Why Some Authors Choose to Publish Without Amazon
When you mention self-publishing, most people think Amazon KDP. It's the 800-pound gorilla in the room. But plenty of authors—especially those writing in niche genres, targeting international markets, or philosophically opposed to Amazon's dominance—deliberately publish outside the Amazon ecosystem.
The reasons vary. Some want to avoid KDP Select's exclusivity clause (which locks your ebook into Amazon for 90 days). Others build their own audience first and use direct sales. A few simply don't want Amazon taking 30–65% of their revenue.
Here's the honest truth: publishing without Amazon is harder than clicking "Publish" on KDP. But it's absolutely doable, and for some authors, it's the right call.
The Core Platforms for Publishing Without Amazon
1. IngramSpark (Print + Ebook)
IngramSpark is the industry standard for print-on-demand outside Amazon. It's owned by Ingram, one of the largest book distributors in North America and Europe.
- What it does: Prints your book on demand and distributes to 40,000+ retail locations (bookstores, libraries, online retailers).
- Cost: Free account; $49 setup fee per title (one-time); printing costs vary by page count and paper quality.
- Royalty model: You set your retail price; Ingram takes a wholesale discount (typically 45–55%), and you keep the rest.
- Timeline: 2–3 weeks from upload to print-ready; distribution to retailers takes 4–6 weeks.
- Gotcha: IngramSpark's default wholesale discount is steep. Many authors combine it with direct sales or a lower print price to make margins work.
2. Draft2Digital (Ebook + Print)
Draft2Digital is author-friendly and actively avoids the Amazon-first mentality.
- What it does: Distributes ebooks to Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, and 100+ other retailers; also offers print-on-demand.
- Cost: Free; no setup fees or per-title charges.
- Royalty model: You keep 100% of your royalties (Draft2Digital takes a small cut only if you use their optional services like marketing).
- Timeline: 24 hours to most retailers for ebooks; print distribution takes 1–2 weeks.
- Advantage: Hands-down the easiest non-Amazon platform for beginners. Their dashboard is clean, and support is responsive.
3. Smashwords (Ebook)
Smashwords is the OG indie ebook distributor, founded in 2008.
- What it does: Distributes ebooks to Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and others. Also offers print-on-demand.
- Cost: Free; 15% commission on ebook sales (or 40% if you use their print service).
- Timeline: Ebooks go live within hours; print takes 1–2 weeks.
- Note: Smashwords' interface feels dated compared to Draft2Digital, but it's still reliable and reaches many retailers.
4. Vook (Interactive Ebooks)
If you're writing picture books, children's books, or want multimedia integration, Vook lets you embed video, music, and animations into ebooks.
- Cost: Revenue-share model; Vook takes 30% of sales.
- Timeline: 2–4 weeks to publish.
- Audience: Smaller than mainstream platforms but growing in children's and illustrated categories.
5. Direct Sales (Your Own Website)
The highest-margin option: sell directly from your website using platforms like Gumroad, SendOwl, or Shopify.
- Cost: Gumroad charges 10% + payment processing; SendOwl is $19/mo + 8.9% per transaction.
- Royalty: You keep 85–90% of the sale price.
- Catch: You have to drive the traffic yourself. No built-in discovery like Amazon or bookstore shelves.
Comparing the Economics: What You'll Actually Make
Let's say you've written a 300-page novel and want to price the ebook at $9.99 and the paperback at $16.99.
Amazon KDP (for comparison):
- Ebook: You keep $3.50 (35% royalty at $9.99).
- Paperback: You keep ~$4.50 (depends on page count and printing cost).
Draft2Digital:
- Ebook: You keep $9.99 (100%, minus payment processing ~$0.50 = $9.49).
- Paperback: You keep ~$6–7 (depending on printing cost).
IngramSpark (retail model):
- Paperback: You keep ~$7–8 after wholesale discount and printing (if priced at $16.99).
- Ebook: Not offered; you'd need a separate platform.
Direct sales (Gumroad):
- Ebook: You keep $8.99 (90% of $9.99).
- But you're responsible for marketing and driving traffic.
The math is clear: if you can drive your own sales, direct sales and Draft2Digital offer the best margins. But Amazon's built-in discoverability is hard to beat if you're starting from zero visibility.
The Distribution Challenge: Getting Into Physical Bookstores
One reason authors stick with Amazon is convenience. But if you want your book in independent bookstores or chains like Barnes & Noble, you need a distributor like IngramSpark.
The process:
- Upload to IngramSpark with proper ISBN and metadata.
- Ingram adds your book to their catalog.
- Bookstores can order it through their normal wholesale channels.
- You don't pay anything upfront; you only pay for copies sold (print-on-demand).
Reality check: Having your book "available" to bookstores doesn't mean they'll stock it. Independent bookstores often want to meet authors or see local interest. Major chains like Barnes & Noble rarely carry indie titles unless you've already sold thousands of copies.
If getting into physical bookstores is your goal, you'll need to pair IngramSpark with direct outreach, a strong sales history, and often a book marketing strategy beyond the platform itself.
Building a Multi-Platform Launch Strategy
The smartest approach isn't choosing one platform—it's using several simultaneously.
A realistic launch plan:
- Day 1: Upload to Draft2Digital (ebook reaches 100+ retailers in 24 hours).
- Day 1–3: Upload to IngramSpark for print distribution (if you want physical copies).
- Day 3–7: Set up direct sales on Gumroad or your website; offer a discount to your email list.
- Week 2: Monitor sales across platforms; adjust pricing if needed.
- Ongoing: Build your author platform (email list, social media) to drive repeat sales and future launches.
This approach gives you multiple income streams and reduces dependence on any single retailer.
What About Metadata, Cover Design, and Formatting?
Regardless of which platform you choose, you'll need:
- A professional cover (non-negotiable for sales).
- Proper metadata (title, description, keywords, categories).
- Correctly formatted files (EPUB for ebooks, PDF for print).
Most platforms offer basic cover designers, but they're often limited. Platforms like SelfPublishing.pro can help with AI-generated metadata, cover motion assets, and file conversion if you're juggling multiple formats.
The time investment is real. Expect 2–4 weeks from final manuscript to live on all platforms if you're doing it yourself. If you're paying for services, budget accordingly.
Realistic Timelines and Expectations
Here's what actually happens when you publish without Amazon:
Weeks 1–2: Upload, wait for approval, monitor for errors.
Weeks 2–4: Books appear on retailers; sales are slow (you have no algorithm boost like Amazon).
Months 2–6: Sales depend entirely on your marketing. If you're not actively promoting, expect single-digit monthly sales.
Month 6+: If you've built an email list and social following, sales stabilize. If not, they stay flat.
The hard truth: Amazon KDP has built-in discovery through its recommendation algorithm and search. Without Amazon, you're starting from zero visibility. You have to build your audience first.
Common Pitfalls When Publishing Without Amazon
- Forgetting ISBN requirements: IngramSpark and some retailers require ISBNs. Draft2Digital assigns free ISBNs, but they're not universal. If you want maximum distribution, buy your own ISBNs upfront.
- Poor metadata: Most sales come from search and categories. Weak keywords and descriptions tank visibility.
- Inconsistent pricing: If your ebook costs $9.99 on Draft2Digital but $2.99 on Smashwords, readers get confused. Pick a strategy and stick to it.
- Neglecting marketing: Without Amazon's algorithm, you're 100% responsible for driving traffic. Have a plan before you publish.
- Uploading unfinished work: You can update files, but it takes time. Don't rush to publish before your book is truly ready.
Is Publishing Without Amazon Right for You?
Publish without Amazon if:
- You want to avoid exclusivity agreements and keep your options open.
- You're writing for a niche international audience (Kobo and Apple Books have strong markets outside the US).
- You already have a built-in audience you can drive to your own sales channels.
- You want higher royalty percentages and are willing to do your own marketing.
- You're philosophically opposed to Amazon's business practices.
Stick with Amazon KDP if:
- You're a first-time author with no existing platform.
- You want maximum discoverability and sales potential out of the gate.
- You prefer simplicity over maximizing margins.
- You're writing in popular genres where Amazon's algorithm matters.
Many successful authors do both: publish on KDP for broad reach, then expand to Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, and direct sales as they build momentum.
The Bottom Line
Publishing your first book without Amazon is entirely possible. You'll use platforms like Draft2Digital for ebooks, IngramSpark for print, and potentially direct sales for maximum margins. The trade-off is that you lose Amazon's built-in discovery—you'll have to market harder and be more intentional about building your audience.
The good news: once you understand the ecosystem, you can publish on multiple platforms simultaneously, reaching readers everywhere. Start with one or two platforms, nail your metadata and marketing, then expand as you grow.
If you're managing multiple books or want help with file conversion, metadata optimization, or marketing assets across platforms, tools like SelfPublishing.pro can streamline the process. But the core work—writing a great book and connecting with readers—is always on you.