How to Get Started Publishing with Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital (D2D) is a self-publishing platform that handles formatting, distribution, print-on-demand paperbacks, and sales tracking so you can focus on writing. To get started, you sign up, fill out your author information, and upload your manuscript, then use the platform's templates to turn it into a book project. This guide walks through that first-time flow and what to expect at each step.
What Draft2Digital Does
D2D positions itself as "self-publishing with support." Its core offer is a set of tools and services covering:
- Formatting and layout — automated conversion and interior design templates that give your manuscript a professional layout matched to your genre.
- Distribution — ebook and paperback distribution to major online retailers plus hundreds of storefronts worldwide (what D2D calls going "wide").
- Print-on-demand — D2D Print, a POD service for paperbacks.
- Sales tracking — tools showing which storefronts are selling, units sold, and projected royalties.
If your goal is simply to get one book live and available broadly without managing each retailer separately, this is the workflow D2D is built around.
Step-by-Step: Your First Book Project
1. Sign up and add your author information
Click the SIGN UP button and fill out your information. This creates your account and author profile. Note that the site displays a countdown ("Join us in 4 days"), which suggests a signup or launch window is being promoted — check the current site for what that refers to before assuming a deadline.
2. Upload your manuscript
Upload your manuscript file. D2D's stated process is that after signup and upload, you'll "see how easy it is to create a book project using our formatting, conversion and interior design templates."
Expected result: your manuscript becomes a book project you can work with inside the platform.
3. Apply formatting and design templates
Use the automated conversion and layout templates to produce a professional interior. D2D describes treating your manuscript "like the precious gem that it is" — the templates handle layout so you don't need separate design software.
4. Choose your storefronts
Distribution is opt-in per storefront. With the check of a box you select which digital storefronts to publish to, and you can opt back out at any time. If your book is already listed with a specific retailer, you can select only the stores you want and skip the rest.
5. Add a paperback (optional)
Through D2D Print, you can publish a paperback as quickly as an ebook, and like the ebook it becomes available for online purchase worldwide. D2D notes that print remains readers' preferred format — worth considering if you want both editions.
6. Track sales and royalties
Once live, the sales-tracking tools show which storefronts are selling your books, how many units are sold, and projected royalties. Charts are customizable so you can monitor how marketing efforts are performing.
Quick Reference
| Step | Action | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sign up, fill out author info | Account and author profile |
| 2 | Upload manuscript | A book project |
| 3 | Apply formatting/design templates | Professional interior layout |
| 4 | Select storefronts (opt-in) | Distribution to chosen retailers |
| 5 | Enable D2D Print | Paperback available worldwide |
| 6 | Use sales tools | Unit sales and projected royalties |
Common Questions Before You Start
Do I have to publish everywhere? No. Every storefront is opt-in, and you can opt back out at any time. You can publish only to the stores you choose.
Can I publish print and ebook together? Yes. D2D Print lets you publish a paperback as easily as an ebook, and both can be distributed worldwide.
How do I know what I'm earning? The sales-tracking tools display which storefronts are selling, units sold, and projected royalties, with customizable charts.
What if I get stuck? D2D provides support, a FAQ, and a blog. The site also encourages new users to "play with the tools" and get comfortable before finalizing.
What to Check on the Site
Pricing, royalty percentages, and any signup requirements aren't specified in the available page content, so confirm those directly on draft2digital.com before committing. The countdown banner and "Join us in 4 days" messaging also warrant a look to see whether a time-limited offer applies to you.