KDP Select Pros & Cons: Reasons to Choose KDP Select

Self publishing is bigger now than it has ever been before. Even established writers are jumping ship to self publishing platforms like Reedsy and KDP Select because it gives them more control over their work – and often a bigger cut of the profits when readers buy their books. 

If more control over your work sounds appealing, KDP Select might be worth a serious look as your self publishing platform of choice. 

Here’s why KDP Select could be the right fit when you publish your book. 

KDP Select is An Established Company

KDP Select has been around long enough to build a solid reputation in self publishing. They’ve got years of experience under their belt and plenty of satisfied authors who’ll vouch for them. 

That track record puts KDP Select among the top self publishing companies. 

There are hundreds, maybe thousands of self publishing options out there, but many aren’t trustworthy or legitimate. Some will actually take your money for book print runs they never plan to deliver. It’s a messy landscape out there.

KDP Select Doesn’t Charge Upfront Fees

A lot of self publishing companies will hit you with upfront fees, and that’s usually your first red flag that something’s off. The reputable ones typically don’t charge upfront, and KDP Select falls into that camp. 

You can publish through KDP Select without paying anything upfront, whether you’re a complete newbie or an established author. You work at your own pace without financial pressure. 

KDP Select Offers a Guided Process – And Support

KDP Select walks you through the whole process, which is a lifesaver if you’ve never formatted or self published a book before. They break down things like formatting specs and publishing guidelines so you end up with something that actually looks professional.

If you hit a snag or can’t figure out how to upload or format your manuscript for the KDP Select platform, their tech support is pretty responsive. Just send them a message.

KDP Select Offers Self Published Writers Control

Here’s where KDP Select really shines compared to traditional publishing: you keep control of your work. 

Traditional publishers will typically push your book hard for the first few weeks or months, then lose interest as initial sales drop off. With KDP Select, you can promote your book whenever you want. That’s freedom most traditionally published authors don’t have.

Want to re-launch a book that came out ten years ago? Or create buzz for a book that’s been out for months? Go for it. It’s your call. 

KDP Select Isn’t Complicated to Use

Twenty years ago, self publishing was mostly a pipe dream for authors whose good stories couldn’t get picked up by publishers. Countless manuscripts ended up in desk drawers, never to see daylight again. We probably lost some real gems that way. 

Now writers have platforms like KDP Select that are actually user-friendly. With a decent guide or two, you can figure out how to format your manuscript properly for publication. Getting your work out there and finding readers isn’t nearly the uphill battle it used to be.