Publishing an e-book in today’s digital age has never been easier, but with so many platforms out there, which ones are worth your time? Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned writer, choosing the right platform can make the difference between a bestseller and a flop.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
✅ Where to publish your e-book
✅ How each platform supports marketing
✅ Pros, cons, pricing, royalties, and reach
✅ Answers to common publishing FAQs
Let’s dive in!
📚 Top 10 Platforms to Publish and Market Your E-book
1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon KDP is the most popular e-book publishing platform in the world.
- Reach: Access to Amazon’s global customer base
- Royalties: 35% or 70%
- Formats: .docx, ePub, PDF
- Marketing Tools: Kindle Deals, Countdown Deals, Kindle Unlimited, Author Central
✅ Pros: Massive exposure, built-in audience, fast publishing
❌ Cons: Competitive, exclusive if you opt for KDP Select
Best For: Beginners, fiction authors, and those seeking massive reach.
2. Apple Books for Authors
Apple Books gives your e-book visibility to iOS users globally.
- Reach: Millions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac users
- Royalties: 70% (no exclusivity)
- Marketing Tools: Pre-orders, promotional pricing, custom author page
✅ Pros: High royalties, design flexibility
❌ Cons: Apple-only audience, can be tricky to navigate for non-Mac users
Best For: Authors with Apple-savvy audiences or stunning visual e-books.
3. Google Play Books
Google Play allows your book to be discoverable on Android devices and Google Search.
- Reach: Android and Chrome OS devices, global Google Books search
- Royalties: ~52%–70%
- Marketing Tools: Price promos, global visibility, auto-generated previews
✅ Pros: No exclusivity, wide reach
❌ Cons: Pricing issues (Google may auto-discount)
Best For: Authors targeting mobile or international readers.
4. Draft2Digital
A distribution service that pushes your e-book to multiple stores at once.
- Reach: Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and others
- Royalties: Varies by platform (you keep ~60–70%)
- Marketing Tools: Universal Book Links, author pages, sales tracking
✅ Pros: One upload = wide distribution
❌ Cons: A Slight fee is taken from royalties
Best For: Non-tech authors who want a broad reach without managing multiple dashboards.
5. Smashwords (now part of Draft2Digital)
One of the earliest e-book distributors, now integrates with Draft2Digital.
- Reach: Public libraries, indie bookshops, Apple, Kobo
- Royalties: Up to 85% of net sales
- Marketing Tools: Coupon codes, author interviews, category tagging
✅ Pros: Unique library and indie access
❌ Cons: Less relevant for Amazon-centric authors
Best For: Indie authors and niche genres.
6. Kobo Writing Life
Kobo is big in Canada, Europe, and Asia, and provides a great self-publishing platform.
- Reach: Kobo store, Walmart, OverDrive (libraries)
- Royalties: 70% (priced $2.99–$9.99)
- Marketing Tools: Promotions tab, Kobo Plus subscription service
✅ Pros: Global audience, great for niche genres
❌ Cons: Less presence in the U.S.
Best For: International authors or those focusing on libraries.
7. Barnes & Noble Press
The self-publishing arm of B&N lets you publish e-books and print versions.
- Reach: Barnes & Noble website, Nook devices
- Royalties: 70% on eBooks
- Marketing Tools: Pre-orders, discounts, physical book options
✅ Pros: Established bookstore credibility
❌ Cons: Smaller market share than Amazon
Best For: U.S.-based authors with niche or literary titles.
8. Gumroad
Perfect for authors looking to sell directly to readers with control over pricing and distribution.
- Reach: Your audience (you market it)
- Royalties: 90 %+ (Gumroad takes 10% on the free plan)
- Marketing Tools: Email list, bundles, affiliate programs
✅ Pros: Full control, high margins
❌ Cons: Requires you to bring your audience
Best For: Bloggers, course creators, and niche writers with an email list.
9. Payhip
An alternative to Gumroad, with similar tools for selling e-books directly.
- Reach: Your own website and social channels
- Royalties: 95 %+ (small transaction fee)
- Marketing Tools: Coupons, upsells, affiliates, memberships
✅ Pros: Simple UI, VAT handling for EU
❌ Cons: No marketplace – traffic depends on your marketing
Best For: E-book sellers in niches like health, education, or guides.
10. Blurb
Great for photo-heavy or design-oriented e-books and print-on-demand.
- Reach: Blurb store, Amazon, Ingram
- Royalties: Set your own price
- Marketing Tools: PDF-to-print options, storefront, custom layouts
✅ Pros: Visual storytelling tools, print-ready
❌ Cons: Not great for text-heavy books
Best For: Artists, photographers, cookbooks, and designers.
🎯 Marketing Tips for E-Book Success
No matter which platform you choose, marketing is key. Here’s how to stand out:
- Build a Launch Team: Recruit early readers to review and promote your book.
- Use Email Marketing: Create a freebie to grow your email list and promote your book on launch day.
- Leverage Social Media: Use Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest for visual promotion; LinkedIn or Twitter for professional/author brand building.
- Run Price Promotions: Use countdown deals or temporary discounts to spike sales.
- Get Reviews: Reach out to bloggers or use BookFunnel for free reader copies.
- Invest in a Good Cover: People do judge books by their cover—make it count.
❓ FAQ: Self-Publishing Your E-Book
Q1: Do I need an ISBN?
Most platforms like Amazon KDP and Apple Books provide a free ISBN. If you want to publish under your own imprint, buy one from your country’s ISBN agency.
Q2: Can I publish on multiple platforms?
Yes! Unless you enroll in KDP Select, which requires 90-day exclusivity. Otherwise, you can go wide using Draft2Digital or manually upload to each.
Q3: How do royalties work?
Each platform has different rates. Most offer 70% on books priced between $2.99–$9.99. Direct-sale platforms like Gumroad or Payhip offer higher take-home profits.
Q4: How long does it take to publish?
- Amazon KDP: 24–72 hours
- Apple Books: 1–3 days
- Draft2Digital: 1–7 days (depending on partners)
Q5: Can I sell both e-books and print books?
Yes! Many platforms (like Amazon KDP, B&N, and Blurb) allow you to publish print-on-demand paperbacks alongside your e-book.
✍️ Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you’re starting out, Amazon KDP is the most powerful. Want to control everything? Go with Gumroad or Payhip. Want to reach libraries and international readers? Try Draft2Digital or Kobo.
Choose one or two platforms that fit your goals and audience, then focus on consistent marketing. Your e-book deserves to be seen!
Which platform are you planning to use? Let me know or drop questions in the comments! 👇
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