What to Know About Book Distribution

Have you ever wondered how your favorite books make it from an author’s desk to your hands? That journey happens through book distribution, an essential part of the publishing process. Whether you’re working with a traditional publisher or you’re a self-published author, the distribution process is what connects your work to bookstores, libraries, online retailers, and readers around the world.

In this post, we’ll break down what book distribution is, how the book distribution system works, and the options available to you as an author. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to sell your book, reach your audience, and choose the right distribution channels for your goals.

What is distribution?

Before diving in, let’s define some terms you’ll encounter in the book publishing and distribution networks:

Book Distribution: The process of making your book available to retailers, booksellers, and readers.

Distributor: A company that works with publishers or authors to distribute books to bookstores and other retailers; may offer full-service support like warehousing and sales reps.

Wholesaler: A wholesale distributor that buys books at a discount and resells to bookstores and libraries. A wholesaler like Ingram (often referred to simply as Ingram) is one of the biggest players.

Aggregator: Services (such as Draft2Digital or PublishDrive) that distribute to multiple online retailers from one platform.

Platforms: Online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo where readers can purchase your book.

Exclusive vs. Wide: Exclusive means distributing through a single retailer, while wide means selling your book across multiple outlets.

B2B vs. B2C: Business-to-business (B2B) involves selling through wholesale distribution channels to bookstores, while business-to-consumer (B2C) means selling directly to the customer, often from your own website.

Traditional Publishing: Partnering with a traditional publishing house or small press to handle book production and distribution.

Self-Publishing: Publishing independently, often through print-on-demand services and digital distribution platforms.

How traditional publishing distribution works

If you’re publishing through a traditional publisher, they’ll handle the book distribution process for you. This includes working with book distributors like Ingram or Baker & Taylor to get books to bookstores, libraries, and other retailers.

The benefits of traditional distribution are clear: your publisher works with an established sales force and distribution arms that have relationships with indie bookstores, local bookstores, online retailers, and national chains. The publisher also covers printing costs, warehouse storage, and shipping, making your book available through wholesale distribution networks.

Of course, there are trade-offs. A traditional book deal usually means lower royalties, less creative control, and a slower time to market compared to indie publishing. Still, for many authors, the ability to see your book on shelves in stores and libraries is worth it.

Self-publishing and book distribution

For indie authors, distribution looks very different. Instead of relying on a publishing house, you choose how and where to distribute your books. This flexibility means higher royalties and more creative control, but also more responsibility.

The self-publishing distribution process typically includes:

• Choosing whether to work with a distributor or aggregators (services that make your book available to multiple outlets).
• Preparing your files, metadata, and ISBN.
• Deciding between exclusive vs wide distribution.
• Reviewing proof copies for print books.

While this route requires more effort, it allows you to tailor your distribution to your goals and keep more of your profits.

Distribution types

Ebook distribution

Ebooks are one of the most accessible forms of digital distribution. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Barnes & Noble Press, Kobo, and Apple Books make it easy to publish and distribute.

You can also use aggregators (services like Draft2Digital), which distribute to multiple online retailers at once. The trade-off is paying a fee or a percentage of sales. Authors must also decide whether to enroll exclusively in Amazon KDP Select or distribute their work widely across multiple platforms.

Print distribution

Print books remain popular, and authors can reach readers through print-on-demand services like IngramSpark and Amazon’s KDP Print. Instead of printing hundreds of copies of your book and storing them in a warehouse, these services print a single copy of the book immediately after it's ordered and ship it to the purchaser.

IngramSpark ofers wide reach, including independent bookstores and libraries, but comes with higher printing costs and returns management.

Amazon KDP Print is easy to use and integrates directly with Amazon, though it’s harder to get into local bookstores outside the Amazon system.

In addition to print-on-demand, some small publishers and indie authors also print traditional copies and work with a warehouse or wholesale distributor for storage and shipping. This printing method gives more options for the cover types, bindings and book styles.

Audiobook distribution

Audiobooks are a growing market! Platforms like Audible (ACX), Findaway Voices, and Author’s Republic help authors sell books in audio format. Each comes with different royalty structures, production costs, and distribution reach.

Library distribution

Libraries order through wholesalers like Ingram or Baker & Taylor. You can also get into library catalogs through aggregators are services like Draft2Digital. To see your book on shelves, though, you’ll often need to pitch directly or encourage readers to request it.

Direct-to-consumer distribution

Finally, you can sell the books directly to the customer through your website using platforms like BookFunnel, Shopify, or WooCommerce. This allows you to deliver your book directly, without middlemen, and keep 95–100% of the profits. However, you’ll handle customer service, tech setup, and taxes yourself.

Choosing the right book distributor

When deciding how to publish and distribute, consider:

• Reach: Can the distributor work with distribution arms that get you into independent bookstores and online stores?
• Royalties and costs: Factor in printing costs, aggregator fees, and royalty rates.
• Control: Do you want to set pricing, choose categories, and manage metadata yourself?
• Support: Some distributors, like Ingram also, have a wide reach but mixed reviews on customer service.

The right partner depends on your publishing goals, budget, and whether you’re working with a traditional publisher or managing everything as a self-published author.

You’re ready for book distribution!

Book distribution is an important part of the book publishing journey! It’s the process that takes your book from manuscript to reader. Whether you go with a traditional publisher, a small press, or take the indie publishing route, understanding how book distribution works will help you make smarter decisions, maximize book sales, and get your book in the hands of more readers.

With the right knowledge and tools, you can get your book into bookstores and other retailers, reach new audiences, and build a career that lasts.