Barnes & Noble Press: A KDP Alternative Worth Exploring

Self-publishing has revolutionized the publishing industry, allowing authors a greater degree of control over their work as well as a wider reach to their readers. Today, there are several platforms for self-publishing that offer different features and benefits. One such alternative to the popular Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is Barnes & Noble Press.

Introduction

Barnes & Noble Press is a self-publishing platform that allows authors to create and publish their books in both print and digital formats. It is a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, one of the largest retail booksellers in the world. Launched in 2018 as a rebranding of the earlier Nook Press, Barnes & Noble Press offers several advantages over other self-publishing platforms.

Advantages of Using Barnes & Noble Press

Wide Audience Reach

Although Barnes & Noble print books have the shortest reach compared to other retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble is still one of the biggest book retailers in the United States with a market share of over 20% of print book sales. By publishing through Barnes & Noble Press, authors can access Barnes & Noble’s vast customer base, which includes millions of readers across the country.

Bookstore Shelf Space

One of the advantages Barnes & Noble Press offers is the possibility of having your book stocked physically on their store shelves. However, it’s important to note that Barnes & Noble Press cannot guarantee physical shelf space at local stores. For shelf space, you’ll need to contact the stores directly and convince them to stock your title.

Print Quality

Barnes & Noble Press offers high-quality printing options. Standard color books come in 50 or 70-pound paper with 20 trim sizes available for selection. Premium color books are printed on 70-pound paper with 14 trim sizes. Barnes & Noble Press also has a professional design team that can create custom book covers and interiors for a fee.

Lightning Source Partnership

Barnes & Noble Press uses a sister company of IngramSpark called Lightning Source to fulfill print orders for them. Barnes & Noble Press handles all the aspects of publishing, including ebook conversion, formatting, cover design, and distribution, while Lightning Source takes care of printing large or small print runs.

Flexibility with Page Count

Barnes & Noble Press has a minimum and maximum page count requirement of 18 to 800 pages. This range, while quite broad, may not work for all authors. That being said, IngramSpark has a more flexible minimum and maximum page count, starting from 4 pages and going up to 2,000 pages. If page count is a concern, using IngramSpark might be a better choice.

FAQs

1. How much does it cost to use Barnes & Noble Press?
   There are no upfront costs to use Barnes & Noble Press. Authors only pay a percentage of their royalties once their book is sold.

2. Can Barnes & Noble Press make my book available in libraries or other retailers besides Barnes & Noble?
   Yes, Barnes & Noble Press offers several distribution channels, including IngramSpark, to make your book available in various online retailers and libraries.

3. Does Barnes & Noble Press offer any marketing or promotional support?
   Barnes & Noble Press does not offer any marketing or promotional support. However, they do have a partnership with Reedsy to provide authors with editorial support, author website design, and email marketing.

4. Is it necessary to have a US-based bank account to use Barnes & Noble Press?
   Yes, Barnes & Noble Press requires a US-based bank account to pay royalties.

5. Can I make changes to my book after it’s been published on Barnes & Noble Press?
   Yes, authors can make changes to their book after it’s been published. However, any changes made will require a new review process, during which time the book will not be available for purchase.

In conclusion, Barnes & Noble Press is a viable alternative for self-publishing, especially for authors looking for the possibility of physical bookstore placement and wider distribution. While there are some limitations with regard to page count and bookstore shelf space, Barnes & Noble Press offers high-quality printing options at no upfront cost to the author. It is worth exploring as an option for authors looking to expand their book’s reach.