Beyond Amazon KDP: 7 Publishing Platforms Every Independent Author Should Know About

Amazon KDP dominates the self-publishing world, but putting all your eggs in one basket is a risky business strategy — especially when that basket can change its terms overnight. Whether you've been hit by unexpected account restrictions, frustrated by royalty structures, or simply want to diversify your income streams, exploring alternative publishing platforms isn't just smart — it's essential for building a sustainable author career.

The good news? The self-publishing landscape in 2025 and beyond offers more viable alternatives than ever before. From wide-distribution aggregators to niche platforms catering to specific genres, independent authors now have real choices that can boost both their reach and their revenue.

## 1. IngramSpark: The Professional's Choice

IngramSpark is arguably the most powerful alternative to KDP for print books. It connects you to over 40,000 retailers and libraries worldwide, including Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, and academic institutions. Unlike KDP Print, IngramSpark gives you full control over your wholesale discount and return policy — two factors that make bookstores far more willing to stock your title. The trade-off is a steeper learning curve and setup fees, but for authors serious about getting physical books into brick-and-mortar stores, IngramSpark is nearly indispensable.

## 2. Draft2Digital: Simplicity Meets Wide Distribution

If you want your ebook available everywhere without managing a dozen dashboards, Draft2Digital is your best friend. This aggregator distributes to Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, libraries through OverDrive, and many more outlets — all from a single, beautifully simple interface. They take a small percentage on top of each retailer's cut, but the time you save is well worth it. Their free formatting tools and universal book links are genuine game-changers for indie authors who want to go wide without the headache.

## 3. Kobo Writing Life: A Global Reach You Might Be Missing

Kobo is often overlooked by American authors, but it's a major player internationally — particularly in Canada, Australia, the UK, and parts of Europe. Kobo Writing Life lets you publish directly with competitive royalty rates (up to 70%) and participate in their promotional programs. Authors who write literary fiction, romance, and mystery often find a passionate, under-served readership on Kobo that they'd never reach through Amazon alone.

## 4. Smashwords (Now Part of Draft2Digital)

Smashwords merged with Draft2Digital in 2022, creating a publishing powerhouse. The Smashwords storefront still exists and caters to a loyal community of readers who specifically seek out indie titles. It's particularly popular for romance, erotica, and genre fiction. If your content pushes boundaries that Amazon's content guidelines might flag, Smashwords offers more flexibility — though it still has its own standards.

## 5. Google Play Books: The Sleeping Giant

Google Play Books remains one of the most underutilized platforms for indie authors. With access to billions of Android users worldwide, the potential audience is enormous. Royalty rates go up to 70%, and Google's recommendation algorithms work differently from Amazon's, meaning your book might surface for readers who would never find it on the Kindle store. The partner center can feel less polished than KDP, but authors who invest the effort often report surprisingly strong returns.

## 6. Lulu and BookBaby: Full-Service Options

For authors who want more hand-holding, Lulu and BookBaby offer end-to-end publishing services including cover design, editing, formatting, and distribution. Lulu is great for specialty formats like hardcovers, photo books, and calendars. BookBaby appeals to first-time authors who prefer a one-time fee model rather than ongoing royalty splits. Both distribute widely, though neither matches the raw market share of Amazon.

## 7. Direct Sales: Your Own Store

Here's a trend that's accelerating fast — selling books directly to readers through your own website. Platforms like Shopify, Payhip, and Gumroad let you keep up to 95% of each sale. Combine that with an email list and a loyal readership, and you've built something no algorithm change can take away from you. Direct sales work especially well for non-fiction, series bundles, and special editions. Authors like Brandon Sanderson and Joanna Penn have proven this model can generate significant revenue.

## Building Your Publishing Strategy

The smartest approach isn't choosing one platform over another — it's building a multi-platform strategy tailored to your genre, audience, and goals. Here's a practical framework to get started. First, keep your ebook wide by distributing through Draft2Digital or going direct to each major retailer. Second, use IngramSpark for print distribution to bookstores and libraries. Third, experiment with direct sales for your most engaged fans. Fourth, track your numbers for three to six months before deciding where to double down.

One challenge many indie authors face when going wide is the sheer volume of content preparation required — different formatting standards, metadata optimization, and the need for polished manuscripts across every platform. This is where modern AI-powered tools are proving invaluable. Platforms like yapisatel help authors streamline the creative and editorial process, from generating initial ideas and structuring chapters to refining prose before it goes out to multiple retailers. The less time you spend wrestling with production, the more time you have for strategic publishing decisions.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid When Going Wide

First, don't just upload and forget. Each platform has its own promotional ecosystem — learn it and use it. Second, don't price identically everywhere without understanding each market. Kobo readers in Canada and Google Play users in India may respond to different price points. Third, don't ignore metadata. Your book's categories, keywords, and description matter just as much on smaller platforms where discoverability tools are less sophisticated. Finally, be patient. Building traction on a new platform takes time. Authors who commit to a wide strategy for at least a year almost always see better results than those who give up after a few weeks.

## The Bottom Line

Amazon KDP is a remarkable platform, and most indie authors will continue to earn a significant portion of their income there. But treating it as your only publishing channel is like a farmer planting a single crop — everything looks fine until conditions change. By diversifying across multiple platforms, you protect your career, reach new readers, and often discover that your "Amazon-only" book was actually leaving money on the table all along.

Start small. Pick one or two alternatives from this list that match your genre and goals. Upload your next book there alongside your KDP release. Track the results. You might be surprised at what you find — and you'll sleep better knowing your entire author business doesn't depend on a single company's algorithm. With the right tools to streamline your workflow and a thoughtful multi-platform strategy, there's never been a better time to be an independent author charting your own course.