Publishing on Apple Books vs Amazon Maximizing Your Book’s Success
Choosing the wrong platform could cost you sales. Are you making the right choice?
You’ve finally written your book hats off to you! But then there’s the million-dollar question: where do you publish it to maximize success? Amazon is admittedly the biggest company in the book world, with Kindle dominant in the market, but Apple Books is rapidly gaining traction, appealing to an upscale demographic willing to pay a premium to read quality books.
Do you commit to Amazon’s huge scope and solid presence or benefit from the increasing number of devoted readers on Apple Books? What if getting it wrong prevents your book from reaching its full potential? Let’s examine the facts in more detail and discover the ideal publishing strategy for you!
Publishing on Apple Books vs Amazon – Who Rules the Book Market?
Startup Talky mentioned a fact:
“While most people in India are still into paperbacks, the ebook market has been swiftly growing in India thanks to Amazon Kindle and the emergence of iPads.”
Before we get into specifics, let’s be clear both platforms have great strengths, but they appeal to different types of readers.
Amazon: The Giant That Controls the Market
Amazon is the world’s greatest book seller. It has millions of readers and is the leader in the eBook market due to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
If you are printing a book on Amazon, you get:
- Access to a massive audience worldwide
- Kindle Unlimited (a subscription service with millions of book lovers)
- Print and eBook publishing options
But there’s a catch: Amazon has its own rules. If you opt for KDP Select, you can’t sell your eBook anywhere else (at least for 90 days). That’s a big commitment to make!
Apple Books: A Premium Platform with Serious Potential
Apple Books is smaller than Amazon, but it caters to a specific, high-end segment of buyers. If your book is pricier or appeals to professionals, businesspeople, or technology buffs, this is where they shop.
With Apple’s book publishing guidelines, you have:
- Access to millions of iOS users (who love premium content)
- No exclusivity restrictions – sell on other platforms too!
- A clean, ad-free reading experience
In contrast to Amazon, Apple Books does not force you into exclusivity, allowing you full control over your book’s availability.
Who Pays Authors More? Let’s Talk Royalties!
It’s time to talk about money! In the end, you want more royalties and higher profits. So, which platform gives you a bigger payment?
Amazon Royalties – Sounds Good, But There’s a Catch
Amazon pays you 70% royalties, but only if your book is priced between $2.99 and $9.99. If you price it beyond this range, your royalty drops to 35%!
Amazon charges a delivery fee for every eBook bought. If your book contains a lot of images or graphics, you will be losing more money on these additional fees.
Apple Books Royalties – Simple and Fair
Apple Books makes it easy. They offer a straight royalty of 70%, no matter how you set the price on your book. That means you can set a high price for your book and still get paid.
Winner? Apple Books, if you want flexible pricing and more cash from sales.
Which One is Easier – Publishing on Apple Books vs Amazon
If you have to publish quickly and hassle-free, usability matters. Let’s compare.
Amazon KDP: The Quick & Easy Option
By publishing a book with Amazon, you can:
- Upload your book and have it live in 24 hours
- Use Kindle Create for simple formatting
- Publish paperbacks and eBooks easily
The downside? Amazon has strict formatting rules, and if your book doesn’t meet them, it gets rejected or delayed.
Apple Books: More Control, But Slightly Slower
Apple Books allows better design flexibility with its Apple book publishing guidelines, but the publishing process can take a few days longer.
Winner? Amazon, if you want speed. Apple Books, if you want creative control.
Exclusive or Wide? The BIG Decision Every Author Must Make!
Alliance of Independent Authors presented a fact once:
“Apple is continuing to grow. According to iBooks Store Director Keith Moerer, addressing publishers at Digital Book World 2015, Apple’s ebook businesses is gaining 1 million new customers every week. That’s a lot of new readers.”
Amazon entices authors with KDP Select, but is it worth it?
KDP Select: Good for Exposure, Bad for Freedom
If you enroll in KDP Select, you get:
- More visibility inside Kindle Unlimited
- A chance to offer limited-time free promotions
But here’s the downside: you can’t sell your eBook on Apple Books, Kobo, or Google Play. If your book isn’t performing well, you’re stuck with Amazon for 90 days!
Apple Books (and Going Wide): More Freedom
With Apple Books, you can sell on Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, and more.
This means:
- More potential readers
- More flexibility with pricing and promos
Winner? Apple Books, if you want full control over your book.
Which One Should You Choose? Here’s The Best Strategy!
Don’t know if you should publish on Apple Books or Amazon?
Here’s what smart writers do:
- Want the biggest audience? Go with Amazon.
- Want premium readers & higher royalties? Try Apple Books.
- Want the best of both worlds? Publish on both; just avoid KDP Select!
Yes, you do sell your paperback on Amazon and your eBook on Apple Books and elsewhere. Doing so, you can sell and reach more people!
Which Platform Will Make You More Successful…..?
In the end, the best platform meets your requirements. If you want instant visibility and a large audience, opting for Amazon is a sure bet. However, if you want higher royalties, higher-quality readers, and more control, Apple Books might be your secret weapon.
Want my opinion? Don’t keep me in suspense! If you actually want to make money from your book, publish on both platforms and watch your readership double.
So, the million-dollar question is: where are YOU publishing your book?
Zayn Cole
