Whether you wrote your own book and need readers to buy it, or you have shelves of used books collecting dust, finding the right place to sell books makes the difference between sitting on dead inventory and actually making money. This list covers 15 places where to sell books in 2026 — organized by what you’re selling and how you want to sell it.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Best For | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter | Writing and selling your own book | Self-publishing | $97 one-time |
| Amazon KDP | Maximum reach for authors | Self-publishing | Free |
| Draft2Digital | Wide multi-store distribution | Aggregator | Free (10% fee) |
| IngramSpark | Bookstore shelf placement | Distribution | Free |
| Barnes & Noble Press | Nook ecosystem | Self-publishing | Free |
| BookScouter | Finding best buyback price | Used book buyback | Free |
| Powell’s Books | Selling used books online | Used book buyer | Free |
| Half Price Books | Selling used books locally | In-person buyer | Free |
| eBay | Rare or collectible books | Marketplace | Listing fees |
| PangoBooks | Reader-to-reader sales | Marketplace | 20% fee |
| Alibris | Used and rare book sales | Marketplace | Seller fees |
| ThriftBooks | Bulk used book selling | Buyback | Free |
| Facebook Marketplace | Local book sales | Marketplace | Free |
| Etsy | Vintage or unique books | Marketplace | Listing fees |
| BooksRun | Textbook buyback | Buyback | Free |
Selling Your Own Book (Platforms for Authors)
If you wrote a book and need a place to sell it, these platforms handle publishing, distribution, or both.
1. Chapter
Our Pick — Chapter
Chapter is an AI book writing platform that takes you from idea to finished, sellable book. It handles outlining, drafting, editing, formatting, and export — so you can publish on Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or anywhere else within days instead of months.
Best for: First-time authors who want to write and sell a nonfiction book fast
Pricing: $97 one-time (nonfiction) | Varies (fiction)
Why we built it: Most authors stall between “I have an idea” and “I have a book for sale.” Chapter closes that gap with AI-assisted writing that produces publish-ready manuscripts.
Chapter doesn’t replace your publishing platform — it gets your book ready for one. You write with AI assistance, export a formatted manuscript, and upload it to Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or any retailer you choose. Over 2,147 authors have used Chapter to create more than 5,000 books, with clients landing features in USA Today and the New York Times.
The platform works best for nonfiction. If you have expertise, a framework, or a story to tell, Chapter helps you structure it into a professional book without spending six months writing and another six editing. You still control where to sell it — Chapter just makes sure you actually finish it.
Limitations: Chapter is a writing tool, not a bookstore. You still need a separate platform (Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, etc.) to list and sell the finished book.
2. Amazon KDP
Best for: Authors who want the largest possible audience
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is where most self-published authors sell books. KDP controls roughly 70-80% of the global ebook market, making it the default choice for new and experienced authors alike.
You can publish ebooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers through a single dashboard. Ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 earn a 70% royalty. Print books use print-on-demand, so you never hold inventory. KDP Select enrollment gives you access to Kindle Unlimited readers but requires 90 days of exclusivity — meaning you can’t sell that ebook anywhere else during that period.
The downside is that KDP’s print distribution to physical bookstores is limited. Retailers are reluctant to stock Amazon-printed books. If bookstore shelf placement matters, pair KDP with IngramSpark.
Pricing: Free to publish. Printing costs deducted from royalties for paperbacks and hardcovers.
3. Draft2Digital
Best for: Authors who want wide distribution without managing multiple accounts
Draft2Digital is an aggregator. Upload your book once and it appears on Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, OverDrive (libraries), and dozens of smaller retailers. After acquiring Smashwords in 2022, their library reach expanded significantly.
The interface is beginner-friendly. Paste in a Word document and their system generates a clean ebook file. They provide free ISBNs and universal book links. The royalty split is the retailer’s standard rate minus a 10% service fee — roughly 60% of list price on most stores.
No exclusivity requirement. You can use Draft2Digital for wide distribution while keeping Amazon through KDP.
Pricing: Free to use. 10% commission on sales.
4. IngramSpark
Best for: Getting print books into physical bookstores and libraries
IngramSpark is the self-publishing arm of Ingram, the world’s largest book distributor. Their catalog feeds into over 40,000 retailers, libraries, and online stores worldwide. If you want your book on actual bookstore shelves, this is the platform that makes it happen.
Print quality surpasses Amazon’s paperbacks. More trim sizes, paper options, and binding types are available, including hardcovers with dust jackets. The trade-off is a steeper learning curve and lower royalties — you set a list price, offer a wholesale discount (typically 55% for stores), and keep what remains after printing costs.
Many authors use IngramSpark alongside KDP. Ebooks and Amazon ads go through KDP, wide print distribution through Ingram. This combination covers nearly every sales channel.
Pricing: Free to publish. Printing costs vary by format. Some revision fees may apply.
5. Barnes & Noble Press
Best for: Reaching Nook readers and B&N’s online audience
Barnes & Noble Press gives you direct access to one of the largest remaining brick-and-mortar bookstore chains. You can publish ebooks and print-on-demand paperbacks. Ebook royalties range from 40-65% depending on price, and there are no setup fees.
The audience is smaller than Amazon’s, but B&N shoppers tend to be dedicated book buyers. If your genre performs well in bookstores — literary fiction, memoirs, cookbooks — this platform is worth adding to your distribution strategy.
Pricing: Free to publish. Standard royalty rates apply.
Selling Used Books Online
If you have used books taking up space, these platforms help you turn them into cash without leaving your house.
6. BookScouter
Best for: Finding the highest buyback price across 30+ vendors
BookScouter doesn’t buy your books directly. Instead, it compares prices from over 30 buyback vendors so you can sell to whichever one offers the most. Enter an ISBN, see instant offers, and ship your books to the winning vendor. Most vendors provide free shipping labels.
This is especially useful for textbooks, which can have wildly different buyback values depending on the vendor. A textbook worth $5 on one site might fetch $25 on another. BookScouter eliminates that guesswork.
Pricing: Free to use. Vendors pay you directly.
7. Powell’s Books
Best for: Selling quality used books to a respected independent bookstore
Powell’s Books is one of the largest independent bookstores in the world. They buy used books both online and in-store. For online selling, you get a quote before shipping. They’re selective — not every book gets accepted — but their offers are fair for titles they want.
Powell’s is a good option if you have literary fiction, nonfiction, or academic titles in good condition. Mass-market paperbacks and heavily damaged books are usually declined.
Pricing: Free to submit. Powell’s pays cash or store credit (store credit earns more).
8. Half Price Books
Best for: Selling books in person for immediate cash
Half Price Books operates over 120 stores across the US. Walk in with a box of books, wait 15-30 minutes for evaluation, and leave with cash. They buy almost everything — books, vinyl, CDs, DVDs, games — though offers tend to be low per item.
The convenience factor is the main draw. No shipping, no listing, no waiting. If you want to clear space fast and don’t mind getting pennies on the dollar for individual titles, Half Price Books is the easiest option for selling books near you.
Pricing: Free. They pay cash on the spot.
9. BooksRun
Best for: Selling textbooks with free shipping
BooksRun focuses on textbook buyback. Enter your book’s ISBN, accept the offer, and ship for free using their prepaid label. Payment arrives via check or PayPal within a few days of processing.
The process is streamlined for students unloading textbooks after the semester ends. Prices are competitive for recent editions, though older textbooks may get minimal offers.
Pricing: Free shipping provided. Payment by check or PayPal.
10. ThriftBooks
Best for: Selling books in bulk
ThriftBooks is one of the largest online used bookstores. They purchase books in bulk from sellers, typically requiring a minimum quantity. If you have a large collection to unload — estate sales, library deaccessions, or a lifetime of hoarding — ThriftBooks can handle the volume.
Individual sellers with just a few books may find better prices elsewhere. ThriftBooks is built for volume, and their per-book rates reflect that.
Pricing: Varies based on quantity and title demand.
Selling Books on Marketplaces
These platforms let you list books at your own price and sell directly to buyers.
11. eBay
Best for: Rare, collectible, or out-of-print books
eBay remains a strong option for books with collector value. First editions, signed copies, vintage paperbacks, and out-of-print titles can fetch premium prices through auctions or fixed-price listings. The platform’s global reach means niche books find their audience.
For common used books, eBay is less practical. Listing fees, shipping logistics, and competition from cheaper sellers make it hard to profit on everyday titles. Stick to eBay for books worth $20 or more.
Pricing: Insertion fees vary. Final value fee of ~13% on sales.
12. PangoBooks
Best for: Reader-to-reader book sales with a social element
PangoBooks is a marketplace built specifically for book lovers. Sellers list books, set prices, and ship directly to buyers. The app has a social component — you can follow other readers, browse curated collections, and discover books through recommendations.
The 20% seller fee is on the higher side, but PangoBooks provides shipping labels and a purpose-built experience that general marketplaces lack. It works well for contemporary fiction, popular nonfiction, and book club picks.
Pricing: Free to list. 20% commission on sales.
13. Facebook Marketplace
Best for: Selling books locally with no fees
Facebook Marketplace costs nothing to use and reaches buyers in your area. List your books, arrange local pickup, and keep 100% of the sale. No shipping, no commissions, no seller fees.
The trade-off is effort. You handle photography, messaging, meetups, and the occasional no-show buyer. Facebook Marketplace works best for bundles — “box of 20 mystery novels, $15” moves faster than individual listings. It’s also useful for heavy items like textbook sets or encyclopedia collections that are expensive to ship.
Pricing: Free for local pickup sales.
14. Alibris
Best for: Used, rare, and out-of-print book selling
Alibris has been connecting independent sellers with book buyers since 1998. They specialize in used, rare, and hard-to-find titles. As a seller, you list your inventory and Alibris handles the storefront. Buyer traffic comes from Alibris’s own site plus partnerships with libraries and educational institutions.
Alibris is a good fit for sellers with a steady inventory of quality used books — not a one-time cleanout, but ongoing book selling. Their audience actively seeks specific titles rather than browsing for deals.
Pricing: Seller account fees and commissions apply.
15. Etsy
Best for: Vintage, antique, or artisan book products
Etsy isn’t just for handmade crafts. Vintage books (20+ years old), antique volumes, custom journals, and niche book-adjacent products sell well here. If your books have visual appeal or collector interest — illustrated editions, leather-bound volumes, rare art books — Etsy’s audience pays premium prices for them.
Standard listings won’t move well on Etsy. This platform rewards unique, visually interesting inventory with good photography.
Pricing: $0.20 per listing + 6.5% transaction fee + payment processing fees.
How to Choose Where to Sell Your Books
Your best option depends on what you’re selling:
If you wrote a book and want to sell it: Start with Chapter to get a publish-ready manuscript, then list on Amazon KDP for maximum reach. Add Draft2Digital or IngramSpark if you want wide distribution beyond Amazon. This combination covers how to self-publish a book from writing through sales.
If you’re selling used textbooks: Use BookScouter to compare buyback prices, then sell to the vendor with the best offer. BooksRun is a solid backup for textbooks specifically.
If you’re selling a personal book collection: For convenience, try Half Price Books locally or Facebook Marketplace. For better prices on quality titles, list on eBay or Alibris. PangoBooks works well for recent fiction and popular nonfiction.
If you have rare or collectible books: eBay auctions or Alibris are your best bets. These platforms attract collectors willing to pay fair prices for first editions, signed copies, and out-of-print titles.
How We Evaluated
We assessed each platform based on ease of use, fee structure, audience size, and how well it fits specific selling scenarios. For self-publishing platforms, we considered royalty rates, distribution reach, and format support. For used book platforms, we weighted buyback prices, shipping costs, and payment speed. Marketplace platforms were judged on seller fees, buyer traffic, and how well books perform relative to other product categories.
FAQ
Is it worth selling used books online?
It depends on what you have. Textbooks, recent bestsellers, and books in excellent condition can fetch reasonable prices through buyback services or marketplaces. Common paperbacks in average condition rarely earn enough to justify the shipping effort. For small collections, local options like Half Price Books or Facebook Marketplace are usually more practical.
Where can I sell books for the most money?
For used books, BookScouter finds the highest buyback offers by comparing 30+ vendors. For rare or collectible books, eBay auctions often produce the best prices. For authors selling their own books, Amazon KDP offers the largest audience and up to 70% royalties on ebooks.
Can I sell books on Amazon as an individual?
Yes. Amazon offers both individual and professional seller accounts for used books, plus Kindle Direct Publishing for authors publishing their own titles. Individual seller accounts charge $0.99 per sale with no monthly fee. Professional accounts cost $39.99 per month but waive the per-item fee.
What types of books sell best?
Textbooks consistently fetch the highest buyback prices, especially recent editions in STEM fields. For authors, nonfiction books that solve specific problems — how to write a book about your career, business guides, health and wellness — sell steadily because readers search for solutions year-round. In used book markets, first editions, signed copies, and out-of-print titles command premium prices.
How do I price books to sell?
For used books, check what identical copies sell for on Amazon, eBay, and BookScouter before setting your price. For self-published books, ebooks between $2.99 and $9.99 earn the highest royalty rates on Amazon KDP. Print books should be priced to cover printing costs plus a reasonable margin — most self-published paperbacks land between $12.99 and $19.99.
