FAQ: Where will my book be published?
Shaun M Jooste 
Where will my book be published?
At Celenic Earth Publications, we primarily publish books directly to Amazon via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), ensuring global reach through the world’s largest online bookstore. From there, distribution options are guided by the author’s goals. If an author chooses to enrol in KDP Select (which includes Kindle Unlimited, allowing Prime members and subscribers to read the book), the title must remain exclusive to Amazon for a 90-day period. If exclusivity is not selected, we also distribute to platforms such as Smashwords, Google Play Books, and Apple Books, which in turn expand availability to additional retailers, including Barnes & Noble and other international stores.
We do NOT publish through Ingram or IngramSpark. Their distribution model mirrors what we already achieve directly through KDP and expanded retail channels, but without the same level of transparency and control. Using aggregators like Ingram limits immediate access to real-time sales data, often delays reporting, and can create significant complications if an author later wishes to transition their book elsewhere. Many authors have reported difficulty removing titles once distributed through Ingram’s system. Our approach ensures full visibility, direct control, and flexibility, keeping the publishing process streamlined and firmly in the author’s hands.
One of the first questions authors ask is simple and important: Where will my book actually be published? Distribution determines visibility, accessibility, royalties, and long-term control over your work. At Celenic Earth Publications, we believe authors deserve clarity and transparency about where their books go and how the process works.
Our publishing model focuses on direct distribution, author control, and global availability without unnecessary intermediaries. Below, we explain exactly how and where your book will be published — and why we’ve structured our system this way.
Primary Platform: Amazon via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
We primarily publish books through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). This ensures your book is available on the world’s largest online bookstore with immediate global reach. Amazon offers access to multiple international marketplaces, including the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and beyond, giving your book powerful exposure from day one.
Publishing directly through KDP gives us real-time access to sales data, royalty reports, and performance insights. This level of transparency allows both us and the author to track how a book is performing without waiting for delayed third-party statements. It also enables faster strategic decisions regarding pricing, promotions, and marketing campaigns.
Authors may also choose to enrol their book in KDP Select, which makes the title available through Kindle Unlimited. This programme allows readers who subscribe to Kindle Unlimited or have eligible Prime benefits to read the book at no additional purchase cost. However, KDP Select requires a 90-day exclusivity period with Amazon, meaning the digital edition cannot be distributed elsewhere during that timeframe.
If an author prefers wider distribution without exclusivity, we simply do not enrol the book in KDP Select, allowing us to expand beyond Amazon immediately.
Expanded Distribution Beyond Amazon
When exclusivity is not selected, we publish to additional platforms including Smashwords, Google Play Books, and Apple Books. These platforms provide strong international reach and increase accessibility across various reading devices and ecosystems.
Smashwords in particular distributes to a range of partner retailers, which may include stores such as Barnes & Noble and other global ebook sellers. This expands availability without limiting the author to a single storefront.
This flexible model allows authors to decide what suits their strategy best. Some authors prioritise Amazon’s ecosystem and Kindle Unlimited visibility. Others prefer wide distribution across multiple retailers. We structure distribution based on the author’s goals rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
Why We Do Not Use Ingram or IngramSpark
We do not publish through Ingram or IngramSpark, and this decision is intentional. Their distribution model largely mirrors what we already achieve directly, publishing to Amazon and selecting expanded distribution options to reach additional stores. In practical terms, this adds an extra middle layer without increasing meaningful benefits.
One major concern is transparency. When publishing directly, we have immediate access to sales reporting and performance data. With third-party aggregators, reporting can be delayed, and visibility is limited compared to direct publishing dashboards.
Additionally, many authors have experienced significant difficulty when attempting to remove their books from Ingram in order to republish directly through KDP. In some cases, this process becomes complex and time-consuming. We prioritise maintaining full control and flexibility from the start, avoiding unnecessary complications for authors later.
Ultimately, using Ingram would require giving up the control and direct access we currently have, and that control is central to protecting the author’s long-term publishing freedom.
A Publishing Model Built on Control and Transparency
Our publishing structure is built around three core principles: direct access, flexibility, and author control. By publishing directly through Amazon KDP and carefully selected additional platforms, we maintain transparency in reporting, agility in marketing, and clarity in distribution.
Authors always know where their book is published. They understand the implications of exclusivity versus wide distribution. And they retain the ability to adapt strategy as their audience grows.
Publishing should empower authors, not restrict them. That is why we choose direct, transparent distribution pathways over complicated intermediary systems.
Ready to Publish?
If you are looking for a publishing partner that prioritises clarity, control, and global reach, we’re here to help.
Check out our book publishing services to learn how we can guide your manuscript from submission to launch and place your book in front of readers worldwide.
