Your path to your own book
Authors today have many different possibilities to bring their work to readers:
Traditional publishing house
The publisher takes care of editing, cover design, marketing, and distribution. However, the author gives up rights and usually receives only a part of the revenues (royalties). Access is selective – publishers publish only a few manuscripts.
Literary agents
Agents mediate manuscripts to publishers. They increase the chances of a publishing contract, but take commissions and tie the author into longer processes.
Wholesale
Distribution takes place through intermediaries who buy books in bulk and deliver them to bookstores or other resellers. Suitable above all for higher print runs and titles with stable sales – wholesalers do not accept all titles.
Amazon Seller Central
Books can be sold via Amazon’s marketplace model like any other product. Here you act as a retailer, taking care of production, storage, shipping, and marketing yourself – but only for printed books. Effort can be very high. Only Amazon.
Amazon Advantage
Program in which Amazon buys and distributes printed books (consignment model). The author delivers, Amazon handles distribution. Only available to a limited extent and more suitable for established providers or special editions. Only Amazon.
In addition to the main paths mentioned, there are also distributors and aggregators who act as intermediaries between authors and platforms. They often handle distribution to several shops at once and offer additional services such as ISBN assignment, accounting, or marketing support.
There are many options for publishing a book. Our recommendation: Start simply and cost-effectively, and then add further options later.
Self-publishing means publishing your book independently of a traditional publisher – on your own, but with full control. With e.g. Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) from Amazon, authors can publish both eBooks and print-on-demand titles worldwide – without entry costs. And there are other very good services such as BoD or Tolino Media for the German market. Just compare.
Self-publishing is the entrepreneurial alternative for authors who do not want to wait for the decision of traditional publishers but actively want to place their work in the market. With the right strategy – from manuscript to marketing – self-publishing can become a real business.
Advantages:
- 100% creative freedom: cover, content, pricing
- Direct access to millions of readers via Amazon marketplace
- Attractive royalty models (up to 70% for eBooks)
- Fast market entry: publication often within a few days
Challenges:
- Own responsibility for editing, cover, and marketing
- Building a readership without an existing publisher network
- Professional quality assurance is crucial for success
Our service portfolio in self-publishing
With many years of professional experience at Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) in Germany, we accompany authors on their way to successful publication. Our consulting approach is practical, individual, and aimed at positioning your book project professionally in the market.
Our services at a glance:
- Consulting on publishing via self-publishing
- Coaching for publication
- Marketing consulting for distribution
- Mediation of services (design, typesetting, etc.)
⚠️ Important note:
A writing school, proofreading or editing are not included in the scope of services. We also cannot provide support with KDP problems such as account suspensions.