Best Amazon Kindle Alternative for self-published authors

In search of the ideal Amazon Kindle alternative for self-publishing your work? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 Amazon Kindle alternatives, to give you different options for publishing your work. Take a moment to explore these options and select the perfect platform for both publishing and reading your books.

1. Apple Books

First on our list is Apple Books, a platform dedicated to both publishing and reading ebooks. With countless reading features including customizable libraries and countless book switching, Apple Books provides a great alternative for authors seeking a broad audience. It serves as a comprehensive guide, offering support from story structuring to digital book packaging and sales. The website has a range of tools such as page layout, cover design options, and support for various file formats. Additionally, authors can access advice from bestselling writers through the platform.

Some notable benefits of utilizing Apple Books include:

• 70% royalties on every ebook sold, irrespective of price
• No file delivery fees
• No restrictions on offering free books to customers

2. Google Play Books

With a variety of stage for authors to unveil their work, Google Play Books is second on our list . Not only can authors sell their books directly through Google Play, but they can also distribute them via other retailers, all without incurring any costs. Furthermore, authors retain the majority of the revenue generated from each sale, determined by the list price they set. The website accepts files in either .pdf or .epub format, granting authors the flexibility to cater for all their readers.

Additionally, authors can manage their books and sales settings through the Google Play Books Partner Center. With access to promotional tools and a competitive revenue-sharing model, authors can get significant benefits from this platform

3. Draft to Digital

Third on our Amazon Kindle alternative is Draft2Digital. It streamlines it’s self-publishing journey by offering authors a unified platform to distribute their ebooks across multiple retailers. Unlike traditional publishing avenues, there are no upfront costs associated with publishing on this platform; instead, it takes a 10% cut from the retail price of each book sold, ensuring that they only profit when authors do.

Moreover, Draft2Digital empowers authors through its Promotions Tab, allowing them to schedule price promotions, offer free promotions, manage Universal Book Links (UBLs), track recent sales, and more. Additionally, their Books2Read tool serves as a reader-centric, author-empowering resource, equipped with features such as Universal Book Links, B2R Author Pages, and B2R Book Tabs, all aimed at promoting authors’ content effectively

4. Ingram Spark

Ingram stands out as an online self-publishing website offering solutions for global printing, distribution, and management of both print and e-books. The platform has a variety of self-publishing tools tailored for authors, including publisher education, publishing calculators, file creation options, and access to publisher associations. Whether authors are focused on print books, e-books, or a blend of both, IngramSpark’s website equips them with the necessary tools to circulate their works effectively. However, it’s important to note that IngramSpark may charge authors for certain services.

5. Barnes and Noble Press

Previously known as Nook Press, B&N offers a swift and user-friendly self-publishing platform for writers. It allows them to publish and distribute their books to a vast audience. Authors can earn a 70% royalty rate by directly publishing e-books with B&N Press. With its intuitive interface and in-store promotional features, this publishing website caters to authors’ needs. Among its Author Self-Publishing services are marketing, design, editing, and publicity, providing comprehensive support throughout the publishing journey.

While there are no upfront costs for uploading books to Barnes and Noble Press and utilizing their services, the platform does take a percentage of sales as compensation.

6. Lulu

Another option for self-published authors is Lulu, a print-on-demand company specializing in self-publishing services for books and calendars. Alongside its printing , it also operates an online bookstore and boasts a Global Distribution network that links to major platforms like Amazon and Ingram. Opting to sell through Lulu ensures that your work is easily available. Authors earn an impressive 80% of revenue from sales on the Lulu Bookstore.

Furthermore, Lulu offers self-publishing guides to assist authors throughout their publishing process. Lulu’s product range includes various formats such as print books, photo books, notebooks, calendars, comics, cookbooks, magazines, and e-books. Notably, authors can publish their work for free, without any upfront costs.

7. Kobo

Another Amazon Kindle alternative website on our list is Kobo, a platform designed for authors to create, publish, and market their books independently. Providing creators with full control over their content, Kobo allows authors to customize their rights, set prices, and conduct promotions. Books published on Kobo can connect with millions of readers across more than 200 countries, offering broad coverage for authors. There are no publishing fees associated with the platform, making it accessible to all authors. Kobo supports a wide range of genres and ensures books are globally distributed.

8. Smashwords

Smashwords serves as a self-publishing hub, enabling authors to publish and distribute their ebooks across major retailers like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. Through its free e-book publishing and distribution service, authors can upload their manuscripts in various formats and determine their own pricing. Additionally, Smashwords equips authors with tools for formatting and marketing their e-books. There are no upfront costs associated with submitting e-books to Smashwords. Authors retain 85% of the profits from e-books sold directly on the Smashwords platform.

9. Blurb

Blurb is another Amazon Kindle alternative publishing platform. It enables writers to undertake the entire process of creating, self-publishing, promoting, and selling their own books. With its book creation tool, authors can craft personalized books with diverse layouts, fonts, and images to suit their vision. Supporting both print-on-demand and e-book publishing, Blurb facilitates authors in reaching global audiences through leading online retailers such as Amazon and Apple Books.

10. BookBaby

Last on our list is BookBaby, an online book printing service that assists writers in bringing their literature creations to life. The platform offers a range of services, from proofreading and editing to book design and marketing. With expertise in formatting and distribution, BookBaby provides great solutions for authors. Additionally, the platform prides itself on its customer-friendly approach, knowledgeable publishing specialists, and the delivery of high-quality book products and services. Authors utilizing Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Word can benefit from free book templates provided by BookBaby.

In conclusion, those are some of the best Amazon kindle alternatives, that you can use to publish or read various books. All those platforms have different pricing options and they can also be used for reading and purchasing books.