8 Best Free Self-Publishing Sites for Authors: Publish Your Book for Free and Get Paid

Publishing a book no longer has to start with a large upfront investment. Today, authors can publish ebooks, print books, and even audiobooks through online self-publishing platforms that are free to start.

But “free self-publishing” can mean different things depending on the platform.

Some sites let you upload your book for free but take a percentage of every sale. Some let you publish directly to one store. Others help you distribute your book to multiple retailers and libraries from one account. Print books may be free to set up, but printing costs are usually deducted from each sale.

So, which free self-publishing site is right for you?

In this guide, we’ll compare the best free self-publishing sites for authors, explain how each platform works, and help you decide where to publish your book for free and get paid.

What does free self-publishing actually mean?

Free self-publishing usually means you can upload and publish your book without paying an upfront setup fee.

However, that does not always mean every part of publishing is free.

Depending on the platform, you may still need to consider:

• Editing and proofreading
• Cover design
• Ebook formatting
• Print formatting
• ISBNs
• Marketing and advertising
• Store commissions
• Distributor commissions
• Print production costs
• Audiobook production costs

Most free self-publishing platforms make money in one of three ways:

1. Store commission: A retailer keeps part of each sale before paying your royalty.
2. Distributor commission: A distributor takes a percentage of each sale in exchange for sending your book to multiple stores.
3. Subscription model: You pay a recurring fee but keep more of your royalties.

The best choice depends on your publishing goals. A first-time author with one ebook may need something simple and free to start. A professional author or publisher with several books may care more about wider distribution, centralized reporting, royalty control, and long-term profit margin.

 

8 Best Free Self-Publishing Sites to Know

1. Amazon KDP

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, usually called Amazon KDP, is one of the most popular free self-publishing platforms for independent authors.

With KDP, you can publish ebooks to the Kindle Store and print books through print-on-demand. There is no upfront fee to upload your book. Instead, Amazon keeps part of each sale and pays you royalties based on your book’s price, format, territory, and royalty option.

For ebooks, Amazon offers 35% and 70% royalty options depending on eligibility, price, location, and other requirements. The 70% option may also include delivery costs based on file size.

Amazon also has KDP Select, but this one requires an exclusivity period. That means for the first 90 days your ebook is up on Amazon, you can’t sell it anywhere else. This can limit your earning potential. Let me share why…

Self-publishing indies don’t have the backings nor the budget that comes from a traditional publishing house or agency. To get noticed, marketing becomes significant. Another way to maximize reach – therefore selling potential – is by distributing in as many stores, countries, and formats as possible. This is called “going wide.”

And this strategy works. Tens of thousands of indies doubled their book sales in 2021 by going wide via PublishDrive. Remember, half of the digital book sales come from Amazon; don’t miss out on the other half of the pie.

Maybe you’re okay with starting out with KDP Select. You can definitely go wide and try other free publishing sites after your 90-day period. But if maximizing three months’ worth of royalties sounds vital for you, go wide from the get-go. 

Best use case: Amazon KDP is a strong choice if you want to publish directly to Amazon and focus on Kindle readers. It can also be part of a wider publishing strategy if you use other platforms to reach non-Amazon stores.

2. PublishDrive

PublishDrive is a self-publishing and book distribution platform that helps authors and publishers distribute books to multiple stores and manage publishing from one dashboard.

For authors who want to start for free, PublishDrive offers a free plan for one ebook. The free plan allows you to publish one ebook to selected major ebook channels, including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, with no subscription and no commission from PublishDrive.

This makes PublishDrive useful for authors who want to try wide publishing without immediately committing to a paid plan.

Unlike platforms that take a percentage of every sale, PublishDrive’s broader model is based on subscriptions. That means authors and publishers on paid plans can distribute to more stores while keeping 100% of their net royalties after store commissions.

If you start a paying plan to publish more than one ebook or test other formats like print and audio, you can cancel within 30 days and request a full refund.

PublishDrive also offers book promotion features, print-on-demand converter, a print cover template generator, a free ebook converter, and much more.

Best use case: PublishDrive is a strong option if you want to publish your first ebook for free while building toward wider distribution. It is especially useful if your long-term goal is to manage multiple formats, stores, reports, and royalties from one place.

 

Go Wide with PublishDrive

Start with PublishDrive’s free plan and publish your first ebook to selected major stores with no subscription and no PublishDrive commission.

START FOR FREE

3. Barnes & Noble Press

Barnes & Noble Press is the self-publishing platform for reaching Barnes & Noble and NOOK readers.

Authors can publish ebooks and print books through B&N Press. For ebooks, Barnes & Noble Press states that authors earn a 70% royalty rate. For print books, its royalty terms describe a 55% royalty rate of the list price minus printing costs.

See this guide to learn about Barnes and Noble self-publishing.

Best use case: Barnes & Noble Press is a good option if you want to publish directly to B&N and NOOK. It can work well alongside Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play Books, or a wide distribution platform.

4. Apple Books

Apple Books for Authors lets writers publish directly to Apple Books and reach readers across Apple devices.

Publishing to Apple Books is free, and Apple promotes a simple royalty model for ebooks. According to Apple Books for Authors, rights holders earn 70% royalties on ebooks regardless of price point, with no file delivery fees.

Ooh, get this. PublishDrive can recommend your book to Apple’s editorial team for a promotional feature (with a 90% approval rate). Learn more about PublishDrive’s book promotion services.

Best use case: Apple Books for Authors is a good choice if you want direct control over your Apple Books presence. If you want to publish to Apple Books and other stores from one dashboard, a distributor may be easier.

5. Google Play Books

Google Play Books allows authors and publishers to sell ebooks through Google’s book ecosystem.

Google Play Books uses a revenue split model. Google’s official Partner Center documentation says the 70% revenue split applies to eligible ebook sales in supported countries after accepting the relevant terms.

Google Play Books can be especially useful for authors who want to reach Android users and readers who buy books through Google Play.

Read more on how to sell books on Google.

Best use case: Google Play Books is a useful direct publishing option for authors who want to reach readers through Google’s ecosystem. It is often strongest as part of a wide publishing strategy rather than the only publishing channel.

6. IngramSpark

IngramSpark is a publishing platform best known for print distribution. It helps authors and publishers make books available to bookstores, libraries, and online retailers through Ingram’s global distribution network.

For authors who want print-on-demand and bookstore-facing distribution, IngramSpark can be a powerful option. However, it is usually more complex than beginner-friendly ebook platforms. Authors need to understand print pricing, wholesale discounts, returns, trim sizes, file requirements, and bookstore ordering behavior.

Read more about print-on-demand distribution with Ingram.

Best use case: IngramSpark is best for authors and publishers who are serious about print distribution, bookstore availability, and professional publishing operations.

7. Kobo Writing Life

Kobo Writing Life is Kobo’s self-publishing platform for independent authors and publishers.

It is free to create an account and publish ebooks. Kobo says authors can earn up to 70% royalties, while Kobo Writing Life royalty documentation explains that original works can receive 70% of the list price when they meet pricing requirements.

Kobo is especially relevant for authors who want to reach international ebook readers, including markets where Kobo has a stronger presence than some other retailers.

Best use case: Kobo Writing Life is a good option if you want direct access to Kobo readers, especially if your audience is international or you are publishing wide.

8. Dreame

Dreame is a mobile-first storytelling platform focused mainly on serialized fiction, romance, fantasy, young adult, paranormal, and other popular genre categories.

Unlike platforms such as Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, or PublishDrive, Dreame is not mainly a traditional book distribution platform. It is closer to a reader community and serialized fiction platform where writers can publish ongoing stories, build an audience, and potentially monetize through platform-specific opportunities.

That makes it useful for certain types of fiction authors, especially writers who enjoy writing in episodes or chapters and building reader engagement over time.

Best use case: Dreame can be useful if you write serialized genre fiction and want to build an audience chapter by chapter. If your goal is to publish a finished ebook, print book, or audiobook across major retailers and libraries, you will likely need a traditional self-publishing or distribution platform as well.

Direct publishing vs wide distribution: which is better?

One of the biggest decisions in self-publishing is whether to publish directly to each store or use a distribution platform.

Direct publishing

Direct publishing means uploading your book separately to platforms like Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, Google Play Books, and Barnes & Noble Press.

This can give you more direct control over each account, but it also creates more manual work.

You may need to manage:

• Separate dashboards
• Separate tax forms
• Separate payment schedules
• Separate metadata updates
• Separate pricing changes
• Separate sales reports
• Separate promotional tools
• Separate store requirements

Wide distribution

Wide distribution means using one platform to send your book to multiple retailers, libraries, and subscription services.

This can make publishing easier because you manage more of the process from one place. It is especially helpful when you have multiple books, multiple formats, or a growing catalog.

Wide distribution can help with:

• Reaching more stores
• Managing updates from one dashboard
• Tracking sales across channels
• Expanding beyond Amazon
• Reaching international readers
• Building a long-term publishing business

The tradeoff is that every distributor has its own business model. Some take a commission. Others, like PublishDrive, use a subscription model for broader paid plans so authors can keep more of their net royalties after store commissions.

Free self-publishing sites vs free publishing companies

Many authors search for “free publishing companies,” but what they usually need is a self-publishing platform.

A traditional publishing company usually selects books, edits them, publishes them, and pays the author royalties. A self-publishing platform gives the author tools to publish independently.

The difference matters.

With self-publishing, you usually keep creative control. You decide your book’s title, cover, description, pricing, publishing date, and marketing strategy. You are also responsible for quality, promotion, and long-term sales.

Free self-publishing platforms are best for authors who want control and are willing to manage the publishing process themselves.

Is free self-publishing really free?

It can be free to upload and publish your book, but publishing a successful book often involves other investments.

You can technically publish without paying for:

• Uploading
• Store access
• Basic ebook distribution
• Print-on-demand setup on some platforms

But you may still choose to pay for:

• Editing
• Cover design
• Formatting
• ISBNs
• Marketing
• Ads
• Author website
• Review copies
• Audiobook production

Free self-publishing is best understood as free access to publishing tools, not a guarantee that every part of building an author business costs nothing.

FAQ

Can I publish a book for free?

Yes. Many self-publishing platforms let you upload and publish a book without paying an upfront fee. However, stores or distributors may take a percentage of each sale, and print books usually have printing costs deducted from royalties.

Can I publish a book for free and get paid?

Yes. You can publish for free and earn royalties when readers buy your book. Your earnings depend on the platform, book format, price, royalty rate, territory, and any store or distributor fees.

What is the best free self-publishing site?

The best free self-publishing site depends on your goal. Amazon KDP is strong for Amazon, Apple Books is strong for Apple readers, Kobo Writing Life is useful for Kobo and international reach, and PublishDrive is useful if you want to publish your first ebook for free to selected major stores from one dashboard.

Is Amazon KDP free?

Yes. Amazon KDP is free to use. You can upload ebooks and print books without an upfront fee. Amazon keeps part of each sale and pays royalties based on its royalty rules.

Is PublishDrive free?

PublishDrive has a free plan for one ebook. The free plan allows distribution to selected ebook channels, including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, with no PublishDrive subscription or commission on that free plan.

Do free publishing sites take royalties?

Some do. Retailers usually keep part of each sale before paying your royalty. Some distributors also take a commission. Other platforms may use subscription pricing instead of taking a percentage of each sale.

Can I publish an ebook for free?

Yes. Many platforms allow free ebook publishing, including Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, Barnes & Noble Press, Google Play Books, PublishDrive, and Draft2Digital.

Can I publish a print book for free?

You can often set up a print-on-demand book without paying upfront, but printing costs are usually deducted from each sale. Print publishing also requires careful formatting, cover setup, trim size selection, and pricing decisions.

Should I publish directly or use a distributor?

Direct publishing gives you more control over individual store accounts. A distributor helps you reach multiple stores from one dashboard. Direct publishing may work well for a small number of stores, while distribution can be more efficient as your catalog grows.

Can I publish on multiple platforms at the same time?

Yes, unless you enroll in an exclusivity program that prevents it. For example, Amazon KDP Select requires ebook exclusivity with Amazon during the enrollment period. If you want wide distribution, check each platform’s terms before committing to exclusivity.