By Marcel Tobien • Published 1 October 2026 • 6 min read
There is no single best place to self-publish a book. The right choice depends on what you want your publishing route to do. Some authors prioritise access to a large online retailer. Others want their ebook and print edition available through several stores, stronger wholesale access, direct sales, or professional help with editing and production.
That distinction matters because self-publishing platforms are not all the same. A retailer-led service, a distribution company and a paid author-services provider may all appear in the same comparison, but they solve different problems. Before choosing a company, decide whether you are mainly looking for reach, distribution, control, production support or a more guided process.
For novelists using AI-assisted writing or editing tools, there is another decision to make before publication: which parts of the manuscript still need human review. AI can support drafting and revision, but the final book still needs deliberate decisions about voice, structure, continuity and reader experience. Our guide to the best AI novel-writing tools can help you assess that part of the workflow separately from your publishing route.
Amazon-first publishing with Kindle Direct Publishing
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is a practical option for authors who want to publish directly through Amazon. According to KDP's official information, the service is free to use. It offers ebook royalty options of up to 70 percent, while eligible paperback sales through Amazon marketplaces can reach a royalty rate of up to 60 percent before printing costs are deducted.
Those figures do not mean that every book receives the maximum rate. The applicable royalty depends on the format, price and distribution conditions. For paperbacks, KDP calculates royalties by applying the relevant rate to the list price and subtracting printing costs. Expanded Distribution uses a different royalty calculation, so authors should assess the expected economics for each route rather than rely on a headline percentage.
KDP can also be useful when Amazon is the main retailer your readers already use. Its Expanded Distribution option can make eligible paperbacks available to distributors so that retailers and libraries can find and order them. The official KDP page specifies availability for this feature in the United States and the United Kingdom. That does not make every bookstore a guaranteed sales channel, but it gives eligible paperback titles a route beyond direct Amazon marketplace sales.
The main limitation of a retailer-led route is that its information is focused on that retailer's own system. KDP explains its publishing workflow, royalty rules and distribution options, but it does not provide a neutral comparison with alternative routes. Authors therefore need to decide whether Amazon-first publishing matches their audience and business priorities before uploading a manuscript.
When wider distribution may be the better fit
A multi-retailer or distribution-led route may suit an author who does not want to manage every store separately. The central appeal is not one particular retailer. It is the possibility of making a book available through a broader network from one publishing workflow, depending on the provider, territories, formats and contractual terms.
This route can be worth considering when readers are spread across different retailers or when the author wants to avoid building a strategy around one marketplace. It may also fit authors who want ebook and print availability handled through a distribution service rather than publishing each edition independently. However, “wider distribution” is not a guarantee of equal visibility everywhere. Availability, retailer access, print options, returns, pricing and royalty calculations can differ, so these details need to be checked for the exact service and format.
Print-focused distribution is another distinct option. It may be more relevant when physical availability, library ordering or trade-facing access is central to the book's plan. This is a different objective from simply placing an ebook in an online store. Ask which formats are supported, where the book can be ordered, how printing costs affect royalties and whether the service is designed for direct publishing, distribution or additional author support.
Paid publishing services and editorial support
Some authors are not primarily choosing a store. They are looking for help with editing, production, cover preparation or the practical steps between a finished manuscript and a published book. Paid author-service companies can be relevant in that situation, but they should be compared as service providers rather than treated as interchangeable with retailer platforms.
The most important question is what work is actually included. A service may support editorial review, while another may focus on formatting, production or distribution. Read the terms for the exact package, including ownership, revision rounds, files supplied, distribution arrangements and any ongoing obligations. Do not assume that paying for assistance automatically creates demand for the book or guarantees sales.
For authors who use AI during drafting or revision, a separate editing workflow can help keep the publishing decision clear. EPOS AI's verified product facts list Lektorat Pro at monthly prices of 29, 59 and 99 CHF, EUR or USD, with corresponding yearly prices of 290, 590 and 990. The listed monthly word capacities are 450,000, 1,125,000 and 2,250,000 words. Its stated manuscript contexts range from 22,500 to 112,500 words, depending on the plan. The product also offers a seven-day trial, which requires a payment card and covers one to two AI requests.
These are product details, not a recommendation that an AI editing tool can replace a complete publishing team. For a novel, the author still needs to judge whether revisions preserve character voice, narrative intent and consistency. If data handling is part of your decision, you can also read our explanation of GDPR-compliant AI writing tools before selecting an editing workflow.
A practical way to choose your publishing route
Start with the reader and sales channel you are trying to serve. If your priority is publishing directly through Amazon, KDP gives you a clearly documented retailer-led route, including ebook and paperback royalty rules and an Expanded Distribution option for eligible paperbacks. If you want availability across multiple retailers, investigate a distribution-led service and compare the exact stores, territories, formats and payment terms. If physical ordering and wholesale access matter most, focus on services with documented print and distribution capabilities. If the manuscript needs substantial editorial or production support, evaluate a paid service by its deliverables rather than by its publishing label.
Next, compare the economics of the format you will actually sell. A royalty percentage alone is not enough. For paperbacks, printing costs are deducted under KDP's stated calculation, and Expanded Distribution follows a different calculation. Other routes may use different deductions or terms. Build the comparison around list price, production cost, distribution conditions and the amount of control you retain.
Finally, separate publishing from preparation. Choosing a platform will not resolve weaknesses in pacing, continuity or presentation. An author using AI-assisted tools should finish the manuscript review, verify important changes and decide where human editing is needed before selecting a distribution route. Our self-publishing guide provides a broader context for that preparation.
The best place is the one that matches the book's plan
KDP is a sensible choice for an Amazon-first strategy, especially when its documented royalty and distribution options fit the book's formats and target markets. A distribution-led route may be more suitable when access across several retailers or print channels matters more than concentrating on one marketplace. A paid service can make sense when the author needs defined editorial or production support.
The strongest decision is therefore not based on a universal ranking. Compare the route's actual capabilities with your audience, formats, budget, desired control and level of support. Once those priorities are clear, the best place to self-publish becomes a publishing decision rather than a search for a platform that claims to be best for everyone.