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Inkitt vs Kindle Direct Publishing
Last updated: October 21, 2023
Inkitt and Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) are both platforms for authors to publish and distribute their books, but they have distinct differences in terms of their approach, target audience, and services offered.
1. Approach and Target Audience: Inkitt is a platform that focuses on discovering and promoting new and emerging authors. It provides a community-driven approach where writers can upload their manuscripts and have them reviewed and evaluated by readers. Inkitt emphasizes the idea of crowd-sourced publishing, where the popularity and feedback from readers determine which books are selected for publication. This platform caters to aspiring authors who are looking for an opportunity to gain exposure and connect with readers. On the other hand, KDP is Amazon's self-publishing platform that offers a direct avenue for authors to publish and distribute their books to a wide audience. KDP is suitable for authors who want to retain control over their publishing process and have a broader reach through Amazon's extensive customer base.
2. Publishing and Distribution Process: Inkitt follows a selective publishing model where books are chosen based on their popularity within the Inkitt community. If a book gains sufficient attention and positive reviews, Inkitt may offer a publishing deal to the author. Inkitt provides editing, cover design, and marketing support to the selected authors. On the other hand, KDP allows authors to self-publish their books, giving them complete control over the publishing process. Authors can upload their manuscripts directly to the KDP platform, set their own pricing, and choose whether to make their books available in digital or print formats. KDP also offers promotional tools and options for authors to participate in Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Owners' Lending Library programs.
3. Revenue and Royalties: Inkitt offers a royalty-based model where authors receive a share of the revenue generated from book sales. Inkitt offers competitive royalty rates to authors, and additional opportunities for monetization such as publishing deals, translations, and audio adaptations. KDP, on the other hand, offers authors several royalty options based on their chosen pricing and distribution models. Authors can earn royalties from eBook sales, paperback sales, and participation in Kindle Unlimited. KDP also provides authors with real-time sales reporting and the flexibility to adjust pricing and royalty rates as needed.
1. Approach and Target Audience: Inkitt is a platform that focuses on discovering and promoting new and emerging authors. It provides a community-driven approach where writers can upload their manuscripts and have them reviewed and evaluated by readers. Inkitt emphasizes the idea of crowd-sourced publishing, where the popularity and feedback from readers determine which books are selected for publication. This platform caters to aspiring authors who are looking for an opportunity to gain exposure and connect with readers. On the other hand, KDP is Amazon's self-publishing platform that offers a direct avenue for authors to publish and distribute their books to a wide audience. KDP is suitable for authors who want to retain control over their publishing process and have a broader reach through Amazon's extensive customer base.
2. Publishing and Distribution Process: Inkitt follows a selective publishing model where books are chosen based on their popularity within the Inkitt community. If a book gains sufficient attention and positive reviews, Inkitt may offer a publishing deal to the author. Inkitt provides editing, cover design, and marketing support to the selected authors. On the other hand, KDP allows authors to self-publish their books, giving them complete control over the publishing process. Authors can upload their manuscripts directly to the KDP platform, set their own pricing, and choose whether to make their books available in digital or print formats. KDP also offers promotional tools and options for authors to participate in Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Owners' Lending Library programs.
3. Revenue and Royalties: Inkitt offers a royalty-based model where authors receive a share of the revenue generated from book sales. Inkitt offers competitive royalty rates to authors, and additional opportunities for monetization such as publishing deals, translations, and audio adaptations. KDP, on the other hand, offers authors several royalty options based on their chosen pricing and distribution models. Authors can earn royalties from eBook sales, paperback sales, and participation in Kindle Unlimited. KDP also provides authors with real-time sales reporting and the flexibility to adjust pricing and royalty rates as needed.
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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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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.
Inkitt vs Kindle Direct Publishing in our news:
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. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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.
2018. Amazon has merged CreateSpace with Kindle Direct Publishing
The merger of CreateSpace, a prominent print-on-demand (POD) service for self-published authors, with Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has caused confusion and uncertainty among users. CreateSpace, which was widely relied upon by authors seeking to print their self-published books, offered convenient options for creating paperback versions, including expanded distribution and printed proofs. This made it a favored choice in the industry. However, after Amazon's acquisition of CreateSpace in 2005, the company continued developing its own POD service, KDP Print. The integration of CreateSpace with KDP left many authors in a state of uncertainty and seeking alternatives.
2017. Kindle Create is now available to all authors
Kindle Create is an innovative, user-friendly conversion tool designed to simplify the process of creating polished and well-formatted ebooks. With its "push of a button" simplicity, Kindle Create aims to provide authors with a familiar experience, much like using Microsoft Word, where they can effortlessly incorporate formatting themes and tables of contents. After successfully completing its beta phase, Kindle Create is now available to all authors. This tool allows you to work directly from your Word document, providing a preview of the final ebook without requiring a separate conversion process. Unlike a traditional publishing dashboard, Kindle Create is a desktop-based software that allows you to manipulate your file as much as needed before uploading it. Once you bring the finished document to the KDP dashboard, you still have the option to convert it into a MOBI file. Additionally, Kindle Create offers the advantage of formatting a "print replica" ebook, ensuring a professional look and feel to your publication.
2017. Inkitt - reader powered book publisher
Inkitt positions itself as the world's first book publisher driven by its readers. The Inkitt online community serves as a platform where writers can share their works-in-progress and receive feedback, as well as seek support for aspects such as editing and plot development. However, a key aspect and the foundation of the startup's unique publishing model lies within its beta readers section. This section encourages Inkitt members to upload complete manuscripts for the app's extensive reader base, which surpasses a million users, to read and review. This process not only facilitates valuable feedback from readers but also presents an opportunity for Inkitt to identify potential best-sellers based on the engagement data collected. Notably, Inkitt's utilization of Facebook login allows the service to gather demographic information about its readers, enabling the company to make objective decisions regarding its publishing endeavors.
2015. Kindle Scout Publishing platform expands internationally
Amazon has made an exciting announcement regarding the expansion of its reader-powered publishing platform, Kindle Scout, to authors and readers worldwide. Previously available only in the U.S., Kindle Scout is now open to authors in various locations including Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, India, and more. Authors from these regions can submit their never-before-published, full-length English-language manuscripts for consideration by Amazon's digital publishing division, Kindle Press, with a publication decision expected within 45 days or less. Readers from around the world can also participate by previewing excerpts from these unpublished books, nominating their favorite stories for publication, and receiving complimentary early copies of the nominated books released by Kindle Press.
2014. Amazon launches reader-powered publishing program Kindle Scout
Amazon has officially launched its "reader-powered" publishing program, known as Kindle Scout. This innovative initiative operates on a crowdsourcing model, utilizing feedback from readers to determine which books should be published. Authors whose works are chosen through Kindle Scout will receive book contracts. In a recent communication to authors, Amazon outlined the program's terms, stating that selected books will be published by Kindle Press and will enjoy renewable 5-year terms, a $1,500 advance, a 50% eBook royalty rate, flexible rights reversions, and the benefit of being featured in Amazon's marketing efforts. In a few weeks' time, readers will be invited to participate by joining Kindle Scout and nominating books for consideration. The current focus on the Kindle Scout homepage is on English-language books in the Romance, Mystery & Thriller, and Science Fiction & Fantasy genres, as indicated by the call-out.
2014. Amazon unveiled kids book creator software for Kindle Direct Publishing
Amazon is expanding its Kindle Direct Publishing business to cater to the requirements of children's book authors through the introduction of a new program called "KDP Kids." This program aims to assist authors in preparing, publishing, and distributing their books in the Kindle Store. In conjunction with this program, Amazon is launching a new tool known as the Kindle Kids' Book Creator. This tool enables aspiring children's book authors to create chapter books and illustrated children's books that can leverage Kindle features such as text pop-ups. According to Amazon's announcement about these new services, once the book is finalized, authors can utilize the tool to upload their book to KDP. They can also specify the appropriate category, age group, and grade range filters to ensure correct listing. The book creator tool is not limited to new authors seeking entry into Amazon's Kindle platform; it can also assist established authors in converting their books into Kindle format, thereby expanding their reader base.