Quick Summary

Authors are increasingly exploring alternatives to KDP publishing because they feel constrained by aspects of Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
Key frustrations include high competition in Amazon’s marketplace, limited control over pricing/rights, transparency issues, and service/support shortcomings.
Many of the best alternatives (e.g.,ITAN Global Publishing in Africa, Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, Apple Books for Authors) offer broader distribution, greater control, better royalty splits or niche market reach.
Leaving Amazon KDP (or supplementing it) is not necessarily about abandoning Amazon entirely, but rather about diversifying publishing strategy for revenue, discoverability and independence.
For African authors (and those outside the U.S./UK), using alternatives such as ITAN Global Publishing to KDP publishing can be especially strategic—reaching different markets, avoiding over-saturation, and retaining more rights.
Decision-making should weigh trade-offs: Amazon’s reach and ease vs. the potential benefits of going wide and leveraging other platforms.

https://publish.itan.app/blog/publish-your-book-and-get-paid-how-itan-global-publishing-makes-it-easy

Why Authors are Looking Beyond Amazon KDP

The self-publishing platform Kindle Direct Publishing has been a go-to for many authors. However, several factors are spurring authors to explore alternatives to KDP publishing.

Market saturation: The Amazon marketplace is crowded. As one review noted, “the only way to get around a crowded market is to not put all of your eggs in one basket.”
Limited control and exclusivity pressure: For example, using KDP Select means ebook exclusivity with Amazon, which restricts an author’s ability to publish widely.
Support, transparency and rights concerns: Issues cited include random account terminations, poor customer service, limited formatting or marketing tools, and the fact that some authors feel they don’t have full control over metadata or royalties.
Distribution and royalty structure limitations: Some platforms outside Amazon offer similar or better royalty splits, wider global reach (especially for print/distribution), and better flexibility.
Quality and customization issues: For print-on-demand, some authors prefer alternatives offering more binding options, paper types and custom formats beyond what KDP currently offers.
Unfair Royalties for African Authors: African authors often face unequal treatment when it comes to royalty payments. While Western authors typically earn up to 70% royalty rates, many African authors receive only 30%, and are further subjected to a 30% withholding tax at source, drastically reducing their net income.

What the Best Alternatives to KDP Publishing Offer

Here are some of the ways that alternatives stack up and what authors especially like about them:

Wider distribution & different markets: Platforms like Publish Drive, Draft2Digital, ITAN Global Publishing in Africa distribute to libraries, international retailers, eBook stores and print channels beyond Amazon’s reach.
Better or more predictable royalties: For example, certain stores offer ~70% royalty for ebooks, or flat rates regardless of price in ways Amazon doesn’t.
Greater flexibility with rights and formats: Authors can publish wide (rather than being locked into Amazon exclusivity) and choose their own ISBNs, print formats, or distributor.
Improved author support or service: Some newer platforms prioritize customer service, live chat, and more transparent processes vs. Amazon’s largely self-service model.
Reduced dependence on Amazon algorithms: By spreading across platforms, an author lessens risk of algorithm changes, policy shifts or visibility drops inside Amazon alone.

https://publish.itan.app/blog/itan-global-bookstore-debuts-with-diverse-african-narratives

Why this Matters Especially for African Authors and Global Creators

ITAN Global Publishin, a publishing marketplace for African authors is a proponent of the shift away from sole reliance on KDP:

Diversifying platforms enables authors in Africa or other regions to reach non-US/UK markets, where Amazon may not hold as dominant a share.
ITAN Global Publishing is partnering with libraries in the UK, US, and Canada to expand its reach and share authentic African stories with a wider global audience.
Authors can retain more rights and control, which is key when building a brand and long-term author business (rather than just one book).
By exploring alternatives to KDP publishing, authors can avoid being squeezed into Amazon’s crowded ecosystem and instead find niche segments or underserved regions.
ITAN Global Publishing is positioning its value proposition by offering access to multiple channels, author empowerment and global reach — rather than just mimicking Amazon’s model.

https://publish.itan.app/blog/amazon-kdp-alternatives-in-africa-what-african-authors-need-to-know

Tips for Authors Considering Leaving or Supplementing KDP

Don’t rush: Amazon KDP still offers massive reach. Consider publishing wide (Amazon + other platforms) rather than abandoning Amazon immediately.
Research each alternative: Compare royalty rates, distribution breadth, print quality, service/support and rights.
Consider print + digital: Some alternatives excel in print-on-demand/distribution to physical bookstores or libraries, which can complement Amazon’s eBook strength.
Keep branding and marketing strong: No platform guarantees success — discoverability still depends on marketing, cover, metadata, author platform.
Monitor performance & data: Track sales across platforms, compare costs/fees, net revenue per channel.
Build for independence: Ultimately the goal might be author control, diversification of income and global reach — not just chasing Amazon rankings.

Conclusion

The landscape of self-publishing is evolving. While Amazon KDP remains a powerful option, many authors are actively seeking alternatives to KDP publishing because they want more control, better distribution, less dependency and improved royalties.

For authors — especially those outside dominant markets — exploring alternative platforms can be part of a smart strategy to build a sustainable author business.

For ITAN Global Publishing, this shift presents a timely opportunity for African authors, as the platform emphasizes multi-channel publishing, global access, and author empowerment—positioning itself as a distinct and innovative alternative, not just another Amazon copy.