self-publishing-checklist-amazon-vs-ingramspark

Self-Publishing Checklist: Amazon VS IngramSpark

9/11/2020

Welcome to the second of our series of blog posts, summarizing our Self-Publishing Checklists. This one will cover building your manuscript files and choosing which Print-on-Demand services you want to publish with. If you missed it, here's the first in our series, which covers all of your publishing prep work.

We’ve put together this guide to help authors through the process of self-publishing. Our goal is to give you a framework to hopefully make the task of publishing your book seem just a little less daunting. Remember that this isn’t meant to be the only way to get a book published, and won’t include all of the information you will need (that would be difficult to list in one place). However, where it’s lacking, we’ve included links to outside websites and blog posts that we’ve found helpful.

we wish you luck on your publishing journey!

1. choosing amazon, ingramspark, or both

Choosing between the two will determine what markets your book is able to reach. Of course, there are other Print on Demand services, but these are the main ones we’ll be focusing on.

compare/contrast of each

Here is a great blog post that goes into a detailed compare/contrast of the two services. Or take a look at our chart below to get a summary of the two services.

AMAZON	INGRAMSPARK
completely free to use, and relatively easy to set up and use (super fast)	costs an upfront fee ($20 for ebook, $50 for paperback, or $50 for both) and is a bit of a pain to get set up
no cost to make changes to files	charges $25 for each file change
bookstores won't buy from them (amazon doesn't give bookstores/libraries a good deal)	bookstores and libraries order from their catalogue (so if you want your book in a brick and mortar store, this is your option)
only publishes paperback and ebook	publishes paperback, ebook, and hardback
not good for expanded distribution (because if you choose expanded distribution, you cannot publish anywhere else by their rules	can choose expanded distribution and reach a wide range of markets and distributors (without limiting yourself)
can get your ebook into the Kindle Select lending library (so long as the ebook remains exclusive to Amazon)	can get your ebook (and paperback) into Libby/Overdrive/actual libraries

how to use both

1. Publish your paperback and ebook through KDP for distribution on Amazon only.

Do not choose expanded distribution for Amazon, or you won’t be able to publish with IngramSpark at all.
- Here’s more information about expanded distribution.

2. Decide whether to enroll your ebook in KDP Select

If you do use KDP Select, you won’t be able to publish it (the ebook) anywhere else until it is un-enrolled (don’t worry, enrollment is only for 3 months, and then you are free to publish it anywhere).
- Here’s more information about Select.

3. Publish your paperback and ebook (and hardback, if you choose) on IngramSpark for expanded distribution.

Unlike with Amazon, choosing expanded distribution with IngramSpark won’t limit you to their service. This is what will make your book available to nation-wide bookstores.
If you enrolled your ebook in Kindle Select, you will have to wait to publish the ebook on IngramSpark, but you can still publish your paperback/hardback immediately.

remember...

In order to publish with both, you must have bought your own ISBN from Bowker. If you use either an Amazon or IngramSpark issued ISBN, then you are limited to that service. Here’s a few blog posts that go into more detail than we do here if you’re still having trouble deciding which to use:

2. creating your manuscript files

Rather than try to list all of the required specs for the files you need to create here, we will simply direct you to the correct pages on the respective company websites. They explain better than we could what they need in order to print a high-quality book.

amazon file creation

1. Amazon Paperback File

2. Amazon eBook File

3. Amazon Cover Files

ingramspark file creation

1. IngramSpark Paperback/Hardback File

2. IngramSpark eBook File

3. IngramSpark Cover Files.

Cover design basics.
Cover template generator.
PDF Checklist for uploading cover, ebook, and paperback/hardback files to IngramSpark (so you don’t miss anything).

REMEMBER: It is especially important to get your file formatting correct if you are uploading to IngramSpark. If you have to re-upload a file to correct a mistake or make a change (even if you’re only changing one detail), they charge you a $25 fee per file per upload. So if you have to change a mistake on the cover and on your interior file, it will cost you an extra $50.  

And that's it for this section of the checklist. You've chosen your publisher, and your files are created and ready to go. Next we'll cover the process of actually submitting your manuscript for publication at both Amazon KDP and IngramSpark.

You can find the full checklist on this page, if you'd like to view it all before we summarize it in these posts. Or you can get a free, downloadable PDF version of the full guide by signing up to our mailing list on the right menu. You'll also have access to our upcoming marketing checklist (once we finish it, that is). Or, if you prefer, check back for the next post in this series!

Until then, happy writing!

--Starwhale Books

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