Draft2Digital (D2D) is a distributor that sends your ebook, and optionally a print edition, to many stores and libraries from a single upload. Instead of opening accounts with Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Tolino, OverDrive and others, you publish once and D2D handles delivery and payments. It owns the Smashwords store, which it bought in 2022. D2D takes about 10% of the retail price on each sale, and in 2026 it added small account fees.
At a glance
| What it is | Ebook and print distributor |
| Reach | Major ebook stores, libraries and subscription services |
| Commission | About 10% of retail price per sale |
| New account fee | $20 one-time activation (since April 2026) |
| Maintenance fee | $12 a year if royalties stay under $100 |
| Owns | Smashwords store |
| Exclusivity | None |
How it works
You upload a Word file or EPUB, and D2D can convert and format it for you. You choose the stores, set prices and publish. D2D sends your book out, collects royalties from each store and pays you, minus its commission. One dashboard shows sales from every channel.
The 2026 fee changes
D2D was long known for being free until you sold. In April 2026 it introduced a one-time $20 activation fee for new accounts. From May 2026, accounts with books in distribution that earn less than $100 in royalties over 12 months pay $12 a year. Its print service also raised per-copy print costs in February 2026.
What you earn
On stores that pay 70%, you usually keep around 60% of the list price after D2D’s cut. At a $9.99 ebook, D2D’s own screen showed about $5.94 per sale at Apple, Kobo and Barnes & Noble. The Smashwords store pays more: 75% of list price on books at $2.99 or above, and 40% below that.
Getting started
Prepare a clean manuscript and a cover, open an account and choose your stores. If you plan to publish on Amazon through KDP directly, untick Amazon in D2D to avoid duplicates.
Common mistakes
Some authors publish to Amazon through both KDP and D2D and end up with duplicate listings. Others go wide but price differently in each store, which can break price-matching rules. A third mistake is forgetting the maintenance fee on a book that rarely sells.
Libraries and subscriptions
D2D reaches library platforms such as OverDrive, Hoopla and BorrowBox, and subscription services like Everand. Library prices can be set separately and are usually higher than retail, which helps earnings per copy. Many wide authors find libraries a steady, overlooked source of income.
Keeping track
The dashboard combines sales from every store. Check which stores sell best each month, and consider going direct to those once income justifies saving the commission.
Is it worth it?
For most authors starting to sell beyond Amazon, yes. The convenience and reach outweigh the 10% until a single store becomes a large share of income.
Before you publish
Have a proofread manuscript, a cover sized for ebooks and, if you want print, a print cover. Decide your price for each store and for libraries, and check whether you’ll publish to Amazon through D2D or directly through KDP.
Final tip
Use D2D’s Universal Book Links to share one link that sends readers to their preferred store.
Co-authors
D2D can split royalties between co-authors automatically through an add-on, which saves tracking and paying each other by hand.
Owen’s take
Draft2Digital is the easiest way to sell beyond Amazon without managing a dozen accounts. Once a store becomes a big part of your income, consider going direct to save the 10%.
Who it suits
It suits authors going wide for the first time and those who value one dashboard. It suits less well authors with high sales on a single store, where going direct pays more.
Similar options
- Kindle Direct Publishing covers Amazon directly.
- Apple Books for Authors pays 70% direct.
- Kobo Writing Life reaches Kobo directly.
- IngramSpark focuses on print distribution.
More options are in Self-Publishing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One upload, many stores
- Free formatting tools
- Library and subscription reach
Cons
- About 10% commission
- New 2026 account fees
- Print costs rose in 2026
FAQ
How much does Draft2Digital take?
About 10% of the retail price per sale.
Is Draft2Digital free?
New accounts pay a one-time $20 fee, and low-earning accounts pay $12 a year.
Does Draft2Digital require exclusivity?
No.
Does Draft2Digital do print books?
Yes, through D2D Print.
What is the Smashwords store?
D2D’s own ebook store, which pays authors directly.
