The Best Self-Publishing Platforms for Canadian Authors (2025 Edition)
Want to self-publish your book in Canada, but not sure which platforms are actually worth your time? This guide breaks down the most important self-publishing platforms Canadian authors need to know about in 2025, from Amazon KDP to Kobo Writing Life and beyond.
If you’re a Canadian author thinking about self-publishing your book, you’re probably asking the same question many of my clients do: Where should I publish?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — but there is a shortlist of reputable platforms that Canadian authors return to again and again. I’ve worked with authors across Canada to design and publish their books using every major platform, and in this guide, I’ll walk you through the best self-publishing platforms available in 2025. I’ll also share the pros, cons, and quirks of each — along with a few Canadian-specific considerations that most blog posts leave out.
Before you begin, I also recommend reading my detailed Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing in Canada and this practical checklist: How to Publish a Book.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon KDP is a free self-publishing platform for paperbacks, hardcovers, and ebooks with global distribution and print-on-demand.
Best for: Wide exposure on Amazon, easy print-on-demand
Cost: Free to upload
Royalties: 70% on ebooks priced $2.99–$9.99; 35% below; ~60% on paperbacks
Canadian Insight: Amazon.ca is widely used, but distribution to Canadian bookstores is limited.
Amazon KDP remains the go-to platform for many Canadian authors — and for good reason. It’s free to upload, easy to use, and your book shows up on the world’s biggest online bookstore within 72 hours. You can publish paperbacks, hardcovers, and ebooks with no upfront cost.
That said, don’t expect Amazon.ca to be a magic bullet. In Canada, Amazon doesn’t have the same level of dominance as it does in the U.S., and its reach into physical bookstores and libraries is nearly non-existent.
Another important note: If you enrol in KDP Select, your ebook becomes exclusive to Amazon for 90 days — meaning you can’t sell it on Kobo, Apple Books, or anywhere else.
More on this in my post: The Importance of Good Typesetting, especially when publishing on multiple platforms.
Amazon KDP continues to dominate globally and within Canada, making it a critical platform for any Canadian author, even if it isn’t the strongest in bricks and mortar distribution. It handles print on demand for paperbacks, hardcovers (with some major limitations), and ebooks, all with no upfront cost, fast publishing timelines, and built‑in author tools like Kindle Create and Author Central for managing book pages and metadata.
That said, KDP’s lack of real quality control and limited print finishing options, especially for hardcovers, can make self‑published books look amateurish. Competition is intense, fees can creep in via advertising, and plagiarism issues still occur under Amazon’s minimal protections. A polished cover, strong metadata, and proactive marketing are essential to stand out.
IngramSpark
IngramSpark is a professional publishing and distribution platform that gets your book into bookstores, libraries, and academic channels.
Best for: Broad distribution, especially to Canadian bookstores
Cost: Free to upload (with fees for revisions after 30 days)
Royalties: 70% on ebooks, ~45% on print
Canadian Insight: One of the few platforms that distributes to Chapters Indigo.
IngramSpark is my top recommendation for authors who want to get their books into Canadian bookstores, libraries, and schools. They have a direct relationship with Chapters Indigo, which no other platform can offer.
IngramSpark is also great if you want a wider variety of trim sizes or higher-end print options, including colour interiors or specialty finishes. Many of my clients opt for both Amazon KDP and IngramSpark — Amazon for Amazon.ca sales, and IngramSpark for brick-and-mortar bookstores and broader reach.
It’s not the most beginner-friendly interface, but that’s where professional help comes in. I offer formatting and typesetting services that make setup easier — especially if you want consistency across platforms.
IngramSpark is a robust print on demand and ebook platform supported by the largest book distribution network in the world. It reaches over 39,000 retailers, libraries, and wholesalers across 195 countries. This makes it the top choice for Canadian authors who want presence in physical bookstores and institutional markets.
Uploading costs nothing, although revisions after 30 days incur fees, and file requirements are strict. This makes professional assistance essential for clean setup. Once uploaded, your book gains access to global markets and high‑quality print finishes, which is ideal for illustrations, custom trim sizes, or colour interiors.
Kobo Writing Life
Kobo Writing Life is a Canadian-friendly platform for publishing ebooks with wide international reach and royalties up to 70%.
Best for: Reaching Canadian ebook readers
Cost: Free
Royalties: 70% on ebooks over $2.99, 45% below
Canadian Insight: Kobo owns a large chunk of Canada’s ebook market and is partnered with Indigo.
Kobo is often overlooked, but in Canada, it shouldn’t be. Kobo Writing Life captures around 25% of the Canadian ebook market, and its partnership with Indigo makes it a solid choice for any author targeting Canadian readers.
Publishing is straightforward, and there’s no exclusivity requirement. Kobo also allows you to price your book in CAD, which helps readers avoid currency conversion surprises.
Kobo Writing Life represents about 25 percent of Canada’s ebook market and is integrated with Indigo’s library and retail network. This makes it one of the few platforms with strong Canadian digital and brick and click presence. Royalty rates go up to 70 percent, and pricing options in CAD make it appealing for Canadian authors.
While it doesn’t offer print, Kobo supports Kobo Plus, a subscription-based reading service. It provides detailed sales analytics and allows flexible promotions, which makes it a powerful complement to Amazon or IngramSpark, especially for ebook‑first or hybrid launch strategies.
Apple Books for Authors
Apple Books for Authors is a digital publishing platform that puts your ebook in front of iPhone, iPad, and Mac readers worldwide.
Best for: Digital-first authors with a Mac or iPad audience
Cost: Free
Royalties: 70%
Canadian Insight: Apple Books (previously known as iBooks) is preinstalled on all Apple devices in Canada.
Apple Books gives you direct access to millions of iOS users. It’s more accessible than it used to be (since you no longer need a Mac to upload) and it allows you to set country-specific pricing.
If your readers use iPhones, iPads, or Macs, Apple Books is worth your time. I often help clients publish on Apple Books after their files are finalized, ensuring validation across devices.
Apple Books is a premium ebook platform that offers access to millions of Apple device users who tend to spend heavily on digital content. Its 70% royalty rate, generous promotions, and personalized recommendations help authors stand out when formatting and metadata are well prepared.
Canadian authors should note that an Apple ID is required, and ideally a Mac to upload directly. Many choose intermediaries like Draft2Digital instead. Files must pass Apple’s EPUB validation, so professional formatting often prevents rejection or glitchy layouts on devices.
Google Play Books
Google Play Books is a fast, free way to publish ebooks to Android users across more than 70 countries.
Best for: Android users and global reach
Cost: Free
Royalties: 70%
Canadian Insight: Android phones dominate the Canadian market, and the Google Play Books app is preinstalled on all these devices.
Google Play Books is a smart addition to your publishing strategy. It offers high royalties and the ability to set your own prices. Just be aware that Google sometimes applies discounts, and royalties are calculated off the list price, not the sale price.
Still, with over 75 countries in its distribution network, it’s a valuable platform, especially for ebooks.
Google Play Books lets you publish for free to Android users in over 75 countries. It offers 70 percent royalties and full control over pricing and territory. This global reach is especially valuable in Canada, where Android device usage is high and Google services are widely adopted.
However, Google may discount your book without author consent, which affects royalties. The platform also lacks robust marketing tools and promotional features compared to KDP or Kobo. You gain sales transparency and broad reach, but few additional tools.
Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital is a user-friendly aggregator that distributes your ebook to major retailers like Apple, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
Best for: Simple, multi-platform ebook distribution
Cost: Free to upload, takes 10% of royalties
Royalties: 90% of net sales
Canadian Insight: Great option if you want to publish to Kobo, Apple Books, and more without multiple logins.
Draft2Digital is an aggregator that distributes your ebook to multiple platforms — including Kobo, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and more. You don’t need to create individual accounts for each store, which is ideal for first-time authors who want convenience.
The formatting tools are surprisingly good, but I still recommend professional ebook design services if you want total control and flawless output.
Draft2Digital is ideal for authors who want to publish to multiple ebook platforms without managing separate accounts. It distributes to Apple, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and others, taking a 10 percent commission on net sales in exchange for seamless conversion and metadata synchronization.
Portability and ease of use are its main strengths. However, authors who want more control over pricing, promotions, and platform analytics may prefer direct uploads to platforms like Apple or Kobo, while still using Draft2Digital for smaller outlets.
Lulu
Lulu is a flexible print-on-demand platform that supports both one-off orders and ecommerce integration for direct sales.
Best for: Print-on-demand authors who sell direct
Cost: Free to upload; paid options for services
Royalties: Varies depending on sales channel
Canadian Insight: Lulu lets you print in Canada and ship directly to Canadian buyers, which is helpful if you’re a Canadian author who wants to sell on your own website.
Lulu is a long-standing self-publishing platform that works well for authors selling their books through their own website or events. Their print-on-demand integration with eCommerce stores is a unique feature, especially for small Canadian businesses.
That said, the platform isn’t ideal for discovery. Use Lulu for direct-to-reader sales, not as your only storefront.
Lulu’s print on demand and ecommerce integration make it a strong choice for authors who want to sell through their own websites, at events, or via Shopify. It supports custom‑size books and is one of the few services that allows CAD pricing with Canadian shipping.
Discoverability on Lulu is low, but its customization options and API features allow authors to build branded storefronts and sell high‑margin copies directly. It is best used as a supplementary service rather than your main distribution channel.
Barnes & Noble Press
Barnes & Noble Press is a free self-publishing platform that helps authors reach readers through B&N’s online store and Nook devices.
Best for: U.S. visibility
Cost: Free
Royalties: 70% on ebooks, 55% on print
Canadian Insight: Little traction in Canada — but great for reaching U.S. readers.
Barnes & Noble is a household name in the U.S., and B&N Press lets you publish directly to their catalogue. If you’re aiming to market your book in the States, it’s worth adding this to your strategy. Otherwise, it offers little for Canadian authors beyond online visibility.
Barnes and Noble Press offers self publishing for the U.S. market with both ebook and paperback options. You can earn up to 70 percent royalties and have your book listed on the B&N website and Nook platform.
Canadian authors may find it useful if they are targeting U.S. readers, but there is no retail presence in Canada. All printing and shipping originates from the U.S., which can increase costs for Canadian readers.
Smashwords
Smashwords is an ebook distribution platform that reaches niche stores, libraries, and international markets.
Best for: Wide ebook distribution
Cost: Free
Royalties: Up to 80%
Canadian Insight: Now part of Draft2Digital, making it easier to use than it once was.
Smashwords used to be notoriously tricky to use, but their merger with Draft2Digital has streamlined things. It’s now a great way to get your ebook into niche digital storefronts and library systems.
Use it if you want maximum distribution, especially for long-tail and international reach.
Smashwords, now part of Draft2Digital, converts manuscripts into various ebook formats and distributes to niche international retailers and library platforms. It offers royalties of up to 80 percent on some stores.
While it used to require complex formatting, the merger with Draft2Digital has simplified the process. It still offers access to platforms that other distributors miss, making it useful for reaching long‑tail or non‑mainstream markets.
PublishDrive
PublishDrive is a flat-fee self-publishing platform with global distribution and tools for tracking royalties and marketing performance.
Best for: Flat-fee publishing with transparent royalty tracking
Cost: Starts around $20/month
Royalties: 100% — you keep what you earn
Canadian Insight: Great for prolific authors or publishers.
PublishDrive works on a subscription model, not royalty-sharing. If you’re publishing frequently or managing multiple books, it can offer better returns. They also support audiobooks and have a strong presence in Europe and Asia.
PublishDrive uses a subscription model instead of taking a percentage of royalties. After paying a flat monthly fee, authors keep 100 percent of their sales revenue. It supports ebook, print, and audiobook distribution to global markets.
Its dashboard provides robust sales analytics, metadata optimization tools, and optional promotional support. For Canadian authors with multiple titles or an active publishing schedule, the flat fee model can result in greater long‑term profits compared to commission‑based platforms.
Final Thoughts
Most Canadian authors I work with end up using a mix of platforms. A typical combo might look like:
Amazon KDP for Amazon.ca sales
IngramSpark for Canadian bookstores and libraries
Kobo Writing Life for the Canadian ebook market
Google Play and Apple Books for mobile readers
If you’re unsure where to begin, I recommend reaching out for a free consultation. With the right design, formatting, and platform strategy, your book can thrive — even in a crowded market.
And remember: self-publishing isn’t just about pressing “publish.” It’s about getting the details right — the typesetting, the layout, the cover, the validation across devices. That’s what I specialize in at Foglio.
