Amazon makes it easy for writers to self-publish their books. It’s one of the most common platforms for readers to buy books, especially eBooks, and there are some writers who make a comfortable living solely off of Amazon, specifically the Kindle Direct program. Kindle Direct also offers print-on-demand options for physical books, helps authors get their books into international markets, and allows them to keep the rights to their own work.

There might be reasons you don’t want to use Amazon, though. Many people take issue with any company taking over so much of the market. Given the effect Amazon has had on the independent bookselling industry, many writers might feel particularly hesitant to trust one of the world’s biggest corporations with their precious work. 

Even if you don’t harbor any of those feelings toward Amazon, it’s always smart to question whether or not the easiest, most obvious choice is the best one. 

Late to the Party

The biggest reason to not use the service that everyone else is using is just that: Everyone else is using it. Years ago there were certainly authors who got the most out of being in the right place at the right time, getting the benefit of both a big reading audience and power over their own books. At this point, any book being self-published on Amazon is one of a seemingly endless list of other titles. If you dislike jumping through hoops to get the attention of a literary agent for a traditional publishing process, then using Amazon might feel like the same problem with a different name. 

Luckily, many readers feel the same. Alternative options for self-publishing—like those offered by Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or Apple Books—still have big reader bases, but you might have a easier time breaking through the noise. And even if you encounter readers who have not used those platforms yet, they are easy enough to navigate that they are unlikely to be off-putting. 

Keep it Together

Independent publishing is often attractive to those who write more than books. Nonfiction writers and journalists are more likely than ever to be writing for themselves, using platforms like Patreon and Substack, rather than for a larger publication. Fiction writers might share newsletters filled with book recommendations, prompts for reading discussion groups, and personal updates while they are writing their next full-length book. 

When you already have an audience—maybe because you’ve made it easy for them to find and read your work—sending them to a different platform to buy your work might be a bit jarring. That might seem like an exaggeration, but consider how much more likely you are to buy something if you can get it online, then how much you are even more likely to make a purchase if you don’t need to find your physical card to pay for it. 

Of course, you can always link to your Amazon page in a newsletter. But if you don’t need Amazon to find your readers for you, well, what exactly are you getting out of the deal? It offers you a slicker product compared to simply selling a PDF and might save you money if you otherwise would have hired people to produce a nicer digital book. But why not publish your book in chapters and keep it behind your paywall? Easy for you and your readers, and it will streamline your finances come tax season. 

Problem-Solving

Something that might not come up right away when considering self-publishing platforms is customer service. Not just for your readers, but for you, too.

Amazon is a big company, to put it mildly. They aren’t exactly relying on good word of mouth to make money. As a self-published author, though, having a smooth purchasing experience for your readers can truly make or break your career. If there are issues with your books, if people can’t properly pay for and download them, Amazon won’t lose out but you will. 

Look around for reviews from authors about different platforms. How quick and effective are they when responding to their authors? How often do people notice bugs in their systems? Are they quick to respond with a human being instead of a chatbot?

Choosing a platform is about an ongoing relationship, not just a spot where you can upload your books and then forget about them. 

You Always Have Choices

Kindle Direct might very well be the best choice for your books. And that’s great! There’s certainly a lot of good reasons to use it, and the most popular choice is often the most popular for a reason. 

But never forget that when you are taking the self-publishing path, you are taking on the work of a full publishing team by yourself, and at the very least, that means making thoughtful choices about book distribution. Making the right choice for you can make all the difference in your career—not just in terms of book sales, but in terms of your own experience as an independent business. 

Chelsea Ennen is a writer living in Brooklyn with her husband and her dog. When not writing or reading, she is a fiber and textile artist who sews, knits, crochets, weaves, and spins.