Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital is a leading distributor for self-published authors. Instead of uploading your book to every retailer individually (Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble), you upload it once to Draft2Digital, and they distribute it to all of them for you. They also format your manuscript into a professional eBook layout for free.

The platform charges no upfront fees; they take a small percentage of royalties (approx 10% of the retail price) only when a book sells. Draft2Digital recently acquired Smashwords, consolidating its position as the biggest competitor to Amazon KDP for wide distribution. It is a legitimate essential tool for authors seeking a broad audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. specific fees?

Draft2Digital does not charge setup or formatting fees. They keep approximately 10% of the retail price of each book sold. If you don't sell any books, you don't pay anything.

2. Where do they distribute?

They distribute to major retailers including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Amazon, and library systems like OverDrive and Baker & Taylor. This "wide" approach helps you reach readers outside the Amazon ecosystem.

3. How do I get paid?

Draft2Digital pays monthly via direct deposit, PayPal, Payoneer, or check. They consolidate your earnings from all the different retailers into one single payment.

4. Do they handle formatting?

Yes, they have an automated conversion tool that turns your Word document into a polished eBook (ePub) and print-ready PDF for free. This saves authors the cost of hiring a professional formatter.

5. Can I use KDP and Draft2Digital?

Yes, many authors publish directly to Amazon KDP (to get the best royalty rate there) and use Draft2Digital to reach all other retailers (Apple, Kobo, etc.). You just need to ensure you don't opt into KDP Select exclusivity.