KDP Print and Ingram Spark - Are they better together or separately?

[@jeanwilliams2629]

Ingram Spark took off the upload fee!

[@BookLaunchers]

You bet they did ... and announce it the day after I finished shooting this video they did!! I watched it and decided that even with that change in information this video was still worth releasing but I sure wish they'd given me more notice!! Happy Friday! Please note that this video indicates there’s a set up fee for Ingram. No sooner did I shoot this video did they remove it … so good news for authors. The overall message and recommendations I make don’t really change as a result so I still published but I wanted you to know that. More info here: No more title setup fees. Saves you $49 per book. Free revisions for 60 days after launch. Good for quick fixes, but the normal $25 fee applies after day 61. Flat-rate shipping fees, no handling fees. In the continental US only, looks like $2.99 + $0.50 per book for "basic" or $8.99 + $0.70 per book for "standard" shipping. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 16th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - You can mark your calendar for our next Deep Dive training session which is happening on May 20th. This month’s session is an Ask-Me-Anything with our Production Manager Elissa Graeser. To make sure you get the invite, get subscribed to the newsletter. www.booklaunchers.com/newsletter

[@askloistherelatabletherapist]

Thank you for explaining the difference. I’m just starting this process of self-publishing and this information is priceless.

[@BookLaunchers]

Happy Friday! Please note that this video indicates there’s a set up fee for Ingram. No sooner did I shoot this video did they remove it … so good news for authors. The overall message and recommendations I make don’t really change as a result so I still published but I wanted you to know that. More info here: No more title setup fees. Saves you $49 per book. Free revisions for 60 days after launch. Good for quick fixes, but the normal $25 fee applies after day 61. Flat-rate shipping fees, no handling fees. In the continental US only, looks like $2.99 + $0.50 per book for "basic" or $8.99 + $0.70 per book for "standard" shipping. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 16th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - You can mark your calendar for our next Deep Dive training session which is happening on May 20th. This month’s session is an Ask-Me-Anything with our Production Manager Elissa Graesser. To make sure you get the invite, get subscribed to the newsletter. www.booklaunchers.com/newsletter

[@JeffreySykes]

Very helpful for the curious beginner. Thanks so much for you clarity of delivery.

[@BookLaunchers]

Thank you! If you're looking for more support as a curious beginner: Self-Publish and Succeed books2read.com/ap/RDOjGr/Julie-Broad - that’s a really great starting point for any non-fiction author to start thinking through what you need to do to write a book that will sell and the steps to take to get it ready and publish it.

[@StandardKeeper]

This is so timely! I just decided to do IngramSpark in addition to KDP! What prompted me to do this is that a local bookstore doesn’t recognize Amazon. I’ll be uploading my manuscript to Ingram next week.

[@BookLaunchers]

Happy Friday! Please note that this video indicates there’s a set up fee for Ingram. No sooner did I shoot this video did they remove it … so good news for authors. The overall message and recommendations I make don’t really change as a result so I still published but I wanted you to know that. More info here: No more title setup fees. Saves you $49 per book. Free revisions for 60 days after launch. Good for quick fixes, but the normal $25 fee applies after day 61. Flat-rate shipping fees, no handling fees. In the continental US only, looks like $2.99 + $0.50 per book for "basic" or $8.99 + $0.70 per book for "standard" shipping. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 16th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - You can mark your calendar for our next Deep Dive training session which is happening on May 20th. This month’s session is an Ask-Me-Anything with our Production Manager Elissa Graesser. To make sure you get the invite, get subscribed to the newsletter. www.booklaunchers.com/newsletter

[@sherriespeck]

Chalked full of information. I'll have to watch 77 more times to get good notes. Thank you!!

[@BookLaunchers]

Comment every time :D haha thank you!!

[@krisballard541]

I have self-published six books. I have also been listening to your audiobook.

[@BookLaunchers]

Wonderful thank you. I'd be very grateful for a review on the audiobook platform you bought the book from. And congrats on your books!!

[@krisballard541]

@@BookLaunchers I have a subscription to Audible, so I will give you a review. Also, you might want to look at my audiobook, which is titled Online Courses.

[@TheOppositeIsTrueBook]

I’m going to have to watch this a couple more times. Great stuff!

[@BookLaunchers]

Happy Friday! Please note that this video indicates there’s a set up fee for Ingram. No sooner did I shoot this video did they remove it … so good news for authors. The overall message and recommendations I make don’t really change as a result so I still published but I wanted you to know that. More info here: No more title setup fees. Saves you $49 per book. Free revisions for 60 days after launch. Good for quick fixes, but the normal $25 fee applies after day 61. Flat-rate shipping fees, no handling fees. In the continental US only, looks like $2.99 + $0.50 per book for "basic" or $8.99 + $0.70 per book for "standard" shipping. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 16th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - You can mark your calendar for our next Deep Dive training session which is happening on May 20th. This month’s session is an Ask-Me-Anything with our Production Manager Elissa Graeser. To make sure you get the invite, get subscribed to the newsletter. www.booklaunchers.com/newsletter

[@Teabody]

Another timely video from Julie! Thank you very much!

[@BookLaunchers]

Happy Friday! Please note that this video indicates there’s a set up fee for Ingram. No sooner did I shoot this video did they remove it … so good news for authors. The overall message and recommendations I make don’t really change as a result so I still published but I wanted you to know that. More info here: No more title setup fees. Saves you $49 per book. Free revisions for 60 days after launch. Good for quick fixes, but the normal $25 fee applies after day 61. Flat-rate shipping fees, no handling fees. In the continental US only, looks like $2.99 + $0.50 per book for "basic" or $8.99 + $0.70 per book for "standard" shipping. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 16th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - You can mark your calendar for our next Deep Dive training session which is happening on May 20th. This month’s session is an Ask-Me-Anything with our Production Manager Elissa Graeser. To make sure you get the invite, get subscribed to the newsletter. www.booklaunchers.com/newsletter

[@KevinHall-ux9hn]

Wow...a lot of info to unpack in this video. I'm thinking that you need a spreadsheet to this data at hand. Thanks for the video.

[@BookLaunchers]

Thanks for the idea! I've been thinking about getting someone on my team to do a bit of a spreadsheet for the direct selling options but a chart could be useful for the distribution options too!

[@brucestiles6477]

Effective May 1, Ingram Spark dropped the Upload fee.

[@BookLaunchers]

Yes!! No sooner did I shoot this video did they make the announcement … it would have been nice for them to give me a heads up but I didn’t warn them I was doing this video sooo fair is fair I guess. But it’s good news for authors. The overall message and recommendations I make don’t really change as a result so I still published but I wanted you to know that. More info here: No more title setup fees. Saves you $49 per book. Free revisions for 60 days after launch. Good for quick fixes, but the normal $25 fee applies after day 61. Flat-rate shipping fees, no handling fees. In the continental US only, looks like $2.99 + $0.50 per book for "basic" or $8.99 + $0.70 per book for "standard" shipping.

[@staceymccann]

Thanks for the info. This process can be overwhelming.

[@BookLaunchers]

You're welcome! Have you picked up a copy of my book? Self-Publish and Succeed - it will help you so much with the whole process!

[@elizabethgelhard-healeraut7265]

Thank you, I am feeling a bit braver about stepping out of the Amazon bubble. Mind you it took me 2.5 years to try amazon ads 😊

[@BookLaunchers]

Slow steps are still steps forward! Keep going!! Happy Friday! Please note that this video indicates there’s a set up fee for Ingram. No sooner did I shoot this video did they remove it … so good news for authors. The overall message and recommendations I make don’t really change as a result so I still published but I wanted you to know that. More info here: No more title setup fees. Saves you $49 per book. Free revisions for 60 days after launch. Good for quick fixes, but the normal $25 fee applies after day 61. Flat-rate shipping fees, no handling fees. In the continental US only, looks like $2.99 + $0.50 per book for "basic" or $8.99 + $0.70 per book for "standard" shipping. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 16th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - You can mark your calendar for our next Deep Dive training session which is happening on May 20th. This month’s session is an Ask-Me-Anything with our Production Manager Elissa Graeser. To make sure you get the invite, get subscribed to the newsletter. www.booklaunchers.com/newsletter

[@dougc3512]

That's a lot to take in! Gonna have to watch this video multiple times...

[@BookLaunchers]

And here's a little more information for you: Happy Friday! Please note that this video indicates there’s a set up fee for Ingram. No sooner did I shoot this video did they remove it … so good news for authors. The overall message and recommendations I make don’t really change as a result so I still published but I wanted you to know that. More info here: No more title setup fees. Saves you $49 per book. Free revisions for 60 days after launch. Good for quick fixes, but the normal $25 fee applies after day 61. Flat-rate shipping fees, no handling fees. In the continental US only, looks like $2.99 + $0.50 per book for "basic" or $8.99 + $0.70 per book for "standard" shipping. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 16th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - You can mark your calendar for our next Deep Dive training session which is happening on May 20th. This month’s session is an Ask-Me-Anything with our Production Manager Elissa Graeser. To make sure you get the invite, get subscribed to the newsletter. www.booklaunchers.com/newsletter

[@dougc3512]

@@BookLaunchers Even more good news and great info! Thanks, crossing my fingers for winning some swag!

[@Ashtolife]

This was definitely a lot of info but very valuable!! Thanks!

[@BookLaunchers]

And here's a little more ... Please note that this video indicates there’s a set up fee for Ingram. No sooner did I shoot this video did they remove it … so good news for authors. The overall message and recommendations I make don’t really change as a result so I still published but I wanted you to know that. More info here: No more title setup fees. Saves you $49 per book. Free revisions for 60 days after launch. Good for quick fixes, but the normal $25 fee applies after day 61. Flat-rate shipping fees, no handling fees. In the continental US only, looks like $2.99 + $0.50 per book for "basic" or $8.99 + $0.70 per book for "standard" shipping. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 16th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - You can mark your calendar for our next Deep Dive training session which is happening on May 20th. This month’s session is an Ask-Me-Anything with our Production Manager Elissa Graeser. To make sure you get the invite, get subscribed to the newsletter. www.booklaunchers.com/newsletter

[@KMoneytime]

Wish I had know about ticking the KDP Expanded Distribution box before I did it haha 🙈. Definitely cost me more time and resources to get it corrected quickly.

[@BookLaunchers]

Many of us learn things my trial and error - nothing wrong with that. I'd rather take action than not! :)

[@dclarke2179]

Very great and in-depth information

[@BookLaunchers]

Happy Friday! Please note that this video indicates there’s a set up fee for Ingram. No sooner did I shoot this video did they remove it … so good news for authors. The overall message and recommendations I make don’t really change as a result so I still published but I wanted you to know that. More info here: No more title setup fees. Saves you $49 per book. Free revisions for 60 days after launch. Good for quick fixes, but the normal $25 fee applies after day 61. Flat-rate shipping fees, no handling fees. In the continental US only, looks like $2.99 + $0.50 per book for "basic" or $8.99 + $0.70 per book for "standard" shipping. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 16th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - You can mark your calendar for our next Deep Dive training session which is happening on May 20th. This month’s session is an Ask-Me-Anything with our Production Manager Elissa Graesser. To make sure you get the invite, get subscribed to the newsletter. www.booklaunchers.com/newsletter

[@aimeewatson2128]

This was so helpful, thank you!

[@BookLaunchers]

I'm so glad! I actually think I need to do an update on this ... my answer is still similar but we are running into A LOT of issues with the Ingram Spark print presale now ....

[@liambowditch2351]

Excellent insight. Best on KZbin.

[@BookLaunchers]

That is high praise- thank you so much. Hope to see you again.

[@mlbullbooks]

So true...I sold my first debut ebook through IngramSpark before stopping distribution. Never doing that again...lol 😅

[@BookLaunchers]

Oh my! Thanks for sharing. Are you free tomorrow? Our next Deep Dive training session is TOMORROW - May 20th at 10am PST This month’s session is an Ask-Me-Anything with our Production Manager Elissa Graesser. To make sure you get the invite, get subscribed to the newsletter. www.booklaunchers.com/newsletter

[@PRAPub]

This is a great explanation!

[@BookLaunchers]

Thank you!

[@poetryfromtheheart1287]

Wow, so much helpful. I am so glad that I was finally able to take a break from house hunting and packing and enjoy a few minutes catching up on some of the videos that I missed because I needed this video. I had heard that you could use the same ISBN on more than one platform if it was the same format, but every time I tried I got the message that this ISBN has already been used. By any chance do you have a video on what to do when you get that message?

[@BookLaunchers]

So we don't run into this but we upload the print book to Ingram first ... I have heard (and I don't know this for sure) that if you upload to Amazon first it can cause problems elsewhere.

[@QuizmasterLaw]

One could argue that KDP for eBooks and online with Ingram for libraries and bookstores. But I'm not into paying up front, not unless I win a Big LOTTERY! Another interesting publisher is publishdrive, which DOES distribute into China via dangdang which would be good for me. Oh, apparently ingram lets you publish freely now? I'm skeptical. Holding out for LOTTERY!

[@QuizmasterLaw]

Draft2Digital is a way to go wide but its editing of print books is quite strict. I'm think it likely they do their printing with Ingram.

[@BookLaunchers]

They sure do ... we had to investigate that as we were trying to keep a couple of titles from getting on Amazon and you can't opt out of Amazon with Ingram. We thought D2D might solve that ... but nope, because they print with Ingram we can't opt out.

[@QuizmasterLaw]

@@BookLaunchers that may have changed. i did a paperback book with d2d, which i also did with amazon and left the "distribute to amazon" box unchecked. i did another book with d2d which i never did on amazon and it is not on amazon but is on all the other platforms.

[@susannahskitchen]

Anyone got an advice on what route to go down with a cookbook?

[@ProfessorBurlingame]

Ingram and KDP personified as brats fighting in a sandbox is just too, too delicious. Thank you. I did a lot of research before I decided where to publish my book. I heard a lot of pros and cons, but I especially heard a lot of cons about Ingram. I like their paperback pre-sale option and the breadth of their book format options. But, I decided to hold off on using them, at least for now, until I'm more confident in their customer service prowess and ability to work well with authors who independently publish. In all honesty, for me, Ingram's going to have to step up their game quite a bit before I'm willing to allow them to distribute my books.

[@BookLaunchers]

I don't think anybody else commented on that so I'm glad you appreciated the fun we had with that one!!

[@ProfessorBurlingame]

@@BookLaunchers It was definitely fun to watch!

[@valerioventura]

Such a good video! Thank you

[@BookLaunchers]

You're so welcome!

[@TheMantaRae]

1 ISBN per format but what if you have slightly diff format bc of diff size options?

[@karenfredericks8474]

Awe. Some. Thank. you.

[@BookLaunchers]

Please note that this video indicates there’s a set up fee for Ingram. No sooner did I shoot this video did they make the announcement … it would have been nice for them to give me a heads up but I didn’t warn them I was doing this video sooo fair is fair I guess. But it’s good news for authors. The overall message and recommendations I make don’t really change as a result so I still published but I wanted you to know that. More info here: No more title setup fees. Saves you $49 per book. Free revisions for 60 days after launch. Good for quick fixes, but the normal $25 fee applies after day 61. Flat-rate shipping fees, no handling fees. In the continental US only, looks like $2.99 + $0.50 per book for "basic" or $8.99 + $0.70 per book for "standard" shipping. Please mark your calendar for our next Deep Dive training session which is happening on May 20th. This month’s session is an Ask-Me-Anything with our Production Manager Elissa Graesser. To make sure you get the invite, get subscribed to the newsletter. www.booklaunchers.com/newslette

[@musicformusos5196]

Thanks for your video, it’s incredibly helpful. I’ve set up an account with kdp and am now in process of setting up Ingram account, I wondered whether it’s better to keep ebooks solely with kdp or opt for the ebook and print with Ingram or just stick with print only on Ingram?

[@BookLaunchers]

Ingram is not good for ebook distribution. I would personally go KDP for Amazon print and Kindle, Draft2Digital for ebook everywhere else, and Ingram for print everywhere but Amazon.

[@learningwithmr.williams]

Hey Julie!!! I’m close to publishing my children’s book. I’m going to choose ingramspark , however if ingramspark is already going to make it available on Amazon through their distribution would it appear twice if I uploaded it through KDP again? Also if I upload it only on ingramspark would I have less control of the book . I just want to choose the right option!

[@resonanceliteracy]

very well done.

[@kaushikhazarikaa]

I published my book previously. I want to publish it through ingramspark, do I have to own a different ISBN or the same ISBN I used previously will do the work? I own the ISBN number. And if I do that will it cause any difficulties in the listing of my book in amazon cause I used two publishers for the exact same book? Will it kick out the previously published book from amazon or duplicate a new listing on amazon?

[@RaymondInternational]

Hi, I love your videos! I want both my fiction Paperback and eBook to ONLY be sold in the USA. Do I use Ingram Spark or KDP, or both? Thanks!

[@sethkopald2253]

Can you please share how long to wait to upload to KDP after you initiated with Ingram Sparks?

[@dawnjaco2975]

Good info but that popping sound is so distracting & annoying 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@kevinjeansonne5081]

Sounds so complicated with the ISBN's. Will there be any issues if I take all my previous books, ebook,paper and hardback, that I had on amazon kdp and put them on Ingramspark? I say previous books because kdp terminated my account. Will ingramspark still distribute these books to amazon?

[@BookLaunchers]

Do you have the ISBNs? If you only have ASINs that will be an issue. I do not think Ingram Spark will distribute them to Amazon if you've had a terminated account.

[@1yram]

How does IngramSpark compare to Draft2Digital? Do you need only one of these? Both? Thank you.

[@shahidwiggins]

I heard Amazon doesn't print books in hardcover, is that true?

[@BookLaunchers]

They've added that now. :)

[@danielread5854]

Hi! Please forgive me for asking a stupid question, but if I publish via KDP as well as Ingram won't I end up with two separate book pages on Amazon? Currently I'm with Ingram exclusively but I'm hearing good things about Kindle Unlimited and apparently I can only take advantage of that with KDP.

[@BookLaunchers]

No your ISBN ties them together. Also, FYI - THIS SATURDAY - our next Deep Dive is our Author Showcase where you’re going to meet four Book Launchers authors. You can hear what worked and didn’t work, and ask them questions to help you in your author journey. It’s happening on April 20th at 10am PST. The link is at: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@user-io4kb7pd9t]

Great video! ..Question...I have my own ISBN for my Children's paperback. I published on KDP first and did not do expanded distribution. Then I uploaded same paperback (different color quality) on IS. If I do expanded distribution on IS will this complicate things? any risks?

[@BookLaunchers]

This SHOULD be fine. We have run into some funky issues on occasion with this where the ISBN gets kicked back as already in use but you just have to take a few extra steps and it should be ok!

[@Lovingawareness333]

Could I get more information on Book Launchers. Please

[@BookLaunchers]

Thank you so much for saying hello! If you liked this video, and you’re looking for guidance to write your book you will LOVE my book: Self-Publish and Succeed. You can grab it here: www.selfpublishandsucceed.com or if you have a non-fiction book written and you’re looking at launch or post-launch marketing support, this is the book to read for that: selfpromoteandsucceed.com/ 

To learn more about our services: booklaunchers.com/self-publishing-services-overview/ 

 And, to set up a call with us, complete this: www.booklaunchers.com/apply 

Hope that helps you out!

[@brucestiles6477]

I paid for "real" ISBNs from Bowker (thank you, Julie!) instead of taking Amazon's free not-really-an-ISBN ASIN (is that what it's called?). When I publish my book, how do my ISBN gets used, and that Amazon does not apply its own number?

[@BookLaunchers]

You'll be uploading your ISBN when you upload to Amazon so the same ISBN applies for your book format everywhere!! WHOOPPEEE

[@brucestiles6477]

@@BookLaunchers Thank you! I was concerned that Amazon might unilaterally change my ISBN to their ASIN.

[@therealmattdamon5161]

If I plan to publish on kdp for a bit higher price than ingramsparks (this way bookstores can purchase in bulk for cheaper) should I not have Ingram send my book to Amazon?

[@BookLaunchers]

You can absolutely do that and it will simplify most things. Where there could be a problem is if Ingram and Amazon aren't playing nice ... there have been times where we have issued with Ingram and Amazon not working together an Ingram listing will show up as not in stock and order will be shipped in the future. There can be some other glitches ... on top of making less money per book sold and it costing a bit more to print each book. Just a heads up - when you upload to Ingram you can't set a different price for KDP than for book stores though.

[@therealmattdamon5161]

@@BookLaunchers thank you so much o watched this video and a few others, and they have answered a lot of my questions. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond

[@rachelrobertson7353]

How has your customer service experience been with Ingram? I heard from another author that she had a challenging experience, so looking for more info/comparison. By the way-LOVE the sandbox example and the rainbow cake image!!

[@BookLaunchers]

Compared to working with KDP they are a dream. :)

[@FablestoneSeries]

Their customer service is terrible, and their tech support is so frustratingly bad that it will bring you to tears. For 2 weeks i was caught in a feedback loop where i told them i couldn't do anything because i couldn't log into their tech support server. They said to fix the problem please log into the tech support server. This went around and around like this until i finally told them i wouldn't do business with them anymore. There is no plus side to doing business with them. if you want your books in stores there are other companies that will do that for cheaper. You have to sell your books at obscene prices in order just to break even on Ingramspark. And what she is explaining about the return policy, she isn't mentioning that if the customer returns the book YOU are paying for that book now. Many authors have made negative sales this way. They only make a few cents per book, but it takes just one return to wipe out all their profits.

[@SexyA97]

@@FablestoneSeries can you say who the other cheaper companies are would love to search them

[@FablestoneSeries]

@@SexyA97 draft2digital serves all the same book stores that ingramspark does and they are cheaper and WAY easier to use and ther tech support are angels. their royalties are far better too.

[@tanyaamat8232]

What do I do if I uploaded to Ingramspark first and KDP is rejecting the ISBN as already in use?

[@BookLaunchers]

Use the contact form on KDP to contact them.

[@kyeni68]

Is it better to purchase an ISBN? If you’re going to use both companies, or can you use KDP’s ISBN at Ingram?

[@BookLaunchers]

Don't do that - you'll create a lot of issues for yourself because it can flag your book as having a copyright issue. Buy your ISBN and use it everywhere.

[@staci-layne-wilson]

IngramSpark no longer charges anything.

[@BookLaunchers]

Yes they pretty much changed it as soon as this video came out! haha if only I could go back and edit the video ... I'll film an update later this year.

[@NoBody-xg1wg]

double the work to address the essentially same outlets. No comprende.

[@BookLaunchers]

Different reasons for using each - but you don't have to use both. We are optimizing for money made and reach.

[@vidpic8311]

This is too complicated

[@BookLaunchers]

Then just use one ... self-publishing has a lot of complexities to it and you can hire a company to do it all for you (that's what we do at www.booklaunchers.com) or you can figure it out yourself or you can just pick the path of least resistance and go there ... which would be choosing one platform and using it. There isn't one way to do this business and that is a great thing, but yes, it can also be a lot to take in. You may also like my book Self-Publish and Succeed books2read.com/ap/RDOjGr/Julie-Broad - that’s a really great starting point for any non-fiction author to start thinking through what you need to do to write a book that will sell and understand some of elements of self-publishing.