Can I publish with two indie publishers?

[Ron]

Hi, I'm getting ready to publish my first indie book. I've looked at publishers like draft2digital and smashwords. I haven't made up my mind about who to publish with, yet, so recommendations are appreciated.

However, I noticed D2D doesn't have an arrangement with Amazon. Smashwords might not, either. If I publish with D2D - they come highly recommended by other indie authors I know - can I still publish with Amazon?

Basically, can I publish with an indie publisher and still publish with Amazon?

thank you for any help.

[P.D.]

So, let's get one thing straight. They are not indie publishers. You are the publisher, and they are distributors. Yes, you can use as many distributors as you like, unless you publish through a program that puts limits on your distribution, such as KDP Select (which limits your digital distribution to KDP for 90 days.)

I publish through:
- KDP (Amazon)
- Smashwords
- Createspace
- IngramSpark
- Google Play
- Some stuff through Instafreebie

[[deleted user]]

Keep in mind, using any other distributer besides Amazon will prevent you from using KU, doing a countdown sale, or doing a free giveway on Amazon.

[Ron]

hmmm. I'm glad I asked. Thanks for all the replies and information.

Soooo.... Is there a recommended course of action?

Just go with KDP (Amazon)? Or Createspace? Or should I do Amazon and one or two or three of the other "big" distributors?

ty

[P.D.]

KDP is digital ebook. Createspace is print. Do both.

Most authors choose KDP Select over "going wide" at all of the digital distributors, but it is up to you!

[[deleted user]]

I decided to go with KDP for Amazon paperback and ebook market, and with Smashwords for ebook distribution to B&N, Apple Books, Indigo-Chapters, and Overdrive for public libraries. The only snag is that all national Amazon websites around the globe except my home turf, Canada, display the paperback edition. Amazon said it was working on the issue with Canada, but did not explain what the problem was. Otherwise, it has worked well, and I had used Canadian ISBNs without distributor or international issues. Caveat: this was my first time doing this, two months ago.

[[deleted user]]

What I said earlier applies only to your book in digital format.

[Kenneth]

I'v been having the same dilemma about Publishing​ two books, I find the information useful.Thanks
As anyone published with the publisher best ventures. Let me know if they are any good.

[Ron]

tysm, everyone. This does clear things up.

I'll look into this a little more, this week, but it sounds like I should start with KDP and Createspace plus use either D2D or Smashwords for wider distribution.

Seems I should "create" my own publishing company, too, based on what was said, earlier.

Thank you, P.D, for the lead on Creatspace. I didn't even know about them.

[Dylan]

Ron wrote: "Seems I should "create" my own publishing company, too, based on what was said, earlier."

Hi Ron,

You don't have to create your own publishing company, though you can. You would be acting as your own publisher when you submit your work.

If you stick with Amazon, Createspace, and Smashwords you don't even have to worry about ISBNs, since they are provided for you. (Which is a good starting point, but you may want your own ISBNs later on.) Depending on what your goals are, then you may just want to stick with Amazon Paperback instead of Createspace, as well -- it keeps things a little simpler.

Kenneth - What is "Best Ventures" publishing? I looked online but couldn't find them. Anything with the words "best ventures" in it would make me, personally, hesitant. haha

[Ron]

Dylan wrote:
You don't have to create your own publishing company, though you can. You would be acting as your own publisher when you submit your work."

HI, Dylan.

If I'm understanding the process - and it's very possible I'm not - aren't I essentially acting as a publisher when I give my book to Amazon or D2D for distribution?

[Christina]

Temple wrote: "It should be noted that there's a lot of scuttlebutt about CreateSpace disappearing into Amazon (which already owns it). This has been discussed for many months now at the CreateSpace community: ht..."

In order for Createspace to "disappear," all Amazon would have to do is rebrand it. I'm sure there is a back end corporate business related reason for the redundancy.

[P.D.]

You are the publisher. You can be a sole proprietor using a trade name for your imprint or you can incorporate a company or other entity. Whatever is best for your financially and legally.

[Ron]

Thank you, everyone. This cleared things up for me a lot. The community here has been really helpful. I greatly appreciate that.

I think I'll go with KDP to start and use one of the other distributors to get the book out to Apple, B&N, and other markets.