Top 10 eBook self-publishing platforms

March 03, 2024 | Editor: Laura Candler
eBook self-publishing platforms enable authors to publish and sell their books digitally without the need for traditional publishing houses. They offer a range of services, such as formatting assistance, cover design options, and marketing tools, empowering authors to reach a wider audience and retain control over their creative works.
1
Publish your books independently with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) on the Amazon Kindle Store. Make changes to your book at any time. Publish once and reach readers worldwide. Publishing takes less than 5 minutes. Your book appears on Amazon within 24 hours. Make your book available on Kindle devices and on free Kindle apps.
2
Do you have a story to tell? Are you an author with a bestseller just waiting to be discovered? Want to reach out to millions of readers in over 190 countries? Do you own the digital rights to your work? Then have we got the tool for you! Kobo Writing Life is the one-stop, do-it-yourself publishing portal.
3
An unlimited, ever-growing library of free books and stories all in the palm of your hand! On Wattpad, millions of people are discovering great fiction, sharing stories with friends and following their favorite authors chapter-by-chapter.
4
Self-Publishing platforms that provides tools and services that let authors focus on writing while we take care of layout, publishing, distribution, print-on-demand paperbacks, and more.
5
Publish your books on Google Play and reach billions of readers around the world. Books on Google Play can be discovered and previewed on the world's most popular search engine through Google Books. The Play Books Partner Center makes it easy to upload content, set prices, and choose the countries where you want to sell your books.
6
Share your story with the world. Get the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to help the world read or listen to yours. Turn your book into an audiobook with digital narration.
7
Lulu pioneered the self-publishing industry and paved the way for people around the world to publish books and bring them to market, while allowing authors to retain full control of their work. Operating a global network, Lulu provides worldwide distribution so that authors can reach readers just about anywhere via print, e-readers and tablet devices. As the leading independent self-publishing company, Lulu has enabled people in more than 225 countries and territories to self-publish nearly two million publications, including 1.5 million books.
8
Welcome to Barnes & Noble Press—a free, fast, and easy-to-use self-publishing service that enables you to publish and sell directly to our millions of readers. We've taken all the great aspects of NOOK Press and created one unified experience to make publishing your print or eBook as seamless as possible. Whether you're a seasoned or first-time author, or you simply want to print a beautiful book for personal use, Barnes & Noble Press helps you create your book, your way. We're here to help independent authors and content creators succeed by using the expertise and resources of Barnes & Noble.
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Inkitt is the world’s first reader-powered publisher, providing a platform to discover hidden talents and turn them into globally successful authors. Write captivating stories, read enchanting novels, and we’ll publish the books our readers love most on our sister app, GALATEA and other formats.
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Online eBook Platform for self-publishing authors, publishers and readers, allows to list your books in the Media365 global catalog and reach over 1 million readers.
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11
Smashwords is the world's largest distributor of indie ebooks. We make it fast, free and easy for any author or publisher, anywhere in the world, to publish and distribute ebooks to the major retailers. We provide free tools for marketing, distribution, metadata management and sales reporting. At Smashwords, our authors and publishers have complete control over the sampling, pricing and marketing of their written works.
12
With over 15 million publications, Issuu is the fastest growing digital publishing platform in the world. Millions of avid readers come here every day to read the free publications created by enthusiastic publishers from all over the globe with topics in fashion, lifestyle, art, sports and global affairs to mention a few. And that's not all. We've also got a prominent range of independent publishers utilizing the Issuu network to reach new fans every day.
13
Publishing service for indie authors that connects them to 400+ retail sites and thousands of digital libraries. Convert your manuscript for free. Distribute your ebooks for no upfront cost. Get into hundreds of stores and thousands of libraries worldwide. Your book could be in the stores within days.
14
FastPencil enables authors to independently create books online, collaborate, publish and distribute from one engaging, simple, cost-effective solution. Plus, you only pay when you publish and buy books! Write, design, publish & sell books and ebooks on Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Ingram, Kindle, Nook and more...
15
Booklocker.com is an online bookstore that sells print and ebooks on all subjects - from everyday to unusual and eclectic - by new authors. While firms like Author Solutions (owner of AuthorHouse, Xlibris, iUniverse, Trafford and more) are squeezing authors out of thousands to tens of thousands of dollars (which we’re betting most authors will never recover in resulting book sales), BookLocker is going in the opposite direction – offering new publishing packages for any budget. By popular demand, we have launched a no-setup-fee D.I.Y. Publishing Program where authors can submit pre-formatted PDF files and pay no setup fees.
16
Leanpub is the best way in the world to write a book. This is especially true if you're publishing an in-progress computer programming book, but you'll find all kinds of books here. Leanpub empowers authors to support their favorite causes directly, by automatically sharing their royalties via our Leanpub for Causes program.
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Pressbooks is the versatile, user-friendly publishing platform educators rely on to create, adapt, and share accessible, interactive, web-first books.

Latest news about eBook self-publishing platforms


03.03.24. Self-publishing platform Lulu integrates with website builder Wix


Directly selling books to your audience is paramount for audience growth and revenue increase, as it empowers you to oversee the purchasing process. With traditional retail channels becoming less dependable, Lulu Direct provides a solution, facilitating the connection between your personal ecommerce platform and Lulu's global print-on-demand network. Now, with expanded integration with Wix, you can seamlessly link your Wix site to Lulu Direct, streamlining direct book sales and providing sales tracking and management through Lulu Direct's dashboard. Although Wix may not offer as many ecommerce plugins as Shopify or the customization of WordPress, its user-friendly interface makes it the simplest platform for site creation and maintenance.


2023. Wattpad Premium subscribers now have access to 5 free monthly Wattpad Originals



Wattpad has unveiled a new feature called "Premium Picks," as part of its freemium model, providing Premium and Premium+ subscribers with five complimentary Wattpad Originals each month. This innovative approach eliminates the need for users to make individual payments to access content, instead offering a curated selection of stories chosen by Wattpad's team of experts. The assortment includes both popular hits and undiscovered gems, showcasing works from established authors as well as emerging talents. To ensure subscribers make the most of this offering, the selected stories are available for free until the first day of the following month, after which users can opt to purchase any unfinished reads. Wattpad has enhanced user experience by incorporating a countdown timer on the Premium Picks screen and enabling app notifications to alert readers about the availability of the next set of stories.


2023. Kindle Direct Publishing Launches ebooks to audiobooks using AI Voices



Kindle Direct Publishing has introduced a beta program in the United States aimed at easing the financial burden on authors during audiobook production. Through this initiative, authors can convert their ebooks into audiobooks using virtual voice narration and synthetic speech technology. Amazon plans to expand the beta program in the future after resolving any issues and extend it to other countries. Authors participating in the program will select one of their eligible ebooks on Kindle Direct Publishing, customize the audiobook by sampling voices and previewing the content, and then publish it. They can set a price between $3.99 and $14.99 and will receive a 40% royalty.


2023. AnyBook wants to become the Netflix of the publishing world



The new startup AnyBook aspires to become the "Netflix" of the publishing industry. This startup is developing a tailored, AI-driven community library to enhance the reader's experience. Using their algorithm, the platform will analyze readers' habits and offer a selection of books tailored to their interests. This service will include a book kiosk feature for organizations, aligning book choices with readers' preferences. AnyBook will continuously assess book popularity and analyze reader feedback. Moreover, it will serve as a hub for sharing reviews, recommendations, and content. AnyBook will empower companies, urban spaces, and schools to provide relevant books to their employees and community members.


2023. Amazon limits self-published ebooks to only 3 a day because of AI



In response to the overwhelming influx of AI-generated ebooks, Amazon has taken action by implementing a new restriction. They now allow self-published ebooks to be uploaded at a maximum rate of three per day. The reason behind this change is the recent surge in notable incidents involving AI-authored books adversely affecting Amazon's platform. Just this past June, the bestseller lists on Amazon were inundated with ebooks authored by AI writing tools like ChatGPT, resulting in a significant outcry from customers due to the nonsensical content of these books. Moreover, as the year began, AI-generated books surpassed those created by human authors in terms of quantity. Among the ebooks available on Amazon, some purported to be guides for foraging wild mushrooms. However, upon scrutiny by mycology enthusiasts, it became evident that these guides, likely generated by AI, contained serious misidentifications of fungi, potentially posing lethal risks. When numerous news outlets sought comments from Amazon regarding this matter, the company responded by promptly removing the problematic books from their platform.


2023. Amazon released AI guidelines for Kindle Direct Publishing



In response to a surge in AI-generated books saturating the Amazon book market and infiltrating the Kindle Bestseller's list, Amazon KDP has recently implemented new guidelines. These guidelines mandate that authors disclose whether their books contain AI-generated content, encompassing images, text, or translations. This disclosure is now required when publishing a new book or editing and republishing an existing one through KDP, even if the edits involve AI assistance. Authors utilizing AI-based tools for content improvement but not content creation are exempt from reporting, but all authors must adhere to content guidelines, whether their content is AI-generated or AI-assisted. This move aims to enhance transparency and maintain the overall quality of books available to readers.


2023. Wattpad has launched Publishing Scheduler



If you are an author on the Wattpad self-publishing platform, you've probably considered the idea of scheduling your Story Parts in advance to provide a seamless reading experience for your audience. Thankfully, this is now possible with the newly introduced feature called the "Wattpad Publishing Scheduler." This initiative by Wattpad aims to help authors maintain a consistent publishing schedule, leading to a more engaged readership. With the Wattpad Publishing Scheduler, you can plan and set the release dates for your story parts ahead of time, ensuring a continuous flow of content even during your breaks. Presently, this feature is only accessible on the web version of Wattpad, but the platform is actively working on making it available on the app as well. To manage your scheduled Story Parts, you can easily check them in the My Stories section. This new tool offers an efficient way for authors to connect with their readers while maintaining flexibility in their writing routine.


2023. Kindle Direct Publishing has updated category selection



Amazon has made some updates to the category selection process in Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Previously, authors had the option to choose multiple categories for their books. However, the recent changes now restrict authors to selecting only three KDP book categories. This means that there is a possibility your book might get lost among the vast number of titles available. From now on, authors can only select up to three categories for their books. Along Amazon now reserves the right to change the categories of a book at any time to ensure a positive customer experience. To adapt to these changes, it's advisable to visit the KDP dashboard promptly and update the categories for your books. If you don't take action, Amazon will automatically implement the changes to your books, defaulting them into two relevant categories. To ensure the best possible categorization for your Kindle books, it's recommended that you take the initiative and choose the most suitable categories yourself.


2023. Wattpad improves its Creator Program for writers



Wattpad, the popular online platform for storytelling, is preparing to revamp its creators' programs in order to enhance accessibility for writers. The Wattpad Creators program, currently in its second year, was launched a year ago to provide various benefits, opportunities, and practical assistance to writers. It aims to equip writers with the necessary tools to create exceptional stories, offering editorial support and resources tailored to creators. The primary objective is to boost their Engaged reader metric and offer them the recognition they deserve. Until now, participation in this program was by invitation only. However, with the new program, the company is expanding beyond providing stipends based on tiers. Wattpad acknowledges that not all writers have the luxury of time, resources, and privilege to attend writing workshops and retreats. Consequently, the company intends to foster a similar sense of community, support, and valuable insights within the Wattpad Creators Program.


2023. PublishDrive adds Sales Events to help authors market their books



PublishDrive has introduced several enhancements and additions to its self-publishing platform for authors. The platform's menu has been upgraded, and a tutorial has been integrated to provide improved navigation and optimize the utilization of its features. The readability of sales analytics and reports has been significantly improved for user convenience. Additionally, the Help Center has been enhanced to prioritize and display the most relevant articles to assist users effectively. Recognizing that an author's role extends beyond publishing a book, PublishDrive has developed the Sales Events feature within the platform. This feature assists authors in booking marketing promotions with numerous vendors where their books are available. Sales Events enable authors to access in-house promotions offered by various retailers, typically involving discounted prices or changes in pricing for the duration of the promotion.


2023. Kindle Direct Publishing to increase printing costs for authors



Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is implementing modifications to printing expenses in order to reflect the current expenses associated with materials and labor. Consequently, there will be a change in the minimum list price for your paperback and hardcover print books. Although it is not mandatory, it is advisable to adjust your list prices for print books in order to preserve your current royalties once the revised printing costs take effect. Any modifications made to an existing print book after June 20 must adhere to the new minimum list price.


2023. 6 steps to start selling your first fiction book on Self-publishing platform



Let's assume, you have written a thrilling fiction book about space adventures or post-apocalypse. You believe it's amazing and want to share it with the world. But how to start making money from it? Thankfully, today it's easier than 20 years ago when you had to go through the daunting process of convincing a publisher just to read your manuscript and waiting months, if not years, for a response only to receive a rejection. Nowadays, there are self-publishing platforms that allow you to take matters into your own hands and get your book out to the world. Here are six simple steps to help you start selling your first fiction book on a self-publishing platform. ***


2023. Pressbooks partners with EBSCO to improve discoverability for books in Pressbooks Directory



Pressbooks has integrated with EBSCO to improve discoverability of open-access books published with Pressbooks. The integration allows open-access books to be found via EBSCO's Faculty Select and EDS services. Pressbooks will provide EBSCO with regular metadata updates for books in Pressbooks Directory. The partnership reflects Pressbooks' commitment to making open-access books more accessible to both authors and institutional publishers. The collaboration seeks to facilitate the discovery and use of open-access books by making them easier to find. The inclusion of Pressbooks metadata in EBSCO's discovery products is anticipated to increase adoption of openly licensed content by educators and students, allowing more individuals to access free learning material.


2022. Lulu unveiles Cover Designer



Lulu, a self-publishing platform, has introduced a new tool for designing book covers. While experienced designers and those familiar with design software may prefer a book cover template, Lulu's cover designer offers a simpler alternative for those creating books as gifts, limited editions, or for beta readers. This tool streamlines the design process by automatically calculating the spine width and position. It is compatible with all of Lulu's trim sizes but specifically designed for paperback books, allowing users to design their book covers while publishing on Lulu. The cover maker provides several design options, including templates, image uploads, text boxes with customization options, customizable shapes, and the ability to incorporate an ISBN barcode by entering the relevant information.


2022. Self-Publishing service Draft2Digital to acquire competitor Smashwords



Draft2Digital, a pioneer in the field of ebook self-publishing, is set to acquire its competitor, Smashwords. This acquisition will enable authors who use Draft2Digital to gain access to the Smashwords Store, as well as its exclusive book marketing tools, such as Smashwords Coupons, self-serve merchandising, Author Interviews, and the patent-pending Smashwords Presales tool for book launches. Meanwhile, authors who use Smashwords will benefit from new tools that simplify both print and digital publishing, leading to greater success. These tools include D2D Print, Draft2Digital's Print on Demand service for paperbacks, improved metadata management tools for better book discoverability at retailers, automated end-matter for series books, payment splitting for co-authors and collaborations, and more payment options, including direct bank deposits. Retailers and libraries served by both companies can expect a wider selection of titles and improved merchandising recommendations. Customers of the Smashwords Store can also look forward to an improved store experience and an increased selection of books from the many great authors and publishers distributed by Draft2Digital.


2021. Inkitt wants to turn its data-driven, self-publishing platform into a multi-media powerhouse



The well-known platform Inkitt, which offers free writing and publishing opportunities for users, has recently secured a significant funding amount of $59 million. Inkitt utilizes data science to analyze the stories published on its platform, determining which ones have the potential to be developed into longer works for their separate paid app, Galatea. The funding will be instrumental in further advancing Inkitt's algorithms and technology, as these automated systems play a crucial role in curating stories, selecting works to transition from the free platform to the paid app, and even acting as an "editor" by conducting A/B testing to explore various story directions. This emphasis on algorithms over human intervention is a distinctive characteristic of Inkitt's operations.


2021. Pressbooks adds Directory collections



Pressbooks Directory has undergone updates to enhance its usability and design, including the introduction of human-curated collections, which are groups of open educational resources (OER) organized around a specific theme or subject. These collections aim to showcase the best of OER, offering suggestions for individuals who are new to OER. Collections also serve as examples of high-quality OER, which can inspire the creation of new open textbook projects or be used as examples when advocating for investment in OER and open education. The resources in collections range from straightforward textbooks to interactive learning tools with multimedia and built-in student feedback and assessment, providing a range of examples to follow.


2021. Amazon is launching Kindle Vella, mobile first serialized fiction self-publish platform



Amazon is preparing to introduce a new system called Kindle Vella for the iOS Kindle app within the next few months. This system offers authors a fresh method to share serialized stories with readers, presenting one chapter at a time. Through the familiar Kindle Direct Publishing platform, authors can self-publish their Kindle Vella stories in a serialized format, with each episode ranging from 600 to 5,000 words. Readers will have the opportunity to purchase Kindle Vella stories directly on the iOS app using tokens. To allow readers to explore and evaluate new stories, the initial episodes of each story will be available for free. Subsequent episodes can be unlocked by purchasing and redeeming tokens.


2021. Amazon stops accepting MOBI books from authors



Over the years, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has had specific file format requirements, including MOBI, PDF, and Word documents. However, PDFs have been known to encounter conversion issues when transformed into reflowable ebook formats. Due to similar concerns, as of June 28th, Amazon will no longer accept MOBI files. Instead, authors can still utilize Word documents in both .doc and .docx formats, or alternatively, upload an EPUB version of their file. While this change may not affect some authors who directly upload their manuscripts as Word documents, others who have relied on their established processes will need to adjust to this new requirement.


2020. iBooks Author is being discontinued



Apple has recently made an announcement stating that iBooks Author will be discontinued in July. Consequently, the app will be removed from multiple platforms, including the Mac Store. However, books that have been previously published using iBooks Author will continue to be accessible. Going forward, Apple is promoting two alternative methods for distributing digital content. The first option involves directly uploading EPUB or audiobook files via iTunes Connect. To facilitate this process, Apple has developed a comprehensive publishing portal that provides detailed guidance on publishing with their platform. The second alternative involves utilizing Pages, their free word processing program, for content creation and distribution.

Editor: Laura Candler
Laura Candler is a dedicated housewife and an aspiring writer. With a passion for storytelling, she has successfully published three fiction/romance books through Kindle Direct Publishing. Inspired by her journey, Laura aims to support and guide other aspiring authors by sharing her experiences. In addition to writing books, she also works as a columnist for various websites. Laura's commitment to her craft is evident in her personal blog, where she regularly updates readers with valuable tips and resources related to writing. Beyond her literary pursuits, Laura is an avid cat lover. You can contact Laura via email laura@bookrunch.com