Why Authors Are Looking Beyond Amazon
Amazon KDP is undeniably the largest self-publishing platform in the world. But it's also easy to assume it's the only real option for indie authors. The truth is more nuanced.
Some authors want to avoid Amazon's commission structure. Others are concerned about account suspensions or algorithmic visibility. Still others simply want to diversify their revenue streams and reach readers on multiple platforms simultaneously. Whatever your reason, there are legitimate, professional alternatives to KDP that can work as a primary distribution channel or a complementary strategy.
The good news: you don't need Amazon to build a sustainable book business. In this post, we'll walk through five proven alternatives to publish a book without Amazon, along with the pros, cons, and practical steps for each.
1. IngramSpark: The Traditional Publisher's Choice
What it is: IngramSpark is owned by Ingram, one of the world's largest book distributors. It's the go-to platform for authors who want their books stocked in physical bookstores, libraries, and academic institutions.
Key features:
- Access to over 40,000 retailers and libraries globally, including Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, and school systems.
- Print-on-demand (POD) quality that rivals traditional publishing.
- Ebook distribution to major retailers (though it's not as seamless as KDP).
- ISBN included in the setup (you don't have to buy one separately).
- Professional templates and a polished approval process.
Costs: No upfront fees, but per-unit printing costs are higher than KDP. You'll also pay for ISBN registration if you want one outside their system.
Best for: Authors targeting bookstore placement, libraries, or readers who prefer buying from independent retailers. It's also ideal if you want a traditional publishing-adjacent distribution footprint.
The catch: Ebook royalties tend to be lower, and the platform is less author-friendly than KDP. Approval times are longer, and customer service can be slow.
2. Draft2Digital: The Indie Author's Friend
What it is: Draft2Digital is a distribution platform built specifically for indie authors. It focuses on simplicity, fair royalties, and multi-format support.
Key features:
- Distributes ebooks to Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Scribd, and 100+ other retailers.
- Print-on-demand partnership with IngramSpark (so you get bookstore reach without handling the complexity yourself).
- Automatic formatting from .doc or .docx files—no technical skills required.
- Competitive royalty rates (up to 60% on ebooks depending on retailer).
- Free ISBN for ebooks; affordable ISBN options for print.
Costs: Completely free. Draft2Digital makes money only when you do, taking a small percentage of sales.
Best for: Authors who want hands-off distribution, competitive royalties, and the ability to reach readers across multiple platforms without managing each retailer separately.
The catch: You won't get the same level of discoverability or marketing tools that KDP offers. It's a distribution platform, not a marketing platform.
3. Smashwords: The DIY Distribution Powerhouse
What it is: Smashwords is one of the oldest indie publishing platforms, with a strong focus on ebook distribution and author control.
Key features:
- Distributes to Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and 100+ other retailers.
- Detailed sales reporting and royalty tracking.
- Coupon codes and promotional tools built into the platform.
- Free ISBN options for ebooks.
- A "Style Guide" that teaches you proper ebook formatting (no black-box algorithm).
Costs: Free distribution; optional premium services (like extended distribution) cost extra.
Best for: Authors who want granular control over pricing, promotions, and retailer-specific metadata. Also good for those who want to understand the nuts and bolts of ebook publishing.
The catch: The platform looks dated and can feel clunky compared to modern alternatives. Customer support is community-driven rather than dedicated.
4. Your Own Website + Stripe or PayPal: The Direct-to-Reader Model
What it is: Selling directly from your author website cuts out the middleman entirely. You keep 100% of the proceeds (minus payment processing fees).
How it works:
- Set up a simple storefront using Shopify, WooCommerce, Gumroad, or even a static HTML page with Stripe embedded.
- Host your ebook files (PDF, EPUB, MOBI) on your server or use a service like Gumroad that handles delivery automatically.
- Promote your book through your email list, social media, and author platform.
- Collect 95%+ of each sale after payment processing fees (~2.9% + $0.30 per transaction).
Costs: Minimal. A basic website costs $10–50/month; payment processing fees are automatic.
Best for: Authors with an existing audience or email list. It works best for fiction readers who are already fans of your work, or for niche non-fiction where you have direct access to your target market.
The catch: You won't reach discovery readers. You're entirely dependent on your own marketing and platform. This model works best as a supplement to other distribution channels, not as a standalone strategy.
5. Apple Books Direct Publishing: The Premium Retailer Route
What it is: Apple Books has its own direct publishing platform, separate from aggregators. If you want a premium presence in Apple's ecosystem, this is the way.
Key features:
- Direct relationship with Apple Books (the second-largest ebook retailer after Amazon).
- Higher royalty rates (up to 70%) in certain regions.
- Access to Apple's seasonal promotions and featured collections.
- Detailed sales reporting specific to Apple Books.
- Support for pre-orders and exclusive deals.
Costs: Free to upload; no ongoing fees.
Best for: Authors who want a direct relationship with Apple and who believe their audience skews toward Apple device users (common in literary fiction and self-help).
The catch: You'll need to handle each retailer separately if you want multi-platform distribution. It's a single-channel play unless you combine it with other platforms.
Combining Alternatives: A Hybrid Strategy
Most successful indie authors don't rely on a single platform. Instead, they use a hybrid approach:
- IngramSpark for print (bookstore reach) + Draft2Digital for ebooks (simplicity and fair royalties).
- Apple Books Direct (premium placement) + Smashwords (extended reach) for ebooks.
- Your own website (direct sales to fans) + Draft2Digital (passive discovery sales).
This approach gives you the best of all worlds: bookstore presence, retailer diversity, direct sales, and reduced platform dependency.
The Role of Distribution Aggregators
If managing multiple platforms sounds overwhelming, distribution aggregators like Draft2Digital and Smashwords handle the heavy lifting. You upload once; they distribute to dozens of retailers. This is especially useful if you want to publish a book without Amazon but still reach readers across multiple platforms.
Tools like SelfPublishing.pro can help you manage metadata, track sales across retailers, and coordinate your distribution strategy—so you're not juggling logins and spreadsheets.
What About Discoverability?
Here's the honest truth: Amazon has the best discovery algorithm for self-published books. KDP's recommendation engine, bestseller lists, and search visibility are unmatched. If discoverability is your primary goal, Amazon is still the strongest bet.
But if you're willing to invest in marketing (email lists, social media, book promotions), you can absolutely succeed without Amazon. Many indie authors have built six-figure businesses using only Draft2Digital, Apple Books, and their own email list.
Practical Checklist: Publishing Without Amazon
- Decide your format: Ebook only? Print? Both? Audio?
- Choose your primary platform: IngramSpark (print + bookstores), Draft2Digital (ebooks + simplicity), or your own website (direct sales).
- Add a secondary platform: Combine your choice with Apple Books Direct or Smashwords for retailer diversity.
- Prepare your files: Properly formatted ebook and/or print-ready PDF. (IngramSpark and Draft2Digital have templates.)
- Write compelling metadata: Title, description, categories, and keywords that help readers find your book.
- Set up a distribution profile: Most platforms require ISBN and tax information.
- Plan your marketing: Without Amazon's algorithm, you'll need an email list, social media presence, or paid ads.
- Track sales: Use each platform's reporting tools, or aggregate data in a spreadsheet.
The Bottom Line: You Have Options
Publishing a book without Amazon is entirely feasible—and for some authors, it's the right choice. Whether you're avoiding Amazon's fees, seeking bookstore placement, or building a diversified author business, there are professional, credible alternatives.
The key is choosing a strategy that aligns with your goals, your audience, and your willingness to invest in marketing. No single platform is perfect for everyone. But if you're serious about reaching readers beyond Amazon, the infrastructure exists to make it happen.
Start with one or two platforms, master the process, and scale from there. Your book deserves an audience—and you have more ways to reach them than you might think.