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Writer's pictureAnna Dunworth
Dec 8, 20235 min read

What is a book aggregator and do you need one?


ebook with glasses and notebook

We live in an era of self-publishing. The rise of ebooks and digital bookstores has allowed authors more success and fewer barriers to publishing their work than ever before. As the traditional publishing market becomes harder to break into, more authors are choosing to forgo it entirely for the indie route.


If you decide to self-publish, you'll need to select the best way to get your work to your readers. Your options include book retailers, book aggregators, and even full-service companies that claim to do it all.


Last week, we broke down everything you need to know about book retailers. Now it's time to look at aggregators: what they are, what they do, and whether or not self-published authors need them.


What Is A Book Aggregator?

A book aggregator is a company that makes your work available in multiple ebook stores simultaneously. Many also offer print-on-demand services to sell hardcover and/or paperbacks to your readers.


In exchange for these services, authors typically pay the aggregator a portion of their royalties or an upfront cost. The pricing structures of book aggregators vary significantly, but none retain rights to the author's work.


Book aggregators also compile sales and other earnings data from the platforms where they sell a book. This allows authors to see data from multiple retailers in one place.


Book Aggregators vs. Book Retailers

Book aggregators make your work available in many ebook stores simultaneously. Alternatively, book retailers place your ebook in their store only.


For example, uploading to a book aggregator may place your ebook in the Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple stores with just one click. Alternatively, uploading to KDP (Amazon's book retailer) will only make your ebook available in the Amazon store.


Some book aggregators and retailers offer other additional services for authors, such as book cover design, formatting, editing, or marketing.


Book Aggregators vs. Book Distributors

From what I can tell, the technical difference between these book aggregators and distributors is that aggregators place ebooks in digital stores while distributors get print books on the shelves of bookstores.


However, these two terms seem to be used interchangeably in articles and conversations about self-publishing options - at least throughout the research I did for this feature.


Top Book Aggregators For Self-Published Authors in 2023

There are plenty of book aggregators out there...Far too many to cover in this short feature. I read through many recommendations and reviews to pinpoint the top four.


The top book aggregators are:

  1. Draft2Digital

  2. BookBaby

  3. PublishDrive

  4. IngramSpark

The bottom line: All four offer similar ebook and print-on-demand services for self-published authors to distribute their work to a wide array of retailers without losing ownership of their books. Authors should consider pricing structure and online platform quality to determine which aggregator best suits their needs.


Draft 2 Digital


Draft2Digital is a widely used book aggregator among self-published authors. They've expanded even more since acquiring Smashwords (one of their major competitors) in 2022, and many consider them the ideal option for debut authors.


Available Services Include:

  • ebook & print-on-demand

  • distribution to a wide retail network

  • formatting and templates for your books

  • author home page where you can direct readers

  • sales tracking & analytics

  • audiobook options

Pricing: Draft2Digital allows authors to upload their work for free in exchange for 10% of royalties on most ebooks. These do not include the additional royalties taken by retailers (such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble) for selling your book.


BookBaby

BookBaby is another popular option, especially among authors seeking additional services for one package price.


Available Services Include:

  • ebook & print-on-demand services

  • 25 paperback covers

  • two ISBNS

  • distribution to a wide retail network

  • marketing services including social media campaigns, metadata optimization, and promotional services

  • editing services

  • design services

Pricing: Authors select from three basic packages that include different service levels. These are priced at $1090, $2190, and $2890 in December 2023. There is also a "premium" package with even more add-ons for $4699. These prices do not include royalties taken by retailers who sell the work, which you can read more about on Bookbaby's website.


PublishDrive

PublishDrive gained steam among self-published offers for their popular subscription pricing method. They also claim the widest distribution network of all the aggregators, though I didn't fact-check this.


Available Services Include:

  • ebook & print-on-demand services

  • global distribution to a wide retail network

  • analytics, sales reporting, & royalty management

  • marketing & promotional tools

  • inventory management & bulk importing

  • free ISBNs

Pricing: PublishDrive offers subscription options from $15-$84 monthly as of December 2023. Each level varies by services offered, such as the number of books and distribution channels. In exchange for this flat rate, authors keep all royalties of their sales (outside of the cut taken by retailers).


IngramSpark

IngramSpark is the last top book aggregator on our list. Despite its popularity, some complain about its clunky interface as compared to alternatives.


Available Services Include:

  • ebook & print-on-demand services

  • global distribution to a wide retail network

  • free ISBN (or bring your own option)

  • online sales reporting tools

  • marketing tools including ad placement

  • variety of design options related to colors, bindings, and other elements

Pricing: Authors pay an up-front fee for ebooks, print books, or both. Right now (December 2023) they are running a promotion waiving these up-front costs. IngramSpark does not clearly define the percentage of royalties they take from authors, but this user explained it depends on your ebook size and pricing.


Honorable Mentions

LuLu Publishing and Ebookit also appeared as book aggregator recommendations, though not often enough to make the top four in this feature. I included links so you can check them out if you're interested in their services.


How to Choose A Book Aggregator For Debut Authors

There is much to consider when choosing a book aggregator for debut authors. Ask yourself the following questions to determine your priorities in selecting the one that best fits your needs:

  1. Would I prefer a royalty, subscription, or up-front fee structure?

  2. How much am I willing to pay for the convenience of a book aggregator?

  3. How important is it to me that the online platform is seamless and easy to use?

  4. Do I need an audiobook option?

My two cents:

Based on the research I've done for this article, I'm fairly confident I will use Draft2Digital or PublishDrive to self-publish a book. That being said, I will likely upload directly to the major retailers and then use a book aggregator to place my work in other stores.


Personally, I like the interfaces and pricing structures of these two aggregators more than the others. Ultimately, I'll choose between them based on my financial situation at publishing time. I'm currently seeking a traditional publisher for my novel, but will likely self-publish a cozy mystery collection in the spring (stay tuned or read now on Kindle Vella!).


Suggestions for Further Reading

Interested in more info? Check out the links to my research for this article:

 

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