The Real Difference Between Publishing Platforms — Which One’s Right for You?

Choosing the right publishing platform can make or break your success as an author. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular ebook publishing platforms — Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital — and how to choose the best one for your fictional books, non-fictional books, or children’s eBook.

Publishing a book is easier than ever, but with countless platforms available, it’s also more confusing than ever. Whether you’re an emerging author, a ghostwriting & book editing client ready to publish, or a creator of children’s stories, choosing the right book publishing platform determines how far your book will go — and how much control you keep.

Let’s explore how leading ebook publishing platforms differ, what royalties they offer, and how you can pick the one that matches your publishing goals.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)>: The Self-Publisher’s Powerhouse

When it comes to ebook publishing, no name is bigger than Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). It dominates the market — Amazon accounts for 67% of all U.S. eBook sales, and when Kindle Unlimited is factored in, that number jumps to nearly 83% (WordsRated).

Why authors love KDP:
It’s completely free to publish, offers royalty rates up to 70% on eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99, and gives you access to millions of Amazon readers worldwide. KDP is ideal for fictional books, non-fictional books, or even children’s eBooks without paying upfront fees.

However, discoverability is the real challenge. Millions of books are uploaded yearly, so standing out requires pre-launch marketing, reader engagement, and professional book design.

Pro Insight: Authors enrolled in KDP Select can use Kindle Countdown Deals and Kindle Unlimited, but they must grant Amazon exclusive digital rights.

IngramSpark: Print Power and Global Reach

If you dream of seeing your book on bookstore shelves or in libraries, IngramSpark might be your match. Known for its extensive distribution, it connects your book to over 40,000 retailers, libraries, and universities worldwide (IngramSpark).

Unlike KDP, which focuses on digital dominance, IngramSpark excels at print-on-demand (POD) publishing and global retail access. It’s especially popular among non-fiction authors, educational publishers, and children’s eBook creators who want both print and digital visibility.

IngramSpark does charge a setup fee (typically around $49 per title — promotions may waive it, see SelfPublishing.com) and formatting can be a bit more technical. But the payoff is professional distribution — your book can appear in catalogs that bookstores and libraries actually order from. .

Pro Tip: Pair IngramSpark for print distribution with KDP for digital publishing — hybrid approach gives Amazon visibility and bookstore credibility.

Draft2Digital: The “Go-Wide” Digital Distributor

For authors who don’t want to rely solely on Amazon, Draft2Digital distributes your eBook to Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, Barnes & Noble, and more — all from one dashboard (Author Jessica Taylor).

<>Why authors choose Draft2Digital:

It’s free to use, has simple formatting tools, and takes only a small percentage (around 10%) from your royalties. You keep creative control while expanding to new markets.

It’s ideal for fictional book writers and children’s stories creators who want to reach readers globally without worrying about exclusivity agreements.

The trade-off? You’ll likely earn a slightly smaller royalty cut than if you published directly with each platform — but the convenience and time savings make it worth it for many authors.

Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, and Other Niche Platforms

While Amazon and IngramSpark dominate, platforms like Apple Books and Kobo Writing Life have loyal audiences and high royalty rates (up to 70% for both). Kobo is a particular strong in Canada and Europe, while Apple Books connects you to millions of iOS users Blog.Lulu.com

Publishing across multiple platforms — the Go-Wide Strategy — helps reduce dependence on any single retailer and increases visibility for different reader demographics. Especially useful for children’s eBooks, niche non-fictional books, and fictional book series

Choosing What’s Best for You

So, which platform should you choose? It depends on your goals:

• Amazon KDP is perfect for quick, digital-first publishing with high royalties and vast reach.
• IngramSpark suits authors who want professional print copies and bookstore distribution.
• Draft2Digital is for authors who value wide exposure and ease of use without exclusivity.
• Apple Books and Kobo help you tap into global markets and iOS-based audiences.

No single platform wins universally. Many successful authors combine them — KDP for eBooks, IngramSpark for print, Draft2Digital for expanded reach.

Final Thought

Your publishing platform isn’t just technical — it’s part of your author brand. Whether you’re publishing fictional books, non-fictional books, or children’s stories, blend visibility, control, and quality.

In the ever-evolving world of ebook publishing, the best path is one that honors your creativity and connects your work with readers everywhere. With the right mix of professionalism and persistence — and perhaps a little help from expert ghostwriting & book editing — your book will not just be published… it will be discovered.

Success in ebook publishing isn’t about money — it’s about smart investment. Free tools like Amazon KDP can take you far, but choosing the right platform is key. Explore The Real Difference Between Publishing Platforms to find which one fits your book best.