Top-Tier Self-Publishing Firms of 2025 (Including Retailers and Aggregators)
In the world of self-publishing, there are several reliable companies that can help give your book a strong start. These companies can be categorized as retailers, aggregators, or full-service companies, each offering unique benefits.
Retailers such as Amazon Kindle Store, Barnes & Noble Press, Apple Books, and Kobo, allow authors to publish and sell their books directly to readers. Authors create accounts, upload their books, and the retailer handles sales, payment processing, and distribution. Retailers like these let authors keep a higher royalty percentage because there is no middleman, but authors manage each platform separately.
Aggregators act as distributors who simplify publishing by sending the book to multiple retailers from a single submission. Examples include Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, and StreetLib. Authors upload once to the aggregator’s dashboard, and the aggregator distributes the book to many stores such as Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, and others. Aggregators save time and expand reach but usually take a small cut or charge a subscription fee.
Full-service companies offer a comprehensive package including editing, formatting, cover design, publishing, and sometimes marketing. They handle almost the entire publishing process for the author. These companies are ideal for authors who want professional assistance with all aspects of publishing rather than just distribution.
The key differences between these types of self-publishing companies can help authors choose the one that best suits their needs.
Authors who value control and royalties might find that going directly through retailers is best. This approach offers maximum control and higher royalties, but requires managing multiple platforms separately.
On the other hand, authors wanting efficient wide distribution with less administrative hassle may find aggregators a suitable choice. These platforms expand reach and simplify publishing, but usually take a small cut or charge a subscription fee.
Full-service companies are best for authors who prefer professional assistance and a turnkey service. These companies offer editing, formatting, cover design, publishing, and sometimes marketing support, all in one place. However, this comprehensive service comes at a higher cost.
Draft2Digital, for instance, takes a 10% commission based on the retail price of each sale, regardless of the store. Barnes and Noble Press allows authors to publish their self-published ebooks as physical copies, and offers a royalty rate calculator for authors.
Book aggregators like Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, and StreetLib act as distributors, sending your book to multiple stores on your behalf. Book retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble Press, Apple Books, Kobo, and others, offer direct access to millions of readers and competitive royalty structures.
Other self-publishing platforms include IngramSpark, Apple Books, and BookBaby. IngramSpark uses a wholesale discount model for royalties, where authors set the list price and discount (typically 55%) and the royalty is what’s left after subtracting the discount and print costs. Apple Books offers direct access to millions of loyal Apple users and a flat 70% royalty. BookBaby distributes to both ebook and print platforms, including major retailers like Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
In summary, the choice between retailers, aggregators, and full-service companies depends on the author’s needs. If a self-publishing author values control and royalties, going directly through retailers is best. If they want efficient wide distribution with some convenience, aggregators fit well. If they prefer professional assistance and turnkey service, full-service companies are the best choice.
[1] Self-publishing Companies: Retailers, Aggregators, and Full-Service Providers, The Balance Small Business, [https://www.thebalance.com/self-publishing-companies-retailers-aggregators-full-service-providers-2295867] [2] Choosing the Right Self-Publishing Platform, Reedsy, [https://reedsy.com/blog/choosing-the-right-self-publishing-platform] [3] Self-Publishing: How to Choose the Right Platform, Writer's Digest, [https://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/self-publishing-how-to-choose-the-right-platform] [4] Self-Publishing Services: Retailers, Aggregators, and Full-Service Providers, BookBub, [https://www.bookbub.com/guest-posts/2018/01/31/self-publishing-services-retailers-aggregators-and-full-service-providers]
- For indie authors seeking professional assistance with all aspects of publishing, full-service companies like IngramSpark offer comprehensive packages, including cover design, ebook formatting, editing, and marketing.
- In the realm of book retailers, Publisher Rocket stands out as a platform that provides analytics for Amazon, helping authors optimize their books' visibility and commercial success.
- Technology plays a significant role in the lifestyle of authors, as they can now distribute their books efficiently with platforms like Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, and StreetLib, which specialize in ebook formatting and cover design.
- In the pursuit of an engaging reading experience for their audience, indie authors face a crucial decision regarding the type of self-publishing companies to partner with, given the diverse options available in entertainment, from retailers to aggregators and full-service providers.
){kind=link}