Got a book, ebook, or illustrated story just waiting to be shared with the world? Whether you’re a passionate author, a digital storyteller, or an illustrator with a flair for narrative, there’s a perfect place online for your work. These days, to sell your books, you don’t need a publishing deal or a shelf in a bookstore—you just need the right platform. From self-publishing hubs to niche marketplaces, the internet provides numerous opportunities to transform your creativity into a steady stream of income.
In this blog, we’ll explore the top platforms where you can start selling your books and stories, reach readers worldwide, and grow your brand as a creator.
What types of Books, e-books, or illustrated stories can I sell?
When it comes to selling your work online, the possibilities are wide open. Here are some of the most popular (and profitable) types of content you can create and sell:
1. Fiction Books & Novels
- Romance, sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, mystery—you name it.
- Short stories or full-length novels are all welcome on many self-publishing platforms.
2. Non-Fiction Books
- Self-help, business, productivity, health & wellness, personal finance, and more.
- If you have expertise or experience, there’s an audience for it.
3. Children’s Books
- Picture books, early readers, or educational stories.
- Ideal for illustrators and authors who can bring playful characters and colorful scenes to life.
4. Graphic Novels & Comics
- Whether digital or print, illustrated storytelling is hugely popular across all genres.
- Webcomics can also be compiled into volumes and sold.
5. Ebooks & Digital Guides
- Great for topics like “how-to” guides, travel tips, recipes, or tutorials.
- Easy to distribute and perfect for niche audiences.
6. Workbooks & Journals
- Printable or interactive books like planners, goal trackers, study guides, and activity books.
7. Poetry Collections
- Share your poetic voice through themed collections or visual poetry books.
8. Artbooks & Illustrated Stories
- Perfect for showcasing your art with storytelling—concept art, fantasy worlds, visual essays, or personal projects.
‍Where can I sell Books, e-books, or illustrated stories online?
Whether you’re going the self-publishing route or looking to tap into niche marketplaces, there are plenty of platforms to get your work in front of readers. Here’s a breakdown of the best places to sell your content:
1. Podia
​Podia is an all-in-one platform designed for creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to sell digital products and manage their online presence. It offers tools for building websites, hosting online courses, selling digital downloads, conducting webinars, and managing email marketing—all within a single, user-friendly interface.​
Key Features:
- Website Builder: Create a professional website with customizable templates.​
- Digital Products: Sell courses, ebooks, webinars, coaching sessions, and more.​
- Email Marketing: Integrated tools for newsletters, automations, and audience segmentation.​
- Community Engagement: Build memberships and interact with your audience through comments and discussions.​
- E-commerce Tools: Fast checkout, upsells, coupons, and support for multiple currencies.​
Podia simplifies the process of managing various aspects of an online business by consolidating essential tools into one platform. This integration allows creators to focus more on their content and audience without juggling multiple services.​
2. Lulu
Lulu is a self-publishing platform that empowers authors, artists, and businesses to create, print, and sell books, eBooks, calendars, and more. Established in 2002, Lulu offers a comprehensive suite of tools for publishing and distribution, catering to both individual creators and organizations.​
Key Features:
- Print-on-Demand Services: Lulu provides global print-on-demand capabilities, allowing creators to produce books only when orders are placed, reducing inventory costs and waste.​
- Wide Range of Products: Users can publish various formats, including novels, memoirs, poetry, cookbooks, technical manuals, photography books, children’s books, calendars, and more. ​
- Global Distribution: Lulu’s network enables authors to distribute their works to over 40,000 retailers worldwide, expanding their reach to a global audience. ​
- E-commerce Integrations: With Lulu Direct, creators can integrate their publications with platforms like Shopify, Wix, and WooCommerce, facilitating direct sales from their own websites. ​
- High Royalty Rates: Authors retain a significant portion of their earnings, with up to 80% royalties on print books and 90% on eBooks. ​
Lulu’s user-friendly platform and extensive resources make it an attractive option for those looking to self-publish and distribute their creative works effectively.
Start Selling On Lulu
3. BookBaby
BookBaby is a comprehensive self-publishing platform tailored for independent authors seeking professional support throughout the publishing process. Established in 2011, BookBaby offers a suite of services designed to assist authors from manuscript to market.​
Key Features:
- Publishing Services: BookBaby provides editing, design, formatting, and printing services to ensure your book meets industry standards.
- Distribution: Authors can distribute their books globally through major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books, as well as over 60 other online stores .​
- BookShop: An exclusive platform that allows authors to sell their books directly to readers, retaining 100% of the net sales .​
- Print-On-Demand: This service enables authors to print books as orders come in, eliminating the need for large upfront inventory investments.
- Marketing Support: BookBaby offers marketing services, including metadata optimization and promotional tools, to help authors reach their target audience.​
BookBaby is suitable for various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, and illustrated works. By providing end-to-end services, BookBaby simplifies the self-publishing journey, making it accessible for both new and experienced authors.
4. BetterBook
BetterBook is an intuitive platform designed to help authors and creators write, publish, and host their books online with ease. It offers a suite of tools aimed at growing and monetizing your readership, providing a seamless experience for both creators and readers.
Key Features:
- Customizable Reader Experience: BetterBook provides a beautiful, responsive reader that can be tailored to match your brand, ensuring an engaging experience across all devices.​
- SEO Optimization: Each page is optimized for search engines, enhancing discoverability and helping your book rank higher in search results.​
- Audiobook Support: You can upload audio files, allowing readers to listen along as they read, thereby increasing engagement.​
- Custom Domains: Host your book on your own domain or subdomain, making it easier to promote and build your brand.​
- Monetization Tools: BetterBook enables you to sell your book through one-time purchases or subscription models, offering flexibility in how you generate revenue.​
- Email Collection: Build and manage a mailing list by collecting readers’ contact information, facilitating direct communication and marketing.​
- Physical Book Integration: If you have a physical version of your book, you can link it to retailers like Amazon, providing readers with purchasing options.​
Pricing:
- Free Plan: Includes unlimited books and chapters, audiobook support, custom domains, and mailing list features.​
- Paid Plan: In addition to free plan features, it offers payment gateways, paywalled chapters, and options for one-time or subscription-based purchases, with a fee of 10% plus credit card processing fees.​
- Enterprise Solutions: Tailored for publishers, organizations, and non-profits, offering bulk uploads and custom features.​
BetterBook is ideal for authors, illustrators, and educators seeking a straightforward way to publish and monetize their work online. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features make it a valuable tool for reaching and growing your audience.
Start Selling On BetterBook
5. Appsumo
​AppSumo is a digital marketplace that offers entrepreneurs and small businesses access to discounted software tools and digital products. Founded in 2010 by Noah Kagan, the platform has become a go-to destination for lifetime deals on software, helping users save significantly on tools that support business growth.​
Key Features:
- Lifetime Deals: AppSumo partners with software companies to offer products at a one-time payment, eliminating recurring subscription fees.
- Diverse Product Range: The platform features a variety of digital goods, including SaaS applications, ebooks, online courses, and productivity tools.​
- Entrepreneurial Focus: With a community of over 1.5 million users, AppSumo caters to entrepreneurs seeking cost-effective solutions for their business needs.​
- Risk-Free Purchases: Most deals come with a 60-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try products with confidence.​
AppSumo has facilitated significant savings for its users, reporting over $550 million saved since its inception. It’s an ideal platform for those looking to access premium software tools without the burden of ongoing costs.​
Start selling your Books, e-books, or illustrated stories
Creating and selling books, e-books, or illustrated stories online is a fantastic way to earn passive income as a writer, illustrator, or storyteller—but doing your homework first is essential. Start by identifying your niche or the type of content you want to create, whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, children’s stories, or visual narratives. Once your content is ready, explore a few of the platforms mentioned above that support digital publishing with non-exclusive rights. Getting started takes time and persistence, but as you gain experience, you’ll figure out which platforms offer the best returns and long-term potential. With creativity, consistency, and a bit of luck, you could be generating steady passive income from your written and illustrated work.
Sell more than just Books, e-books, or illustrated stories
There’s so much more you can sell online beyond just books, e-books, or illustrated stories. If you’re a creative with multiple talents—whether it’s writing, designing, or illustrating—you can explore other digital products to boost your income. From workbooks and printables to templates and audiobooks, the possibilities are endless. Check out our categories page to discover more types of digital products you can start selling to grow your passive income streams.