Beyond Amazon: 8 Exceptional Platforms for Selling Your E-Books

Writing an e-book and creating digital products is not just fun and exciting, but it provides the easiest way to make money from the internet in 2024 and beyond. It doesn’t matter if you are a first-timer waiting to share your stories and your knowledge with the world or a pro author. But after writing, comes the discovery and accessibility issue. The question of how I distribute my book or digital products to the people who need them comes up.

So what’s the best solution for you, especially when Amazon KDP won’t just approve your account or just have one reason or another to knock you out?

The good news is that Amazon KDP is getting more and more saturated, making it nearly impossible for smaller authors to be found. There are a lot of other platforms available to sell your e-book and digital creations other than Amazon Bookstore. These are our top 8 picks

1. Apple Books: A Lucrative and User-Friendly Platform

Apple Books is a platform that holds the second-largest market share, estimated to be around 10-15% globally. Its popularity stems from Apple's loyal customer base and integration with iOS devices. Apple Books stands tall as one of the premier platforms in the digital realm, a captivating stage for authors to showcase their literary creations. With its sleek interface and global reach, Apple Books offers a gateway to a vast audience of readers eagerly seeking new adventures, insights, and narratives. As a self-publishing author, embracing Apple Books means more than just a platform; it's an immersion into a world where innovation meets elegance. The seamless integration with Apple's ecosystem presents a unique opportunity to captivate readers across iPhones, iPads, and Macs, ensuring your eBook resonates with enthusiasts worldwide.

But it's not just about accessibility. It's a destination where your stories find a home, your voice finds an audience, and your journey as a self-published author reaches new heights. Apple Books boasts curated collections, personalised recommendations, and a commitment to spotlighting emerging talents. Its commitment to quality and a user-friendly interface ensure a delightful reader experience, enhancing the visibility and discoverability of your eBook.

Here's what you need to know about Apple Books self-publishing:

Benefits of Using Apple Books Self-publishing:

Reach a Large Audience: Apple Books has millions of active users, giving your book significant exposure.
Control your Content and Pricing: You retain full ownership of your book and can set your price.
High Royalty Rates: Earn up to 70% of the net revenue from each sale.
Global Distribution: Your book will be available in over 150 countries and territories.
Professional Tools and Resources: Apple provides a suite of tools and resources to help you format, publish, and market your book.

Getting Started with Apple Books Self-publishing

Create An iTunes Connect Account: This account is used to manage your book sales, royalties, and other aspects of your self-publishing journey.
Prepare Your Book: Ensure your book is formatted as an EPUB file and meets Apple's formatting guidelines.
Enter Your Book Details: This includes the title, author name, description, keywords, category, and pricing information.
Upload Your Book Files: Upload your EPUB file and any additional files, such as cover art.
Preview and Submit Your Book: Once your book is uploaded, you can preview it and submit it for review.
Publish Your Book: After your book is reviewed and approved by Apple, it will be published in the Apple Books Store, usually within 10 business days.

Additional Features of Apple Books Self-Publishing

Sales and Royalty Reports: Track your book sales and earnings in real-time.
Pre-orders: Allow readers to pre-order your book before it's published.
Promotional Tools: Access tools to help you promote your book on social media and other platforms.
Apple Books for Authors App: Manage your book and track its performance on your iPhone or iPad.

Things to Consider Before Choosing Apple Books Self-publishing

Overall, Apple Books' self-publishing offers authors a great opportunity to reach a wide audience and earn significant royalties. However, it's important to note that Apple Books has stricter formatting guidelines than other self-publishing platforms, and the review process can take longer.

Here are some additional things to consider when deciding whether to self-publish your book on Apple Books:

Your Target Audience: If your target audience is primarily iOS users, then Apple Books can be a great platform to reach them.
Your Marketing Strategy: You will need to develop a strong marketing strategy to reach readers and promote your book.
Your Budget: While there are no upfront costs to publish your book on Apple Books, you should be willing to invest in editing, formatting, and marketing, if you want to get the best from Apple Books self-publishing platform.
Your Experience: If you're new to self-publishing, start with a different platform that has less stringent requirements.
Conclusively, with careful planning and execution, self-publishing on Apple Books can be a rewarding experience.

2 Google Play Books: Unlock a Universe of Readers

Google Play Books is a digital eBook distribution service provided by Google as part of its Google Play product line. It debuted on December 6, 2010, and currently accounts for an estimated 3-5% of the global market. Its integration with Android devices, as well as its extensive reach in emerging markets, contribute to its prominence. Google's online platform allows users to browse, buy, and read a wide variety of e-books on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and web browsers. Google Play Books Google Play Books has millions of ebooks, audiobooks, comic books, and manga available in a variety of languages. dual books or subscribe to a monthly plan for unlimited access to a selection of titles. The app allows you to read or listen to your books online or offline.

Here are some key points about Google Play Books:

Millions of Titles: Choose from a vast library of ebooks, audiobooks, comics, and manga.
Read or Listen Anywhere: Access to your books online or download them for offline reading or listening.
Personalised Recommendations: Readers get recommendations for books based on their reading history, as such your ebook can be recommended to readers
Cross-device Syncing: Pick up where you left off on any device.
Night Mode: Read comfortably in low light.
Dictionary: Look up words without leaving the app.
Translation: Translate text into over 100 languages.
Text-to-speech: Have your books read aloud to you.
Family Library: Share books with up to five family members.
Gift Books: Send ebooks and audiobooks as gifts.

Overall, Google Play Books is a great option for anyone looking to read ebooks, audiobooks, comics, or manga on their Android or iOS device. With its vast library of titles, personalised recommendations, and cross-device syncing, it's a convenient and enjoyable way to experience the world of reading.

Here are some additional things to know about Google Play Books that make it a good option for your e-books:

The app is available on Android, iOS, Chrome, and the web.
You can create a wishlist to keep track of books you want to read.
You can join book clubs to discuss your favourite books with other readers.
Google Play Books is integrated with Google Assistant, so you can use your voice to control the app.

Google Play Books is a great way to read e-books, audiobooks, comics, or manga, I highly recommend checking out Google Play Books, as such, can increase the chances of your e-book getting to the right audience.

3 Kobo Writing Life

Rakuten Kobo offers a self-publishing platform called Kobo Writing Life. It allows authors to publish their e-books and audiobooks directly on the Kobo bookstore and other retailers, reaching millions of readers worldwide. Kobo is a major player in the global e-book market, holding an estimated 5–10% share. Its strong presence in Europe and Canada contributes to its position. Here are some key benefits and features of Kobo Writing Life:

Benefits of Kobo Writing Life:

Control your Rights: You retain full ownership of your book and its intellectual property.
Set your Price: You decide how much your book costs.
Run your Promotions: You can offer discounts and other promotions to attract readers.
Global Reach: Your book will be available to millions of readers around the world.
Easy to Use: The Kobo Writing Life platform is easy to use, even for beginners.
Free to Publish: There are no upfront costs to publish your book on Kobo Writing Life.
Earn Royalties: You earn up to 70% of the net revenue from each book sale.

Getting Started with Kobo Writing Life:

Create an Account: It's free and quick to set up.
Prepare your Book: Make sure your book is formatted correctly and meets Kobo's formatting guidelines.
Enter your Book Details: This includes the title, author name, description, keywords, and category.
Upload your Book Files: You can upload your ebook and audiobook files (if applicable).
Set your Price and Royalty Rate: Determine how much you want to charge for your book and what percentage you want to earn from each sale.
Publishing your Book: Once you have submitted it, Kobo will review it. It will be published within 48 hours if it meets their guidelines.

Additional features include:

Kobo Writing Life Dashboard: Track your book sales, earnings, and reviews.
Marketing Tools: Access tools and resources to help you market your book.
Community Forums: Connect with other Kobo Writing Life authors.
Kobo Writing Life Academy: Learn from experts on various aspects of self-publishing.

Overall, Rakuten Kobo Writing Life is a great option for authors who want to self-publish their ebooks and audiobooks. With its user-friendly platform, global reach, and competitive royalty rates, it can be a great way to reach a wider audience and earn money from your writing.

4 Smashwords:

Smashwords is a leading platform for self-publishing ebooks, with over 842,000 titles published and 31,919,724,480 words written as of December 2023. With an estimated 1-2% of the global market share, Smashwords caters primarily to independent authors seeking wider distribution options. Its reach across multiple retailers and focus on independent content help it stand out. Smashwords is known for its wide distribution network, ease of use, and the opportunities it provides for authors to reach diverse audiences across various e-book platforms. It's especially beneficial for authors looking for a one-stop solution to distribute their e-books widely without having to deal with multiple platforms individually. Smashwords offers authors a variety of features and benefits, including:

Benefits of Smashwords Self-publishing:

Free to Publish: There are no upfront costs to publish your ebook on Smashwords.
Global Distribution: Your ebook will be available to millions of readers worldwide through Smashwords' retail partners, including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play Books, and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. So if you are not able to publish directly on Apple Books and Google Play Books, your books can still be available on the platforms through Smashwords
Set your Price: You decide how much your ebook costs. And you can earn up to 85% of the net revenue. Smashwords offers competitive royalty rates.
Retain Full Rights To Your Work: You retain all copyrights and intellectual property rights to your book.
Easy-to-use Platform: Smashwords' user-friendly interface makes it easy to upload your book, format it for different devices, and set your price and royalty rate.
Marketing Tools: Smashwords offers a variety of tools and resources to help you market your ebook, including a free ISBN, pre-order capabilities, and discount coupons.
Community: Smashwords has a vibrant community of authors and readers who can offer support and advice.

Getting Started with Smashwords Self-Publishing:

Create a Free Account: You can create a free account on the Smashwords website.
Prepare your eBook: Make sure your book is formatted correctly and meets Smashwords' formatting guidelines.
Enter your Book Details: This includes the title, author name, description, keywords, and category.
Upload your Book Files: You can upload your ebook file and any additional files, such as cover art.
Set your Price and Royalty Rate: Decide how much you want to charge for your book and what percentage of each sale you want to earn.
Publish your Book: Once you've submitted your book, it will be reviewed by Smashwords. If it meets their guidelines, it will be published within 24-48 hours.

Additional Features:

Smashwords Pre-Order: Allows readers to pre-order your book before it's published.
Smashwords Coupons: Create discount coupons to promote your book.
Smashwords Universal Book Links: Create a single link that will direct readers to your book on any retailer's website.
Smashwords Data Dashboard: Track your book sales, earnings, and reviews in real time.
Smashwords Author Resources: Access a wealth of information and resources to help you succeed as a self-published author.

Overall, Smashwords is a great option for authors who want to self-publish their ebooks. With its user-friendly platform, global reach, competitive royalty rates, and variety of features, Smashwords can help you reach a wider audience and earn money from your writing. Here are some additional things to consider when deciding whether to self-publish your book on Smashwords:

Your Target Audience: Smashwords' retail partners reach a wide audience, but it may be helpful to consider which platforms your target audience is more likely to use.
Your Marketing Strategy: You will need to develop a strong marketing strategy to reach readers and promote your book.
Your Budget: While there are no upfront costs to publish your book on Smashwords, you may need to invest in editing, formatting, and marketing.
Your Experience: If you're new to self-publishing, Smashwords can be a good starting point. However, you may want to consider working with a professional editor or formatter to ensure your book is polished and professional.

With careful planning and execution, self-publishing on Smashwords can be a rewarding experience.

5. Payhip

Payhip is an e-commerce platform that allows creators to sell digital products and services directly to their fans and followers. It was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in London, England. Payhip is a popular choice for creators and businesses of all sizes because it is easy to use and offers a variety of features, including:

Here are some key features of Payhip:

Sell a Variety of Products: You can sell digital products such as ebooks, audiobooks, software, design assets, templates, videos, music, and more. You can also sell online courses, coaching programmes, memberships, and physical products.
Set Your Own Price And Royalty Rate: You decide how much you want to charge for your products and what percentage of each sale you want to earn.
Global reach: Sell your products to customers all over the world. Payhip supports multiple currencies and languages.
Easy to Use: The Payhip platform is easy to use, even for beginners. You can create your online store, add products, and sell in minutes.
Customization: Payhip allows you to customise your online store to match your brand. You can add your logo, colours, and fonts.
Marketing Tools: Payhip provides a variety of marketing tools to help you promote your products. You can create coupons, discounts, and email campaigns.
Customer Management: Payhip allows you to manage your customers and orders. You can view order details, issue refunds, and send messages to customers.
Integrations: Payhip integrates with a variety of third-party tools and services, such as email marketing platforms, social media platforms, and analytics tools.
Security: Payhip uses industry-standard security measures to protect your data and transactions.

Here are some benefits of using Payhip:

Keep More Of Your Profits: Payhip has lower fees than other e-commerce platforms, such as Etsy and Shopify. This means you can keep more of your profits.
Control Your Brand: Payhip allows you to customise your online store to match your brand. This helps you create a professional and consistent brand experience for your customers.
Sell Directly To Your Fans And Followers: Payhip allows you to sell your products directly to your fans and followers. This means you can build closer relationships with your customers and earn more money from your sales.
The Type Of Products You Want To Sell: Payhip is a good option for selling digital products, courses, memberships, and physical products. However, it may not be the best option for selling large or bulky physical products.
Your Budget: Payhip offers a free plan and two paid plans. The free plan is a good option for beginners, but the paid plans offer more features and may be a better option for businesses that are serious about selling online.
Your Technical Skills: Payhip is a user-friendly platform, but you will need some basic technical skills to create your online store and add products.
If you are looking for an easy and affordable way to sell your products online, Payhip is a great option to consider.
Here are some additional things to consider when deciding whether to use Payhip:
Pricing: Payhip offers a free plan that allows you to sell up to 3 products and earn up to $1,000 per year. Paid plans start at $29 per month and offer a variety of features, such as unlimited products, coupons, and discounts.
Your Budget: Payhip offers a free plan, but you may need to upgrade to a paid plan if you want to sell more than 3 products or earn more than $1,000 per year.
Your Experience: Payhip is easy to use, even if you are not a tech-savvy person. However, if you need help setting up your store or adding products, Payhip offers excellent customer support.

Overall, with careful planning and execution, Payhip is a great option for creators who want to sell digital products and services directly to their fans and followers. It is easy to use, offers a variety of features, and has excellent customer support for paid customers.

6. Barnes & Noble Press: Mainstream Exposure with Control

Crave mainstream exposure without sacrificing complete control? B&N Press offers the best of both worlds. Barnes & Noble Press is one of the top self-publishing platforms that allows authors to create and sell both print and digital books. Your book reaches a sizeable online and in-store audience through the Nook ecosystem, and you maintain control over pricing and discounts. It offers a wide range of tools and resources to help authors create and publish their e-books, including cover design tools, formatting templates, and marketing resources. Barnes & Noble Press also offers competitive royalties and distribution to millions of readers worldwide. Enjoy up to 70% royalties, along with the coveted ISBN for library and borrowing program access. However, be prepared for a 90-day exclusivity window and slower monthly pay-outs compared to Gumroad's instant gratification.

Features of Barnes & Noble Press

Reach a sizeable online and in-store audience through the Nook ecosystem.
Maintain control over pricing and discounts.
Up to 70% royalties for exclusive distribution (90-day exclusivity window).
ISBN assignment. Access libraries and borrowing programs.

Benefits for Self-Publishers:

Broader discoverability and potential for higher sales.
Professional sales channels with established brand recognition.
ISBN opens doors to wider library and institutional markets.

Pros:

Wide Reach: Large audience of online and in-store readers.

Professional Sales Channels: e-book available through the B&N website, Nook app, and physical stores in some countries.

ISBN Assignment: Allows for wider library distribution and potential for borrowing programs.

Decent Royalty Rates: Up to 70% for exclusive distribution.

Cons:

Lower Control: Less control over pricing, discounts, and marketing compared to Gumroad.

Exclusivity Requirement: Can't sell your ebook on other platforms for 90 days if opting for exclusive distribution.

Slower Pay-outs: Payouts occur monthly, potentially later than on Gumroad.

7. Gumroad: Unbridled Freedom for Indie Authors

The indie author's dream of complete autonomy comes alive on Gumroad. Gumroad is a user-friendly platform that allows creators to sell digital products, including e-books, directly to their audience. It lets you set your own prices, offer discounts, and even sell bundled products alongside your e-book. No exclusivity requirements or hidden fees mean you keep a whopping 85% of every sale. Gumroad also provides tools for marketing and promoting your e-books, such as email campaigns and social media integration

Features of Gumroad:

Complete Control: Set your own prices, discounts, and bundles. Maximize your profit and tailor offerings to your audience.

Easy Setup: Drag-and-drop uploads and directs website integration. Easy setup and seamless sales experience.

No Exclusivity Requirements: Sell on Gumroad alongside other platforms.

85% Royalty Share: Keep the lion's share of your hard work.

Benefits for Self-Publishers:

Direct Connection With Readers: Build relationships, gather feedback, and foster community.

Fast Payouts: Enjoy instant gratification after each sale.

Pros:

Super Easy To Use: No upfront costs, simple setup, drag-and-drop upload, embed store directly on your website.

Flexibility: Set your own prices, offer discounts and coupons, sell additional merchandise alongside your ebook.

Direct Connection with Readers: Build your own audience and handle customer support directly.

No Exclusivity: Sell your ebook on Gumroad alongside other platforms.

Cons:

Smaller Reach: Less discoverability compared to larger platforms like Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Limited Features: No ISBN assignment, less detailed sales analytics, no print distribution.

Marketing Burden: You're responsible for driving traffic to your Gumroad store.

8. IngramSpark: Global Domination for Multi-Format Authors

Global reach is IngramSpark's forte. Your e-book lands on major online retailers like Amazon, B&N, Apple Books, and Kobo, as well as physical bookstores worldwide. Print-on-demand options add another dimension to your offerings. IngramSpark is a self-publishing platform that allows authors to create and distribute both print and digital books. It offers a variety of tools and resources to help authors create and publish their ebooks, including cover design tools, formatting templates, and marketing resources.

Features of IngramSpark:

Extensive distribution network: Reaches major online retailers like Amazon, B&N, Apple Books, and Kobo, plus physical bookstores worldwide.

Print-on-demand options: Offer both ebook and print versions.

Detailed sales reports: Track performance and gain valuable insights.

Benefits of IngramSpark for Self-Publishers:

Unmatched global reach and visibility.
The print option caters to traditional book preferences.
Comprehensive data helps inform future publishing decisions.

Pros:

Extensive distribution network: Reaches physical and digital retailers like Amazon, B&N, Apple Books, etc.

Global reach: Distributes to libraries and retailers worldwide.

Print and ebook options: Sell both print and digital versions of your book.

Detailed sales reports: Comprehensive data on sales, royalties, and reader demographics.

Cons:

Complex Setup: This can be overwhelming for beginners with multiple settings and formats.

Fees: Charges setup fees and ongoing distribution fees.

Lower Royalties: Lower royalty rates compared to some platforms like B&N exclusive distribution.

Conclusion: Beyond the Bezos: Unleashing Your Ebook's Potential in 2024

While Amazon KDP remains a behemoth in the self-publishing landscape, 2024 paints a vibrant picture of possibilities beyond its reach. This exploration of 8 exceptional alternatives, from the author-centric havens of Apple Books and Google Play Books to the targeted focus of Kobo Writing Life and Smashwords, has unveiled a spectrum of opportunities.

Payhip empowers you to carve your own sales and branding niche, while Barnes & Noble Press offers mainstream exposure with strategic control. Gumroad unleashes creative freedom and direct reader connection, while IngramSpark's global tentacles reach the farthest corners of the bookselling world.

Remember, the perfect platform is a symphony of your genre, goals, and desired control. Whether you crave artistic autonomy, targeted audiences, or global domination, one of these platforms holds the key to unlocking your eBook’s full potential. Embrace the flexibility, experiment strategically, and watch your self-publishing journey flourish under the diverse lights of 2024!

And remember, the journey doesn't end with choosing a platform. Hone your SEO to reach the right readers, craft compelling marketing strategies, and cultivate your author brand. With dedication and exploration, you'll find yourself writing not just an e-book, but a success story on a platform that perfectly complements your unique voice and vision.

So, seize the day, author. Dive into the exciting world beyond Amazon KDP and let your ebook shine in the vast and vibrant landscape of 2024!

Now is over to you, leave us your feedback so that we know you were here and what you think. Thank you!

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