Publishing a book has never been easier, thanks to the rise of digital platforms that simplify the process for authors. Draft2Digital (D2D) is one such platform that provides independent authors with a user-friendly, efficient way to distribute their books to various retailers. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through every step of publishing your book using Draft2Digital, highlighting the platform’s features, benefits, and providing useful tips for maximizing your book's potential.


What is Draft2Digital?

Draft2Digital is a popular ebook publishing and distribution platform designed specifically for self-published authors. Founded in 2012, it has quickly become one of the most widely used platforms for indie authors looking to publish their books across multiple retailers. Draft2Digital’s mission is to simplify the publishing process, making it accessible to authors with varying degrees of technical expertise.

The platform allows authors to upload their manuscripts in various formats, converts them into professional ebooks, and distributes them to a wide network of retailers, including major players like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo, as well as library platforms such as OverDrive.


Why Use Draft2Digital?

1. Ease of Use

One of Draft2Digital’s biggest selling points is its simplicity. The platform requires no technical expertise or advanced formatting skills. Authors can upload their manuscript in a Word document or any other supported format, and Draft2Digital takes care of the rest. It converts your manuscript into ebook formats such as EPUB, Mobi, and PDF, all ready for distribution.

2. Wide Distribution Network

Draft2Digital helps you reach readers across the globe by distributing your book to a vast network of retailers and libraries. This means your book will be available on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, Tolino, Bibliotheca, and OverDrive, among others.

3. Free to Use

There are no upfront costs to publish with Draft2Digital. The platform only takes a small percentage (about 10%) of your sales, which means you can publish without any initial financial risk.

4. Professional Ebook Formatting

Draft2Digital offers automatic formatting that meets the standards of major retailers. It ensures your book looks professional across all devices and platforms. They also provide templates to give your book a polished, professional appearance.

5. Comprehensive Author Services

In addition to distribution, Draft2Digital offers additional services like ISBN assignment, print book distribution through their sister site Books2Read, universal book links for easy sharing, and royalty tracking. You can also manage preorders, set your price, and track sales on one convenient dashboard.


Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing Your Book on Draft2Digital


Step 1: Create a Draft2Digital Account

Before you can start publishing, you’ll need to create a free Draft2Digital account. Visit the Draft2Digital website and click the "Sign Up" button. You’ll be asked to provide basic information such as your name, email address, and a password. Once your account is created, you’ll gain access to the author dashboard, where you can begin the publishing process.

Step 2: Prepare Your Manuscript

Before uploading your book, ensure that your manuscript is fully edited and formatted. Although Draft2Digital provides automatic formatting, it's essential to follow some basic manuscript preparation guidelines:

  • Editing: Ensure your manuscript is free from grammar and spelling errors. Consider hiring a professional editor if necessary.
  • Formatting: Use standard fonts like Times New Roman or Arial. Avoid fancy fonts or overly complicated formatting. Double-check chapter breaks, headings, and paragraph indentations.

You can upload your manuscript as a Word (.doc or .docx), EPUB, or RTF file. Draft2Digital will convert your document into the appropriate ebook formats during the publication process.

Step 3: Upload Your Manuscript

Once your manuscript is ready, log into your Draft2Digital account and click the "My Books" tab on your dashboard. From there, click the “Add New Book” button, and you’ll be prompted to upload your manuscript file. Draft2Digital accepts Word documents, which makes it easy for most authors.

After uploading your manuscript, Draft2Digital will automatically scan the file and create chapter breaks based on your headings. You can review and adjust these if necessary.

Step 4: Add Book Details

Next, you’ll need to enter essential information about your book:

  • Title: The name of your book.
  • Subtitle (optional): A subtitle or tagline that enhances your title.
  • Author name: This is the name that will appear on the book’s cover and in the author credits.
  • Publisher (optional): You can enter your publisher's name, or leave it blank if you are self-publishing.
  • ISBN: Draft2Digital can assign a free ISBN for your ebook if you don’t already have one. An ISBN is a unique identifier for your book that is required for distribution on most platforms.
  • Book description: Write a compelling description of your book. This will appear on retailer websites, so it’s crucial to make it engaging and informative. Aim to hook readers while providing enough details about the plot or subject matter.
  • Keywords: Add relevant keywords that help potential readers discover your book. Consider words or phrases that describe your book’s genre, themes, and topics.

Step 5: Select Book Format and Layout Options

Draft2Digital provides several formatting options to help make your book look professional. You can choose from a variety of pre-made templates, or you can upload your own custom styles if you have specific design preferences.

Options include:

  • Chapter Headers: Choose how your chapter headings will look.
  • Front Matter: You can automatically generate front matter (e.g., copyright page, dedication) and add it to your book.
  • Back Matter: Add back matter such as an author bio, call-to-action (e.g., links to your website or social media), or a preview of another book.

After selecting your preferred options, Draft2Digital will generate a preview of your ebook, allowing you to see how it will look on various devices.

Step 6: Upload Your Book Cover

A professional book cover is essential for attracting readers. If you already have a cover designed, you can upload it as a high-resolution JPEG or PNG file. If you don’t have a cover, Draft2Digital offers a simple cover creator tool that allows you to design a basic cover using templates and your book's title and author name.

For optimal results, hire a professional cover designer or use platforms like Canva or Adobe Spark to create a visually appealing cover that resonates with your target audience.

Step 7: Set Pricing and Territories

After uploading your book and cover, it’s time to set the price for your ebook. Draft2Digital allows you to set different prices for various retailers or use one universal price. The platform also lets you choose the territories where you want your book to be available, giving you control over global distribution.

Tips for setting your ebook price:

  • Research Competitors: Check the prices of books in your genre to find a competitive pricing range.
  • Experiment: Prices for ebooks can vary. You may want to start with a lower price to attract more readers and then gradually increase the price as your readership grows.
  • Consider Preorders: You can set up a preorder period for your book, allowing readers to purchase it before the official release date. This can help generate buzz and boost initial sales.

Step 8: Select Retailers and Distribute

Draft2Digital allows you to choose which retailers you want to distribute your book to. You can select all available retailers or choose specific ones, such as:

  • Amazon Kindle
  • Apple Books
  • Kobo
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Scribd
  • Tolino
  • Bibliotheca
  • OverDrive (libraries)

Once you’ve selected your retailers, Draft2Digital will distribute your ebook to those platforms. Keep in mind that each retailer may have different review and approval processes, so it may take a few days for your book to appear in stores.

Step 9: Track Sales and Royalties

After your book is published, Draft2Digital provides a robust reporting dashboard where you can track sales across all retailers in real-time. You’ll be able to see how your book is performing in different stores and adjust your marketing strategy as needed.

Draft2Digital pays royalties monthly, usually around 60 days after the end of the sales month. You’ll receive payments via PayPal, direct deposit, or check, depending on your location.


Maximizing Success with Draft2Digital

Publishing your book on Draft2Digital is just the first step. To maximize your book’s potential, consider the following strategies:

1. Optimize Your Book’s Metadata

Your book’s metadata (title, subtitle, keywords, and description) plays a significant role in how discoverable it is in search results on retailer websites. Spend time crafting a compelling book description and choosing relevant keywords that accurately represent your book’s content.

2. Promote Your Book

Even with wide distribution, it’s essential to promote your book to attract readers. Use social media, email newsletters, book bloggers, and online communities to spread the word about your release. You can also set up an author website and include links to your book on different platforms.

Draft2Digital offers a Universal Book Link (UBL) that consolidates all the retailer links into one, making it easier for readers to find your book regardless of their preferred platform.

3. Set Up Preorders

Preorders are an effective way to generate early interest in your book and boost your launch-day sales. Draft2Digital allows you to set up preorders on most retailers. This strategy helps build anticipation and gives you time to promote your book before its official release.

4. Take Advantage of Libraries

Draft2Digital distributes books to library platforms like OverDrive, Bibliotheca, and Hoopla. Libraries are a great way to reach new readers who may not otherwise discover your work. Consider creating library-specific marketing campaigns to promote your book to library users.

5. Consider Print Books

Draft2Digital primarily focuses on ebooks, but it also offers print book distribution through its sister platform, Books2Read. Having a print version of your book can help you reach readers who prefer physical copies.