Introduction

The Amazon publishing industry has become a massive platform, allowing self-published authors, independent publishers, and entrepreneurs to reach global audiences. However, navigating this vast ecosystem can be challenging, especially with so many companies offering publishing and marketing services. While some companies are well-known, there are many underrated players in the industry that are offering innovative solutions to help authors and publishers succeed. Amazon Professional Publishers offer comprehensive services for authors to successfully publish their books.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most underrated companies in the Amazon professional publishing industry. These companies may not always grab the spotlight, but they offer valuable services that can make a significant difference in your publishing journey.

1. Draft2Digital: Revolutionizing eBook Distribution

Draft2Digital (D2D) is a highly underrated company in the Amazon publishing industry, providing eBook distribution services to authors. While Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) dominates the market, D2D offers authors an easy and efficient way to distribute their books across various platforms, including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more.

Why You Should Follow Them:

• Wide Distribution: Unlike KDP, which limits distribution to Amazon’s platform, D2D allows authors to reach a broader audience. By distributing your book on multiple platforms, you increase the chances of sales and exposure.

• User-Friendly Interface: D2D is known for its intuitive dashboard, making the process of uploading and managing books hassle-free.

• Royalty Payments: D2D ensures that authors receive competitive royalty payments across multiple platforms, often higher than what Amazon pays for non-KDP Select books.

2. Reedsy: Connecting Authors with Professionals

Reedsy is a marketplace that connects authors with industry professionals, including editors, cover designers, book formatters, and marketing experts. While not a traditional publishing company, Reedsy offers a comprehensive suite of tools to help self-published authors perfect their work and improve their chances of success on platforms like Amazon.

Why You Should Follow Them:

• Professional Quality: Reedsy helps authors find the best professionals in the industry, ensuring that every aspect of their book is polished before publishing.

• Collaborative Marketplace: The marketplace allows authors to search for and hire professionals based on their needs and budget, making it easier to build a team for their publishing journey.

• Helpful Resources: In addition to offering services, Reedsy has an excellent blog, resources, and courses to guide authors through every step of the publishing process.

3. BookBub: The Unsung Hero of Book Marketing

BookBub is one of the most underrated marketing tools in the Amazon professional publishing world. It helps authors and publishers promote their books by offering daily email newsletters featuring discounted and free books. While some authors have already jumped on the BookBub bandwagon, it still flies under the radar for many.

Why You Should Follow Them:

• Effective Marketing Platform: BookBub's newsletter reaches millions of readers who are specifically looking for book deals. Featuring your book in their email list can lead to thousands of downloads, reviews, and exposure.

• Targeted Audience: BookBub allows authors to target their ads to specific genres, ensuring that your book reaches the right audience.

• Affordable Pricing: Compared to other paid advertising platforms, BookBub is relatively affordable, with many authors seeing significant returns on their investment.

4. IngramSpark: The Power of Print-on-Demand

IngramSpark is a print-on-demand (POD) service that is often overlooked by Amazon authors in favor of KDP’s paperback option. However, IngramSpark offers a more robust set of features, especially for authors who want their print books to be widely distributed in bookstores and libraries.

Why You Should Follow Them:

• Wide Distribution Network: IngramSpark allows authors to distribute print books to over 40,000 retailers and libraries worldwide, including Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, and Ingram’s global network of bookstores.

• High-Quality Print Options: IngramSpark offers high-quality printing and more options for book sizes, paper types, and bindings than Amazon’s KDP Print service.

• Competitive Pricing: While IngramSpark does have setup fees, the cost is generally competitive for the distribution and print quality they offer.

5. Kindlepreneur: Mastering Amazon SEO and Marketing

Kindlepreneur, founded by Dave Chesson, is one of the most useful but underrated resources for authors who want to master Amazon's complex algorithms and increase book sales. Dave’s website offers valuable insights into Amazon’s keyword system, marketing strategies, and publishing tips that can help you stand out in a competitive market.

Why You Should Follow Them:

• SEO Mastery: Kindlepreneur’s resources teach authors how to use Amazon SEO to get their books to rank higher in Amazon’s search results.

• Marketing Strategies: From Facebook Ads to Amazon Ads, Kindlepreneur provides comprehensive tutorials and guides on how to market your book effectively.

• Free Resources: The website also offers free tools like the Kindle Keyword Tool, which helps authors find the best keywords for their book listings.

6. ProWritingAid: Perfecting Your Writing

ProWritingAid is a writing tool that can help authors improve the quality of their manuscripts before publishing. While not specifically a publishing company, it’s an essential service for any Amazon author who wants to ensure that their book is free from grammatical errors and reads smoothly.

Why You Should Follow Them:

• Grammar and Style Checker: ProWritingAid provides advanced grammar, punctuation, and style suggestions to help authors refine their writing.

• In-depth Reports: The tool generates detailed reports on sentence structure, readability, and other important aspects of writing, helping authors improve their craft.

• Affordable Subscription: ProWritingAid offers affordable pricing plans, making it a valuable tool for authors on a budget.

7. Smashwords: For Non-Exclusive Authors

Smashwords is another distribution platform that allows authors to distribute their eBooks to various retailers, including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more. While it doesn’t receive as much attention as KDP, Smashwords is a great option for authors who want to avoid exclusivity agreements.

Why You Should Follow Them:

• Non-Exclusive Distribution: Smashwords allows authors to distribute their books widely, without requiring them to give up exclusivity as KDP Select does.

• Easy-to-Use Dashboard: Smashwords has a simple and user-friendly dashboard for managing eBook uploads and distributions.

• Marketing Tools: Smashwords offers marketing tools like coupons and promotions that can help authors boost sales and exposure.

8. Author Marketing Club: Affordable Marketing Solutions

Author Marketing Club (AMC) is a lesser-known platform offering marketing tools and resources for authors. It includes a variety of free and premium services designed to help authors increase their visibility on Amazon.

Why You Should Follow Them:

• Free and Paid Marketing Tools: AMC offers a range of tools, including free promotional opportunities, email list builders, and discounted services.

• Author Resources: The site also provides resources like blog posts and guides to help authors improve their marketing strategies.

• Book Promotion Opportunities: AMC helps authors find additional platforms to promote their books, including email newsletter promotions and social media campaigns.

9. Book Launchers: Focused on Quality and Strategy

Book Launchers is a boutique publishing company that helps authors with the entire process of writing, publishing, and marketing their books. Unlike traditional publishers, Book Launchers works closely with authors to help them build a successful book launch strategy.

Why You Should Follow Them:

• Full-Service Publishing: Book Launchers offers services from editing and design to marketing and distribution, all under one roof.

• Marketing Expertise: Book Launchers specializes in developing customized marketing plans, ensuring that authors not only publish their books but also sell them successfully.

• Personalized Approach: Unlike some larger publishing companies, Book Launchers offers a highly personalized approach, giving each author the individual attention they need to succeed.

FAQs

1. How do I distribute my book on multiple platforms?
You can use services like Draft2Digital, Smashwords, or IngramSpark to distribute your book on multiple platforms like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

2. How can I improve my book’s visibility on Amazon?
You can improve your book’s visibility by optimizing its metadata, using the right keywords, enrolling in KDP Select for Kindle Unlimited, and promoting your book through platforms like BookBub and Kindlepreneur.

3. Should I hire a professional editor for my book?
Yes, hiring a professional editor can significantly improve the quality of your book and make it more appealing to readers. Platforms like Reedsy connect authors with experienced editors who can help refine your manuscript.

4. Is Amazon KDP the best platform for self-publishing?
While Amazon KDP is one of the most popular platforms, it’s not the only option. Consider using other platforms like Draft2Digital or IngramSpark for wider distribution, especially for print books.

5. How can I market my book effectively?
Use tools like BookBub, Kindlepreneur, and Author Marketing Club to promote your book. Consider running Amazon ads, building an email list, and leveraging social media to reach your audience.

Conclusion

While Amazon’s publishing services are the go-to for many self-published authors, there are many underrated companies and services that can help you succeed in the competitive world of publishing. By leveraging the resources and tools offered by companies like Draft2Digital, Reedsy, BookBub, and others, you can maximize your book’s potential and grow your author career. Keep an eye on these underrated players in the Amazon publishing industry, as they offer valuable support and insights to help you publish, promote, and sell your book more effectively.