Last reviewed by Robert Prime — May 2026
Barnes & Noble Press is easy to overlook — the Nook ebook market is a fraction of Kindle's — but B&N is still the largest US bookstore chain, and that physical footprint is the reason to pay attention.
Ebook, print, and royalties
- Ebook (Nook): 70% royalty on most price points; free to publish.
- Print: print-on-demand paperback and (for some) hardcover.
- Direct vs aggregator: publish direct via B&N Press for the full royalty, or reach Nook automatically through Draft2Digital alongside your other wide stores.
The real reason to bother: the shelves
Nook ebook volume is modest, but B&N is the dominant US physical bookstore. B&N Press occasionally considers indie print titles for store placement, and being in the B&N system supports any bookstore outreach you do in the US. That physical-retail angle is what distinguishes B&N from a pure ebook store like Kobo or Apple.
Where it fits
Worth it if: you're a US-focused wide author who wants Nook coverage and any shot at B&N physical placement.
Low priority if: you're UK-focused — Nook is negligible in the UK. Add it via your aggregator for completeness and move on.
Verdict
A sensible add for US wide authors, mostly for the bookstore-chain association rather than Nook volume. Publish direct if the US is a core market; otherwise let Draft2Digital handle it.
B&N Press alongside the rest of your wide strategy
B&N Press is one store in a wider go-wide plan, not a strategy in itself. The practical question is direct vs aggregator:
- Go direct with B&N Press if the US Nook market matters to you and you want full royalty plus access to B&N's own promo tools and print-in-store options.
- Reach Nook via an aggregator like Draft2Digital if you'd rather manage one dashboard for Apple, Kobo, Google Play and Nook together — the small margin you give up buys real time back.
For most UK authors the aggregator route wins because the US Nook share is modest. Go direct only when the data shows enough Nook sales to justify a separate dashboard. Either way, B&N Press belongs in the "also available on" list rather than at the centre of your launch.
Frequently asked questions
What royalty does Barnes & Noble Press pay?
70% on most ebook price points, plus print-on-demand for paperbacks.
Is the Nook market worth it?
Nook ebook volume is small versus Kindle, but B&N's value is its physical-bookstore footprint and US trade presence, not Nook sales alone.
Direct or via Draft2Digital?
Direct for the full royalty if the US is a core market; Draft2Digital for convenience alongside other wide stores.
Is B&N Press worth it for UK authors?
Low priority — Nook is negligible in the UK. Add via an aggregator for completeness.
Related guides
- Wide vs Amazon exclusive
- Draft2Digital vs KDP
- Apple Books publishing
- Kobo Writing Life
- Get your book into bookshops (UK)
External references
Barnes & Noble Press — official self-publishing portal for Nook and print.
Barnes & Noble Press — official platform
Draft2Digital — distributes to Nook
About this guide
Written by Robert Prime for publishing.co.uk. Last reviewed May 2026.
