A self-publishing platform backed by the world's largest book distributor, giving indie authors access to bookstores, libraries, and global retailers.
IngramSpark is a self-publishing and distribution platform run by Ingram Content Group, the largest book wholesaler in the world. It lets authors publish print books (paperback and hardcover) and ebooks, then distributes them to over 40,000 retailers and libraries globally, including Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, Amazon, and library systems. Unlike KDP, which primarily sells through Amazon, IngramSpark's strength is its wide distribution network. Bookstores are far more likely to order a book through Ingram's catalog than from Amazon, which they view as a competitor.
If you want your self-published book on the shelves of actual bookstores or available through library systems, IngramSpark is how you get there. Amazon dominates online book sales, but physical retail and libraries still matter enormously for discoverability and credibility. Many serious indie authors use both KDP (for Amazon sales and ebooks) and IngramSpark (for everywhere else). Understanding this two-platform strategy is a major advantage.
Before HarperOne picked it up, Manson built his audience through self-published work. Ingram's distribution network is how many indie nonfiction authors like Manson get their books into the brick-and-mortar stores where browsing readers discover them.
Thousands of indie authors use IngramSpark specifically because independent bookstores will stock Ingram-distributed titles but refuse to order from Amazon. For authors who value bookstore presence, this is the path.
Bookstores typically need a 55% wholesale discount to stock your book. If you set the discount too low (like 30%), bookstores won't order it because they can't make a profit. Set 55% and enable returns if you want bookstore placement.
Visit IngramSpark's website and use their free title setup guide to understand the decisions you'll need to make: trim size, paper type, wholesale discount, and return policy. Write down which options you'd choose for your current project and why. Then compare IngramSpark's royalty calculator with KDP's to see how the economics differ.