Updated 1 October 2026 · Pludor team · 3 sources
Independent authors usually combine Amazon KDP for reach with selling direct for higher margins and reader emails. KDP pays 35% or 70% royalties depending on price and territory (Amazon KDP); direct sales keep most of the price but you bring the traffic.
Marketplaces find readers; your own store builds a relationship with them.
Two options: 35% of list price, or 70% minus delivery costs for eligible prices and territories.
Upload files to your store and deliver instantly.
Limited signed editions with shipping.
Offer a free chapter or short story for an email.
Build pre-launch interest, early reviews and a launch week push.
Both: Amazon for discovery, direct for margin and reader data.
AI-generated text has limited copyright protection (US Copyright Office); human authorship matters.
Through distributors and direct as downloads.
For print distribution generally yes; ebook rules vary by platform.
Digital goods may be taxed; check rules (TaxJar).
Teach what you learned.
Series bundles raise order value.
Serialised fiction for subscribers.
Paid talks and workshops.
Art prints and bookish goods.
AI can support the business side of writing.
Disclose AI use where platforms require it.
Pludor gives authors a free store for ebooks, audiobooks, signed copies, courses and memberships.
Free to start - no card, no item limit. Pay only for what you use past the monthly free amounts.
Open my author storeChecked 1 October 2026. Fees and rules change; follow the links for the latest.