Where I Self-Publish My Books, Why I Chose These Companies, + How I Juggle All of Them

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

FYI - KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) has HARDCOVERS now! Here's my first video testing them out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpyVY4afjZiJd68

[@scotttovey]

Sounds like that's a clue to do an updated video on this topic.

[@ser6124]

8😢​@@scotttovey😮😮

[@scotttovey]

@@ser6124 With the exception of a couple of programming languages, I'm monolingual. You'll have to speak English if you want me to understand whatever that emoticon gibberish means.

[@charles120001]

@@scotttovey A free ISBN from Amazon ties you to Amazon and you can't sell on other platforms. Why would anyone want to limit themselves to only one platform when they can buy several ISBNs and sell their book on several platforms simultaneously..

[@Kentex4]

Don't apologize for being too detailed! This is the ONLY video I have found that gives any level of detail. Most videos don't assume that I already have 5 books written, and give me details that are too basic

[@creditmedic3017]

Amen to that Kentex.......KDP was a "nightmare" until I spend lots of $$$ buying advice!!! lol.....This lady is "awesome"

[@ve4043]

Keep being detailed.

[@charles120001]

A free ISBN from Amazon ties you to Amazon and you can't sell on other platforms. Why would anyone want to limit themselves to only one platform when they can buy several ISBNs and sell their book on several platforms simultaneously..

[@cs7th]

Bethany, thank you so much for this video. Self publishing is such a jungle, it's lovely to find someone like you to carry me through the complexities of ISBN's and various publishers. Plus I love your natural relaxed style of presenting a video.

[@TRUMPETSIZZLE]

You are so cute! You should try pursuing acting in TV, MOVIES...

[@sarahfenlonfalk]

There is so much information in this video, even more than just about the companies you can publish to. Any beginner indie publisher should watch this!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you Sarah!

[@charles120001]

A free ISBN from Amazon ties you to Amazon and you can't sell on other platforms. Why would anyone want to limit themselves to only one platform when they can buy several ISBNs and sell their book on several platforms simultaneously..

[@jamesmathis6996]

I just went wide with my books (I only have one out, with another coming out). I used D2D to make the mobi file for KDP even before I went wide. I use D2D to distribute to Apple and the library services (and the smaller stores, as well as Scribid). I go direct to KDP, Kobo, BN, and Google Play. I just was let into D2D's print beta, and they just took the same document I uploaded for the e-book and formatted it for paperback. They don't do pre-orders :( but they don't charge a fee either.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

That’s awesome, congratulations! I love D2D! And I’d heard about the print beta, so if it goes well then maybe it’s a matter of time before they set up preorders!

[@ButterCookie1984]

@@BethanyAtazadeh Bethany, I'd love (and perhaps others too) to see a video on this very topic, of all outlets to distribute our books, including library services. Until I saw this post, I had not even thought about libraries; only KDP and book stores.😎

[@ButterCookie1984]

James, until I saw this post, I had not even thought about libraries; only KDP and book stores. I am.glad that you have brought this to mind.

[@danishear6574]

Bethany! You are so gorgeous with your assistance. I wanted to ask whether you do any consults? I have a unique issue and have some questions. Thank you...

[@JamieJEdwards]

Wait did I just find a Christian fictional author?! And you're helping me to reach my goal of becoming the same?! New sub here. Thank you!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Check out "Publish and Thrive" (a Self Publishing Course that I'm a proud affiliate for!): heartbreathings.teachable.com/courses/publish-and-thrive?affcode=145068_cetumz57 And don't forget to 💻 SIGN UP FOR MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER for FREE exclusives (starting with the first HALF of The Stolen Kingdom + a step-by-step self-publishing guide and template): www.bethanyatazadeh.com/contact

[@ajayiscience]

Hello Beth ... if you had to pick between ingramspark and Draft to digital, which one would you pick!! And if you want your book to appear on kindle and amazon, can you just upload it to draft to digital!! And do they have an isbn!! Lots of questions, i know .... it's because I am excited!

[@luvsnursing9946]

I have gone through this program three times and I learn something new every time. Your videos are amazing. Thanks for all the information.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

@@ajayiscience I missed this comment before sorry! But I would 100% pick Draft2Digital, I have never used Ingramspark for ebooks because their services and royalties just don't compare! :)

[@trishtitus8465]

Another great video. Thank you. I do have a question. I just want this clarified. I can publish my eBook on both KDP and D2D at the same time? But not to the same platforms like B&N, Apple, Nook, Amazon…? I also recently checked with D2D, and they do not print books yet. That’s something they hope, I believe, to do in the future

[@sllvndigitalart1677]

This is so helpful! I'm only on page 56 of my first novel, but I've been watching a few videos on self-publishing just so I know what's to come, and this is the most informative video I've seen!

[@carolhebbe6032]

Thank you, Bethany. You clearly have you finger on the pulse of the writing community. Your presentation style and my watching style are a good match. The problem is that my material (non-fiction) includes a unique writing style where most sentences are broken down into shorter 3-7 word elements with lots of bolds and italics. I can do the setup but not sure where or how to market this product. Less than 70 pages. Hardcopy and epub.

[@AliseIam]

You didn’t mention about having your books in store (or I missed it)... but do you feel that’s important or no?

[@PeaceLoveRobbie]

Thumbs up for extra details!

[@moetarded7757]

And I thought writing was hard! Lol

[@CathyHazelAdams_Quantum_Spirit]

Hey there Bethany - thank you for this greatly helpful video! Can you please clarify something: if you load your book to Draft2Digital and then also upload it to KDP, is the ebook then there twice, competing with itself between the 2 vendors? Thank you for all you do :-)

[@twigandtreasure]

Hi Bethany, you channel is just amazing I am learning so much. My question is, If I do my ebook on Draft2 i know you can opt in or out of Amazon and other stores. Which do you do, do you opt out and then add it to KDP yourself? Just curious as I don't know how it links with my Paperback if I am do that on KDP?

[@patriciatran3633]

Such a helpful video. Thank you! I’ve watched so many and this is the first one that made me feel ok about going with the free isbn on KDP. It was stressing me out. But the way you explained it has helped so much.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! So glad it was helpful!

[@AuthorJCCarpenter]

OMG Bethany you are such a lifesaver! I'm getting ready to re-publish my first novel and just got a look at my new cover and it dawned on me that I've never self-published before and I have no idea what to do. It seems like I would have realized that sooner right lol, but I thought my cover artist was going to take longer than she did and that I'd have more time to get the ball rolling but now that she's almost done I'm freaking out... And then you come along with this video and I remember the other videos you have about using KDP and other publishing stuff and now I feel like I might be alright... Sorry for the long comment, all of that was to say, thank God for you and your impeccable timing! Wonderful video and I can't wait to see the next one! Take care ❤❤

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! I’m so glad it was helpful! And congratulations on getting ready to publish, so exciting!

[@HLA78]

Bethany, this is a really fantastic and useful video - I hadn't even heard of Draft 2 Digital! As a complete newbie going through the motions with my first book, does it matter which of the 3 platforms you mentioned, to publish first with? I've read that it's better to publish the ebook and paperback initially with KDP and then others. Also, in this video you're suggesting to make the ebook using D2D and upload this to KDP?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Glad you enjoyed! Doesn't matter the order, just don't create duplicates. (i.e. if you publish on KDP, don't check the box to publish on KDP when you're on D2D. Or vice versa, if you check the box for D2D to publish your book on KDP, don't upload to KDP also. I personally like to use the dashboard on KDP and upload my books there, skipping the KDP option on D2D.) And yes, I like to utilize the ebook formatting on D2D, and download the mobi file they provide to use on KDP.

[@HLA78]

@@BethanyAtazadeh thanks, you're a superstar! now the question is, which of your Patreon memberships to sign up for... :)

[@izyanimations9417]

Do you know what’s good about being an Australian indi author we don’t have to pay for copyright it’s just given to us immediately for free

[@christopherbriscoe8665]

It's the same system in Canada -right?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

@@christopherbriscoe8665 I don't know for sure about outside U.S., but that's technically true for the U.S. also :) Here your work is considered copyrighted the moment you write it, but there is a filing office for legal protection, where if you'd like to have it documented and on file as yours, you can do so. That is an extra protection to cover any future issues/lawsuits, but not neccessary. :)

[@angiebee7254]

I will be ready soon to publish my first book,your video was very helpful,thankyou kindly.

[@corkandi]

Don't worry about being too detailed...your tutorials are just what I need. I'm about to self-publish my first book on KDP. It's a minefield! Do you have to open a separate Amazon account to your personal one? Do you have to provide bank details (payment of royalties), before your book's published? Would it be best to open a separate bank account for this? So many questions!

[@kristenamears5436]

I'm wanting to publish through KDP and D2D. How do I work the ISBN number? Do I publish first through D2D and then use that IBSN on KDP?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

You have to use the isbn only on the company that gives it to you. Both companies will provide their own.

[@LeesLibrary88]

Brilliant bethany! Thanks so much for these amazing videos, I'm writing my second book as an indi author, and have my first on kdp so far but looking forward to uploading this weekend on draft2digital. Its just my ebook I can't upload yet as it's still on kdp select until June 👍

[@randisargent3417]

Who owns the copyright if Amazon provides the ISBN - the author or publisher/Amazon?

[@chloelianna]

I plan on going down the traditional route for my current project, but this was very interesting to watch. I'm open to Self Publishing another book down the road, so hopefully, KDP has the option to produce hardcovers by then, they seem like a great POD company to work with.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I hope they will!

[@dailyspiritualdietelizabet7777]

Hi my English book is translated in French, Hindi, Spanish and Gujarat. How and where to publish. Thanks for your help in advance. Author Elizabeth Das

[@ormani.yoga.coaching]

OMG Thank youuuu! I'm sooo overwhelmed with the ISBN and I stress myself. Thanks for mentioning that. :) Great informations.

[@royprincevideos]

Amazon/KDP lowered the price on my book to more then half of my price & they don't even send me notifications on sales. I had someone buy one as a test & I didn't get a notification of the sale. Do you know what's up with that? Thanks.

[@BigHeadBob]

Bless you for your organization and charm :) KDP was awesome but Ingram Spark has been brutal so I'm switching to d2d.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you! And I have had terrible experiences with Ingramspark as well, Draft2Digital is a million times better for ebooks, KDP is a million times better for paperback, and I heard KDP is also beta testing hardcover so hopefully we won't need Ingramspark at all soon!

[@brendadrexler372]

Why publish with Ingram when you have everything covered by Draft2digital?

[@carlydaniels4184]

Great video. Regarding the ISBN, who controls it when it is free from a company, isn't the owner of the ISBN the owner of the product's transactions--just asking. The word free scares me.

[@Suetvvlogs]

honey, I have been thinking of starting publishing my own books, and I was strolling through youtube videos when I came across your channel by accident and I love it! love the content and the level of real genuine information you are giving away, thank you for the info.

[@dougmarkham6791]

Excellent presentation for a number of reasons. If it was cable news they would have gone to 20 commercials and smacked their lips 100 times. I'll watch more. Thank you.

[@zatazhamaat8098]

Traditional publishers give 10% royalties. So sad. So you're making more, at least.

[@lavonnecmurphy]

Have you used KOBO before? Do you recommend it to publish a book? I have a personal specific question about terms of agreements with all of these companies. It is difficult for me to understand everything included in the writing of the terms of agreement with KOBK and did not want to bind myself unintentionally. Just to create an account at KOBO I had to sign an agreement but now I'm scared. Lol.

[@gracelesslyfalling]

If you unpublished the book from KDP then republish it with the new ISBN number so you can go wide will you loose all the reviews tied to the first ISBN number?

[@shenbrian4763]

Thanks for the thorough and clear explanation. May I ask if KDP offers Chinese copy service?

[@ve4043]

If I have my own ISBN and publish on KDP and somewhere else do I have to publish book as a 2nd book? Or can I publish book one as book one because I own the ISBN?

[@AliseIam]

You just can’t use your free KDP ISBN elsewhere.... which is a bummer

[@HealthTipsWithRose]

I’m so confused, if the Kdp print is available, then why not just use them? I’ve only used the ebooks feature many years ago.

[@heavymusicmatters]

Great info. Thanks. Your ending was cute, too lol. Made me chuckle.

[@brothersministries5294]

check out Snowfall press. The best, easiest and cheapest print on demand for the US and Canada. Better than Ingram Spark

[@hazel158]

Hi I really enjoy your it was very helpful and I look forward to putting things into practice soon. I wanted to ask and sorry if its already in the video it was a while ago i watched to research the possibilities of self publish now im close to being ready need to watch it again. But when you publish on amazon or draft to ditigal do you get author copies of your book or a discounted price if you buy copies of your own book?

[@HealthTipsWithRose]

Have you used lulu for publishing? Where does an author go if we want to have print copies of our own? And what about Book Baby?

[@edidiongjohnson3219]

Thanks a million for this information.. but my problem is this, how do I get a US account so I can automate it for payment because am not from the us.

[@thatwickedsmahttraumachick]

I have a book on kdp. I used to get pages per read I messed w my account now I get none. I sell zero books. It’s a multi award winner. I’m freaking out

[@mp31wellness]

I’d not heard of draft2digital.com before watching your video. Thank you for the information!

[@afiak7138]

Hi Bethany, with D2D, does that mean you don't enroll in KDP select?

[@jannette834]

Im so ready to print but find uploading to KDP a nightmare, I have bleed on my pages, its harder sorting that out than it was writing the book

[@nikiflorica8783]

So you publish the same book on five different platforms? Or different books between different platforms? Just trying to wrap my head around it. :)

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Same book! :)

[@nikiflorica8783]

@@BethanyAtazadeh-wow, that does sound like a lot!

[@denydeny1545]

my account was terminated on kdp ..can i use d2d to publish on other identify ? does draft 2 digital pay the royalties of page read of kdp or just the ebook sales? have u get paid from d2d ? pls give any ideas sis . im so much confused

[@israelekpe2911]

Can you use both Amazon and Draft digital at the same time for a book? considering the ISBN hope they both won't conflict

[@rollypolypress]

Hi can you tell me how long it takes to get ISBNs if you choose the get them separately? Or did you choose do the free ones.

[@arafabougdima8242]

Hi thanks for all the informations I have a question Can l publish the same book in different books market

[@lbfaith]

Pretty much with the isbn unpublish your book from kdp then republish with the isbn that you had to buy.

[@faleru]

So you can’t publish on two platforms simultaneously?

[@harveyharve9035]

I do not have the resources to publish my books at home or with a publishing company.Cam I sell my contents to publisher's or can they do the printing and share the sales

[@ThrivingRubi]

this information is so relevant even today thank you so much

[@alexinoble4842]

Fantastic information. Thank you very much!

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

If you’re a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors the uploading and Update fees for ingramspark are waived! 😃😃

[@zakariazaki7513]

Thanks for video keep going 🤠 greeting from Morocco

[@janmariekelly4848]

LuLu produces better print books and there are a couple of places that have better percentages for authors than kdp. The only thing amazon has going for it is that it has been around longest and so has a huge audience (although that audience has shrunk some as many people will buy anywhere, but amazon). Sure put some books on kdp, but I wouldn't put all my eggs there by any means. I don't even put books on kdp first anymore.

[@derekiwi]

You gloss over so many issues with ISBNs. You should mention that is you get a free ISBN from an organisation, then they are the publisher of record and you cannot transfer that number elsewhere. If you do remove the book from KDP, then you loose all thre view history, and you are starting over with establishing a market.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

This video isn’t about ISBNs, that’s a whole separate video and discussion

[@DragonSlayer-je4mc]

Bethany: I publish my books on KPD. Me: I also publish books on KPD!

[@MissHolliday3110]

Are you able to get your fantasy map in your ebook using Draft2digital to format?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yep! :) it’s important to tweak the formatting though for ebooks versus print - my print books have the map split between two pages while ebooks it’s on just one page. But as long as you add the image correctly, D2D can include as many images as you want! :)

[@shreyapatel1372]

Can you use the kdp isbn for other websites such as barnes and noble?

[@kellylove8681]

Thank you for sharing quality information

[@jessieheartart]

Thanks 4 this video, great info!!!!

[@itsvisionary3535]

Is the video glitching for anyone else or is it jus me ??

[@kandregulaSrikkanth]

KDP Now has HardCover Beta yay !!

[@mallorygrant4473]

Can you do a video about taxes? As an American, with taxes it can be a struggle. How do you keep up with all of the income you’re getting, do you have someone doing it all for you or are you doing it yourself? I’ve heard of quick books but haven’t purchased it yet, not sure if I should. I’d like a nice easy thing that’ll record all of the passive income I’m receiving from all the places I’m receiving it from, and have it all ready when tax time comes but I’m not sure if there’s even a program out there like that. I was told to do a spreadsheet of it all, have it ready ahead of time, but who has time for that? 😅 so I’m curious what you do since you have a lot of different passive income places

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I work with a CPA actually, I’d be terrified to give advice on taxes lol

[@walterpovajnuk4355]

How do you know you are getting proper royalties

[@blessingokechukwu9881]

can you publish same book on both kdp and kobo and d2d ?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

yes. Just don't click kdp and kobo when you upload to d2d or you'll have duplicates.

[@kevinkarellaauthorandairli794]

I have found a treasure trove of information here. I am about to publish my second novel, the sequel to my first novel. And I am learning so much, and how to do it differently than the first time. Thank you so much!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

So glad you liked the video, thank you!

[@izyanimations9417]

It’s 3am here... Who needs sleep not me! You just uploaded a video sleep come second to your videos. Also I’m going to be writing in an hour because... work

[@jessicagentry6379]

What's happens when you hit the bestsellers list?

[@beccapony77]

Thank you for your encouraging videos. I just published my book on Amazon in print. Waiting for the Kindle version to go live. :-)

[@randysalexander]

Does KDP censor authors who are conservatives

[@israelekpe2911]

What camera did you use for your video. love the simplicity

[@chrissis111]

I love your videos because of the details you give! I have question about doing a permafree ebook that I'm hoping you can answer: If I want to get Amazon to "Price match" to sell for free, can I point to my own website as having the book for free? I'm not ready to go wide, but would like to test Book 1 of two series with a permafree book on Amazon for about 4 months or so. Would pointing to only my website where it is free be enough? 🙂

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you! And I don't honestly know, my advice would be to try it and find out! :)

[@MsToniFrench]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this. You have a wonderful style and I watched this a couple of weeks ago. I am focused on uploading the first of my new book series and can't wait to watch exactly what you recommend. Many thanks for your information, tips, and your lovely way of being... it resonates with my spirit. And when that happens I can hear, digest, and take action. Sending love and blessings to you!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@ScullyPop]

You come recommended to me, but I can't remember if it's the algorithm or a booktuber. I'm Scully, the author that reads to you 📚🎧

[@chayeahpuddin]

I'm still hesitant as a beginner self publish author if I'm going exclusively to amazon kdp or going wide

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

it's not a permanent decision, you can always try one way and then change to the other if you change your mind!

[@angietaylor5256]

I’m not sure of the best way to go about publishing a childrens book, for my grand children (I have 8)! A friend says Ingram Spark but I’m watching all your videos and want to choose the easiest format as I’m nervous about how to do this! Would you mind sharing your thoughts on Ingram Spark publishing?!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I strongly dislike Ingramspark and have stopped using them personally. I would recommend working with Kindle Direct Publishing, very user-friendly and helpful!

[@jessieheartart]

Kdp now has hardcovers…yay!!!!

[@angietaylor5256]

I’m writing a childrens book with lots of illustrations. Will KDP be good for my childrens book?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

As long as it meets the page minimum requirement! (Which is the case on all print on demand companies)

[@padgettfarmer]

I've looked into this for a bit and appreciate how you lay it out so plainly! Also I thank you for the publish and thrive info!!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@mashadkazmi6763]

Is it available in the whole world? ??

[@sanityone649]

Have you ever belonged to a writers group? Just wondering. If not, why not...and if so...value added or not.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Nope!

[@paulbeckmann]

Thanks for fab info and details:)

[@cozywriterclub]

If you upload to D2D and distribute it to Amazon, then you can't do ads on Amazon?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

That’s a good question - in the past I got to the amazon ads through kdp but now the dashboard is a lot more separate so there’s a good chance you still could still do add if you were fully on D2D! I wish I knew for sure but maybe D2D has an article on that somewhere!

[@jcandye1]

@Author Amanda Lyn Creek I'm just now watching this video, were you able to find out any information about the ads?

[@destyniproductions3682]

I have been watching your video on D2D and I was all set to upload my book on this platform, until, I happened upon another video saying that you cannot upload your ebook on D2D if your book is on Kindle Select. I cannot tell you how frustrating as a new author that was for me. So now I am not moving forward with that and doing more and more research. Self Publishing is not as easy as it seems, or I will speak for myself, I'm learning day by day. Thanks for your tutorials

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Just to clarify, in case you don’t know-kindle direct publishing and kindle selected (or sometimes called kindle unlimited) are not the same thing. Kindle select is a program within kindle direct publishing that makes your ebooks exclusive with them, but if you’re not enrolled in that specific program than books on kindle direct publishing can also be published on draft2digital.

[@thecreativenow]

I have six books in a series that were exclusive on KU. Now am diving into going wide. Been drowning in bits and pieces of data, but this video helped me take a deep breath and say...I got this. Thank you, ma'am!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much!

[@ManyAngelsofMercy]

I suppose, my comment was not wanted. I just stated, the truth, with my own experience, with KDP, and how things were. That does not mean, that I do not use them. As with everything, we have our own, individual experiences, both, cons. and pros.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Not sure what you're referring to, sorry!

[@oqualcycle]

A company that has no phone customer support is bogus!

[@elevatoroperator5420]

Hi, thank you for all the great book making content. The CC button is not enabled for this video. If you wouldn't mind enabling it that would help a lot of us in the hard of hearing community. Doing a quick review of what the robots guess with transcription would be nice too as they often mess up. Thanks!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Absolutely! I don’t actually know how to do that, but I’ll look into it for future videos, thank you for letting me know! :)

[@christopherbriscoe8665]

Bethany, what about Barnes and Noble - don't they do pre-orders? That Tailor-Made Doc is a really good idea.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I believe they might, but solely for Barnes and Noble, not to other vendors like Amazon. But the main reason I didn’t mention them is that they actually use Ingramspark to print, so it’s technically the same as working with Ingramspark except with lesser distribution and lesser royalties.

[@skywire444]

Can you make money with KDP ? Ingram Spark takes a high commission when they put it on Amazon or other store. I did do my last one with Ingram. You're right the Ingram spark site is a DUD.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Short answer, yes :) long answer, check out my Author Money playlist, specifically the most recent videos, where I share exactly how much money I make: kzbin.info/aero/PL3IFBPbxQRyp1rbyE1NpQfwoUi450h0_9