Can You Sell the Same Book on Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Blurb? Here’s What No One Tells You
Question:
Can I publish and sell the same book on Barnes and Noble, Kobo and Blurb?
Answer:
Yes — you can publish and sell the same book on Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Blurb, but there are some nuances depending on format and platform. Let’s break it down carefully:
1️⃣ Platform Overview
| Platform | Format | Exclusivity? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes & Noble Press | eBook (Nook/EPUB), Print | No exclusivity required | Allows global sales. Accepts print and eBook versions. |
| Kobo Writing Life | eBook (EPUB) | No exclusivity required | Worldwide distribution. Works well for eBooks. |
| Blurb | Print (Paperback, Hardcover, Photo Books) & eBook (EPUB/PDF) | No exclusivity required | Focused on print books; eBook distribution is optional, and Blurb can distribute to Amazon, Apple Books, and B&N. |
2️⃣ Key Considerations
a) eBook
Kobo and B&N accept EPUB eBooks.
Blurb can generate an EPUB eBook, but if you want to sell on Kobo and B&N directly, upload your EPUB separately to each platform.
Avoid exclusive programs like Amazon KDP Select, which would restrict your eBook’s distribution elsewhere—but that only applies to Amazon.
b) Print Book
Blurb is mainly for print-on-demand, so your print book can be sold through Blurb, B&N Press, or other retailers.
You can use the same print content, but you may need to adjust trim size, cover, or bleed to meet each platform’s requirements.
c) Pricing
Each platform has its own pricing and royalty rules.
You can set different prices on each platform, but avoid huge discrepancies to prevent customer complaints.
3️⃣ Tips for Multi-Platform Publishing
Keep one master file for your book (PDF for print, EPUB for eBook).
Check formatting for each platform—especially print sizes and margins.
Track sales separately for reporting and taxes.
Avoid exclusivity agreements (unless it’s only on Amazon KDP and you don’t sell eBooks elsewhere).
✅ Bottom line: You can absolutely sell the same book on all three platforms. You just need to handle formatting differences, pricing, and distribution settings carefully.
