Top 8 Self-Publishing Companies Highlighted in 2025 (Including Retailers and Aggregators)
In the world of self-publishing, authors have two main options when it comes to publishing and distributing their books: retailers and aggregators. Each offers unique benefits and drawbacks, and choosing between the two depends on the author's goals.
Retailers, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Barnes & Noble Press, Apple Books, and Kobo, are platforms where authors publish and sell books directly. By creating an account and uploading their book files, authors gain access to a vast audience on that single platform. The advantage of retailers is that authors maintain greater control over pricing, marketing, and the book listing. Additionally, they usually receive a higher royalty percentage as there is no middleman taking a cut.
On the other hand, aggregators like Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, and StreetLib act as distributors, allowing authors to submit their book once, after which the aggregator distributes it to multiple retailers and stores on the author's behalf. This convenience enables authors to reach a wider range of platforms, including smaller retailers, library systems, and subscription services, without the need to upload and manage books on each storefront individually. In exchange for this convenience and broader reach, aggregators take a small cut of royalties.
| Type | Benefits | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Retailers | - Greater control over pricing and marketing on the platform | | | - Usually higher royalty rates as there is no middleman taking a cut | | | - Direct access and control of the book listing | | Aggregators| - Convenience of distributing to multiple retailers with a single upload | | | - Access to a wider range of platforms, including smaller retailers, library systems, and subscription services | | | - Simplifies managing multiple retail accounts |
Authors who want maximum control and are focusing on selling primarily through one major platform like Amazon might find retailers more suitable. Those aiming for wide distribution across many platforms, especially if they want to save time and reach diverse markets, would benefit from using aggregators.
IngramSpark, for example, is an aggregator that also offers print-on-demand services. Draft2Digital is a popular aggregator that simplifies the process by distributing to multiple stores at once. Since acquiring Smashwords in 2022, Draft2Digital has become a one-stop solution for distributing ebooks to nearly every major retailer and digital library.
Full-service companies like BookBaby offer editing, formatting, cover design, publishing, and marketing support for authors who prefer a more hands-off approach.
In summary, retailers offer direct publishing with higher royalties and control, while aggregators streamline wide distribution with less hassle but include a royalty share for their service. The choice between the two depends on the author's specific goals, audience, and the level of involvement they wish to have in the publishing process.
Indie authors seeking wide distribution across various platforms, such as home-and-garden, entertainment, and books, might find aggregators like Draft2Digital beneficial due to their ability to distribute to multiple retailers with a single upload. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach and maintain greater control over aspects like cover design and ebook formatting, retailers like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing might be more suitable. Full-service companies, like BookBaby, provide authors with editing, formatting, cover design, publishing, and marketing support, allowing indie authors to focus on their lifestyle and writing. Ultimately, the choice between retailers and aggregators depends on the author's goals, desired level of control, and intended audience reach.
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