10 Best Self Publishing Companies

Summary

This video script reviews the top 10 self-publishing companies for books in 2022, highlighting their distribution methods, royalty rates, and unique features. It covers a range of services from e-book and print to audiobook distribution, discussing the pros and cons of each platform, including Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Google Play Books. The script provides insights into the best options for authors looking to self-publish, emphasizing the importance of platform choice for maximizing reach and profit.

Takeaways

• 📘 The top 10 self-publishing companies for books in 2022 are listed, with Blurb, Lulu, PublishDrive, Draft2Digital, Google Play Books, Apple Books for Authors, Barnes & Noble Press, Kobo Writing Life, IngramSpark, and Amazon KDP making the list.
• 💻 Blurb is known for its high-quality print options and 100% net profit on eBook sales after conversion fees, but has higher base costs for print books and unclear royalty rates for them.
• 🌐 Lulu offers wide distribution and excellent print quality with unique options, but has a history of slower print fulfillment times and a rocky transition to a new platform in 2020.
• 🚀 PublishDrive stands out for its wide distribution, including to China, and 100% net profits on eBooks, but requires a subscription fee and has questionable effectiveness of some distribution avenues.
• 🔍 Draft2Digital and Smashwords, now one company, offer eBook and paperback distribution with a user-friendly interface and superior customer support, but are still in beta for print distribution.
• 📚 Google Play Books and Apple Books for Authors are Amazon alternatives with wide distribution and set royalty rates, but both have clunky user interfaces and no direct audiobook distribution.
• 🎨 Barnes & Noble Press provides excellent print quality and an easy user interface, but has limited reach and strict standards for print book formatting.
• 🎧 Kobo Writing Life offers eBook and audiobook distribution with a unique royalty structure for audiobooks, favoring higher pricing, and boasts a user-friendly interface and access to OverDrive.
• 🌟 IngramSpark has the widest distribution for print books and offers brick and mortar options, but has a lower eBook royalty rate and issues with transparency and customer support.
• 🏆 Amazon KDP is recognized for its large audience reach, ease of use, and the Kindle Unlimited program, but has a pricing penalty for eBooks outside the $2.99 to $9.99 range and lacks audiobook integration.

Q & A

What is the primary service provided by Blurb?

Blurb primarily distributes ebooks and print books, acting as an aggregate publisher to distribute books to various platforms on behalf of authors.

What is the royalty rate for ebooks published through Blurb?

The royalty rate for ebooks published through Blurb is 100% of net profits after conversion fees.

What are some of the disadvantages of using Blurb for self-publishing?

Disadvantages of Blurb include high base costs for print books, different specifications for print books on various platforms, and unclear royalty rates for print books.

What are the main differences between Lulu and Blurb in terms of services offered?

Lulu offers a wider range of unique print options, including spiral bound notebooks and photo books, and has a 20-year history in the business, while Blurb is known for its stellar print quality and wide distribution.

How does the royalty rate for ebooks on Lulu compare to Blurb?

Lulu offers a royalty rate of 90% of net profits for ebooks, compared to Blurb's 100% of net profits after conversion fees.

What are some of the unique features of PublishDrive?

PublishDrive is a subscription-based aggregate publisher with a wide distribution network, including 30 different avenues and access to the Chinese market.

What is the royalty rate for ebooks distributed through PublishDrive?

The royalty rate for ebooks distributed through PublishDrive is 100% of net profits, with a monthly subscription fee for the number of books hosted on their platform.

Why might an author choose Google Play Books for ebook distribution?

An author might choose Google Play Books for its wide distribution across 70 plus regions, the fixed royalty rate of 70% regardless of price, and the discoverability through book sample indexing on search engines.

What are some of the drawbacks of using Google Play Books for self-publishing?

Drawbacks include a clunky user interface, an inconsistent account application process, and the inaccessibility of direct audiobook distribution.

How does Amazon KDP's ebook royalty rate system work?

Amazon KDP offers a 70% royalty rate for ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99, with a reduced rate of 35% for books priced outside this range.

What are some of the advantages of using Amazon KDP for self-publishing?

Amazon KDP has the largest audience reach, an easy-to-use interface, and offers programs like Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Select for additional exposure.

What is the main criticism of Amazon KDP's pricing strategy for ebooks?

The main criticism is the pricing incentive or penalization system, which reduces the royalty rate to 35% if the ebook is priced outside the preferred range of $2.99 to $9.99.

What is the current status of hardcover book distribution on Amazon KDP?

Hardcover book distribution on Amazon KDP is currently in beta, with distribution available in seven regions and no expanded distribution yet.

Why might an author consider IngramSpark for print book distribution?

IngramSpark might be considered for its wide distribution network, including brick and mortar options, and the use of Ingram Content Group for expanded distribution.

What are some of the cons of using IngramSpark for self-publishing?

Cons of IngramSpark include the requirement to bring your own ISBN, pay-per-upload fees, and issues with customer support and transparency regarding the distribution avenues.

What is the royalty rate for print books on IngramSpark?

The royalty rate for print books on IngramSpark is a variable percentage, ranging from 45% to 65% minus print fees.

What is the controversy surrounding the Kindle Unlimited program mentioned in the script?

The controversy is that authors can become Amazon best-selling authors without selling a single copy due to certain practices within the Kindle Unlimited program.