Draft2Digital combines distribution to supported retailers and libraries with tools for presenting and promoting your books. Books2Read links and author pages are available without distributing through D2D; some other features depend on D2D distribution. This guide compares what each tool does, its limits and the alternatives available through KDP Select.
Editorial source check: 17 October 2026. Vendor documentation is linked below; availability and eligibility should be checked for your book before scheduling a campaign.
What Draft2Digital gives you
The distinction to watch is between free Books2Read tools and features tied to D2D distribution:
| Tool | What it is | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Book Links (Books2Read) | One link that sends each reader to your book in the store they use. Amazon, Apple, Kobo and the rest behind one address. | Free, and open to any author, not only D2D authors. |
| Author pages and Book Tabs (Books2Read) | A simple page with your bio, a cover carousel and a “get it now” button per book. Custom URL. | Free. |
| New Release Notifications | Books2Read follow emails for authors distributing through D2D; not included with a standalone Books2Read account. | Available to D2D authors. |
| Scheduled promotions | Submit scheduled ebook price changes to supported retail channels; excludes library prices and print books. Free pricing depends on the retailer. | Included with distribution. |
| Smashwords coupons | Percentage-off codes that work in the Smashwords store only (D2D owns Smashwords). | Included. |
| Automated end matter | “Also by”, “next in series” and newsletter links added to the back of the ebook and kept current. | Included. |
| Payment splitting | Royalties split between co-authors or with an illustrator at source. | Included. |
| Affiliate codes | Add supported affiliate tags to links, subject to the affiliate programme’s eligibility and terms. | Free link feature; commission is not guaranteed. |
What it costs
Draft2Digital’s fee explanation states a US$20 activation fee for new publishing accounts and a US$12 annual maintenance fee below US$100 in net royalties over the preceding 12 months while titles remain in distribution. The terms say activation covers the first year’s maintenance. Ebook distribution commission is approximately 10% of retail price, alongside the retailer’s share; payment and currency-conversion costs can also matter.
For illustration, £1,000 in retail-priced ebook sales implies roughly £100 of D2D commission, not £900 paid to the author: retailer deductions and applicable account or payment costs are separate. “Sales” and “royalties received” are different measures. The Draft2Digital vs KDP guide works through GBP royalty examples.
The comparison people actually want
| Draft2Digital | KDP Select (Amazon only) | Books2Read on its own | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Authors with eligible channels selected; Select titles may use public-library distribution only | Eligible ebooks enrolled for 90 days, with a public-library exception | Any author; links must respect their distribution rights |
| Price promotion | Scheduled retail ebook price changes; excludes library and print pricing | Eligible UK/US Countdown Deals, up to 7 days; choose Countdown or Free Book Promotion in a term | None |
| Free promotion | Set the price to zero on the stores that allow it, for as long as you like | 5 free days per 90-day term, no rollover | None |
| One link for all stores | Yes | No, Amazon only | Yes |
| Author page | Yes | Author Central, Amazon only | Yes |
| Reader follow and new-release email | D2D authors qualify for Books2Read notifications | Amazon controls its follow notifications | New-release emails require D2D distribution |
| Cost | $20 once, $12 a year below $100 in net royalties over the preceding 12 months, about 10% of sales | Free, but exclusivity | Free |
KDP’s Countdown Deal rules require at least 30 days in Select, an eligible UK price of £1.99–£15.99, and an unchanged regular price for 30 days before and 14 days after the promotion. The Free Book Promotion rules allow up to five free days per term. You cannot use both types in the same term. Check all eligibility conditions before booking outside advertising; the KDP launch pricing guide provides further context.
My verdict, tool by tool
Universal Book Links: useful when readers have a choice of store. One address can collect your available editions and retailers. Test the destinations for your important markets before adding it to your website, email signature or social profile. For an Amazon-exclusive ebook, only include outlets allowed by its distribution terms.
Author page: useful for a simple book catalogue. It gives readers a place to browse your titles without building a website. Your own domain provides more control over presentation, analytics and sign-up journeys, but neither option has a guaranteed search-ranking advantage. See the author website guide.
New-release notifications: check eligibility. The Books2Read author FAQ limits these emails to D2D authors. A standalone Books2Read page does not unlock them. A separate mailing list with valid consent gives you another way to stay in touch; the BookFunnel guide explains one possible route.
Scheduled promotions: useful administration, with channel limits. D2D’s FAQ excludes library pricing and print books from these promotions. Retailers control acceptance and update timing, so check the actual store price before sending readers. Do not plan a campaign on the assumption that Amazon will price-match. A Select title’s public-library exception does not allow promotional ebook sales at other retailers.
Smashwords coupons: niche. Useful for handing a discount to a book club or a beta group. Not a marketing channel.
Where it falls short
D2D’s included tools do not guarantee advertising impressions, newsletter placements or sales. It also has partner offers, which should be evaluated separately for price and fit. The Amazon Ads vs Meta Ads guide compares two paid routes. Reporting depends on your distribution route: direct KDP sales appear in KDP, while D2D reports the channels it supplies.
Distribution, links and promotions can support discovery, but they do not replace a compelling book, cover, description and an audience plan. Measure visits, sales and royalties before increasing spend. The Sell More Books course covers those decisions; it is our company’s course, so treat the recommendation accordingly.
Sources checked 17 October 2026
- Draft2Digital, homepage feature list: Universal Book Links, author pages, Book Tabs, scheduled promotions, end matter, payment splitting.
- Draft2Digital, FAQ: $20 activation, $12 annual fee under $100, approximately 10% commission, free conversion.
- Books2Read, author FAQ: free links and author pages, affiliate tags and the D2D restriction on new-release emails.
- KDP, Select rules: public-library exception and promotion choice.
- KDP, Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions: the Select rules in the comparison table.
