By BookBaby author Philip Kinsher

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Self-publishing is not a consolation prize for authors who can’t get a book deal. It’s become the go-to option for authors who want speed, flexibility, and higher royalties. One question we get asked in references to our author services is whether it is possible — and advantageous — to self-publish a book on Multiple Sites.

The answer is, yes! You can absolutely offer your book for sale across dozens of online retailers and physical bookstores simultaneously, and there are numerous advantages to doing so. While there’s no guarantee that publishing on Multiple sites will directly increase your revenue, there are many advantages to having your book available in multiple places.

Self-publishing services like BookBaby offer all-in-one solutions that distribute authors’ books across multiple sites with ease. This broadens your reach without increasing your workload.

Pros and cons of self-publishing on multiple sites

Publishing your book on multiple sites has several benefits. Most obviously, it increases brand and product visibility by reaching a wider audience. Each book-selling platform has its own unique user base, and by tapping into multiple sites, you can potentially attract more readers and increase your chances of success.

Additionally, distributing your book across various platforms opens up sales opportunities. Potential readers have different preferences when it comes to purchasing books, and by making your book available on multiple sites, you cater to a broader range of buyers.

However, there’s no guarantee that publishing on multiple sites will automatically lead to more money, and different platforms have different royalty rates and associated costs. Therefore, more sales on one platform versus another doesn’t always translate into higher revenue — assuming those same sales would have occurred on the higher-paying platform.

Success depends on various factors, such as marketing efforts, book quality, and the platform’s reach, user base, and niche. It’s essential to approach the decision with a clear understanding of the potential benefits and drawbacks.

KDP Select

Many self-published authors love to make their eBook titles available through Amazon KDP Select. This allows them to earn a higher royalty rate, have their books available to Kindle Unlimited readers (which significantly boosts a book’s reach), and offer deals through tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotion.

So KDP can be amazing for an indie author. The only problem is, Amazon KDP is an exclusive deal: You cannot sell your book anywhere outside of Amazon for the contracted time that your title is available through KDP Select.

Of course, when you publish your eBook through BookBaby, you can have the best of both worlds. You have the option to choose KDP Select for the first 90 days your book is available (or longer if you want) and then opt out of the program. Once your KDP Select term is up, your eBook will then be available to the entire distribution network we offer.

Ultimately, the decision to enter into an exclusive contract or publish on multiple sites depends on your goals as an author. If you value the added exposure and marketing support provided by an exclusive arrangement, it may be worth considering. However, if you prefer the flexibility and broader reach of publishing on multiple platforms, there are options available that allow you to distribute your book widely without any hidden terms or fees.

How to choose the right platform for your book

If you are opting to handle your own distribution, selecting the right platform(s) for your book is crucial for success. Amazon self-publishing is an obvious choice, but with numerous other options available, it can be overwhelming for authors to navigate the publishing landscape and keep up with them all on their own.

Considerations for the ideal platform include factors like your target readership, preferred book format (eBook, print, hardcover, softcover, etc.), print quality, and royalty rate. Some platforms may have smaller user bases but provide a strong presence in specific genres or cater to niche audiences. 

This is one reason working with a self-publishing partner like BookBaby is so valuable. BookBaby offers a turnkey process to take your manuscript through editing, eBook formatting, cover design, printing, and eBook distribution. That’s right, BookBaby distributes your book to all the biggest stores all over the world and you only have to deal with one service provider. You can choose to participate in KDP Select if you want and then opt out when you think is best.

Don’t keep your book a secret

While there may be advantages to exclusivity, at least to launch a promotional campaign, your best bet as an independent author is to have your book available in multiple formats and on as many retail platforms as possible.

While you may benefit from actively driving sales on a platform like BookBaby’s Bookshop — where you earn 50 percent on printed book sales, 75 percent on audiobook sales, and 85 percent of eBook sales — you’ll benefit from having your title in all the obvious places, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all the rest.

The self-publishing process offers you the freedom to explore different avenues and find the best approach for your title and circumstances. With BookBaby, you can sell your books on multiple sites, reach a broader audience, and increase your chances of success.

Related Posts
How Self-Published Authors Can Sell Books (and make money doing it)
What to Know About KDP Select Before Distributing Your eBook
The Rise and History of Audiobooks
How to Get a Book Published for the First Time
Do You Need an ISBN for an eBook?

This BookBaby blog article Can You Self-Publish a Book on Multiple Sites? appeared first on and was stolen from BookBaby Blog .