“Unlock your authorial dreams with our guide to the ‘7 Best Free Self-Publishing Platforms in 2023.’ Explore platforms that empower writers, providing a launchpad for your literary journey without breaking the bank. Discover the perfect stage for your stories and take control of your narrative today without depending upon Publishers.
Introduction:-
Authors and writers are the backbone for content as without content no publishing would ever be possible is an agreed fact. However, In the ever-evolving realm of literature, aspiring authors often find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with traditional publishing entities that seem more profit-oriented rather than nurturing genuine literary talent across the reader’s world.
Even today we come across many authors who spend huge amounts of money publishing their books. However, the sad fact is Traditional Publishers take undue advantage in making the publication more of a business than spreading the literacy world. I received a lot of messages from authors on social media informing me about their struggle in getting their books published and this forced me to share this vital information that can help many Writers bloom their writing skills without bothering about the publishers.
Thanks to Technology, the publishing landscape has undergone a seismic shift, and Writers no longer need to depend upon Traditional Publishers. This prompts the crucial question: “Which is truly the best Free Self-Publishing Platform?” With my handful of experience, I am sharing herewith the Top 7 Self-publishing platforms that can take your writing skills to the next level.
1. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP):
Amazon KDP is on the top of the list as the pioneer of self-publishing, Amazon offers a user-friendly interface, allowing authors to publish their books effortlessly. Different media of books are available for self-publishing viz. E-books, Paperback books, Hardcover Books, and Audiobooks. With access to Amazon’s vast customer base, KDP provides excellent visibility and marketing opportunities. Moreover, authors can set their own pricing and enjoy competitive royalty rates.
Features:-
Bookshelf:- Your self-published books will be visible with publishing details of all regions, and can be edited anytime after publication in one window.
Reports:- where authors can generate reports about the sale of books (day-wise, month-wise, region-wise, estimated royalties, orders, Top earning books, etc.
Community:- This contains Resources, announcements, Forums, and Top contributors. Authors can get their queries clarified in this community by an open chat option.
Marketing:– Choosing a marketplace, Running a price promotion campaign, nominating E-books for Amazon ads. You need to pay only if someone clicks your book, else no need. By this, your investment can be justified as the probability of getting sales increases.
Help Centre: KDP Help Centre Home, where you can search anything related to your query and you will find the answer.
Free ASIN Number: You get a free ASIN Number for every book that you publish with Amazon KDP.
Cost and Royalty: Amazon does not charge anything for opening an account and self-publishing your books. The royalty for eBook is 70% and 35 % depending upon the cost of the book. For Paperback books it is 60%.
Authors Profile: This is the biggest advantage, where Authors can create their Profile by showing their background, how and when they chose the writing profession along with their achievements and books published.
Once you register yourself with Amazon KDP, you will be allocated a unique Account ID, and remember you can open only 1 account in your Name for a lifetime time and if for any reason your account gets terminated you will not be able to open your account again with KDP.
A word of caution: Keep your content original and useful as Amazon is very strict on plagiarism and straight away rejects your book if the contents of your book are a copy of others or AI written. I will write a separate article on how to Open an Account on Amazon and publish your book.
2. Draft2Digital:
Draft2Digital is renowned for its simplicity and wide distribution network. With their streamlined publishing process, authors can upload their Book covers, and manuscripts and have them formatted and distributed over a variety of other platforms. Draft2digtal offers transparent royalty reporting and easy access to sales data.
Features:-
eBook Formatting:– Draft2Digital provides automated eBook formatting, converting your manuscript into various eBook formats that are compatible with different eReaders and devices. They do not charge anything for this service.
Book Cover Design:- Authors can either upload their own book cover created elsewhere like Canva or create and customize professional-looking eBook covers using Draft2Digital’s cover design tool. This feature is very useful as it is user-friendly.
Distribution: The most important feature that I like in Draft2Digital is its wide distribution network. Here authors, just by a Click can make their eBooks, available on all major online retailers such as Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Tolino, Vivlio, Smashwords, etc. all at a time. You only have to get your book self-published with Draft2digital once, and once they are approved, they will take care of the rest. Normally it takes 24 hours for the approval.
Your books will automatically be published on 5 other platforms absolutely free of cost at the same time. The distribution service is free, and authors have the option to select specific retailers or opt for global distribution. You have a lot of time and money here by not visiting each and every platform to publish your books. A typical listing looks like this.
Universal Book Links (UBLs):- Draft2Digital also provides authors with Universal Book Links, which are unique links that redirect readers to their books across various online retailers. This feature helps the authors to consolidate their book promotion efforts and simplify the marketing efforts by sharing the Universal Book Links and they do not charge anything for this.
Print Book Distribution (Beta):- In addition to eBooks, Draft2Digital now offers print book distribution through their partnership with IngramSpark. Authors can choose to make their books available in paperback format and have them distributed to online retailers and bookstores. However, pricing for print book distribution depends on the specific services provided by IngramSpark.
Pricing and Royalties: Draft2Digital offers flexible pricing options, allowing authors to set the price for their eBooks. Authors can choose from different royalty structures, including a percentage of the retail price or a flat rate per book sold. The royalty rates vary depending on the distribution channel but typically range from 60% to 70%. A user-friendly interface allows you to see your Monthly earnings in one go on the Reports Page. A typical Report page will look like this :
Please note that while Draft2Digital’s core services are free, they do charge a small fee for some additional services, such as the conversion of print-ready PDFs for print book distribution and the creation of author websites.
3. Smashwords:
Smashwords is another such platform that has gained recognition for its versatility and distribution reach. It allows authors to publish and distribute their eBooks to various online retailers and libraries, including Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo, among others. The platform provides comprehensive formatting tools, making it easier for authors to create professional-looking eBooks. You can either publish your books by logging in Smashwords website or through Draft2digital.
Features :
eBook Publishing: Smashwords allows authors to publish their eBooks in multiple formats, including EPUB, MOBI, PDF, and more. They provide a user-friendly eBook conversion tool that helps authors format their manuscripts for digital distribution.
Distribution Network: Smashwords offers distribution to numerous major online retailers, including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, OverDrive, and more. Authors can reach a wide audience by making their eBooks available on these platforms through Smashwords’ distribution network.
Author Control: Smashwords gives preference to author control and freedom. Authors retain ownership and control over their works, including pricing, distribution channels, and territorial rights.
Global Pricing Control: Authors can set the price for their eBooks and make changes whenever desired. Smashwords supports flexible pricing options, allowing authors to offer their books for free, set custom prices, or participate in promotions and discount campaigns.
Royalties: Smashwords offers a transparent royalty structure, providing authors with a percentage of the net sales proceeds. Authors earn 60% to 80% of the book’s list price for sales through Smashwords.com and 60% of the list price for sales through Smashwords’ distribution network.
Author Marketing Tools: Smashwords provides various marketing tools and resources to help authors promote their books. These include the creation of author profiles, book landing pages, coupon codes, festival offers, and participation in special promotions and sales.
Author Dashboard and Sales Reporting: Authors can access a comprehensive dashboard that provides real-time sales and download data, allowing them to track their book’s performance. Apart from this Smashwords also provides sales reporting tools to analyze sales trends and monitor earnings.
Smashwords Direct: Smashwords Direct is an additional new service that enables authors to directly upload their eBooks to specific retailers such as Apple Books and Kobo. This service offers greater control over pricing and metadata which many people may not know.
4. IngramSpark:
For authors looking to expand beyond eBooks and venture into print-on-demand (POD) publishing, IngramSpark is an excellent choice. It allows authors to publish both eBooks and print books in the market, making their titles available to a global network of bookstores and libraries. IngramSpark offers robust distribution services, high-quality printing, and extensive formatting options.
Features :
eBook and Print Book Publishing: IngramSpark allows authors to publish both eBooks and print books. Authors can choose to publish their works in multiple formats, including EPUB for eBooks and various print formats such as paperback and hardcover.
Global Distribution: IngramSpark provides extensive distribution channels, allowing authors to make their books available to a wide network of online retailers, bookstores, and libraries worldwide. This includes major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores.
Print-on-Demand (POD) Printing: IngramSpark’s print-on-demand service eliminates the need for authors to manage inventory or deal with upfront printing costs. Authors can easily order physical copies of their books on demand, and they will be printed and shipped as orders are received. This facility is available on almost all self-publishing platforms.
Royalties: IngramSpark offers authors competitive royalty rates. Authors receive a percentage of the net revenue from each sale, which varies depending on factors such as the book format, retail price, and distribution channel.
Additional Services: IngramSpark offers additional services for authors, including professional editing, cover design, and marketing services. These services are available for an additional cost.
Please note that before e-publishing your book you need to key in your Credit card details and set up your payment mode without which you cannot publish your books. Ingramspark charges for editing your books once published.
5. Lulu:
Lulu is another user-friendly self-publishing platform that supports both eBook and print book publishing. It provides various tools and services to assist authors throughout their publishing journey, including professional cover design, formatting assistance, and marketing support. Lulu offers direct distribution to major online retailers as well as a Lulu bookstore for potential sales.
Features :
eBook and Print Book Publishing: Lulu allows authors to publish both eBooks and print books. Authors can choose to publish their works in multiple formats, including EPUB for eBooks and various print formats such as paperback, hardcover, and coil-bound.
Book Creation Tools: Lulu also provides built-in user-friendly book creation tools to assist authors in formatting and designing their books. These tools help authors with cover design, interior layout, and formatting, ensuring a professional-looking final product.
Global Distribution: Lulu offers global distribution for both eBooks and print books. Authors can make their books available on major online retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Lulu’s own bookstore. This wide distribution allows authors to reach a broad audience.
Print-on-Demand (POD) Printing: Lulu’s print-on-demand service enables authors to order and sell physical copies of their books on demand. This eliminates the need for authors to manage inventory or deal with upfront printing costs.
Pricing and Royalties: Authors have control over pricing their books and setting their own royalty rates. Lulu offers various royalty options, allowing authors to earn a percentage of the book’s list price. Royalty rates may vary depending on factors such as the distribution channel, print format, and retail price.
Marketing and Promotional Tools: Lulu offers various marketing and promotional tools to help authors promote their books. These include the creation of author pages, book previews, and the option to participate in Lulu’s marketing campaigns and promotions.
It’s important to note that the pricing structure on Lulu can vary depending on the specific services and options selected by the authors. While basic publishing services are generally free, authors may incur costs for additional services or when ordering physical copies of their books.
6. PublishDrive:-
Publish Drive offers a range of features and services for authors interested in self-publishing.
Features:-
eBook and Print Book Publishing:- PublishDrive allows authors to publish both eBooks and print books. Authors can choose to publish their works in multiple formats, including EPUB for eBooks and various print formats such as paperback and hardcover.
Global Distribution:– PublishDrive also provides extensive distribution channels, enabling authors to make their books available to a wide network of online retailers and platforms worldwide. This includes major retailers such as Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and many others.
Wide Reach and Market Insights:- PublishDrive offers global distribution to over 400 stores and 240,000 libraries worldwide, allowing authors to reach readers in various markets around the world. The platform also provides market insights and analytics to help authors understand their readership and make informed decisions.
Pricing and Royalties:– PublishDrive offers flexible pricing options for authors. Authors can set their own prices for their books and choose from different royalty models, including a percentage of the book’s list price or a fixed royalty per unit sold. Royalty rates vary depending on the distribution channel and the pricing model chosen.
Automated Conversion and Formatting:– Additionally PublishDrive provides automated conversion and formatting tools to ensure that books are properly formatted for different reading devices and platforms. This helps authors create professional-looking eBooks without the need for extensive technical knowledge.
Additional Services:– PublishDrive offers additional services for authors, including book metadata optimization, cover design, and editorial services. These services are available for an additional cost.
7. Gum Road:-
Gumroad is a powerful, but simple, e-commerce platform that puts a wide selection of tools at your fingertips. Now you can sell the digital services you want—books, memberships, courses, and more—right to your audience in one window.
Features:-
e-Books Publishing: Gumroad allows only publishing digital products e-books, journals, greeting cards, thank you cards, and much more, and does not provide Print Books. It has a user-friendly Menu wherein you have to upload the image file of your pre-designed E-book cover made elsewhere in Canva or other sites and the PFD version of the Manuscript of your ebook. Additionally, you need to upload the thumbnail picture of your e-book with a dimension of 600 x 600 PX in JPG, PNG, or GIF formats.
Global Distribution:- Gumroad provides various distribution channels, enabling authors to make their books available to a wide network of online readers and platforms worldwide. They do not have a tie-up with any other self-publishing platforms. However, they have the option of sharing your content on Facebook, Blogs and you can also send automated E-mails in the Gumroad Forum through WORKFLOWS, informing the publication of your New book. This is a very good option, as you can set your date and time for shooting your email to the public.
Manage Subscribers: The important feature that I like most in Gumroad is to manage the Subscribers. Generally, you never know who is reading your book and who is following you. Gumroad gives you the option to manage and trace your followers by sharing your subscriber’s page. Those who register and subscribe using their email will not only get updates on your book releases, but as an Author, you will also come to know who is following and who is all subscribed to your Gumroad authors profile.
Marketing and Analytics: Gumroad provides an effective analytics page giving insights on the number of clicks, number of books sold, their source, etc.
Pricing, Royalties, and Payouts: With Gumroad, you pay a 10% fee per sale, plus a credit card processing fee (or a PayPal fee). Gumroad doesn’t specify how much those additional credit card & PayPal fees are, but on average, they hover around 3%. There are no other monthly fees, and you don’t pay any fees if you have a free product. So in total, you can expect to pay around 13% per paid product. For example, if you sell a $50 book package, then you pay a 13% fee on each transaction. In other words, you pay around $6.50 to Gumroad, and you make $43.50.
This above list is not exhaustive and we have other Global players like Barnes and Noble Press, Kobo, Blurb, Book Bay, etc
We also have some other local players like Notion Press, Blue Rose Printing, etc. wherein you have the option to self-publish your books with them which will be available on their platform only. They also have dedicated specialists who can help you out in publishing your books but they charge exorbitant prices in those packages.
Conclusion:-
In the recent past, Self-publishing platforms have revolutionized the way authors bring their stories to the world. However, not all the authors are aware of these self-publishing platforms and they end up paying a huge amount to the publishing agents. Every platform mentioned above has its own unique features and benefits, catering to different author needs and preferences. Depending upon your publishing preference and distribution reach, you can choose the ideal platform that suits you the most. Hope this article “Best Free Self Publishing Platforms” has given you a fair idea about self-publishing and authors no longer need to spend money to get their books published.
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