Why You Need to Upload Your Book to BOTH KDP and IngramSpark

If you’ve self-published or are planning to, you’ve likely heard of Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Amazon’s powerful platform for indie authors. You may have also heard about IngramSpark, another key player in the print-on-demand world.

But many authors are unsure which one to go with. On one hand, KDP has the visibility, the brand name, and oodles of testimonials about how easy the process was. On the other…what is Ingram, even?

Here’s the bottom line: if you want to maximize your book’s reach, revenue, and respectability, you absolutely need to upload your book to both KDP and IngramSpark.

Using both platforms together gives your book a strategic edge. It’s not about being everywhere for the sake of it. It’s about placing your book where your readers already are.

Let’s talk about why that’s true and how doing so can be a game-changer for your publishing goals.

KDP vs. IngramSpark: What’s the Difference?

Before we dive into strategy, let’s define our terms so we’re on the same page (pun intended, maybe).

KDP (the street name for Kindle Direct Publishing) is Amazon’s self-publishing service. It allows you to create and sell both ebooks and print books through Amazon’s global storefront. It’s free to use, relatively easy to navigate, and offers fast turnaround times for updates or changes. It also

IngramSpark, on the other hand, is owned by Ingram Content Group—the major distributor of books to bookstores, libraries, and academic institutions. While it does involve a bit of a steeper learning curve, it provides access to the world’s largest book distribution network.

So, if you’re only using KDP, you’re cutting yourself off from a huge chunk of the literary world.

Each platform has strengths and blind spots. That’s why savvy authors use both.

Why KDP Alone Won’t Cut It

Let’s say you’ve finished your book, formatted the file, and uploaded it to KDP. You click “Publish,” and it goes live on Amazon. Just like that, your book is now available to millions of Amazon shoppers.

Mission accomplished, right? Sort of.

But what about your local indie bookstore that wants to carry local authors, libraries looking to feature new voices in fiction or memoir, and schools or book clubs that prefer to order through educational distributors?

More than likely, they can’t or won’t order from Amazon. Retailers see Amazon as a competitor, and that makes them reluctant, if not completely unwilling, to order from it.

IngramSpark solves that problem. When you upload your book to Ingram, it becomes available to the ordering systems that bookstores and libraries already use—and they don’t have to fight with Amazon to get it.

Think Like a Publisher, Not Just a Writer

As a writing coach and book strategist, I work with many writers who are passionate about their stories but overwhelmed by the publishing logistics. They’re artists, not marketers. They’d rather spend time writing than fiddling with distributor settings.

But here’s what I tell them. You don’t have to become a tech wizard or a full-time business owner. You just need to think strategically.

And part of that strategy is protecting your income and visibility by distributing your book in the right ways to the right places. That’s what publishers do, and as a self-published author, you are the publisher now.

Uploading to both platforms lets you treat Amazon as your direct-to-reader storefront and Ingram as your link to the rest of the literary world.

Royalties, Reach, and Return on Investment

OK. I know none of us are in this for the money (and if you are, then you maybe need to rethink your expectations). But let’s talk money for a minute.

For years, one of the biggest concerns about IngramSpark was the setup fee of up to $49 per format. Originally, this turned off a lot of indie authors working with tight budgets.

But here’s the good news: as of 2025, IngramSpark has eliminated those initial fees. Instead, they charge a 1% market access fee on the list price of each book sold through their global distribution network.

For those of you who don’t like math (I don’t either), that means if your book retails for $20, the fee is just $0.20 per copy sold. They also charge a $25 fee if you want to make any revisions after publication (this aspect remains free on Amazon).

On the other hand, if you publish only with IngramSpark, your book will still show up on Amazon…but you’ll earn less per sale. Why? In that situation, Amazon acts as a third-party retailer, taking a larger share of the profits.

By contrast, uploading your book directly to KDP for Amazon sales means you get the best royalty rate—up to 60% for paperbacks (minus printing costs). That’s a major reason to keep KDP in the mix.

More Formats, More Readers

Here’s something else to consider: IngramSpark offers formats KDP doesn’t, including hardcover books with dust jackets, special trim sizes, and better options for bookstores.

Not every reader wants an ebook or paperback. Some want a collectible hardcover. Libraries and schools often require them.

And if you dream of seeing your book displayed in your favorite indie bookstore, know this: they’re far more likely to order a professionally typeset hardcover from Ingram than a KDP paperback.

So why limit yourself?

But It’s All So Overwhelming!

Yes. It can be.

But you don’t have to do it alone.

Many authors I work with feel paralyzed at this stage. They’ve written the book, but the thought of uploading files, tweaking margins, and choosing keywords sends them into decision fatigue. Or worse, they publish only to KDP and wonder why they aren’t gaining traction.

Publishing your book to both KDP and IngramSpark isn’t about being everywhere for the sake of it. It’s about putting your book where your readers already are. That includes Amazon. But it also includes libraries, schools, bookstores, and more.

You wrote your book to make an impact. Let’s make sure it has the infrastructure to do that.

Let’s Get Your Book Out There—The Right Way

If you’re at the “what do I do now?” phase of your publishing journey, I want to help.

I’m offering a free 30-minute consultation for authors who want to:

·       Professionally typeset their manuscript for both KDP and IngramSpark

·       Understand the step-by-step process of uploading their book

·       Make informed decisions about pricing, formatting, and distribution

·       Stop spinning their wheels and start publishing with confidence

Whether you’re holding a finished manuscript or you’re halfway there, this call is your next step toward seeing your book on shelves—and in readers’ hands.

Click here to grab some time and get answers to your indie-publishing quandaries.