Publishing a Book Using Online Publishers Only: A Guide to Digital Success

In today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, publishing a book has never been more accessible. Gone are the days when authors had to navigate the traditional publishing maze, filled with literary agents and publishers, or face the high costs of self-publishing through print. Online publishing platforms have completely transformed the process, offering authors an easy, cost-effective, and direct way to publish their books to a global audience.

Publishing a book through online publishers not only makes it simpler but also more profitable. With the right strategy, authors can now take complete control of their book’s journey—from writing and formatting to marketing and sales.

The Rise of Online Publishers

Online publishing platforms have democratized the book industry, allowing authors to publish their work without the need for traditional publishing houses. These platforms offer a wide range of services, including e-book publishing, print-on-demand options, and even audiobook distribution. Whether you are an established author or someone publishing their first book, online publishers provide everything you need to share your book with the world.

The appeal is simple: online publishing cuts out the middleman, reduces costs, and provides a wider range of tools to help authors succeed. Some of the most popular online publishing platforms include Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Smashwords, Draft2Digital, and IngramSpark. Let’s dive deeper into how these platforms work and how they can help you publish and promote your book.

1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Amazon KDP is by far the most popular and widely used online publishing platform. The reason? It’s user-friendly, offers high royalties, and reaches a massive audience. With KDP, authors can publish e-books and paperbacks and distribute them through Amazon's global marketplace.

Benefits of KDP:

• Global Reach: Amazon is the largest book retailer in the world, so your book will be available to millions of potential readers.

• Royalties: Authors can earn up to 70% royalties on e-book sales, depending on the price point and territory.

• Print-on-Demand: KDP also offers print-on-demand services, meaning books are only printed when ordered. This eliminates upfront printing costs and inventory management.

• Marketing Tools: Amazon provides tools such as Amazon Ads, Look Inside previews, and Kindle Unlimited (KU), a subscription service that allows readers to borrow your book, increasing exposure.

How to Use KDP:

1. Format Your Book: Follow Amazon’s formatting guidelines for e-books and paperbacks.

2. Upload Your Manuscript: Once formatted, upload your manuscript along with a cover design. You can also use Amazon’s free Cover Creator tool if you don't have a cover designed.

3. Set Your Price: KDP allows you to set your e-book and paperback prices and choose your royalty structure.

4. Launch and Promote: After publishing, it’s time to promote your book through social media, Amazon ads, and exploit reviews.

2. Smashwords

Smashwords is a fantastic platform for authors who want to distribute their e-books to multiple retailers beyond Amazon, such as Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more. Smashwords gives authors a global distribution network and a wider reach, which is ideal for reaching international readers.

Benefits of Smashwords:

• Wide Distribution: Smashwords distributes e-books to a variety of platforms, ensuring your book is available on all major digital stores.

• Flexible Pricing: Smashwords allows authors to set their own pricing and run promotions.

• Free ISBNs: Smashwords provides free ISBNs, so you don’t need to purchase one yourself to publish your book.

How to Use Smashwords:

1. Upload Your Manuscript: Smashwords accepts a variety of formats, but you will need to convert your manuscript into their “Smashwords Style Guide” format for the best results.

2. Set Up Your Distribution Channels: You can select from a list of over 20 platforms to distribute your book.

3. Promotions: Smashwords also offers Coupons and Sales tools that allow you to offer discounts to readers to drive sales.

3. Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital is another popular online publishing platform that provides an easy way for authors to publish e-books and distribute them to a wide range of online retailers, including Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.

Benefits of Draft2Digital:

• Streamlined Formatting: Draft2Digital automatically formats your manuscript for different e-book retailers, saving you time and effort.

• Global Reach: Like Smashwords, Draft2Digital distributes books across multiple platforms, helping authors access a global audience.

• Royalties and Pricing: Draft2Digital offers competitive royalty rates and gives authors control over pricing.

• User-Friendly: The platform’s interface is simple, making the publishing process fast and hassle-free.

How to Use Draft2Digital:

1. Upload Your Manuscript: Simply upload your manuscript, and Draft2Digital will handle the formatting for you.

2. Choose Your Retailers: Select from a variety of online retailers for distribution.

3. Set Your Price and Royalties: Set your price and royalty preferences and let the platform do the rest.

4. IngramSpark

For authors interested in print-on-demand services, IngramSpark is a leading online publisher. It allows authors to publish both e-books and print books, making it an excellent option for those looking to have their book available in physical stores and libraries.

Benefits of IngramSpark:

• Wide Distribution: IngramSpark offers access to a network of retailers, libraries, and online stores around the world.

• High-Quality Print: IngramSpark’s print-on-demand service ensures that your book will be printed with professional quality.

• Hardcover Options: IngramSpark offers hardcover publishing, which is not available on all platforms.

How to Use IngramSpark:

1. Format Your Book: IngramSpark requires a professional-quality file for both e-books and print versions. You’ll need to upload a formatted manuscript and cover.

2. Set Up Your Book’s Details: Choose the distribution channels, pricing, and royalty options for your book.

3. Launch and Promote: Once your book is live, you can grip IngramSpark’s promotional opportunities and distribute to online stores, libraries, and bookstores.

5. Audiobook Publishing

With audiobooks gaining immense popularity, online publishers like ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) provide authors with the tools to turn their books into audiobooks. ACX allows authors to distribute their audiobooks on platforms such as Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

Benefits of Audiobook Publishing:

• Growing Market: The audiobook industry is expanding rapidly, and creating an audiobook version of your book can significantly increase your reach.

• Royalty Sharing: ACX offers authors the chance to share royalties with narrators, making it easier to collaborate.

How to Use ACX:

1. Create an Account: Sign up for an account on ACX and choose whether to narrate the book yourself or hire a professional.

2. Upload Your Manuscript: After producing the audiobook, upload it to ACX for distribution to Audible and iTunes.

Conclusion: The Power of Online Publishing

Online publishers have made the process of publishing a book easier, more cost-effective, and far more accessible to aspiring authors worldwide. Whether you’re looking to distribute e-books, create print versions, or even audiobooks, these platforms provide all the tools you need to bring your book to market.

By embracing online publishers like Amazon KDP, Smashwords, Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, and ACX, you can navigate the publishing world without the complexities of traditional publishing. With a little effort in formatting, marketing, and promotion, your book can reach readers across the globe, opening doors to new opportunities and a successful writing career.