Publishing Wide: Draft2Digital vs Amazon KDP (What’s Best for Canadian Authors?)
As the founder of Foglio Custom Book Specialists, I’ve spent more than a decade helping authors bring their books to publication. I assist authors not only by editing their manuscripts or designing gorgeous book covers and interior formatting, but with uploading their books to Print-on-Demand and eBook retailers as well. I’ve helped authors navigate each platform’s quirks and limitations, and I’ve seen firsthand how the right approach to distribution can make all the difference.
One of the most common questions I get is this: where should I publish my book? If you’ve done even a bit of research into self-publishing, you’ve likely come across two names: Amazon KDP and Draft2Digital. They’re not competitors so much as collaborators, and if you’re a Canadian author trying to reach readers far and wide, you’re going to want to understand how to use both to your book’s advantage. Let’s break it down.
Amazon KDP: Your Gateway to Amazon
Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is Amazon’s own platform for self-publishers. It allows authors to upload both print and ebook editions of their work and make them available on Amazon sites around the world. Best of all, it’s completely free to upload your book, and you can set your own prices, access sales reports, and adjust your listings at any time.
If you’re publishing a book, you should almost certainly publish it on Amazon. But should you only publish on Amazon? That’s where things get a little more nuanced.
KDP offers a program called KDP Select, which requires authors to make their ebook exclusive to Amazon for 90 days at a time. In exchange, you get access to promotional tools like Kindle Unlimited and Countdown Deals. Some authors swear by it, but I usually recommend skipping exclusivity unless you have a very specific reason.
By staying non-exclusive, you open the door to Draft2Digital and the dozens of ebook platforms it supports.
Draft2Digital: Going Wide with Ease
Draft2Digital is one of the most author-friendly distribution tools available. Like Amazon KDP, it’s free to use. The platform takes a small percentage of your royalties but offers something invaluable in return: distribution to virtually every other ebook retailer out there.
With one upload, you can make your book available on:
Apple Books
Kobo (great for Canadian readers)
Barnes & Noble
Tolino (popular in Germany)
Hoopla
OverDrive
Bibliotheca
Scribd
and many more
The library access is a particularly important feature. Libraries can’t just buy your book off Amazon; they need it to be listed on platforms like OverDrive and Hoopla, which Draft2Digital handles automatically. That means your book becomes available for checkout by library readers across North America—a massive win for visibility.
For authors in Canada, where library culture is strong, this can be a game-changer. It lowers the barrier for acquisition by librarians and gets your book in front of a wider audience, often one that might not have found it otherwise.
The Hybrid Approach: Use Both
My recommendation is simple: use Amazon KDP to distribute your book on Amazon, and use Draft2Digital to distribute it everywhere else.
Yes, it requires two uploads. But the benefits far outweigh the hassle. You’ll maintain full control of your Amazon listings (which tend to require more hands-on optimization), while letting Draft2Digital take care of the rest.
I also recommend keeping your ebook and print versions aligned. That means uploading both formats to Amazon KDP for Amazon distribution, and using Draft2Digital for the ebook only—no need to use their print beta unless you have a specific reason.
This gives you the best of both worlds: robust reach and full control.
What About IngramSpark?
IngramSpark is another option, especially important for wide print distribution. However, IngramSpark charges setup fees unless you catch one of their promos. They’re worth considering if you want brick-and-mortar bookstores or local libraries to pick up a printed copy of your book. I’ve written about how to use them as part of a broader distribution strategy in this post.
Don’t Just Upload a Word File
It’s worth mentioning that while Draft2Digital offers automatic EPUB conversion, the results are… basic. For simple novels with clean formatting, it might be fine. But if you want your ebook to look as professional as your print edition—or if you’re hoping to include multimedia or interactive features—you’re going to want a professionally designed EPUB.
I’ve written more about this in Hybrid Books: Merging Audio and eBooks, where I explore how well-designed digital editions can transform the reader’s experience.
For professional formatting and validation, see:
Authors Are Often Surprised
Over the years, I’ve seen many authors surprised by where their readers find them. Sometimes it’s Kobo. Sometimes it’s a small niche platform powered by Draft2Digital. Every reader finds books differently—and every author benefits from a wide net.
One author I worked with got a surprising number of sales through Scribd, which wasn’t even on their radar. Another saw an uptick in Canadian sales after appearing in Kobo’s recommended lists. None of that would’ve happened if they’d gone exclusive with KDP Select.
Publishing Shouldn’t Be a Struggle
Publishing a book doesn’t have to feel like you’re juggling a dozen freelancers who’ve never spoken to each other. The chaos of trying to coordinate between an editor, a cover designer, a formatter, and an upload service can leave you burned out before the book even launches.
That’s why I recommend working with a team that can guide you through the entire process—from manuscript to bookstore shelves—with a unified vision. At Foglio, we make sure your editing, design, and formatting are all done with your voice and audience in mind. You’ll work with one small team who sees the big picture.
I wrote more about how weak collaboration derails publishing projects in this post.
You might also enjoy: Professional Typesetting & Page Layout
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re looking to publish a book and want it done properly, I’d be happy to talk. You can book a free consultation to discuss your manuscript, your publishing goals, and how we might work together to make your book everything it can be.
You can also explore:
Let’s get started.
