What the Draft2Digital Fee Changes Mean for You in 2026
There's been a lot of discussion online about Draft2Digital's recent fee changes, and not all of it has been accurate.…
News Podcast: Draft2Digital Introduces Fees; Bookshop.org Reports Record Sales
On this episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Dan Holloway examines Draft2Digital's decision to introduce fees for the first time — a $20 account activation charge for new accounts and a $12 annual maintenance fee for low-activity accounts — and considers both the rationale and the concerns. He also reports on Bookshop.org's record $70 million in sales last year, a 55 percent increase, and explains why the two stories are closely connected.
News Summary: Draft2Digital Introduces New Fees for Account Activation and Low-Earning Accounts
Draft2Digital is one of the most widely known and used platforms for many, if not most, indie authors. So when they announce something, it is automatically big news. And when what is announced is new fees, that is a potentially huge cause for anxiety. This week, Draft2Digital has announced two such fees, the first time they have introduced fees directly to authors. To minimize anxiety, I will take a look at what the fees are and what they mean. You can have a look for yourself on the Draft2Digital website.
News Summary: Bookshop.org Partners with Draft2Digital; Libro.fm Launches Annual Subscription
The end of the week sees two big stories involving Bookshop.org. First up is some audiobook news, which is a significant development from Libro.fm. This is the audiobook platform that has partnered with Bookshop.org to allow people to purchase audiobooks wherever they're based and benefit local booksellers.
News Summary: Direct Selling Gains Momentum Among Indie Authors as Platforms Like Substack and Draft2Digital Expand Options
Jane Friedman and others highlight the growing trend of direct selling for authors, with new opportunities on Substack, IBPA, and Draft2Digital.
Authors Don’t Trust AI Companies, Says Draft2Digital AI Survey: The Self-Publishing News Podcast with Dan Holloway
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reviews the results of Draft2Digital’s AI rights survey, showing that many authors are hesitant to sell their work for AI training, with 45 percent opposing the idea. Dan also explores concerns over competitive vs. non-competitive AI models, payment expectations, and the general mistrust authors have toward AI companies.
Draft2Digital Releases Results of AI Survey, Promises No Licensing Opportunities for Now: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway
As you will recall, Draft2Digital recently surveyed authors, asking for their thoughts on AI, and the results are now in. Possibly the most important announcement, and perhaps the most eagerly anticipated, is highlighted in yellow at the top of the page outlining the results. It states simply, in bold, “At this time, Draft2Digital will not offer AI rights licensing opportunities.”
Draft2Digital Asks Authors for Opinions on AI Licensing: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway
I report a lot on AI here, and I know authors have strong opinions on the subject. Draft2Digital, one of the most popular platforms for indie authors, is now addressing these concerns at a time when it’s becoming almost unavoidable to have a clear policy on how companies might try to use the books available through their platform.