The ABCs of Self-Publishing Platforms Publish Drive

PUBLISHDRIVE

https://publishdrive.com/

PublishDrive is a cloud-based distribution, royalty management, and data analytics aggregator company. They do not require exclusivity. No software installation is required. For a monthly fixed fee, they keep track of all of your titles, sales data, and analytics.

Cost: There are service fee tiers for the use of their management service. For example, one book at 35 distribution sites is $10.64 per month, 6 books at 53 channels is $15.74 per month, and 18 books and 53 channels is $31.49 per month. This fee is nonrefundable even if you decide to cancel mid-cycle. 

Rights: You retain all rights. You provide the ISBN.

Distribution: They distribute through Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Odilo, Bibliotheca, Ciando, Bookmate, Doozer, iBooks, Google Play, OverDrive, Scribd, Audible, Walmart, Target, Tolino, Bam, eStories, Indigo, Storytel, Blackwells, Waterman, and over 400 stores and 240K libraries.

 Services: They upload your books to the platforms including BISAC and metadata information. They generate data analytics reports. They assist with book formatting. They have templates and a file converter. 

They recommend free Calibre software to format your book. They do not proofread or edit your book. They do not read your book. They offer a suite of marketing tools, including running price promotions, optimizing Amazon ads, and free in-store promotions. They can handle bulk import and distribution to hard-to-reach markets like China, India, etc. marketing tools and in-store promotional opportunities. They offer review copies.

Payment: Each platform has their own royalty payment agreement and schedule. They track your sales and collect the royalties then pay you. They claim their benefit is their Abacus software that tracks sales from multiple platforms.

They use a flat fee model to use their service instead of a percent of royalties. You must earn at least $5 in royalties for a payment. You set a payment threshold, meaning you state whether you want to get paid if the royalties reach X amount. The option to select no payment threshold is not available due to transaction fees that are applicable to all payouts. Royalties are paid only after they receive payment from the individual vendors. You are paid in the month they get paid. If the transaction costs (and tax withholding) are higher than the royalties you've earned, they are unable to make a payment.

You provide your banking details after you receive your first sales report. They will report income to the IRS but do not collect taxes. They pay via wire transfer (via Wise), local bank transfer, check, PayPal or intercash. These methods vary in speed and charges. If you are using Payoneer, you can get paid to your Payoneer account. Transaction fees apply.

Next week, we look at Scribd/Everand.

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