You can self-publish your book on Apple Books for free and earn 70% royalties on every sale — with no exclusivity requirements and no delivery fees eating into your earnings.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to set up your Apple Books for Authors account from scratch
- The step-by-step process to upload, price, and publish your ebook
- How Apple Books royalties compare to Amazon KDP and other platforms
- Whether to publish directly or use an aggregator
Here’s everything you need to get your book into the hands of Apple’s 1.5 billion device users.
What Is Apple Books Self-Publishing?
Apple Books self-publishing is the process of listing and selling your ebook directly through Apple’s bookstore, which comes pre-installed on every iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You publish through the Apple Books for Authors portal — formerly known as iTunes Connect — and your book becomes available to readers across 175 countries.
Unlike Amazon KDP, Apple Books doesn’t require exclusivity. You can sell the same book on Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, Barnes & Noble, and your own website simultaneously. That makes it a key piece of any wide publishing strategy.
Apple’s ebook market share sits around 5% in the US, which sounds small compared to Amazon’s dominance. But here’s what matters: Apple Books readers tend to spend more per purchase, and the platform moves over 400 million book downloads per year. That’s a massive audience most self-published authors ignore entirely.
How to Set Up Your Apple Books for Authors Account
Before you can publish anything, you need an account on Apple’s publishing portal. The good news: you don’t need a Mac or any Apple device to do this.
Step 1: Go to Apple Books for Authors
Visit authors.apple.com and click “Get Started.” You’ll need an Apple ID. If you don’t have one, you can create a free Apple ID from any web browser — no Apple hardware required.
Step 2: Choose Your Account Type
Apple gives you two options: Individual or Organization. Choose Individual if you’re a solo author without a registered business entity. Choose Organization if you publish under an LLC, corporation, or imprint.
Most self-published authors start with Individual. You can change this later if you formalize your publishing business.
Step 3: Set Up Tax and Banking Information
Apple needs your tax details and bank account to pay you royalties. Enter your tax identification number (SSN or EIN in the US) and your banking details carefully.
One common hiccup: enter your IBAN or account numbers without spaces. Apple’s form rejects spaced entries without a clear error message, which trips up a lot of first-time publishers.
Step 4: Verify Your Identity
Apple may require identity verification, especially for Organization accounts. This usually involves uploading a government-issued ID and confirming your business registration. The verification process typically takes 1-3 business days.
How to Format Your Book for Apple Books
Apple Books accepts two file formats: EPUB and files created directly in Apple Pages. If you’ve already formatted your book for other platforms, you likely have an EPUB file ready to go.
EPUB Requirements
Your EPUB file must pass EPUBCheck validation — Apple’s non-negotiable quality standard. This means:
- Valid EPUB 2.0.1 or EPUB 3.x format
- Properly structured table of contents
- Embedded fonts must be properly licensed
- Images optimized for screen display (72-150 DPI)
- Total file size under 2 GB (though keeping it under 100 MB is ideal for download speed)
If your book fails EPUBCheck, Apple will reject it. Tools like Sigil or Calibre can help you fix common validation errors.
For a deeper dive into getting your manuscript into the right format, check out our book formatting guide.
Using Apple Pages
If you do have a Mac, Apple Pages lets you publish directly to Apple Books with a built-in export feature. Write or import your manuscript into Pages, format it using Apple’s book templates, and publish straight from the app.
This is the simplest path if you’re starting from scratch, but most authors who publish across multiple platforms prefer to create a single EPUB file they can distribute everywhere.
Cover Image Requirements
Your book cover must meet these specifications:
- Minimum size: 1400 x 1873 pixels (1:1.33 aspect ratio)
- Format: JPEG or PNG
- Color space: RGB
- Resolution: 72 DPI minimum (300 DPI recommended)
The cover is the first thing readers see in the Apple Books store. Invest in a professional design — it directly impacts your click-through rate and sales. If you need help, our guide to book cover design ideas can point you in the right direction.
Step-by-Step: Publishing Your Book on Apple Books
Once your account is set up and your files are ready, the actual publishing process is straightforward.
1. Start a New Book Submission
Log into Apple Books for Authors and click “Submit a New Book.” You’ll be prompted to upload three files:
- Your EPUB file (the full book)
- Your cover image
- A sample file (optional but recommended — Apple can auto-generate one)
2. Enter Your Book Metadata
Fill in your book details carefully. This metadata determines how readers find your book:
- Title and subtitle — match your cover exactly
- Author name — use the name on your cover
- Description — write compelling sales copy (up to 4,000 characters)
- Categories — choose up to two primary categories that match your book’s genre
- Language — the language your book is written in
- ISBN — optional on Apple Books (Apple assigns a free Apple ID if you skip it)
Don’t have an ISBN? Read our guide on how to get a free ISBN to understand your options.
3. Set Your Pricing and Distribution
Click “Rights and Pricing” to configure where and how much your book costs:
- Select the countries and regions where you want to sell
- Set your base price in your preferred currency
- Apple auto-generates localized pricing for all other regions
You can price your ebook anywhere from $0.99 to $999.99 (or make it free). Unlike Amazon KDP, Apple doesn’t penalize you with lower royalty rates for pricing above $9.99. You earn 70% no matter what you charge.
4. Submit for Review
Click “Deliver” to submit your book. Apple’s review team checks for:
- File quality and EPUBCheck compliance
- Cover image quality
- Metadata accuracy
- Content policy compliance
The review typically takes 1-3 business days. You’ll receive an email notification when your book is approved and live on Apple Books.
Apple Books Royalties and Payment
This is where Apple Books shines for self-published authors.
| Feature | Apple Books | Amazon KDP |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty rate | 70% on all prices | 70% ($2.99-$9.99) / 35% (outside range) |
| Delivery fee | None | $0.15/MB on 70% option |
| Price flexibility | $0.99-$999.99 at 70% | Must be $2.99-$9.99 for 70% |
| Payment schedule | 45 days after month end | 60 days after month end |
| Exclusivity required | No | Optional (KDP Select) |
The 70% flat rate with no delivery fee is Apple’s biggest advantage. If you sell a $14.99 ebook on Apple Books, you keep $10.49. The same book on Amazon KDP at the 70% tier would net you roughly $9.98 after the delivery fee — and that’s only if you keep the price under $9.99 (otherwise you drop to 35%).
For a complete breakdown of how author earnings work across platforms, see our book royalties guide.
When and How You Get Paid
Apple pays royalties 45 days after the end of each calendar month. So January sales hit your bank account around mid-March. Payments go directly to the bank account you set up during registration.
You can track your sales in real time through the Apple Books for Authors dashboard, which shows units sold, revenue earned, and geographic breakdowns.
Should You Publish Directly or Use an Aggregator?
You have two paths to get your book on Apple Books:
Direct publishing through Apple Books for Authors gives you:
- Full control over metadata, pricing, and updates
- More detailed sales reporting
- Faster updates when you change pricing or descriptions
- Direct relationship with Apple’s editorial team
Aggregator publishing through services like Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, or Smashwords gives you:
- One dashboard for multiple platforms (Apple, Kobo, B&N, Google Play)
- Simplified tax reporting and payments
- Potential for aggregator-nominated promotions
- Easier management if you have a large catalog
The Verdict
If Apple Books is a key part of your distribution strategy and you want maximum control, publish directly. If you’re publishing across five or more platforms and want simplicity, use an aggregator.
One critical warning: never publish through both channels simultaneously. Duplicate listings split your reviews, confuse readers, and can trigger account issues. Pick one path and stick with it.
If you’re weighing your options across all platforms, our best self-publishing platforms comparison breaks down the full landscape.
How to Write Your Book Before You Publish
Before you can publish on Apple Books, you need a finished manuscript. That’s where the right writing tools make the difference.
Our Pick — Chapter
Chapter helps you write your entire book using AI — from outline to polished manuscript. It handles structure, drafts, and revisions so you can focus on your ideas instead of staring at a blank page.
Best for: Authors who want to go from idea to completed manuscript fast Pricing: $97 one-time (nonfiction) Why we built it: Over 2,147 authors have used Chapter to create more than 5,000 books — and many of those books are now selling on Apple Books, Amazon, and other platforms.
Chapter exports your finished manuscript in formats ready for Apple Books upload. Write your book, export to EPUB, and publish — all in one workflow. Authors using Chapter have generated results like $13,200 from a single book and $60,000 in 48 hours from their launches.
How to Optimize Your Apple Books Listing for More Sales
Getting your book published is just the first step. Optimizing your listing determines whether readers actually find and buy it.
Write a Compelling Description
Your book description on Apple Books works like a sales page. Follow this structure:
- Hook — open with a question or bold statement that grabs attention
- Promise — tell the reader what they’ll gain from the book
- Proof — mention credentials, awards, or reader reviews
- Call to action — close with urgency or emotion
Keep paragraphs short. Use line breaks liberally. Apple Books renders descriptions on mobile screens, so walls of text kill conversions.
Choose the Right Categories
Apple Books uses its own category system, separate from Amazon’s BISAC codes. Browse the Apple Books store on an Apple device (or ask a friend with one) to see which categories match your book.
Pick two categories where you can realistically rank. A niche category with less competition beats a broad one where you’ll be buried under traditionally published bestsellers.
Price Strategically
Because Apple doesn’t restrict your royalty rate based on price, you have more pricing flexibility:
- $0.99-$2.99 — Loss leader for series starters or reader magnets
- $3.99-$6.99 — Sweet spot for standalone fiction and shorter nonfiction
- $7.99-$14.99 — Strong range for comprehensive nonfiction and longer fiction
- $15.99+ — Premium pricing for specialized nonfiction or professional guides
Apple readers skew toward premium content. Don’t automatically assume lower prices mean more sales on this platform.
Set Up Pre-Orders
Apple Books supports pre-orders up to 365 days before your release date — far longer than most platforms. Use pre-orders to:
- Build buzz before your launch
- Stack pre-order sales that all count on day one
- Get early visibility in Apple’s “Coming Soon” sections
Pre-orders are a powerful tool for any book launch strategy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping EPUBCheck validation — Apple rejects books that fail validation. Always run your EPUB through EPUBCheck before uploading.
- Using identical metadata from Amazon — Apple has different categories and keyword systems. Optimize specifically for Apple’s store.
- Ignoring Apple Books after publishing — Many authors set up their listing and forget it. Update your description, run promotions, and check your sales data regularly.
- Publishing through both direct and aggregator channels — This creates duplicate listings that hurt your visibility and confuse your sales tracking.
- Uploading massive file sizes — Keep your EPUB lean. Large files mean slow downloads, especially on mobile, which is how most Apple Books readers browse.
Does Apple Books Support Print Books?
No. Apple Books is an ebook-only platform. If you want to sell print editions, you’ll need to use a print-on-demand service like Amazon KDP Print or IngramSpark alongside your Apple Books ebook listing.
This is one reason a wide publishing approach matters — you can sell ebooks on Apple Books while offering print through other channels, maximizing your reach across all formats.
How Long Does It Take to Publish on Apple Books?
The total timeline from account creation to live book listing typically breaks down like this:
| Step | Time Required |
|---|---|
| Account setup | 15-30 minutes |
| Identity verification | 1-3 business days |
| File preparation (EPUB + cover) | 1-5 hours (depending on complexity) |
| Upload and metadata entry | 20-40 minutes |
| Apple review | 1-3 business days |
| Total | 3-7 business days |
If your EPUB file is already formatted and validated, you can complete the upload process in under an hour. The waiting period is almost entirely Apple’s review process.
Is Apple Books Worth It for Self-Published Authors?
Apple Books is worth it if you’re committed to publishing wide. Here’s the math:
Even at just 5% of the ebook market, Apple Books reaches readers who aren’t on Amazon. If your book earns $1,000/month on Amazon, a properly optimized Apple Books listing could add $200-$400/month in incremental revenue — at 70% royalties with no delivery fees.
The platform is especially strong for:
- Nonfiction authors targeting professionals and business readers
- Romance and thriller authors building series (Apple readers are loyal binge-readers)
- Authors pricing above $9.99 (where Apple’s flat 70% rate beats Amazon’s 35%)
For your complete publishing strategy across all platforms, see our AI book publishing guide. And if you want to learn more about the economics, our breakdown of self-publishing costs covers every expense you’ll encounter.
FAQ
How much does it cost to publish on Apple Books?
Publishing on Apple Books costs $0. Apple charges no listing fees, no upload fees, and no annual subscription. You earn 70% royalties on every sale, and Apple keeps 30%. There are no delivery fees or hidden charges — your only costs are creating the book itself.
Do you need a Mac to publish on Apple Books?
No, you do not need a Mac to publish on Apple Books. The Apple Books for Authors web portal at authors.apple.com works from any browser on any operating system. You only need a free Apple ID, which you can create from a Windows PC, Linux machine, or Chromebook.
What file format does Apple Books require?
Apple Books accepts EPUB files (version 2.0.1 or 3.x) and books created in Apple Pages. All EPUB files must pass EPUBCheck validation before Apple will approve them. Most authors use EPUB since it works across multiple publishing platforms.
How long does Apple Books review take?
Apple Books review typically takes 1-3 business days after you submit your book. During this period, Apple checks your file quality, cover image, metadata accuracy, and content policy compliance. You’ll receive an email notification when your book is approved and live in the store.
Can you sell the same book on Apple Books and Amazon?
Yes, you can sell the same ebook on Apple Books, Amazon, and any other platform simultaneously. Apple Books has no exclusivity requirements. The only exception is if you’ve enrolled in Amazon’s KDP Select program, which requires 90-day exclusivity to Amazon — in that case, you’d need to leave KDP Select first before listing on Apple Books.
