Publish Setup · Topic 16 of 17
Distribution Choices
What to do
Decide whether to sell through Amazon only, or also opt into KDP's Expanded Distribution for paperback.
Why it matters
This choice affects where else your paperback can potentially be sold, beyond Amazon's own site, at no extra cost to you either way.
Step-by-step
- Amazon only is the default and simplest option, your paperback sells on Amazon's marketplaces and nowhere else through KDP.
- Expanded Distribution is a free opt-in checkbox for paperbacks that makes your book available for order by other online retailers, and by some physical bookstores and libraries, through KDP's distribution partners. It does not guarantee any of them will actually stock or order it, that decision is up to each individual retailer or library.
- Expanded Distribution works with either the free KDP ISBN or an ISBN you own, it isn't restricted to only one ISBN choice.
- If you already plan to use IngramSpark for wider distribution, be aware that enrolling the same book in both KDP's Expanded Distribution and IngramSpark for print distribution to the same channels can cause conflicts, since both route through overlapping print networks. Many authors choose one path or the other for print distribution beyond Amazon, rather than both at once.
- Expand the information section below for a plain-language explanation of what "distribution" actually controls, and exactly where you select it on KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital.
More information
Click a heading to expand more information.
What "distribution" actually controls, in plain language
- Distribution just means: where, geographically and across which sellers, your book becomes available to be found and bought. It does not control your price, your royalty rate, or your content, only where a copy can be ordered.
- "Territories" refers to countries/regions — some platforms let you turn a book on or off for specific countries (mainly relevant if you hold rights only in certain territories, e.g. a licensed translation). Most self-publishers with full worldwide rights leave territory settings at their broadest default.
- "Channels" refers to which sellers/networks can order it — Amazon's own site vs. other online retailers vs. physical bookstores vs. libraries. Turning on a wider distribution channel makes the book orderable there; it never guarantees any specific store or reader actually buys or stocks it.
Selecting distribution on KDP
- For ebooks: once published, a Kindle ebook is available on every Amazon marketplace where KDP operates by default — there isn't a separate territory checklist for most authors, though KDP does ask you to confirm worldwide rights (or select limited territories if your rights are restricted) on the Rights step.
- For paperback/hardcover: the territory/channel choice that matters is the Expanded Distribution checkbox on the Pricing tab. Leaving it unchecked keeps the book Amazon-only; checking it opts into KDP's distribution partners reaching other online retailers and some brick-and-mortar/library ordering, at no extra cost.
Selecting distribution on IngramSpark
- IngramSpark's whole business model is distribution — this is not a single checkbox but a set of choices on the Pricing & Distribution step of title setup: list price and wholesale discount per market/currency, whether the book is Returnable (affects retailer willingness to stock it), and which of Ingram's territories/currencies you want the book priced and available in.
- IngramSpark reaches wholesalers, bookstores, and libraries that order through Ingram's catalog specifically — a different and generally broader set of buyers than KDP's Expanded Distribution reaches, which is why authors seeking real bookstore/library shelf placement often add IngramSpark rather than relying on Expanded Distribution alone.
Selecting distribution on Draft2Digital
- D2D's Distribution step is a checklist of individual retailers and library platforms (Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, OverDrive, Hoopla, and more) — you can opt a title in or out of specific ones rather than an all-or-nothing switch.
- D2D does not include Amazon in this checklist — Amazon distribution is only available through a separate KDP account, covered earlier in this stage. See the Distribution Channels topic in the Draft2Digital walkthrough for D2D's specific channel list.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting Expanded Distribution to guarantee bookstore or library orders. It only makes the book available to order, it doesn't place it on any shelf.
- Enrolling in both KDP's Expanded Distribution and IngramSpark for the same paperback edition without understanding the potential distribution conflict.
- Confusing "distribution" with pricing or royalty — it only controls where the book is available to buy or order, not how much you make or who's allowed to read it.
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Troubleshooting
Is Expanded Distribution available for ebooks or hardcover too?
No, it's specifically a paperback option. Ebooks are already available wherever Kindle content is sold once published, and hardcover distribution works differently.
Should I use KDP's Expanded Distribution, or go straight to IngramSpark instead?
KDP's Expanded Distribution is the simpler, no-extra-setup option and is worth trying first for most authors. IngramSpark offers broader and more established relationships with bookstores and libraries, but requires separate setup with its own fees and files (see the IngramSpark overview at the end of this stage). Many authors start with KDP alone and revisit IngramSpark once the book is already selling.