So, you’ve written a book—congratulations! Now comes the big question: How do you get it into the hands of readers? Self-publishing has opened up a world of possibilities for authors, allowing you to control every step of the process, from cover design to royalties. But with so many platforms out there, where do you start?
Two of the biggest players in the self-publishing game are Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark. Each has its strengths, and using them together can help you reach the widest possible audience. So, let’s break down what each platform offers, how they differ, and how you can leverage both to make your book a success.
Why Self-Publish on Amazon KDP and IngramSpark?
Amazon KDP is the go-to platform for reaching millions of readers through the world’s largest online bookstore. It’s easy to use, and you can publish both eBooks and paperbacks with no upfront costs. Plus, Amazon dominates the eBook market, so if you want your book in front of Kindle readers, this is the place to be.
IngramSpark, on the other hand, is a powerhouse for print distribution. While Amazon prints books for its marketplace, IngramSpark distributes your book to over 40,000 retailers, libraries, and bookstores worldwide—including Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and indie shops.
Using both platforms together gives you the best of both worlds: Amazon’s direct-to-consumer reach and IngramSpark’s wide retail distribution.
Step 1: Prepare Your Manuscript and Cover
Before you upload anything, make sure your book is polished and professional.
- Manuscript: Format your manuscript for both eBook and print. You can use tools like Vellum, Reedsy, or even Scrivener to create proper formats. Amazon KDP offers a free tool called Kindle Create, while IngramSpark provides free templates for interior formatting.
- Cover: You’ll need two versions: one for the eBook and one for print (which includes the back cover and spine). Use a professional designer or a tool like Canva or BookBrush. Remember, a book is judged by its cover—especially online.
Step 2: Self-Publishing on Amazon KDP
Create an Amazon KDP Account:
- Go to kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account or create a new one.
- Set up your Author Profile and Payment Information (so you can get paid those sweet royalties).
Upload Your Book:
- Click “Create a New Title” and choose either Kindle eBook or Paperback.
- Enter your book details, including title, subtitle, author name, and description (this is your book’s sales pitch, so make it shine!).
- Add keywords and categories to help readers find your book. Amazon allows up to 7 keywords—think about what readers might type to discover your book.
- Upload your manuscript (formatted as MOBI for eBooks or PDF for paperbacks) and your cover file.
- Use Amazon’s Cover Creator tool if you don’t have a cover design ready.
- Preview your book to check for formatting issues. Amazon’s Online Previewer lets you flip through your pages just like a reader would.
Set Pricing and Royalties:
- Choose your pricing. For eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99, Amazon offers 70% royalties.
- For paperbacks, royalties are 60% of the list price minus printing costs.
- Decide whether to enroll in KDP Select, which grants Amazon exclusive rights to your eBook for 90 days in exchange for promotional perks, like being included in Kindle Unlimited.
Publish:
Hit “Publish”, and your book will typically go live on Amazon within 72 hours. Congratulations—you’re officially a published author! 🎉
Step 3: Self-Publishing on IngramSpark
Create an IngramSpark Account:
- Go to ingramspark.com and create an account.
- Fill out your author profile and payment information (because royalties are even better when they come from multiple places).
Upload Your Book:
- Click “Add a Title” and choose your format (Paperback, Hardcover, or eBook).
- Enter your ISBN (IngramSpark requires you to purchase your own ISBN from Bowker.org, unlike Amazon, which offers free ISBNs for paperbacks).
- Fill in your book details, including title, subtitle, description, and keywords.
- Upload your print-ready PDF for the interior and a PDF with bleed for the cover.
- Select your trim size, paper type, and binding options (IngramSpark offers more customization than KDP).
Set Pricing and Distribution:
- Choose your retail price and set your wholesale discount (typically 55% for bookstores).
- Decide whether to allow returns. Bookstores prefer books that are returnable, but it’s a financial risk for self-published authors, so weigh this decision carefully.
- Distribute your book worldwide through Ingram’s Global Distribution Network, which includes Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Walmart, and thousands of libraries and retailers.
Publish:
Once you approve your files and pay IngramSpark’s upload fee ($49 per title), your book will be available for distribution—usually within 1-2 weeks.
Step 4: Using Amazon KDP and IngramSpark Together
To make the most of both platforms, here’s the strategy:
- eBooks: Publish exclusively through Amazon KDP (or enroll in KDP Select for Kindle Unlimited perks).
- Paperbacks: Use IngramSpark for wide distribution and Amazon KDP for Amazon sales.
Important Tip: Use Amazon KDP for your Amazon listing because their printing costs are lower and your book will be labeled as “Sold by Amazon” (which means faster shipping for Prime members). Let IngramSpark handle the rest of the world.
Step 5: Market Your Book Like a Pro
Once your book is live, it’s time to get it into readers’ hands:
- Amazon Author Central: Create an Amazon Author Page to showcase your book, biography, and blog links.
- Goodreads: Add your book to Goodreads, where readers discover and review books.
- Social Media: Promote your book on platforms like Instagram, TikTok (#BookTok), and Twitter.
- Email List: Build a mailing list and offer your readers behind-the-scenes looks, free chapters, or book updates.
- Run Promotions: Use Amazon Ads or BookBub promotions to drive traffic to your book.
Step 6: Watch the Royalties Roll In (and Keep Writing!)
The beauty of self-publishing is that you’re not just an author—you’re also a business owner. By leveraging Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, you’ve positioned your book to reach readers around the world. But the key to long-term success is to keep writing. One book is great, but a series or multiple books will build your brand and readership over time.
Self-publishing through Amazon KDP and IngramSpark gives you the power to control your publishing journey from start to finish. Amazon makes it easy to reach millions of readers, while IngramSpark opens doors to bookstores and libraries. Together, they’re a powerhouse combination for any self-published author.
So, what are you waiting for? Get that manuscript polished, hit publish, and let the world read your story. Your dream of being a published author isn’t just possible—it’s one click away.
Happy Publishing!!
BrambleBelle
