Thanks to the internet, authors are now able to publish their works easily, and cost-effectively, without having to rely on a publishing house. In the past, authors needed to get the green light from a publisher before their books could go into print.
That is not the case anymore.
Now, there are several ways in which authors can get their works out there to the world. In this article, we’re going to explore the top self-publishers that you need to know about.
What Is Self-Publishing?
The name speaks for itself. This means you don’t rely on a publishing company to get your book out there. You can do that for yourself. Plus, you can total control over every aspect of your book. Thus, you don’t have to abide by the publishers’ rules. This gives you total access to your content.
Now, there are four main types of self-publishing companies:
- Retailer. This type of company puts your books in the hands of readers. Amazon Kindle is the king on the hill in this segment.
- Aggregator. This company puts your book out there so retailers can distribute them on their platforms. Aggregators work as a kind of agent.
- Publishing education. These companies provide training and coaching to new authors.
- Self-publishing services. These companies provide everything authors need to get their works out there. These services including writing, editing, cover art, and logistics.
The Main Players
When you think of self-publishing, the first company that comes to mind is Amazon Kindle. Yes, they are the biggest at the moment. However, they are not the only show in town. So, let’s take a look at the biggest players in the game.
Amazon Kindle
This is the biggest online marketplace for books. Kindle subscribers have access to the immense library that Kindle has to offer. Readers receive recommendations based on their preferences and searches. Amazon’s print-to-order service can also get hard copies of your books out there, too. So, it provides the ultimate self-publishing platform. Of course, you need to comply with their standards and guidelines. Still, getting started is very easy and quick to do. Amazon offers royalties of 35% for books under the $2.99 mark with 70% for anything set between the $2.99 and $9.99 threshold. Therefore, you stand to make a lot more through Amazon Kindle.
Barnes and Noble
Back in the day Barnes and Noble was the leading brick-and-mortar bookstore. Now, they have migrated to a digital marketplace as well. They offer self-publishers the opportunity to connect with millions of customers. They offer an easy platform to get started. They also offer royalties between 40% to 65% depending on the pricing of the book. Additionally, Barnes and Noble offer many of the same services that Amazon does in addition to partners in cover design, editing, and printing services. So, it’s a great alternative.
Kobo
Kobo is the Canadian alternative to Amazon Kindle. It’s available all over the world as it is part of the Rakuten group. If you’re looking to enter the Canadian market as well, Kobo is the place to be. Their royalties sit at 70% for books over $2.99 and 45% for anything under $2.99. Kobo offers a wide range of services much like Amazon and Barnes and Noble. So, check you should definitely check it out!
Please stay tuned for future installments as we’ll discuss more tips and strategies to get your books out there!
