Publishing Options: Which One is Best for You?

56 minutes ago

7 min read

You’ve got an idea to write and publish a book, but you’re not sure where to start or what the steps are. At some point in the early stages of your writing, you’ll have to make some of the biggest decisions for your book. You’ll need to decide which format(s) to sell, and which platform(s) to publish them on.

If you’ve never published before and you don’t know what your options are, how do you know which ones are best for your book?

In this blog, I’m breaking down the top format options and platforms you can choose from and comparing them for you. By the end, you’ll know more about your options and have the confidence to move forward with the choices for your book.

As you read, keep a few questions in mind. What format do you want your book in, and where do you want it sold? Do you want a full-service company’s help, or will you publish on your own? Each section of this blog walks you through one of those decisions.

Book Format Options

The formats you want to offer will help you narrow down which platforms to compare. Not every platform carries every format, so the quick view later in this blog is a good place to check.

Book format options that are available to you when publishing include print versions (paperback or hardcover), eBook (digital books), and audiobook. Offering more than one format gives readers more ways to access your book, but you don’t have to offer everything at once. Each one has its own formatting requirements, so compare the time and cost involved before deciding what makes sense for your book and your readers.

Let’s face it…not every reader has an electronic device that reads digital books or wants a physical printed book that they have to carry around. Offering options to your readers lets them know that you are thinking about them and their needs. Here’s a quick look at which readers each format serves best:

Book Formats
FORMAT OPTION	BEST FOR READERS WHO…
Print (Paperback and hardcover)	Like a physical book that they can hold and turn the pages to.
eBook	Like to read with immediate access, rather than having to wait for their book to get delivered through the mail.
Audiobook	Prefer listening, need an audio option, or enjoy books while commuting or doing other activities.

If you write fiction and want your print books to have a little extra pizzazz, some printers offer special features like sprayed edges, foil stamping, and dust jackets. Series writers can even create boxed sets. These extras usually cost more and take longer to print, so check the details before you order.

Where Can You Publish Your Book?

Whether you work with a full-service company or publish on your own, you’ll still need to decide where your book will be sold. That’s where publishing platforms come in.

Amazon KDP is one of the best-known options for publishing Kindle eBooks and print-on-demand paperbacks and hardcovers. Its optional KDP Select program has exclusivity requirements for the eBook edition.

Aside from Amazon KDP, you have other options. When you limit yourself to only one platform, you might be holding yourself back from potential sales opportunities.

When I first consulted Beth, I didn’t know what my options for book formats, printing, and distribution were. Not realizing that there were so many, I just decided to publish only through Amazon KDP because that was one of the first ones I had heard about.

Tip to get you started: Before you settle on the first platform you hear about (like I did), take the time to compare a few side-by-side. Look at what each one offers and how well it fits your book.

Which Formats Does Each Platform Offer?

Here’s a quick view of what each platform offers, as of October 2026.

Platform Quick View
PLATFORM	PRINT (Paperback and hardcover)	EBOOK	AUDIOBOOK
Amazon KDP	● Paperback and hardcover	● Kindle eBook	◐ AI narration (Virtual Voice, U.S. beta by invite). Human narration goes through ACX (your eBook must be on Amazon first).
Barnes & Noble	● Paperback and hardcover	● NOOK eBook	○ Not offered
BookBaby	● Paperback and hardcover (upfront fees)	● eBook distribution (upfront fees)	● AI-narrated audiobooks (paid)
IngramSpark	● Paperback and hardcover	● eBook	○ Not offered
Apple Books	○ Not offered	● eBook (Apple Books for Authors)	◐ Free AI narration for eligible eBooks; Apple owns the AI-narrated audiobook
Draft2Digital	● Paperback	● eBook to many stores and libraries	◐ AI narration through Apple Books
Kobo	○ Not offered	● eBook (Kobo Writing Life)	● Upload your own audiobook
PublishDrive	● Paperback only (hardcover in development)	● eBook to many stores	● Audiobook distribution
ACX	○ Not offered	○ Not offered	● Audible, Amazon, and Apple; helps you find a narrator
INaudio	○ Not offered	○ Not offered	● Sends your audiobook to many stores (formerly Findaway Voices)
Spotify for Authors	○ Not offered	○ Not offered	● Spotify only

● Offered ◐ Limited or AI narration only ○ Not offered

How Will Your Book Reach Readers?

There are different routes that you may take to fulfill orders and distribute your book.

Publish directly through the retailer: Choose retailers that allow you to make your book available through their platform.
Use a service that distributes to multiple retailers and markets: IngramSpark makes your book available through a distribution network that bookstores and libraries can use to order it. Note that being available to order doesn’t mean that a bookstore will automatically put your book on its shelves.
Sell directly to readers: If you have your own website or enjoy selling in person, you can order physical copies, keep an inventory, and ship or deliver orders through another service.

Tip for success:

Make sure to research your potential distributors to see if there are any restrictions on distributing through other platforms. For example, KDP Select requires your eBook to be sold only through Amazon, and turning on KDP’s Expanded Distribution for your paperback blocks you from using that same ISBN on IngramSpark.

What Else Should You Compare?

Decision Factor	What you need to think about and ask
Distribution	Where can this service make my book available?
Cost structure	What do I pay upfront, per month, or from each sale?
Control	Who controls the account, pricing, files, and publishing decisions?
Exclusivity	Can I distribute this format elsewhere?
Workload	Am I managing several retailer accounts or one distributor?
Production	Does it offer the binding, paper, color, or audio option my book needs?
Turnaround	How long will it take to print and ship my book?

If you’re not sure which platform you want to print with, ordering proof or sample copies can help you decide. When you can see a printed copy of your book from each service, you can compare the cover colors, paper, binding, and trim. Which one passes your quality check? Use that comparison alongside pricing and distribution to help you choose.

Do You Want Help With Self-Publishing?

If you’re a new independent author who’s never published a book, you’ll find it helpful to get in touch with a Full-Service Publishing Company. This type of publishing company can help you understand the entire process from start to finish. They help authors navigate through each stage of publishing by providing professional support with writing, editing, design, publishing, distribution, and even marketing. If you choose to use a company like this, you’ll work with a team of professionals, each with their own expertise.

What Can You Expect From a Full-Service Company?

Free Consultations: Most will allow you to schedule a free consult to discuss where you are in the process.
Questions They’ll Ask: They’ll likely ask you about your book and your publishing goals. Knowing what each question means ahead of time lets you spend the call asking your own questions.
Limited-Time Deals: Many will offer deals during your call, such as a manuscript review or discounts on their other services, that are only good for a limited time. Take the time you need, and don’t let a deadline rush your decision.
Specialties: Some focus on a specific audience or reader type, or nonfiction vs. fiction. Knowing this before you schedule saves you and the company time.

What Should You Ask Before Hiring?

Direct Contact: Be wary of companies that advertise their services but never give you the chance to connect directly.
Reviews: As with any company, check their BBB reviews and see what others are saying. Another great site to check publisher credentials and reviews is the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).
AI Use: Ask how they use AI during their processes, as it might lead to copyright issues.

Prepare for Your Consultation

Book Consultation Prep Guide: Use my Book Consultation Prep Guide to work through those questions and write down your answers before the meeting.

Check the Formatting Requirements

Each platform has its own set of formatting requirements. If you’re using print-on-demand, keep in mind that each company has its own printing process.

So if you want a trade size book (6” x 9”) through Amazon KDP, you’ll need to look up KDP’s trim size, margins, bleed, and other requirements. Even your cover (front, back, and spine) for a 6” x 9” book on Amazon may be different than for printing or distributing with another platform such as Draft2Digital or IngramSpark.

What’s worse than uploading your files only to be informed they don’t meet the printer’s requirements? To save you time researching each one, I’ve compared 11 self-publishing platforms and pulled their file requirements together in my Self-Publishing Formatting Requirements Guide.

Choosing What Works for Your Book

Think about the formats your readers want, where you want your book sold, and how much help you need along the way. You don’t have to publish in every format or on every platform at once. The best options are the ones that fit your book, your budget, and your readers. And now, you have a better place to start.