wrong categories, suboptimal keywords, pricing errors) compound across years of book sales, so getting setup right initially matters significantly.
Throughout the process, you retain 100% ownership of your work and royalties. All distribution channels send royalty payments directly to your accounts. We provide the publishing service and distribution setup; you receive the revenue and control the ongoing distribution decisions.
Most importantly, our distribution setup is appropriate to your specific strategy rather than one-size-fits-all. Books destined for Amazon exclusivity get different optimization than books going wide. Books targeting library distribution get different setup than books focused on direct retail. Your distribution strategy informs our setup approach.
Get Distribution Setup Done Properly
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I publish exclusively on Amazon or distribute widely?
The decision depends on genre, audience, and goals. KDP Select exclusivity provides Kindle Unlimited revenue and promotion tools but requires complete Amazon exclusivity. Wide distribution typically generates 30-40% additional revenue but excludes you from KU. Romance and many fiction genres often benefit from KDP Select; literary fiction and specialized nonfiction often benefit from wide distribution.
What is KDP Select and what are its tradeoffs?
KDP Select is Amazon’s exclusive enrollment program providing Kindle Unlimited inclusion, free promotion days, Countdown Deals, and 70% royalties in additional countries. The cost is complete Amazon exclusivity for ebooks during 90-day enrollment periods – no other platforms allowed.
What’s the difference between KDP and KDP Select?
KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is Amazon’s basic self-publishing platform allowing distribution on Amazon. KDP Select is an additional opt-in program requiring Amazon exclusivity in exchange for additional benefits including Kindle Unlimited inclusion. KDP authors can publish on Amazon and other platforms; KDP Select authors must publish only on Amazon.
How much can I earn from going wide?
Wide distribution typically generates 30-40% additional revenue compared to Amazon-only for properly configured wide books. Apple Books often produces 10-15% of total ebook revenue. Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and other platforms add to this. The exact percentages vary significantly by genre.
What aggregators should I use for wide distribution?
Draft2Digital is the most popular aggregator for indie authors, distributing to Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, library systems, and others. PublishDrive offers broader distribution with subscription pricing. Smashwords combines retail and aggregator functions. Each has different platform partnerships and fee structures.
How much do aggregators charge?
Most aggregators take 10-15% of net royalties from distributed sales. Draft2Digital takes 10%. Smashwords takes 15%. PublishDrive uses subscription pricing ($14-$199 monthly) instead of royalty cuts. Direct platform uploads avoid aggregator fees but require managing each platform separately.
Should I use IngramSpark or KDP Print for paperbacks?
Most authors use both: KDP Print for Amazon distribution and IngramSpark for everything else (bookstores, libraries, and other markets). Using only KDP Print limits print distribution to Amazon. Using only IngramSpark may produce slightly lower Amazon paperback royalties.
What about audiobook distribution options?
ACX is the dominant US audiobook distribution platform offering Audible, Amazon, and iTunes distribution. Exclusive ACX distribution pays 40% royalties; non-exclusive pays 25%. Findaway Voices and Author’s Republic offer non-exclusive distribution to multiple platforms including libraries.
Can I sell books directly through my own website?
Yes, direct sales through author websites are increasingly common. Platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, BookFunnel, and Payhip enable direct sales. Direct sales offer the highest margins (90%+) but require building commerce infrastructure and driving traffic, since you don’t get retailer discoverability.
How do library distribution channels work?
Library distribution happens through aggregators like Draft2Digital, Smashwords, and IngramSpark which have library partnerships. OverDrive is the dominant library ebook platform. Libraries pay licensing fees that generate author royalties. Library distribution provides consistent revenue without requiring direct marketing.
What about international distribution?
Amazon’s international marketplaces extend automatically with KDP. Kobo dominates Canadian and parts of European markets. Apple Books reaches Apple users globally. Wide distribution provides broader international reach than Amazon-only. Translation creates additional international opportunities through translated editions.
How does distribution affect royalties?
Each distribution platform has its own royalty structure. Amazon KDP pays 35% or 70% on ebooks. Apple Books pays 70%. Kobo pays 45-70%. Aggregators take 10-15% of those royalties. Direct sales pay 90%+ but require handling commerce yourself. Total royalties depend on platform mix and aggregator usage.
Can I switch between Amazon-exclusive and wide distribution?
Yes, but switching requires waiting for KDP Select 90-day enrollment periods to end before publishing elsewhere. Switching from wide to KDP Select requires removing books from other platforms before enrollment. Each switch involves transition periods and re-optimization for new platforms.
How do I get my book into bookstores?
Bookstore distribution typically requires IngramSpark print distribution because Amazon-printed books face bookstore resistance. Even with IngramSpark, getting individual stores to actually stock indie books requires direct outreach, returnability options, and competitive wholesale discounts. Most indie authors achieve only modest bookstore presence.
What’s the easiest distribution strategy for first-time authors?
Many first-time authors choose KDP Select for simplicity, focusing entirely on Amazon optimization. This produces lower total revenue than wide distribution but requires significantly less management and learning. Authors can start with KDP Select and expand to wide distribution after gaining experience.
How does Kindle Unlimited affect my distribution decision?
Kindle Unlimited can generate substantial revenue for KDP Select-enrolled books in popular subscription genres (romance, thriller, certain fiction). KU page-read revenue often equals or exceeds direct sales for these genres, making KDP Select exclusivity economically beneficial despite limiting other platform access.
Can I distribute different books with different strategies?
Yes, authors can have different distribution strategies for different books. One book might be in KDP Select for promotional purposes while another book stays wide for international reach. Strategic flexibility across a catalog allows optimization based on each book’s specific situation.
What distribution mistakes do first-time authors typically make?
Common mistakes include defaulting to Amazon-only without considering wide distribution, enrolling in KDP Select without understanding exclusivity implications, ignoring international markets, missing library distribution opportunities, suboptimal pricing across different platforms, and inconsistent metadata across platforms.
How does distribution setup affect long-term book performance?
Distribution setup affects every sale across the book’s lifetime. Wrong categories reduce visibility forever. Suboptimal pricing reduces per-sale revenue. Missing platforms eliminate entire revenue streams. Initial distribution setup mistakes compound across years of sales, making proper setup particularly valuable.
Does Parkbury & Dunn handle distribution setup for all platforms?
Yes, our publishing packages include distribution setup appropriate to your chosen strategy. Whether you prefer Amazon exclusivity, wide distribution through aggregators, or hybrid approaches, we configure books properly for each platform. As a boutique publisher, distribution setup receives careful attention rather than assembly-line shortcuts.