Self-publishing guides
Plain comparisons of the self-publishing platforms, what authors really earn on each, and practical guides to publishing and selling your books.
Self-publishing platform alternatives
KDP, Draft2Digital, IngramSpark and the rest, compared fairly.
The Best Self-Publishing Platforms Compared
KDP, Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, Kobo Writing Life, Barnes & Noble Press, Books.by, Payhip, Gumroad and BooksOasis compared on royalties, fees, formats and reach, with sources checked in September 2026.
Read the guide →Books.by Alternatives for Selling Books Direct
Books.by offers 100% royalties for a yearly fee. Compare the alternatives for selling ebooks and print books direct: BooksOasis, Payhip, Gumroad, a Shopify store with BookFunnel, and Lulu.
Read the guide →Draft2Digital Alternatives: Other Ways to Go Wide
Draft2Digital now charges a $20 activation fee and a $12 yearly fee. Compare the alternatives: going direct to retailers, PublishDrive, StreetLib, IngramSpark and flat-fee stores like BooksOasis.
Read the guide →Gumroad Alternatives for Selling Ebooks
Gumroad takes 10% plus $0.50 per sale, plus processing. Compare cheaper ways for authors to sell ebooks: BooksOasis, Payhip, Books.by, Lemon Squeezy-style stores, Shopify with BookFunnel, and retailers.
Read the guide →IngramSpark Alternatives for Print and Ebook Distribution
IngramSpark's market access fee rose to 1.875% in 2026. Compare the alternatives for print on demand and distribution: KDP Print, Barnes & Noble Press, Draft2Digital Print, Lulu, Books.by and BooksOasis.
Read the guide →The Best Amazon KDP Alternatives for Self-Published Authors
Kobo Writing Life, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Barnes & Noble Press, Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, Books.by, Payhip and BooksOasis compared as alternatives or additions to Amazon KDP, with royalties and fees checked in 2026.
Read the guide →Head-to-head comparisons
Two platforms side by side, and where BooksOasis fits beside them.
Commission vs Flat Fee: How Self-Publishing Platforms Charge Authors
The two ways platforms charge authors, a percentage of every sale or a flat plan, explained with worked examples, the break-even point, and when each model makes sense.
Read the guide →KDP Select vs Going Wide: How to Decide
KDP Select's exclusivity and Kindle Unlimited page reads compared with selling your ebook everywhere: who each suits, the numbers to check, how to test, and how to switch safely.
Read the guide →KDP vs Draft2Digital: Which Should You Use?
Amazon KDP and Draft2Digital compared on ebook royalties, print, fees, reach, formatting, payments and exclusivity, with worked examples and the setup most authors use.
Read the guide →KDP vs IngramSpark: Where Should Your Print Book Live?
Amazon KDP Print and IngramSpark compared for paperbacks and hardcovers: royalties, wholesale discounts, fees, returns, bookshop and library reach, ISBNs, and how to use both together.
Read the guide →Royalties and earnings
What a sale actually pays you, platform by platform.
Ebook Royalty Calculator: What You Earn on Each Platform
Enter your ebook price and monthly sales to see what you would earn per sale, per month and per year on KDP, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Draft2Digital, Books.by, Payhip, Gumroad and BooksOasis.
Read the guide →KDP Royalty Rates Explained (Updated for 2026)
How Amazon KDP pays authors in 2026: the 70% and 35% ebook options, the new $2.99 to $12.99 price band, delivery costs, paperback royalties at 60% and 50%, Expanded Distribution and Kindle Unlimited.
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