What distribution platforms should authors use?
- The first decision is KDP Select exclusivity versus going wide.
- KDP reaches the largest single ebook and print-on-demand audience.
- IngramSpark reaches bookstores and libraries through the print trade.
- Aggregators (Draft2Digital, PublishDrive) reach many ebook stores from one upload.
- Direct sales (your own store) earn the highest royalty and capture reader data.
Authors should first decide between Amazon exclusivity (KDP Select) and going wide, then choose channels accordingly: KDP for Amazon reach and print-on-demand, IngramSpark for bookstore and library distribution, and either direct uploads or an aggregator like Draft2Digital for Apple, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Adding a direct-sales store earns the highest royalty and captures reader emails. The right mix depends on genre and goals.
Chapter i·Why it matters
Distribution choices set the ceiling on where a book can be found and how much each sale earns. Exclusivity trades reach for Kindle Unlimited income; wide trades some Amazon promotion for availability everywhere. Picking deliberately — rather than defaulting to "just Amazon" — is what lets an author grow into library, bookstore, and international channels over time.
Chapter ii·What to include
- A clear exclusive-versus-wide decision tied to your genre.
- KDP for Amazon ebook and print-on-demand reach.
- IngramSpark for bookstore and library print distribution.
- An aggregator or direct uploads for non-Amazon ebook stores.
- A direct-sales store for top royalty and reader-email capture.
- A review point to revisit the mix after the first few releases.
Chapter iii·Example
A nonfiction author goes wide from day one because her readers buy across Apple and Kobo, not just Kindle. She uploads ebooks through Draft2Digital, orders print through IngramSpark for bookstore availability, and sells signed copies direct from her own site at full royalty. Her distribution map is intentional, and she can see exactly which channel each sale came from.
Chapter iv·Related questions
WriteLoom’s Sell studio tracks every distribution channel — KDP, IngramSpark, aggregators, direct — in one place, so your reach and royalties stay visible as you grow wide.
See the Sell studio