The decision of where to publish your erotica is one of the most consequential choices you will make as a self-publisher. It determines your royalty rate, your reach, your content policy exposure, and the operational complexity of running your catalog. Get it right and the platform works for you. Get it wrong and you spend time managing distribution problems instead of writing.
Most erotica self-publishers start with Amazon and many never leave it. That is not laziness. It is a rational response to where the market is. But understanding the alternatives and how they fit together gives you options for growing income beyond what any single platform can generate.
This guide covers every major self-publishing platform relevant to erotica authors, what each one offers, its royalty structure, its content policies specific to erotica, and when it makes sense to use it.
Platform 1: Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
Amazon KDP is the starting point for every erotica self-publisher and the dominant platform by a considerable margin. Amazon accounts for the majority of ebook sales globally, and for erotica specifically, it is where the vast majority of reader demand exists.
Royalty structure: Books priced between $2.99 and $9.99 earn a 70 percent royalty. Books priced below $2.99 or above $9.99 earn 35 percent. At $2.99, the standard price for a short erotica story, you earn approximately $2.09 per sale.
KDP Select: Authors can optionally enroll in KDP Select, which makes books available to Kindle Unlimited subscribers and provides access to promotional tools including free promotion days and Kindle Countdown Deals. Enrollment requires exclusivity: the digital version of the book cannot be sold on other platforms during the 90-day enrollment period. KDP Select renews automatically at the end of each period unless you opt out.
Erotica content policy: Amazon permits most adult erotica content but maintains a filtering system that restricts certain content from appearing in standard search results. Content involving scenarios Amazon considers non-consensual in explicit presentation, pseudo-incest with direct family language in titles or descriptions, or other specifically restricted categories may be filtered or removed. Amazon’s enforcement is not perfectly consistent, but titles that avoid explicit restricted content language in their metadata generally remain in standard search results.
Why it should be your first platform: Traffic volume, royalty rate, author tools, monthly reliable payment, and the largest erotica readership of any platform. The learning curve is modest and the return on time invested is higher than any alternative.
Platform 2: Barnes and Noble Press
Barnes and Noble Press, formerly called Nook Press, is the second-largest dedicated ebook retailer in the United States. It reaches readers who prefer Barnes and Noble’s ecosystem or who specifically use Nook e-readers.
Royalty structure: 65 percent royalty on books priced between $2.99 and $9.99. 40 percent on books priced above $9.99 or below $2.99.
Erotica content policy: Barnes and Noble permits adult erotica but has content restrictions broadly similar to Amazon’s. Explicit cover imagery is filtered, and certain content categories are restricted. The filtering is generally comparable to what erotica authors experience on Amazon.
When to use it: If you are publishing wide (not enrolled in KDP Select), Barnes and Noble Press is worth including in your distribution. The readership is smaller than Amazon but the royalty rate is competitive and the setup is straightforward. Many authors publish there through Draft2Digital rather than directly.
Platform 3: Kobo Writing Life
Kobo is a major ebook platform based in Canada and owned by Rakuten, with strong readership in Canada, Australia, the UK, and Europe. For erotica authors whose Amazon income is primarily US-based, Kobo provides meaningful access to international markets.
Royalty structure: 70 percent on books priced between $1.99 and $12.99 in the US market. The 70 percent rate applies across multiple currencies at equivalent price ranges.
Erotica content policy: Kobo is generally more permissive than Amazon toward adult erotica content and accepts a broader range of material. Adult content on Kobo is tagged and filtered appropriately so readers can enable or disable it based on preference. This makes Kobo a particularly attractive platform for erotica authors whose content sits closer to Amazon’s policy edges.
When to use it: Strong choice for international readership expansion and for content that Amazon handles inconsistently. Setting up a Kobo Writing Life account is free and straightforward.
Platform 4: Apple Books
Apple Books provides access to readers on iOS devices and Macs, a substantial audience globally. The platform’s user base skews toward readers who purchase through the Apple ecosystem rather than dedicated e-readers or Amazon.
Royalty structure: 70 percent regardless of price point, with no royalty tier adjustment based on pricing range.
Erotica content policy: Apple has noticeably stricter content standards than Amazon for erotica. Explicit cover imagery is consistently flagged or rejected. Content in certain erotica subcategories that Amazon permits is more frequently rejected on Apple. Authors whose erotica is on the more explicit end of the spectrum will encounter more friction with Apple’s review process.
When to use it: For authors whose content is within Apple’s acceptable range, the platform represents a meaningful additional readership. Many erotica authors publish to Apple through a distributor like Draft2Digital rather than directly, as the direct publishing interface requires a Mac.
Platform 5: Smashwords and Draft2Digital
Smashwords and Draft2Digital are distribution services rather than direct retail platforms. They format and distribute ebooks to multiple retail stores simultaneously, including Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Scribd, OverDrive, and others.
Draft2Digital is the more modern and author-friendly of the two. It handles formatting, distributes to all major non-Amazon platforms, and pays authors 85 percent of the net royalties received from each retailer after the retailer’s cut. The interface is clean, the process is straightforward, and many erotica authors use it to manage their wide distribution efficiently without maintaining direct accounts on every platform.
Smashwords was one of the original self-publishing distributors and has since merged with Draft2Digital. Its extended distribution network reaches a broad set of retailers and library systems.
Erotica content policy: Both services pass content through to retailers that have their own content policies. Content that is acceptable on Kobo may not be acceptable on Apple, and the distributor cannot override the retailer’s filtering. Authors should check the individual content policies of the retailers their distributor is sending to.
When to use it: Draft2Digital is the practical choice for authors going wide. Instead of maintaining direct accounts with six or seven platforms, you manage distribution through one interface. The royalty is slightly lower than publishing directly to each platform, but the time savings are significant.
Platform 6: Payhip
Payhip is a direct-sales platform that allows authors to sell ebooks directly to customers without an intermediary retailer. Authors set up a storefront on Payhip and keep the majority of revenue from each sale, paying only a transaction fee and payment processing charges.
Royalty structure: Payhip charges a 5 percent transaction fee on sales through its free plan, or a reduced fee of 2 percent on paid plans. The remaining revenue after the transaction fee and payment processor fees goes to the author. This typically results in keeping 90 to 95 percent of the sale price, significantly more than any retailer pays.
Erotica content policy: Payhip is more permissive than mainstream retailers and allows adult erotica content that would be filtered or restricted on Amazon or Apple. Authors need to ensure their content complies with Payhip’s terms of service, but the platform is generally hospitable to erotica.
When to use it: Best suited for authors who have built an email list or social media following and can drive their own traffic to a storefront. Direct sales generate higher income per transaction but require the author to handle their own marketing rather than relying on organic platform discovery. For authors without an existing audience, Payhip generates minimal sales without promotional effort.
Platform 7: Lot’s Cave
Lot’s Cave is a niche retailer dedicated exclusively to adult and erotica fiction. Because the entire platform is oriented toward this content type, it does not apply the same content restrictions that mainstream platforms enforce. Content in categories that Amazon or Apple would filter or reject is commonly listed and sold on Lot’s Cave without issue.
Royalty structure: 75 percent on direct sales through the platform. Extended distribution to other platforms earns lower royalties due to distributor fees.
Erotica content policy: Significantly more permissive than mainstream platforms. Lot’s Cave focuses on adult content and is particularly useful for authors writing in categories that face the most friction on mainstream platforms.
When to use it: As a supplementary platform for content that is rejected or heavily filtered on Amazon and Apple. Lot’s Cave has a smaller total readership than mainstream platforms but serves readers actively looking for content that mainstream platforms restrict.
Platform 8: KDP Print (Paperback)
KDP Print is Amazon’s print-on-demand paperback service, integrated directly into the same KDP dashboard where ebooks are managed. It replaced the separate Createspace service, which Amazon discontinued and migrated into KDP.
Royalty structure: 60 percent of the list price minus printing costs on sales through Amazon’s main marketplace. 40 percent minus printing costs on expanded distribution through other retailers. The printing cost depends on page count, paper type, and trim size.
Erotica content policy: Amazon applies similar content policies to KDP Print as to Kindle ebooks. Covers that would be flagged for explicit content on the Kindle version will face similar restrictions in print.
When to use it: Adding a paperback edition to any erotica ebook title costs nothing beyond the time to format the interior and cover files. It adds a second search listing in Amazon’s print catalog, creates the Kindle discount display that shows your ebook as a percentage cheaper than the print edition, and earns meaningful royalties per sale at an appropriately higher price. For bundles particularly, a paperback edition priced at $10 to $15 produces strong royalties and expands catalog visibility.
Platform 9: Lulu
Lulu is a print-on-demand and ebook distribution platform that has been operating since the early 2000s. It offers direct sales through its own storefront and distributes to Apple, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Kobo.
Royalty structure: 90 percent on direct sales through Lulu’s own storefront. Royalties are lower on extended distribution because of the multiple layers of fees between Lulu, the distributor, and the retailer.
Erotica content policy: Lulu accepts adult erotica but applies its own content guidelines and passes content to retailers that apply their own standards.
When to use it: Lulu is rarely the primary platform for erotica authors, but it is worth knowing as an option if other distribution channels are unavailable. The high royalty on direct Lulu sales is attractive in theory, but Lulu’s own storefront generates modest traffic compared to Amazon, and the multi-layer fee structure makes extended distribution less efficient than going directly through Draft2Digital.
Platform 10: Scribd
Scribd is a subscription reading service that offers access to ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and documents for a monthly fee. Authors who distribute to Scribd through Draft2Digital or Smashwords earn a share of subscription revenues based on reading engagement.
Erotica content policy: Scribd applies content guidelines that restrict certain explicit erotica categories. Erotica within their acceptable range is available to subscribers but may reach fewer readers than on mainstream retail platforms.
When to use it: If you are already distributing wide through Draft2Digital, Scribd is typically included automatically at no additional setup cost. The incremental income from Scribd for most erotica authors is modest but real, and it requires no additional work if distribution is already flowing through a distributor.
The Core Strategic Decision: KDP Exclusive or Going Wide
Every erotica author eventually faces a choice between publishing exclusively on Amazon through KDP Select or distributing across multiple platforms. The decision is consequential and the right answer depends on your specific situation.
The case for KDP Select exclusivity: Enrollment gives access to Kindle Unlimited, which adds page-read income on top of direct sales. It also provides free promotion days and Countdown Deal access. For short erotica specifically, the additional income from KU borrows can be meaningful, particularly if a title gets strong traction with KU subscribers. Amazon’s platform generates the large majority of erotica ebook revenue, and the KU subscription base is a significant additional readership pool.
The case for going wide: Publishing across multiple platforms reduces dependence on Amazon. A policy change, content restriction, or account issue on Amazon that removes your titles from the platform hurts far less if other revenue streams exist. Going wide also accesses readers who prefer Kobo, Barnes and Noble, or Apple Books and would never buy on Amazon.
The practical reality for erotica: Most erotica self-publishers earn 90 to 95 percent or more of their income from Amazon. The non-Amazon platforms generate supplementary income that, while real, rarely comes close to matching Amazon’s contribution. For authors with content that sits near Amazon’s policy boundaries, going wide is a meaningful risk hedge. For authors whose content is clearly within Amazon’s accepted range and who want maximum income from Kindle Unlimited, exclusivity often produces better total income.
Many experienced erotica authors start with KDP Select exclusivity to maximize KU income during the catalog-building phase, then evaluate going wide once the catalog is established and they have data on which titles would benefit from additional distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which self-publishing platform is best for erotica authors? Amazon KDP is the primary platform for the overwhelming majority of erotica self-publishers. It has the largest erotica readership, pays a 70 percent royalty on books priced between $2.99 and $9.99, offers Kindle Unlimited access through KDP Select, and provides the most developed author tools of any platform. Most erotica authors earn 90 percent or more of their income from Amazon.
Should I publish erotica on multiple platforms or stick with Amazon? It depends on your content and goals. Amazon’s exclusivity requirement for KDP Select means you cannot list digital books on other platforms while enrolled. Going wide through platforms like Kobo, Barnes and Noble Press, and Apple Books via a distributor like Draft2Digital provides additional income streams and reduces single-platform dependence. For most erotica short stories squarely within Amazon’s content policies, KDP Select exclusivity often produces better total income due to Kindle Unlimited page reads.
What is Draft2Digital and should erotica authors use it? Draft2Digital is a distribution service that formats and distributes ebooks to multiple platforms simultaneously, including Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, and others. It is the most efficient way to manage wide distribution without maintaining direct accounts on every platform. Authors pay Draft2Digital 15 percent of net royalties from each sale in exchange for handling distribution and formatting. It is worth using for any author publishing wide.
Does Kobo accept erotica content? Yes. Kobo Writing Life is generally more permissive toward adult erotica than Amazon or Apple and has strong readership in Canada, Australia, the UK, and Europe. It is one of the most erotica-friendly major platforms and a strong choice for authors going wide.
Is Apple Books worth publishing erotica on? It depends on the content. Apple has stricter content policies than Amazon for erotica and more frequently rejects or filters explicit content. Authors whose erotica is within Apple’s acceptable range can reach a meaningful readership through the platform. Authors writing more explicit content will encounter significant friction with Apple’s review process.
What happened to Createspace? Amazon discontinued Createspace and migrated its functionality into KDP Print, which is now integrated directly into the standard KDP dashboard. KDP Print offers the same print-on-demand paperback service that Createspace provided, without requiring a separate account.
Can I sell erotica directly to readers without going through a retailer? Yes. Payhip and similar direct-sales platforms allow authors to sell ebooks directly, keeping a much higher percentage of each sale than any retailer pays. The trade-off is that you must generate your own traffic to the storefront. This works well for authors with an email list or social media following but generates minimal sales without an existing audience to drive to the page.
How often do self-publishing platforms pay royalties? Amazon KDP pays monthly, approximately 60 days after the end of the month in which the sale occurred. Barnes and Noble Press pays monthly. Kobo pays monthly. Draft2Digital pays monthly for all platforms it distributes to. Payhip pays in real time or on a scheduled basis depending on settings.