Lots of right this moment’s aspiring writers select the self-publishing path for a number of causes – certainly one of them being that this quickly evolving trade presents an abundance of alternatives. Plus, the possibilities of getting your ebook picked up by a conventional publishing firm have gotten slimmer.

In the event you’ve already performed some analysis into self-publishing, you’ve most likely heard of Amazon’s CreateSpace and Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). These two platforms was the go-to choices for many self-publishing authors. 

On this put up, we’re going to cowl what occurred to CreateSpace and what different choices you’ve for self-publishing your ebook in 2025. 

Right here’s what we’ll be overlaying on Amazon CreateSpace right this moment:

1. What was Amazon CreateSpace?
2. Why use Print on Demand? (POD)
3. Amazon launching KDP Print
4. CreateSpace is now Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
5. CreateSpace and KDP — related options
6. What’s the distinction between CreateSpace and KDP?
7. CreateSpace alternate options in 2025

What was CreateSpace?

CreateSpace was a self-publishing platform utilizing the Print on Demand-model (POD), i.e., printing and transport books to satisfy buyer orders. They produced high-quality paperbacks from recordsdata you uploaded your self. 

Does Amazon nonetheless have CreateSpace?

CreateSpace was a preferred alternative amongst self-publishing authors, primarily due to their cheap costs, pace, and comfort. They supplied a spread of fairly priced companies, corresponding to design, advertising and marketing, printed proofs, and prolonged distribution. In 2005, Amazon purchased CreateSpace whereas growing its present self-publishing service, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). 

Why use Print on Demand? 

POD books was thought of an inferior product, with low cost covers and low-quality paper. That’s now not the case. At the moment, conventional publishers additionally use POD know-how for books they don’t intend to retailer. For essentially the most half, POD books are equal in high quality to these printed on a press. 

Plus, the POD mannequin means which you could get monetary savings by not printing a whole bunch or hundreds of copies directly. It’s a superb choice for self-publishing authors, particularly if you happen to’re on a restricted funds. Print-on-demand offers you extra freedom to market and promote your ebook with out worrying about transport, storing, or checking inventory ranges.  

Amazon launching KDP Print

For just a few years, CreateSpace and KDP have been two separate Amazon-owned companies, with the primary being a POD service and the latter a platform for publishing e-books. In 2016, Amazon launched its second POD service, KDP Print. One of many causes behind the launch was to encourage authors extra strongly so as to add a print model to their Kindle ebook. 

Nonetheless, KDP Print’s launch left many authors confused about whether or not they need to stick with CreateSpace or shift to the brand new platform. Since Amazon wouldn’t enable authors to return as soon as they’d made the change, the choice needed to be everlasting. And rumors concerning the platform closing down or merging with KDP have been already beginning to come up. 

Is CreateSpace nonetheless in enterprise?

Two years later, in August 2018,  Amazon confirmed the rumors and introduced that CreateSpace and KDP have been merging into one. Successfully, all companies from the platform are actually discontinued, and the books have been shifted to KDP. 

The merge inevitably caused just a few adjustments, however on the entire, there are extra similarities than variations between the 2 platforms. KDP is a longtime and reliable service that’s been round for years. And with KDP Print, you benefit from having the ability to publish each paperbacks and e-books. Plus, you obtain the mixed royalties on one platform. 

CreateSpace and KDP — related options 

Amazon made the transition as easy as attainable, preserving many of the options that made CreateSpace such a preferred platform. Few of the affected authors appeared to come across any important hiccups when shifting their books. 

After Amazon moved the books to KDP, you can observe your gross sales on the brand new platform. You might additionally entry the older report information in your KDP stories, minimizing the danger of shedding something. 

The paperbacks are nonetheless printed in the identical services as CreateSpace, besides once they’re distributed to Europe. Different options that stay the identical are:

• Worldwide Normal E book Quantity (ISBN). You continue to have the choice to make use of your individual ISBN, get a reduced Bowker ISBN, or a free one via KDP.
  
• Distribution and related charges. KDP Print additionally presents distribution to Amazon solely (with a 40% charge) and prolonged distribution to shops exterior of Amazon (with a 60% charge). Be aware that there are new necessities round prolonged distribution, which you’ll examine beneath. 
  
• E book cowl and design instruments. KDP Print makes use of the identical Phrase templates and Cowl Creator instrument that CreateSpace supplied. So the standard of the design stays the identical. 

What’s the distinction between CreateSpace and KDP?

For essentially the most half, authors have gladly moved over to KDP, regardless of inevitable adjustments and new options. KDP is a wonderful all-in-one platform and a fast print-on-demand service. It could make it easier to attain the paperback markets within the US, Europe, and even Japan with complete distribution companies. There are lots of areas the place KDP is gaining floor on CreateSpace, corresponding to:  

• The built-in gross sales dashboard. Having a mixed publishing and accounting platform for each Kindle and print variations is a giant plus, supplying you with an improved person expertise. 
  
• Updates with out shedding the previous model. With KDP, you possibly can replace your ebook whereas the previous model continues to be accessible for buy. This function is an enormous enchancment, particularly for these authors whose books are promoting nicely. 
  
• Expanded worldwide distribution. Authors will now be capable to distribute to Japan, which wasn’t attainable with CreateSpace.

Together with these three adjustments, there are just a few extra variations between CreateSpace and KDP. We’ve put collectively an inventory that summarizes an important ones it’s good to know. 

Different adjustments between CreateSpace and KDP

• Royalty cost schedule. Whereas CreateSpace paid royalties roughly 30 days after the top of the month the place you earned them, the KDP cost comes out 60 days later. However the cost schedule continues to be month-to-month.
  
• Unsupported languages. Some languages supported by CreateSpace could also be unsupported by KDP. CreateSpace books which might be already revealed will proceed to be accessible on Amazon, it doesn’t matter what language. However you possibly can’t publish or replace new books in an unsupported language, and drafts that you just transfer over could must be translated. Be aware that Amazon continues to judge its options and companies, together with supported languages.
  
• Expanded distribution. On KDP, your ebook have to be accessible on Amazon to allow expanded distribution, which wasn’t a requirement with CreateSpace. 
  
• Creator copies. KDP helps you to order writer copies by including them straight to your Amazon cart, like an everyday order. In the event you’re a Prime member or in case your order is above Amazon’s minimal spend, this course of can prevent each money and time. 
  
• Native printing for Europe distribution. CreateSpace solely manufactured their books within the US. With KDP, native printing and transport can be found inside Europe. Good for the surroundings and extra handy for patrons. 
  
• Printing prices. There are some minor variations by way of printing prices. For instance, sure low-page-count books printed in Europe (coloration books lower than 30 pages and black-and-white books lower than 110 pages) may have elevated printing prices. Nonetheless, this impacts only some titles.
  
• Amazon promoting. With KDP, you’re capable of buy Amazon promoting for each e-books and print books. 

CreateSpace alternate options in 2025

As we talked about earlier than – the self-publishing trade is evolving vastly, and there are such a lot of alternate options. Whereas Amazon’s KDP is undoubtedly one of many giants, different choices could swimsuit you higher. Listed below are another examples of self-publishing corporations providing print-on-demand companies: 

• IngramSpark is a revered self-publishing platform primarily based in Nashville, backed by one of many world’s largest ebook distribution networks, Ingram Content material Group. This makes it a best choice for authors who need broad bookstore and library distribution past Amazon.

  IngramSpark presents high-quality print choices, hardcover availability, and international e-book distribution. It’s particularly well-liked amongst authors who need their books to look extra simply in brick-and-mortar shops or choose Ingram’s skilled printing requirements. Whereas IngramSpark prices setup charges for some companies, many authors contemplate the expanded attain and print high quality definitely worth the funding.
  

• Lulu has been serving authors for over a decade and stays probably the most versatile print-on-demand suppliers. Along with providing paperback and hardcover printing, Lulu supplies international distribution and instruments for publishing e-books.

  A standout function is its Shopify integration, which permits authors to promote books instantly via their very own on-line shops and is ideal for entrepreneurs, influencers, and types. Lulu additionally presents photobooks, calendars, and different customizable print merchandise, giving creators extra flexibility than conventional POD platforms.
  

• BookBaby is understood for providing an all-in-one self-publishing expertise, focusing closely on customer support and ease of use. Their companies embrace skilled ebook printing, e-book conversion, enhancing, cowl design, and even ebook advertising and marketing assist.

  Whereas BookBaby operates extra like a service supplier than a pure POD firm, many authors recognize having the ability to deal with the whole lot inside a single, guided system. Their high-quality printing and bundled publishing packages make them a robust alternative for authors who need extra hands-on help.
  

• Izzard Ink is a hybrid publishing firm based in 2013, mixing the flexibleness of self-publishing with a few of the skilled assist of conventional publishing. They provide companies corresponding to enhancing, design, distribution, and advertising and marketing, all managed by vetted trade professionals.

  Not like pure POD platforms, Izzard Ink supplies extra personalised, collaborative assist all through the publishing course of. This makes them a very good choice for authors who desire a curated, high-touch expertise quite than a DIY platform.
  

• Blurb is a print-on-demand service recognized for its distinctive print high quality, particularly for image-heavy initiatives. It’s a favourite amongst photographers, designers, cookbook authors, and creators producing coffee-table books or magazines.

  Blurb’s design software program, BookWright, permits authors to customise layouts with precision, guaranteeing photographs look crisp and professionally introduced. Whereas Blurb additionally helps customary paperback and hardcover books, its power lies in visually wealthy codecs that require premium printing.

This record is just the tip of the iceberg. If you wish to learn extra about different alternate options, you will discover our complete information on self-publishing companies right here, together with comparisons and evaluations. 

We hope this put up has given you some extra insights into the world of self-publishing and cleared up any confusion round CreateSpace.