The Truth About Self-Publishing - KDP, Lulu & IngramSpark

🎙️ Real talk about what works, what doesn’t, and how to navigate print-on-demand.

🎙️Listen to this blog. 5:00 minute read.

So, I managed to sneak in a hit of golf this morning while the sun was actually behaving itself. Blue skies, a gentle breeze—one of those rare Christmas Island mornings where you think, “This is the life.” And then BAM—afternoon rolls around and the heavens opened like someone up there accidentally sat on the ‘tropical downpour’ button.

So now here I am, curled up with a hot cup of tea, soaked socks drying on the railing, and the rhythmic sound of rain thudding against the tin roof… writing this blog about self-publishing—the thing I get asked about more than anything else lately.

And fair enough, right? Because self-publishing is like that weird cousin you invite to Christmas dinner. Sometimes they bring the best pudding you’ve ever tasted… other times they throw up in your laundry. It’s unpredictable, kind of messy, and weirdly rewarding.

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Let’s Talk Self-Publishing (and Cut the Crap)

This week’s podcast episode—Ep 7: The Truth About Self-Publishing – KDP, Lulu & IngramSpark—is one I wish someone had made for me when I first started out. Because let’s face it: self-publishing is marketed like a shiny, six-figure-dream-machine on TikTok. “Upload your book and make passive income while you sip coconut water on a beach!”

Yeah, nah!

Here’s the real story. It's work. It's learning curves. It's waking up to an email that your book’s been flagged because of a cover resolution issue you thought you fixed three uploads ago.

But it’s also liberating as hell.

You get to share your story, your way, with no publishing gatekeepers telling you to make your memoir “more marketable” or suggesting your characters be less menopausal and more murdery. (Okay, maybe that’s just me.)

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What Works: The Big Three (KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu)

In the pod, I break down the three platforms I’ve danced with, cried over, and occasionally high-fived:

💻 KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

The Amazon beast. She’s got her issues, but she’s convenient and quick. If you’re just starting out and want a paperback and ebook out fast and globally, start here. KDP is like your first car—basic, a bit temperamental, but gets you where you’re going. Just remember: you are riding in Jeff Bezos’ backseat, and he’s keeping the snacks.

📦 IngramSpark

This is the posh one. The one that gets your book into bookshops, libraries, and onto the “respectable author” radar. Hardcover? Yes. Beautiful quality? Yes. A user interface that makes you want to scream into a cushion? Also yes. BUT—this is how I get my books distributed globally. US, UK, Europe, Aus, NZ… she’s got reach.

📒 Lulu

Lulu is the cool artsy aunt who makes hand-bound journals and sells them at markets. Great for spiral-bound, planners, or quirky sizes. A little more fiddly, but perfect if you want to sell direct from your own site (like I do with Words of Wisdom). Actually, I'm going to upload all my books over to Lulu.com and the reason is - You still get a global reach - Yep! They do have a 'GREAT' range of sizes, bindings - the best!  annnd - I'm going to say it ..... the BEST print quality and paper grade of all. There! I said it.  The quality is 'perfecto' especially for my books which are full colour. 

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What Doesn’t Work (Let’s Rip Off the Bandaid)

Let me just say it straight: if you’re expecting perfection, walk away now. There is no “perfect” self-publishing platform. Each one will chew you up and spit you out at some point.

• KDP will randomly ghost your book for using AI—even if you didn’t.  And there is nothing you can do about it - you cannot create another account and try again, because in this day and age of digital signatures - Amazon knows 'EVERYTHING' about you.  KDP (or Amazon Books) add's the postage cost to your book and say it's FREE SHIPPING. Print quality is basic and if you're like me and have full-colour - the colours can be washed out!  POD, means you don't have access to the customers info and 30 days wait for any commission.

• IngramSpark will charge you for breathing near your upload screen - okay! it's not quite like that, but if you need to update anything in your book or re-upload because you received a 'Proof' copy and it's not quite right, typos, or off-set... you are given 30 days to edit and upload for FREE - after that it will cost you US$25 a time.  Postage costs are quite up there too and because it is a POD - you don't get access to your readers who purchased through their global reach.  Also, 90 days wait on commission.

• Lulu will sneak up with shipping fees that make you question your life choices - but compared to the other 2, it really is only a marginal post increase.  A good global (online bookstore) reach, including global Amazon, but you can't guarantee the print quality as the printers are out-sourced throughout the world.

And across the board? Royalty payments are... humbling. Like when you check your Amazon sales dashboard after a good promo run and see your commission is $2.70. For a book that sells for $52.32 online. Yep. I wish I was joking. Check out my books on Amazon and compare the prices to my own bookstore - Words of Wisdom korupublishing.com. 

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Why I Still Do It (And Why You Should Too)

Now, I could get upset about that. I could stomp around yelling about the system chewing up creatives and spitting out coins.

But here’s the thing: when someone in Dublin, or Dunedin, or Darwin picks up Answers from the Oracles and finds the exact message they needed that day? That’s the win.

When I pay $150 to have IngramSpark promote my book via newsletters, bookstore catalogues and library distributions—and that launches my book into global eyeballs I could never reach on my own? That’s the strategy. That’s me playing long game.

Yes, Amazon gets their cut. Yes, the book looks expensive online. But my website? My direct shop? You’ll find Answers from the Oracles there for $35.95, shipping included. And that sale supports me. No middleman. No crumbs.

You get to choose where you buy, and I’m grateful either way.

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So, Should You Self-Publish?

If you’re sitting on a story that won’t let go of you... if you’ve got poems tucked into drawers, or journals with years of wisdom, or a “maybe one day” memoir waiting in the wings?

Yes. Do it.

It won’t be perfect. It will make you swear. But it will also make you proud in a way traditional publishing rarely does. Because it’s yours. Raw, real, and beautiful.

So go light some white sage. Open the document. Start writing.

And then? Print that sucker.

Because the world needs your story.

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☔️ The rain’s still bucketing down outside. But my soul feels warm writing this.

Whether you’re listening to the podcast or holding one of my books in your hands—know this: I see you. I believe in your story.

The answers you seek are within.

Until next time,
Cheers for now,
Amanda x