Can I Publish My Book on Amazon and Other Platforms? (2026)

TL;DR

Yes, you can publish your book on Amazon and other platforms at the same time. Standard KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is non-exclusive. The only exception is KDP Select, which requires ebook exclusivity on Amazon for 90 days. Print books, hardcovers, and audiobooks are never restricted, even if your ebook is enrolled in KDP Select. This guide covers every term, platform, and decision you need to understand.

The Short Answer: What Amazon Actually Requires

The question “can I publish my book on Amazon and other platforms” has a simple answer: yes. Amazon’s standard self-publishing program, KDP, places zero restrictions on where else you sell your book. You can list your ebook on Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and any other retailer you want, all while keeping it on Amazon.

The one exception is a program called KDP Select. When you enroll your ebook in KDP Select, you grant Amazon exclusive digital distribution rights for 90 days. During that window, your ebook cannot be sold or distributed anywhere else in digital format.

Here’s the detail that trips people up: KDP Select exclusivity applies only to ebooks. It does not apply to print editions or audiobooks. An author with their ebook locked into KDP Select can still sell paperbacks through IngramSpark, hardcovers through Barnes & Noble, and audiobooks on Audible, Spotify, and Apple Books. The formats operate independently.

If you’re new to KDP, our guide to self-publishing on Amazon walks through the full setup process.

This distinction between KDP and KDP Select is the single most important concept for any author considering multi-platform publishing. Everything else, the platforms, the aggregators, the ISBN strategy, flows from that one decision.

Explore multi-platform book publishing services →

A–Z Glossary of Multi-Platform Publishing Terms

Every term below is defined not just for comprehension but for practical decision-making. When authors ask “can I publish my book on Amazon and other platforms,” these are the concepts they need to understand.

Aggregator

A service that distributes your book to multiple retailers and library systems from a single upload. Instead of creating separate accounts on Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and a dozen other platforms, you upload once and the aggregator handles formatting, delivery, and royalty collection for each store. Draft2Digital and PublishDrive are the two most common ebook aggregators. IngramSpark serves as a print aggregator. Aggregators charge either a percentage of royalties (Draft2Digital takes roughly 10%) or a subscription fee (PublishDrive uses monthly pricing).

ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number)

Amazon’s proprietary product identifier. Every book on Amazon gets an ASIN automatically. It is not the same as an ISBN. You cannot use an ASIN to distribute your book anywhere outside of Amazon. Think of it as Amazon’s internal catalog number, useful on their platform, meaningless everywhere else.

Draft2Digital (D2D)

The most widely used ebook aggregator for indie authors. D2D distributes to Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, OverDrive, Tolino, and more, over 40 retailers and library platforms total. You upload your manuscript once, and D2D handles ebook file creation and distribution. Their fee is approximately 10% of earned royalties with no upfront costs. D2D also acquired Smashwords in 2022, consolidating two major aggregators into one. For authors going wide, D2D is often the first tool they set up.

Ebook Exclusivity

The requirement, unique to KDP Select, that your ebook be available only through Amazon during your enrollment period. Critically, “exclusivity” means you cannot sell or distribute your ebook (or any substantially similar digital version) through any other retailer, your own website, or any other digital channel. You can, however, make up to a 10% sample available elsewhere, and you can send digital review copies to reviewers. This restriction exists only while you are enrolled.

Expanded Distribution (KDP)

An optional setting within Amazon KDP that makes your print book available through third-party channels, including the Ingram catalog. It sounds appealing, but most experienced authors avoid it if they plan to use IngramSpark directly. The reason: KDP’s Expanded Distribution offers lower royalty rates and less control over wholesale discounts than IngramSpark. Using both simultaneously for the same ISBN can also create catalog conflicts. The general recommendation from practitioners is to pick one or the other, not both.

Going Wide

Publishing your book across multiple retailers and platforms instead of being exclusive to Amazon. “Going wide” is the most common term indie authors use when they mean multi-platform distribution. A wide strategy typically includes Amazon KDP (non-exclusive), Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, library distributors like OverDrive, and potentially dozens of smaller regional stores. The primary reason to go wide is access to the roughly 33% of the ebook market that exists outside of Amazon.

IngramSpark

A print-on-demand distribution platform owned by Ingram Content Group, the largest book distributor in the world. When your book is in the Ingram catalog, it can be ordered by over 40,000 bookstores, libraries, and online retailers worldwide. IngramSpark is the standard path for authors who want their print books stocked in physical bookstores. This matters because most independent bookstores will not order books through Amazon. Practitioners on Reddit have confirmed this friction repeatedly: local bookstores discovered one author’s book came through KDP and refused to carry it, insisting they order only through Ingram.

For a deeper look at how print-on-demand fits your publishing plan, see our guide to print-on-demand services for authors.

ISBN (International Standard Book Number)

A unique identifier for each edition and format of a book. If you publish a paperback, hardcover, and ebook, each needs its own ISBN. ISBNs are essential for multi-platform distribution because they are the universal language of the book supply chain. In the U.S., ISBNs are purchased through Bowker. A single ISBN costs $125, but the 10-pack at $295 ($29.50 each) is far more practical for most authors. Learn more about how to obtain an ISBN and why ownership matters.

The key rule: ISBNs are permanently tied to the publisher of record. If you use a free ISBN provided by Amazon or another platform, that platform is listed as the publisher, and you cannot transfer that ISBN elsewhere. This creates problems when you want to distribute the same book through multiple channels.

KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

Amazon’s self-publishing platform for ebooks and print books. It is free to use and non-exclusive by default. Any author can upload a manuscript, set a price, and have their book available on Amazon within 24 to 72 hours. KDP is where the vast majority of self-published books enter the market. Amazon sells approximately 300 million printed books per year and accounts for roughly 50% of all U.S. print book sales, making KDP an essential channel for nearly every author regardless of their wider strategy.

KDP Select

Amazon’s optional 90-day exclusivity program for ebooks. Enrolling in KDP Select does two things: it makes your ebook available in Kindle Unlimited (Amazon’s subscription reading service), and it gives you access to promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book promotions. The tradeoff is that your ebook cannot be sold anywhere else during the enrollment period.

A critical detail many authors miss: KDP Select auto-renews. If you don’t manually uncheck the auto-renewal before the 90-day period ends, you’re locked in for another 90 days. Forum contributors frequently warn new authors about this. If you plan to transition from exclusive to wide, set a calendar reminder for day 60 of your enrollment.

KENP (Kindle Edition Normalized Pages)

The unit Amazon uses to measure and pay for Kindle Unlimited page reads. When a KU subscriber reads your book, Amazon counts each “normalized” page (standardized regardless of font size or device). Authors in KDP Select are paid from a monthly pool called the KDP Select Global Fund. The per-page rate fluctuates but has historically hovered around $0.004 to $0.005 per page. For a 300-page novel, a full read-through earns roughly $1.20 to $1.50. This metric only matters if you are enrolled in KDP Select.

Kindle Unlimited (KU)

Amazon’s ebook subscription service. Readers pay $11.99 per month for unlimited access to books enrolled in KDP Select. The program has over 3 million subscribers, which represents a significant reading audience. However, KU skews heavily toward certain genres: romance, fantasy, thriller, and science fiction dominate. Authors in those genres often find that KU page reads account for the majority of their income. Authors in other genres, particularly nonfiction and literary fiction, tend to see less benefit.

Kobo Writing Life

Kobo’s direct publishing platform, where authors can upload ebooks without using an aggregator. Kobo has built a genuinely loyal readership across Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and several other European markets. If your audience extends beyond the U.S. and UK, Kobo is worth considering as a direct upload rather than going through an aggregator, since you keep a larger royalty percentage that way.

Multi-Platform Publishing

The practice of making your book available on more than one sales channel simultaneously. This is the practical answer to the question “can I publish my book on Amazon and other platforms.” Most successful indie authors publish across at least two or three channels. The degree of complexity depends on how many platforms you manage directly versus through aggregators.

Print-on-Demand (POD)

A printing technology where books are manufactured individually as orders come in. There is no upfront print run, no warehouse, and no unsold inventory. Both Amazon KDP (for print) and IngramSpark use POD. This technology is what makes it economically viable for a single author to have their print book available in 40,000+ stores without investing thousands in inventory. The tradeoff is a higher per-unit cost compared to offset printing, which only makes financial sense at quantities above 500 to 1,000 copies.

PublishDrive

A subscription-based aggregator that distributes ebooks, print books, and audiobooks to over 400 stores and 240,000 libraries worldwide. Unlike Draft2Digital’s percentage-based model, PublishDrive charges a monthly subscription fee, which can be more economical for authors with higher sales volumes. It’s a strong option for authors who want truly global reach from a single dashboard.

Returnability

An IngramSpark setting that determines whether bookstores can return unsold copies of your book. Setting your book as “returnable” increases the likelihood that physical bookstores will stock it, because it reduces their financial risk. However, returns cost the author money, since you’re charged for printing and shipping both ways. Most authors set their books as returnable only if actively pursuing bookstore placement.

Royalty Split

How much of the list price you keep after the platform, distributor, and retailer each take their share. On Amazon KDP, ebook royalties are either 35% or 70% depending on the price you set (70% is available for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99). For print, KDP previously paid 60% of list price minus printing costs, but as of 2025, the rate has dropped to 50% for lower-priced paperbacks and hardcovers. Apple Books pays 70% with no delivery fee. Kobo pays 70% for books over $2.99.

Universal Book Link (UBL)

A single link that detects a reader’s location or preferred retailer and directs them to the right store. Draft2Digital’s Books2Read tool generates these automatically. If you’re publishing on Amazon and other platforms simultaneously, UBLs solve a real marketing problem: instead of posting five different buy links, you share one. When a reader in Canada clicks it, they land on Kobo. A reader in the U.S. might land on Amazon. Essential for social media and email marketing.

Wholesale Discount

The percentage off your book’s list price that retailers receive when ordering through a distributor like IngramSpark. A standard wholesale discount is 40% to 55%. A higher discount makes your book more attractive to bookstores but cuts into your margin. One experienced contributor on the KDP Community forums shared that they tested increasing their wholesale discount from 40% to 55% and saw no noticeable increase in bookstore orders, so they adjusted back down to 40%.

Wide Distribution

A synonym for “going wide.” It refers to publishing across Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, libraries, and other retailers. Wide distribution is the opposite of Amazon exclusivity. The term is used interchangeably with “multi-platform publishing” in most indie author communities.

Platform-by-Platform Quick Reference

Here is a snapshot of each major platform for authors asking whether they can publish their book on Amazon and other platforms. None of these require exclusivity except KDP Select.

Platform	Format	Reach	Royalty Rate	Exclusivity Required?
Amazon KDP	Ebook + Print	Global, ~67% of U.S. ebook market	35–70% ebook; 50–60% print (minus print cost)	No (unless enrolled in KDP Select)
Apple Books	Ebook + Audiobook	Global, second-largest ebook retailer	70%	No
Barnes & Noble Press	Ebook + Print	U.S. (Nook users + BN.com)	70% ebook (above $2.99)	No
Kobo Writing Life	Ebook	Strong in Canada, Europe	70% (above $2.99)	No
Google Play Books	Ebook	Global, strong in Android-heavy markets	70%	No
IngramSpark	Print (POD)	40,000+ bookstores and libraries	List price minus print cost minus wholesale discount	No
Draft2Digital	Ebook (aggregator)	40+ retailers and libraries	Store royalty minus ~10% D2D fee	No

Key takeaway: Apple Books is the second-largest ebook retailer. Apple users tend to spend more per book than Amazon customers. Kobo is particularly strong outside the U.S. Google Play is the preferred ebook destination in Southeast Asia, South America, and parts of Africa, where Android phones dominate. Each platform reaches readers that Amazon does not.

For authors interested in reaching listeners across platforms, audiobook distribution operates independently from ebook decisions. Even authors in KDP Select can distribute audiobooks to Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, Chirp, and more. Our audiobook distribution guide covers the full process.

See audiobook production and distribution packages →

The Exclusive vs. Wide Decision: When Each Strategy Makes Sense

Knowing you can publish your book on Amazon and other platforms is the first step. Deciding whether you should is the harder question.

When KDP Select (Exclusive) Works Best

KDP Select tends to perform well for authors who write in genres that dominate Kindle Unlimited: romance, fantasy, thriller, and science fiction series. The consensus among practitioners on Reddit’s r/selfpublish is clear on this point. KU readers in these genres consume books at a pace that generates meaningful page-read income.

Select also helps during launches. Amazon’s algorithm gives visibility boosts to KDP Select titles, and the promotional tools (Kindle Countdown Deals, free book promotions) can drive early reviews and ranking. For first-time authors with a single title and no established readership, the algorithm boost can be more valuable than the 33% of the market they’re giving up.

Select makes the most sense when your primary audience lives in the U.S. and UK, your genre performs well on KU, and you’re in the early catalog-building phase.

When Going Wide Works Best

Wide distribution is generally the stronger play for nonfiction, literary fiction, poetry, and books priced above $6.99. These categories see less KU activity, and their readers are more likely to buy from Apple Books, Kobo, or physical bookstores.

Authors with international audiences benefit significantly from going wide. Amazon’s ebook market share has dropped from 83% to approximately 67%, meaning about a third of ebook purchases happen elsewhere. That share is even larger in countries where Kobo, Google Play, or Apple Books dominate.

Authors with a backlist of three or more titles tend to perform better wide because they have enough catalog depth to sustain visibility across multiple platforms.

If you’re planning your first release and weighing these options, our book launch strategy guide covers timing and pre-order decisions that apply to both approaches.

The “Start Exclusive, Go Wide” Transition

Many successful wide authors began in KDP Select. The strategy: launch exclusively to build Amazon reviews and ranking during the first 90-day enrollment, then uncheck auto-renewal and distribute everywhere once the period ends. This approach captures the algorithm boost early while preserving the option to go wide.

The transition steps are straightforward. Log into KDP, go to your bookshelf, and uncheck the auto-renewal box before day 90. Once the enrollment expires, your ebook is free to distribute on other platforms. Upload to Draft2Digital or directly to Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The whole process takes about a week to propagate across stores.

One thing to watch: Amazon can take up to 72 hours to fully de-list your book from KDP Select after expiration. Do not upload to other platforms until you’ve confirmed your enrollment has ended.

Why ISBN Strategy Matters for Multi-Platform Authors

ISBN decisions are often an afterthought, but for authors publishing on Amazon and other platforms, they are foundational.

The Problem with Free ISBNs

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other platforms offer free ISBNs. The catch is that these ISBNs list the platform as the publisher of record, and they are non-transferable. You cannot take an ISBN assigned by Amazon and use it on IngramSpark or Kobo. If you publish on multiple platforms using free ISBNs from each, your book ends up with several different ISBNs for the same edition. This looks unprofessional in bibliographic databases and can confuse retailers, librarians, and readers.

The Case for Owning Your ISBN

When you purchase your own ISBN from Bowker (the sole U.S. ISBN agency), you are listed as the publisher of record. That ISBN works everywhere: Amazon, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, anywhere that accepts ISBNs. One ISBN per format, used across all channels. This is the professional standard.

A single ISBN costs $125. The 10-pack costs $295, which is $29.50 per ISBN. Since you need separate ISBNs for paperback, hardcover, and ebook (if applicable), the 10-pack pays for itself quickly. For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to obtain an ISBN.

The Recommended Setup: KDP + IngramSpark

The most commonly recommended approach among experienced indie authors is to use KDP for Amazon sales and IngramSpark for everything else. This means disabling IngramSpark’s Amazon distribution channel to avoid catalog conflicts, while using IngramSpark to reach the 40,000+ bookstores and libraries in their network.

This dual-platform strategy requires owning your ISBN. It gives you the best Amazon royalty rate (through KDP) while opening the door to physical bookstores and libraries (through Ingram). The full breakdown of publishing costs covers how ISBNs, formatting, and distribution fees add up.

Get ISBN setup and 40+ platform distribution →

Royalty Comparison Across Platforms

This table shows estimated author earnings per book at two common price points. These figures assume the author is using standard (non-exclusive) distribution.

Ebook at $4.99 List Price

Platform	Royalty Rate	Estimated Author Earning
Amazon KDP	70%	$3.44 (after delivery fee)
Apple Books	70%	$3.49
Kobo	70%	$3.49
Barnes & Noble	70%	$3.49
Draft2Digital (to Apple, Kobo, etc.)	~63% (after D2D’s 10%)	~$3.14

Paperback at $15.99 List Price (est. $4.50 print cost)

Platform	Royalty Calculation	Estimated Author Earning
Amazon KDP	60% of list minus print cost	~$5.09
Amazon KDP (2025 lower-priced rate)	50% of list minus print cost	~$3.50
IngramSpark (40% wholesale discount)	List minus discount minus print cost	~$5.09
IngramSpark (55% wholesale discount)	List minus discount minus print cost	~$2.70

Note: Print costs vary by page count, trim size, and ink type. These are approximations for a 250-page black-and-white interior paperback.

Audiobook Distribution: Always Independent from Ebook Rules

One gap in most discussions about publishing on Amazon and other platforms is audiobooks. Here’s the key fact: audiobook distribution has nothing to do with KDP Select ebook exclusivity. Even if your ebook is locked into Select, you can distribute your audiobook to Audible, Apple Books, Spotify, Chirp, Kobo Audio, Google Play, and any other listening platform.

Audiobook distribution works through platforms like ACX (Amazon’s audiobook production marketplace), Findaway Voices (now part of Spotify), or services that handle narrator casting, production, and multi-platform distribution. The audiobook market is growing faster than ebooks, and reaching listeners across platforms is a meaningful revenue diversifier.

Explore audiobook production and distribution →

How to Market Across Multiple Platforms

Publishing wide introduces a marketing challenge: you’re no longer just driving traffic to one Amazon link. Authors who go wide need strategies that work across stores.

Universal Book Links (from Draft2Digital’s Books2Read tool) solve the biggest friction point by giving you a single URL that routes readers to their preferred store. This is essential for email newsletters, social media posts, and author websites.

Beyond that, wide authors tend to invest more in newsletter building, BookBub deals (which drive sales across all platforms), and direct-to-reader marketing. Amazon Ads still matter for Amazon sales, but they won’t help your Apple Books or Kobo numbers. Authors going wide often need a more diversified book marketing strategy than exclusive authors do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell my print book in bookstores if my ebook is in KDP Select?

Yes. KDP Select restricts only the digital ebook version. Your print book (paperback, hardcover) can be sold through IngramSpark, bookstores, libraries, and any other channel at any time, regardless of your ebook’s exclusivity status.

What happens if I break KDP Select exclusivity?

Amazon can remove your book from the KDP Select program and potentially flag your account. Repeated violations could result in account termination. If you have your ebook listed anywhere else while enrolled, remove it immediately. Amazon has been known to check.

Can I go wide after being in KDP Select?

Absolutely. Log into your KDP dashboard and uncheck the auto-renewal option before your current 90-day period ends. Once the period expires, you are free to distribute your ebook on any other platform. Many authors use this exact strategy: launch exclusive, build reviews and momentum, then go wide with a strong foundation.

Do I need a different ISBN for each platform?

No. If you own your ISBN (purchased from Bowker), you use the same ISBN for the same format across all platforms. You need separate ISBNs for different formats (one for paperback, one for hardcover, one for ebook), but each individual ISBN works everywhere. This is exactly why owning your ISBN matters for multi-platform distribution.

Is Amazon KDP’s Expanded Distribution the same as IngramSpark?

Not really. Both route through the Ingram catalog, but IngramSpark gives you direct control over wholesale discounts, returnability settings, and metadata. KDP’s Expanded Distribution is a simplified version with less control and typically lower royalties. Most authors who are serious about bookstore and library placement use IngramSpark directly and disable Expanded Distribution in KDP.

How much of the ebook market exists outside Amazon?

Amazon’s U.S. ebook market share has dropped from approximately 83% to around 67%. That means roughly a third of ebook purchases happen on other platforms. For authors with international readerships, the non-Amazon share is even larger, since platforms like Kobo, Apple Books, and Google Play dominate in many countries outside the U.S.

Can I publish my book on Amazon and other platforms if I use a traditional publisher?

That depends entirely on your publishing contract. Traditional publishers typically control distribution decisions. This article focuses on self-publishing and hybrid publishing, where the author retains distribution rights. If you’re exploring publishing companies as a first-time author, make sure you understand what rights you’re granting.

What’s the cheapest way to go wide?

The most affordable path is to use Amazon KDP (free) for Amazon distribution and Draft2Digital (free, takes ~10% of royalties) for everywhere else. This combination covers most major ebook retailers and libraries with zero upfront cost. For print, add IngramSpark, which charges a small setup fee but provides access to the global bookstore and library network. The total out-of-pocket for this setup, excluding ISBNs, can be under $100.