Top 10 eBook self-publishing platforms

Latest news about eBook self-publishing platforms

03.03.24. Self-publishing platform Lulu integrates with website builder Wix


In the vast and often baffling galaxy of book selling, directly connecting with your audience is not just a good idea; it’s the secret sauce of revenue growth and loyal readership. With traditional retailers behaving more erratically than a Vogon poetry recital, Lulu Direct has rather cunningly engineered a way to bypass the whole bewildering mess. It links your very own ecommerce realm directly to Lulu’s intergalactic print-on-demand network. Now, thanks to the brilliant new integration with Wix, you can effortlessly plug your Wix site into Lulu Direct, allowing for direct book sales that you can track and manage with more ease than Marvin experiencing a rare good mood. True, Wix may not boast Shopify’s vast plugin constellation or WordPress’s endless tweakability, but its simplicity makes it ideal for navigating the dark and treacherous waters of website creation without needing a Babel fish.


2023. Wattpad Premium subscribers now have access to 5 free monthly Wattpad Originals



Imagine, if you will, a grand and slightly eccentric narrative experiment devised by Wattpad, now called "Premium Picks." Under the great umbrella of its freemium model, Wattpad offers Premium and Premium+ subscribers a rather splendid deal: five of their Wattpad Originals, gratis, each and every month. Gone are the days of individual content payments—this is a curated buffet, handpicked by Wattpad’s team of literary connoisseurs, blending celebrated blockbusters with unsung gems from both literary legends and bright-eyed up-and-comers. The catch? Well, not so much a catch as a clever ticking clock: these tales are freely available until the first of the next month. After that, should you wish to resume your journey through an unfinished story, your wallet may politely nudge you. To keep things lively, Wattpad has thoughtfully added a countdown timer to the Premium Picks screen and a system of cheery app nudges, lest you miss the arrival of the next story feast.


2023. Kindle Direct Publishing Launches ebooks to audiobooks using AI Voices



In a move that can only be described as a cocktail of ambition, technology, and a dash of synthetic wizardry, Kindle Direct Publishing has launched a beta program in the United States, likely in the hopes of helping authors save money—or at the very least, keep their hard-won royalties from evaporating in the sonic void of audiobook production costs. This experiment, a blend of virtual voice narration and synthetic speech that could make even a toaster sound intelligent, enables authors to transform their cherished ebooks into fully narrated audiobooks. The beta program will, of course, expand as Amazon irons out the inevitable quirks of talking computers and extends its reach beyond U.S. borders. Authors jumping on board will choose an eligible ebook, indulge in the alchemical task of sampling synthetic voices (preferably before they develop opinions), and preview their creation before hitting publish. With prices ranging from a modest $3.99 to a princely $14.99, they’ll pocket a 40% royalty—hopefully enough to keep the lights on in the intergalactic author’s lounge.


2023. AnyBook wants to become the Netflix of the publishing world



rephrase in Douglas Adams style (one paragraph) and keep tags: The new startup AnyBook aspires to become the "Netflix" of the publishing industry. This startup is developing a tailored, AI-driven community library to enhance the reader's experience. Using their algorithm, the platform will analyze readers' habits and offer a selection of books tailored to their interests. This service will include a book kiosk feature for organizations, aligning book choices with readers' preferences. AnyBook will continuously assess book popularity and analyze reader feedback. Moreover, it will serve as a hub for sharing reviews, recommendations and content. AnyBook will empower companies, urban spaces and schools to provide relevant books to their employees and community members.


2023. Amazon limits self-published ebooks to only 3 a day because of AI



In a move that would likely be approved by the Intergalactic Bureau of Moderation (if such an entity existed, which fortunately it doesn’t), Amazon has decided to grapple with the tidal wave of AI-generated books by implementing a rather humbling new rule: self-published authors may now only upload a maximum of three ebooks per day. This restraint isn’t without reason. You see, Amazon recently found itself in a spot of cosmic disarray when its bestseller lists became rather uncomfortably thick with ebooks crafted by, of all things, AI language models like ChatGPT. The machines, in their infinite yet deeply flawed wisdom, produced works that led readers on baffling journeys through pages of nonsense—much to the outrage of many. Earlier this year, things got stranger still: AI books outnumbered those written by their organic counterparts, with some titles offering the unwitting reader guidance on such innocent topics as mushroom foraging. Unfortunately, these guides, lacking the knowledge only a genuine fungi fan could possess, made errors of the type one should only make if hoping to achieve permanent oblivion. When asked by numerous media outlets to comment on this peculiar infestation, Amazon promptly deleted the offending titles, preferring not to explore the risk of unintentionally cultivating an interplanetary mushroom crisis.


2023. Amazon released AI guidelines for Kindle Direct Publishing



In an effort to tackle what can only be described as an intergalactic flood of AI-generated books elbowing their way onto Amazon’s virtual shelves and sneakily cozying up to the Kindle Bestseller's list, Amazon KDP has unveiled a set of guidelines with the kind of fanfare usually reserved for the unveiling of a new starship model. These rules, in their infinite wisdom, now require authors to fess up if their literary offspring happen to feature AI-generated anything—be it imagery, prose, or the odd translation mishap. The great galactic catch is that this applies not only to new books but also to any tweaked and re-released editions, even if the tweaking involved a bit of AI wizardry. However, if an author merely uses AI as a well-mannered assistant to polish their prose rather than conjure it from thin air, they’re off the hook—mostly. Everyone, AI-inclined or not, must still adhere to Amazon’s all-important content guidelines. The mission? To restore a semblance of order and elevate the literary galaxy’s standards, ensuring readers aren’t accidentally downloading the next "AI tries to write Shakespeare and somehow invents Vogon poetry" disaster.


2023. Wattpad has launched Publishing Scheduler



If you happen to be an author on the Wattpad self-publishing platform—and let’s face it, statistically speaking, there’s a fairly decent chance you are—you may have pondered the idea of pre-scheduling your Story Parts, imagining a world where your readers blissfully glide from one chapter to the next without that nagging interval of suspense and impatience. Well, rejoice! The fine folks at Wattpad have engineered exactly that with their rather magnificently titled "Wattpad Publishing Scheduler." This sparkling new feature exists solely to alleviate the burden of manual uploads while ensuring your readers remain thoroughly hooked, even if you’re off on a much-deserved holiday or hopelessly lost in a spiraling subplot. Currently available only on the web version (the mobile app is eagerly catching up, apparently), this scheduler lives in your "My Stories" section, dutifully allowing you to set release dates with a flick of a finger. It's a cunning tool for authors to keep readers happily engaged while retaining just a bit more of that precious resource called ‘free time.'


2023. Kindle Direct Publishing has updated category selection



In a move that some might find ever-so-slightly reminiscent of a Vogon bureaucrat’s notion of efficiency, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has cheerfully re-engineered the book categorization process—because why shouldn’t things be a bit more confusing? Previously, authors enjoyed the bewildering luxury of selecting multiple categories for their literary masterpieces. Now, in the spirit of simplifying complexity, Amazon has kindly limited this choice to three. Yes, just three. Which, in a galaxy of countless books, raises the delightful specter of your magnum opus vanishing into the nebulous mists of "other titles." But wait, there’s more! Amazon has also reserved the thrilling right to reshuffle your book’s categories whenever it deems necessary, all in the name of a "positive customer experience." So, to avoid Amazon making these mystifying decisions for you, it would be wise to dash over to your KDP dashboard and personally select these elusive three categories. Failing that, Amazon will helpfully assign two categories it finds relevant, with a certain unspoken shrug of inevitability. Yes, authors, now is the time to grasp the reins of categorization destiny, lest your literary gem drift into the void, classified by algorithms with all the empathy of an automated tea dispenser.


2023. Wattpad improves its Creator Program for writers



In a universe where aspiring storytellers endlessly tap away at keyboards while dreaming of literary grandeur, Wattpad—that behemoth of online storytelling realms—has decided it’s time to recalibrate its creator-centric apparatus, making it a tad more welcoming for those who type in the shadows. Now, the Wattpad Creators program (in its second, somewhat heroic year), first hatched twelve months prior, exists to lavish writers with an array of small, often useful benefits, opportunities, and forms of practical aid—all tailored to coax outstanding tales from even the most hesitant of scribes. It’s all in the name of nurturing their uniquely baffling "Engaged Reader" metric and bestowing them with the sort of accolades they rightly imagine themselves deserving of. Formerly an exclusive club, accessible only by invitation, this revamped iteration promises a bit more democratic sparkle. Realizing that not every author can simply dash off to posh workshops or exotic retreats, Wattpad aims to replicate a similar experience in its virtual realm, delivering community, camaraderie, and a sprinkling of wisdom to boot.


2023. PublishDrive adds Sales Events to help authors market their books



PublishDrive, in a move that would make even the most perplexing galactic bureaucracy look like a beginner's guide, has rolled out a series of sparkling enhancements to its self-publishing platform for authors. The menu now glides with upgraded elegance, while an integrated tutorial patiently whispers directions for navigating its labyrinth of features. Sales analytics and reports, once resembling something best left to advanced mathematicians or clairvoyants, now present themselves with a clarity that even a Vogon could admire. The Help Center, too, has been infused with the sort of intelligence that allows it to anticipate what you actually need, rather than presenting you with a long, irrelevant list of things you don’t. But the pièce de résistance is the Sales Events feature, a tool so cunning it practically writes your marketing plan for you. With a flick of the proverbial wrist, authors can book promotions across a dizzying array of vendors, setting discounts and price tweaks that promise to make their books irresistible to readers and entirely noticeable by their wallets.


2023. Kindle Direct Publishing to increase printing costs for authors



Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is implementing modifications to printing expenses in order to reflect the current expenses associated with materials and labor. Consequently, there will be a change in the minimum list price for your paperback and hardcover print books. Although it is not mandatory, it is advisable to adjust your list prices for print books in order to preserve your current royalties once the revised printing costs take effect. Any modifications made to an existing print book after June 20 must adhere to the new minimum list price.


2023. 6 steps to start selling your first fiction book on Self-publishing platform



Imagine, that you’ve written a brilliant novel—perhaps an epic space adventure featuring a wobbly-legged robot with a penchant for sarcasm, or maybe a post-apocalyptic romp through a world where household appliances have taken over. Either way, you’re convinced it’s positively marvelous and that the universe should know. But how do you actually make money from this scribbled masterwork? Fortunately for you, it’s not like it was 20 years ago when the only route was convincing a publisher—often a person named Nigel with a perpetually unimpressed expression—to plough through your manuscript, after which you waited for approximately seven galactic cycles, just to get rejected in a letter that began with "Dear Author, Thank you, but..." These days, thankfully, there are self-publishing platforms where you can seize destiny by the scruff and throw your book directly at readers' faces. Here’s how you can go from obscure scribbler to obscure-but-published scribbler in six easy steps. ***


2023. Pressbooks partners with EBSCO to improve discoverability for books in Pressbooks Directory



Pressbooks has integrated with EBSCO to improve discoverability of open-access books published with Pressbooks. The integration allows open-access books to be found via EBSCO's Faculty Select and EDS services. Pressbooks will provide EBSCO with regular metadata updates for books in Pressbooks Directory. The partnership reflects Pressbooks' commitment to making open-access books more accessible to both authors and institutional publishers. The collaboration seeks to facilitate the discovery and use of open-access books by making them easier to find. The inclusion of Pressbooks metadata in EBSCO's discovery products is anticipated to increase adoption of openly licensed content by educators and students, allowing more individuals to access free learning material.


2022. Lulu unveiles Cover Designer



In a galaxy not so far away, the folks at Lulu, the self-publishing platform with a penchant for simplifying the literary cosmos, have unleashed a shiny new gadget for crafting book covers. While seasoned designers and those who treat design software like a second language might still cozy up to a trusty book cover template, Lulu's cover wizard—erm, designer—is here to beam up anyone crafting books as heartfelt gifts, bespoke limited editions, or test runs for beta readers. This clever contraption takes the hassle out of calculating spine widths and positions (because, honestly, who wants to do that?) and works seamlessly with all Lulu trim sizes, though its paperback game is particularly strong. Users can play with templates, upload images, tinker with text boxes, shape-shift elements to their liking, and even generate an ISBN barcode with a few clicks. It’s practically a universal translator for book covers, ensuring anyone can boldly go where no amateur designer has gone before!


2022. Self-Publishing service Draft2Digital to acquire competitor Smashwords



Draft2Digital, a pioneer in the field of ebook self-publishing, is set to acquire its competitor, Smashwords. This acquisition will enable authors who use Draft2Digital to gain access to the Smashwords Store, as well as its exclusive book marketing tools, such as Smashwords Coupons, self-serve merchandising, Author Interviews and the patent-pending Smashwords Presales tool for book launches. Meanwhile, authors who use Smashwords will benefit from new tools that simplify both print and digital publishing, leading to greater success. These tools include D2D Print, Draft2Digital's Print on Demand service for paperbacks, improved metadata management tools for better book discoverability at retailers, automated end-matter for series books, payment splitting for co-authors and collaborations and more payment options, including direct bank deposits. Retailers and libraries served by both companies can expect a wider selection of titles and improved merchandising recommendations. Customers of the Smashwords Store can also look forward to an improved store experience and an increased selection of books from the many great authors and publishers distributed by Draft2Digital.


2021. Inkitt wants to turn its data-driven, self-publishing platform into a multi-media powerhouse



Inkitt, the free, popular platform where anyone can write and publish stories — which Inkitt then analyzes using data science to determine which stories to develop further for its separate paid app, Galatea — has secured $59 million in funding. The investment will be used by Berlin-based Inkitt to further develop its algorithms and technology. This is crucial because the curation of stories — including deciding which ones transition from the free app to the paid app as longer works and functioning as an “editor” through A/B testing of different story directions — is driven by these algorithms, not by human input.


2021. Pressbooks adds Directory collections



Pressbooks Directory has undergone updates to enhance its usability and design, including the introduction of human-curated collections, which are groups of open educational resources (OER) organized around a specific theme or subject. These collections aim to showcase the best of OER, offering suggestions for individuals who are new to OER. Collections also serve as examples of high-quality OER, which can inspire the creation of new open textbook projects or be used as examples when advocating for investment in OER and open education. The resources in collections range from straightforward textbooks to interactive learning tools with multimedia and built-in student feedback and assessment, providing a range of examples to follow.


2021. Amazon is launching Kindle Vella, mobile first serialized fiction self-publish platform



Amazon is introducing a new feature on the iOS Kindle app called Kindle Vella in the coming months. It offers a fresh way for authors to present serialized narratives to readers, one chapter at a time. Authors can self-publish Kindle Vella stories in a serial format, with each episode ranging from 600 to 5,000 words, using the same Kindle Direct Publishing platform they have always utilized. Kindle Vella stories will be available for purchase directly through the iOS app using tokens. The initial episodes of each story will be free, allowing readers to sample a new story and decide if they are interested. To access further episodes, readers will need to buy and redeem tokens.


2021. Amazon stops accepting MOBI books from authors



For years, Amazon has had specific formats accepted for upload on Kindle Direct Publishing—namely MOBI files, PDFs and Word documents. PDFs can be problematic, as the conversion to a reflowable ebook format can become distorted. Now, for similar reasons, Amazon will no longer accept MOBI files starting June 28th. Instead, authors can still upload their Word documents in both .doc and .docx formats, or an EPUB version of their file. For some authors, this is not an issue. Many authors don't bother with file conversion and simply upload their manuscripts as Word documents. However, some authors who have relied on this process will need to adjust to this new requirement.


2020. iBooks Author is being discontinued



Apple has revealed that iBooks Author will be phased out in July. The app will also be removed from various platforms, including the Mac App Store. Books previously published with iBooks Author will continue to be available. Moving forward, Apple is promoting two methods for distributing digital content. The first is direct EPUB or audiobook uploads through iTunes Connect. Apple has established a comprehensive publishing portal that covers all the details on publishing with them. The second method is Pages, their free word processing application.