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If you’re thinking about self-publishing, you’re probably stuck on one big question: where should I publish? I’ve been there. There are a dozen platforms that all claim they’ll “get your book in front of readers,” but the real decision comes down to stuff like royalties, print availability, and whether you want Amazon-only or broader distribution.
So in this post, I’m focusing on the platforms I’d actually consider in 2026—and I’ll help you pick based on your goals (ebook, print, or both), not vibes.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon KDP is still the easiest path to ebook + paperback sales, especially if you’re targeting Kindle readers and want fast setup.
- Draft2Digital is a strong “one upload, many stores” option (Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, etc.) when you don’t want to manage multiple retailer portals.
- IngramSpark is the go-to for authors who want bookstores and libraries to stock physical copies (but it’s usually more complex and can cost more upfront).
- Smashwords (now distributed through its newer ecosystem) can still be useful for getting into multiple ebook channels—especially if you’re publishing niche categories and want broad digital distribution.
- Budget realistically: most first-time self-publishers end up spending roughly $3,000–$5,700 once you include editing, cover design, formatting, and launch costs (and it varies a lot by book type).
- Royalties aren’t the whole story. Distribution reach, exclusivity rules, and how returns/discounts work can matter more than the percentage.
- Metadata is money. Categories, keywords, and descriptions can be the difference between “nice cover” and actual sales.
- AI helps, but you can’t outsource quality. I use AI to speed up drafts and checklists, then rely on human review for voice, accuracy, and formatting.
- Your interior matters. Readers judge quickly—bad margins, broken italics, or weird paragraph spacing will tank reviews.
Where to Self-Publish: Top Platforms in 2026
Self-publishing is still growing fast, and the big shift lately is that readers expect both instant digital availability and decent print quality. That means your platform choice affects not just where your book is sold, but how it’s presented (formats, cover rendering, metadata accuracy, and even how quickly you can fix mistakes after upload).
Before I break down each platform, here’s the quick comparison I wish more posts included.
Quick comparison: KDP vs Draft2Digital vs IngramSpark vs Smashwords (2026)
- Amazon KDP: best for ebook + paperback sales on Amazon; simple setup; strong royalty options for ebooks; paperback is easy, but bookstore/library reach is more limited than Ingram.
- Draft2Digital: best “distribute widely without extra work”; they handle formatting/metadata for many retailers; great for authors who want multiple ebook storefronts.
- IngramSpark: best for physical distribution (bookstores + libraries); stronger retail presence; usually more steps and costs.
- Smashwords: best for broad ebook distribution in a simpler workflow (especially for certain niche/illustrated setups), though you’ll still want to confirm where your book ends up and how it’s formatted.
Which one should you pick? (choose this if…)
- Choose Amazon KDP if you want the highest chance of fast discovery and you’re comfortable prioritizing Amazon first. It’s also the most straightforward for paperback if you don’t care about bookstores stocking your title.
- Choose Draft2Digital if you want to hit multiple ebook retailers with one upload and you’d rather spend your time writing than managing retailer formatting rules.
- Choose IngramSpark if your goal is physical book sales in the real world—bookstores, libraries, events, and bulk orders. This is where indie print distribution gets serious.
- Choose Smashwords if your ebook distribution strategy is “get me into more places” and you want a platform that’s historically been friendly for indie ebook publishing workflows.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
In my experience, KDP is still the default choice for a reason: it’s fast. You can go from “manuscript ready” to “live listing” without a ton of back-and-forth. If you’re publishing ebooks, KDP is hard to beat for reach because Amazon is where a lot of readers start.
What I actually notice after publishing on KDP:
- Preview tools matter. Their ebook preview catches issues like spacing and header formatting better than you’d expect—use it every time.
- Paperback isn’t automatically “bookstore-ready.” KDP paperbacks are great for direct-to-reader sales, but if you’re pitching to stores/libraries, you’ll often have a better shot with Ingram.
- Royalty math depends on pricing + territory. The “up to 70%” headline is real for ebooks, but your final earnings depend on your list price and Amazon’s pricing rules.
KDP is also the place where you’ll run into the biggest exclusivity question. If you enroll in KDP Select, you’re typically agreeing to exclusivity for certain territories and formats. If your plan is to distribute widely across retailers, you’ll want to think carefully before locking your ebook down to Amazon.
If you’re doing cover work, I’ve found it helps to pick fonts that actually survive thumbnail size. For a practical starting point, this guide on best fonts for book covers is the kind of reference you want before you finalize typography.
Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital is the platform I recommend when someone says, “I want my book on Apple Books and Kobo too, but I don’t want to learn five different formatting systems.” That’s basically the whole value proposition.
Here’s what you get that’s genuinely useful:
- Multi-retailer distribution from one dashboard.
- Formatting + metadata support that reduces your chances of a retailer rejecting your files.
- Cleaner workflow if you’re publishing regularly (or planning to expand your catalog).
In my workflow, I usually treat Draft2Digital as a “distribution layer” after I’ve validated the book on Amazon. If your first launch is ebook-only, Draft2Digital can help you broaden discovery quickly without rebuilding everything.
IngramSpark
If your goal includes bookstores, libraries, and bulk orders, IngramSpark is the platform that keeps coming up. It’s where many indie authors go when they want print distribution that looks more like traditional retail.
What I’ve learned the hard way with print distribution: the listing details have to be right. Page count, trim size, interior quality, and cover alignment all matter. IngramSpark is less “set it and forget it” than KDP, but it’s also why it can work better for physical reach.
IngramSpark typically involves:
- More upfront steps (print-ready files, specs, proofing)
- Better positioning for retail channels compared to direct-from-KDP paperbacks
- Higher complexity if you’re doing multiple formats (paperback vs hardcover)
If you’re also thinking about how your cover typography will read in print, I still point people back to best fonts for book covers because the “thumbnail cover” and “printed spine cover” are not the same challenge.
Smashwords
Smashwords can be a useful option when your focus is ebook distribution across multiple channels without diving into every retailer’s portal. Historically, it’s been popular with indie authors for broad ebook publishing workflows and niche categories.
My practical advice: before you commit, double-check where your ebook will land and how formatting is handled for your specific genre (especially if you have heavy formatting, images, or special typography).
If you’re publishing something illustrated, it helps to have a clear plan for interior formatting. That’s why I like linking to how to publish a coloring book when someone is doing anything image-heavy—because the “paper vs ebook” layout needs can be very different.
