Become an eBook Publisher | Earn up to $1,000 per month

Are you passionate about writing or have specialized knowledge you’d love to share with the world?

Make money writing and publishing ebooks on Amazon.

Starting an ebook publishing career from home allows you to turn your ideas into a stream of passive income by publishing your work online. With minimal upfront costs, you can become your own boss, achieve a worldwide readership, and become a prosperous writer or entrepreneur—right from the comfort of your home!

What Is Ebook Publishing?

Ebook publishing refers to the process of creating, distributing, and selling digital books (ebooks) through online platforms like Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, and others. Unlike traditional publishing, where authors work with publishing houses, ebook publishing is often self-directed, meaning you retain full control over your content, pricing, and marketing strategy.

The beauty of ebook publishing is that once your ebook is uploaded and made available for sale, it can generate ongoing revenue with little additional effort. In light of this, it’s a great choice for any writer who wants to generate passive income.

What Is an Ebook Publisher?

An ebook publisher is someone who creates and sells digital books. This could be an individual writing their own books, or it could involve publishing works from other authors under a publishing brand. Ebook publishers handle every aspect of the book creation process, including:

• Writing the content (or hiring a ghostwriter)
• Editing and formatting the ebook to be compatible with platforms
• Designing an eye-catching cover
• Uploading the ebook to marketplaces like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Smashwords, or Kobo
• Marketing and promoting the ebook to drive sales

Ebook publishers can focus on various genres, from fiction and non-fiction to how-to guides, self-help books, academic works, and niche content. Since ebook publishing is digital, it cuts out many traditional costs like printing and distribution, making it accessible and profitable for those starting from home.

Who Is an Ebook Publishing Career For?

An ebook publishing career is perfect for:

• Writers and authors: If writing is your passion, or you have expertise in a particular subject, ebook publishing allows you to share your knowledge and creativity with the world.
• Entrepreneurs: Ebook publishing is a great way to build a personal brand, grow an online business, or establish authority in a specific industry.
• Freelancers: Whether you write for others or create your own content, ebooks are a flexible way to monetize your writing skills.
• Educators and experts: If you’re knowledgeable in a field like business, health, finance, or education, ebooks can help you package and sell your insights to a global audience.
• Anyone with a story to tell: Ebook publishing is for anyone with a unique perspective, skill set, or story to share—regardless of experience or background.

This career is ideal for those who value independence, enjoy creating written content, and want the potential for passive income. It’s also highly scalable, meaning you can publish as many books as you like and grow your catalog over time.

How Much Can You Make?

An Amazon Publisher Job Pays: Up to $1,000 per month

Earnings from ebook publishing vary widely depending on factors such as book quality, niche demand, marketing efforts, and pricing. Here’s a breakdown of how ebook publishers typically make money:

1. Royalties:
   Most ebook publishing platforms, like Amazon KDP, offer royalties that vary from 35% to 70% based on the book’s pricing and the platform’s conditions. For example, with Amazon KDP:
   • Books that cost $2.99 to $9.99 are eligible for a 70% royalty rate, meaning you earn $2.10 to $7 per sale.
   • Royalties for publications priced outside of this range decrease to 35%.
2. Self-publishing platforms:
   In addition to Amazon, you can publish your ebook on multiple platforms like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Press, Smashwords, or Google Play to maximize exposure and increase sales.
3. Multiple revenue streams:
   Besides selling ebooks, you can create audiobooks, print-on-demand books, or offer online courses based on your book’s content, creating multiple income streams from a single idea.

Potential Earnings:

• New ebook publishers:
  A beginner may earn $100 to $500 per month, depending on the quality of their book, niche, and marketing efforts. Success in the early stages typically requires effective promotion, building an audience, and creating valuable content.
• Mid-level publishers:
  Once you have several ebooks available, or a highly successful single title, you can potentially earn $1,000 to $5,000 per month. This level often requires consistent content creation and a solid promotional strategy, including using social media, email lists, and ads to boost visibility.
• Top-tier publishers:
  Some ebook publishers earn $10,000 to $50,000+ per month, particularly if they tap into high-demand niches, release multiple best-selling titles, or leverage additional revenue streams like audiobooks and courses.

Where to Find Jobs

1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Amazon KDP is the largest self-publishing platform in the world, giving you access to millions of Kindle readers globally. Whether you’re writing fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, or cookbooks, KDP makes it easy to upload your manuscript and start earning royalties.

Payouts:

Earn up to 70% royalties on each eBook sold, depending on pricing and region. Payments are made monthly via direct deposit.

Requirements:

• Manuscript (formatted in DOCX, EPUB, or PDF)
• Cover design (can be uploaded or created using their free tools)
• Amazon account and tax info

Regions Available: Worldwide (some restrictions in certain countries)

How to Join:

1. Go to KDP and sign in with your Amazon account
2. Click “Create a new eBook”
3. Upload your manuscript and cover
4. Set your price and royalties
5. Publish and start earning globally

2. Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital is a user-friendly eBook publishing platform that distributes your book to multiple retailers like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more. It handles formatting and metadata, making it ideal for non-technical users.

Payouts:

Earn 60%–70% royalties depending on the retailer. Payments are made monthly via three methods – PayPal, direct deposit, or check.

Requirements:

• Manuscript (DOCX preferred)
• Short description, keywords, and category selection
• Optional cover art and author bio

Regions Available: Worldwide

How to Join:

1. Sign up at Draft2Digital
2. Upload your manuscript and details
3. Choose your stores and royalty preferences
4. Approve the final layout and publish
5. Track sales from a centralized dashboard

3. Smashwords (Now part of Draft2Digital)

Smashwords was one of the original self-publishing platforms, known for giving indie authors control and access to niche retailers. It’s now part of Draft2Digital but still provides a vast network of eBook distributors and library markets.

Payouts:

Earn up to 80% net from Smashwords store sales, and 60%+ from distribution partners.

Requirements:

• DOC file with Smashwords formatting rules
• Book cover image
• Metadata and author info

Regions Available: Worldwide

How to Join:

1. Go to Smashwords and create a free account
2. Upload your manuscript and metadata
3. Format according to their style guide
4. Distribute to libraries, stores, and catalogues
5. Get paid quarterly via PayPal

4. Kobo Writing Life

Kobo Writing Life gives you access to Kobo’s eReader market, especially popular in Canada, Europe, and Asia. It’s great for international authors who want an alternative to Amazon’s Kindle.

Payouts:

Earn 70% royalties on books priced $2.99–$9.99. Paid monthly via PayPal or direct deposit.

Requirements:

• Manuscript in EPUB format
• Cover image
• Basic knowledge of pricing and territories

Regions Available: Worldwide (with strong international reach)

How to Join:

1. Sign up at Kobo Writing Life
2. Upload your eBook and metadata
3. Choose price and markets
4. Publish and track global sales from your dashboard

5. Apple Books for Authors

Apple Books offers a sleek, premium eBook reading experience and lets authors publish directly to iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It’s especially useful if you’re targeting Apple users or releasing interactive content.

Payouts:

Earn 70% royalties on all sales. Payments are made monthly through your iTunes Connect account.

Requirements:

• Apple ID
• eBook in EPUB format
• iTunes Connect account

Regions Available: 50+ countries, mostly Apple-focused markets

How to Join:

1. Visit Apple Books for Authors
2. Create or use your Apple ID
3. Register through iTunes Connect
4. Upload your manuscript using Pages or Apple’s publishing tools
5. Start earning through the Apple ecosystem

6. Blurb

Blurb is ideal for photographers, artists, and creative authors who want to publish image-heavy eBooks or print-on-demand books. It also integrates with Amazon and Ingram to help you reach more markets.

Payouts:

You set your own prices and keep the profit after printing/distribution fees. Potential to earn $5–$50+ per sale depending on format and pricing.

Requirements:

• Manuscript or photo-based content
• Use Blurb’s free software (BookWright or InDesign plugin)
• High-resolution images for photography books

Regions Available: Worldwide

How to Join:

1. Visit Blurb and choose your book format
2. Design your eBook or print book
3. Publish to Blurb, Amazon, or Apple Books
4. Track orders and royalties from your Blurb dashboard

7. Reedsy Marketplace

Reedsy is a professional publishing marketplace connecting authors with freelance editors, ghostwriters, designers, and marketers. If you’re a freelancer with experience in publishing, this is where authors come to hire top talent.

Payouts:

Freelancers set their own rates—projects range from $500 to $5,000+ depending on services. Reedsy charges a 10% fee.

Requirements:

• Proven expertise in editing, design, writing, or publishing
• Strong portfolio
• Approval through application

Regions Available: Worldwide

How to Join:

1. Apply at Reedsy Freelancer Page
2. Submit your credentials and portfolio
3. Get approved and added to the marketplace
4. Receive project invites and work remotely with authors

With the power of the internet, eBook publishing from home is more accessible than ever. Whether you want to publish your own book, offer freelance publishing services, or build a passive income stream, these platforms can help you take the first step.