Got KDP Problems? Here’s Some Alternatives!

byMarlinda1

2.4K followers

2 days ago

Hey there,

If you've ever published on Amazon KD, or tried to, you probably know how unpredictable it can be. I’ve been there. A while back, my account was banned for no clear reason. No explanation. No warning. No way to fix it. They just shut it down and called it a day. I lost books that were doing really well and bringing in steady income.

Honestly, it was devastating. Not only financially but also sentinmentally. I started writing when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter (12+ years ago). They were the first things I figured out to do that made real money online. And they were also my advocacy to a mindset that keeps people bound from being with who they truly love (because I am a hopeless romantic').

It has been about a year since I was banned and it put a big pause on my publishing journey. For a while, it felt like a door had slammed shut on something I loved. But recently, seeing so many members excited about publishing again has sparked something in me too. And to those of you who’ve told me you enjoy my writing, I thank you. Truly. You’ve helped bring me back to this part of myself.

So now, I’m thinking about writing again. But this time, I’m not putting all my eggs in the Amazon basket and if you write, I want to share some resources so that you don't have to either.

There Are Alternatives to Amazon KDP

I did some digging and found out that there are actually a bunch of platforms out there that let you publish and sell your books outside of Amazon. Here’s a simple breakdown of some of the best options I came across and if you have experience with any of these, I'd love to hear it in the comments. That would help us all out a bunch.

• What it does: Distributes your ebook to a bunch of major retailers like Apple Books, Kobo, and more.
• Why it’s great: Super easy to use, formats your book for you, and helps you reach many stores at once.

• What it does: Helps you print and distribute books to bookstores, libraries, and online retailers.
• Why it’s great: If you want your book in physical stores or libraries, this is the way to go. Print quality is solid too.

• What it does: Offers print-on-demand for books, photo books, and more.
• Why it’s great: Great for different formats and direct sales. You can print just about anything.

• What it does: Sells ebooks directly to Apple users.
• Why it’s great: If you want to reach iPhone and iPad readers, this is a strong option.

• What it does: Distributes ebooks globally, including to libraries via OverDrive.
• Why it’s great: Perfect for reaching international readers and library systems.

• What it does: Lets you sell ebooks and print books through B&N.
• Why it’s great: Great visibility in the US and a familiar name for readers.

• What it does: A full-service company that offers editing, design, and distribution.
• Why it’s great: If you want help with everything and don’t mind paying for it, this could be a good fit.

• What it does: Specializes in high-quality photo books and visual content.
• Why it’s great: Awesome for photographers, artists, or premium print runs.

My Plan Moving Forward

I’ll probably start by trying Draft2Digital first. I've been debating about compiling some blog posts into books. I miss the creative process, and I don’t want one company’s decision to stopping any of us from doing something we love.

If you’re in the same boat, I hope this gives you some encouragement and clarity.

So to anyone out there who’s feeling blocked or shut down by KDP or anything else, keep going. The path might shift, but that doesn't mean it's over.

~ Marlinda
Internet Incomes | Helping pet lovers and parents turn their passion into online income