Kohathite: Tired of Blurb’s 15-Day Rule? These Book Platforms Don’t Force You to Buy First

Tired of Blurb’s 15-Day Rule? These Book Platforms Don’t Force You to Buy First

Question:

Are there alternatives to blurb store that allow you to list your book without buying it? Blurb store only allows one to list their book for 15 days and if they don't order it then the book gets deleted.

Answer:

Yes. There are multiple platforms and services where you can list or sell your book without upfront inventory, and in many cases without the short-term deletion policy that Blurb Store imposes — and you do not need to pre-buy stock or commit to a limited time window. Here are the best alternatives, with practical considerations: (BookBaby)

1. Kindle Direct Publishing (Amazon KDP)

Type: POD (print on demand) + ebook
Best for: Wide audience reach and long-term listing
Key Points:

You upload your manuscript and cover; Amazon prints books only if a purchase is made — no inventory or upfront cost needed. (MyDesigns)
Your book stays listed indefinitely until you choose to unpublish.
Includes both ebook and paperback options (and hardcover).
You earn royalties on each sale but Amazon controls pricing windows and distribution.
Ideal if your priority is availability and discoverability with a global marketplace. (MyDesigns)

Note: You can publish just the paperback and not enroll in KDP Select; that way you’re not locked into exclusivity for ebooks.

2. Draft2Digital / Smashwords (for eBooks)

Type: eBook distribution aggregator
Best for: ebook sales across multiple stores without inventory
Key Points:

Smashwords (now part of Draft2Digital) lets you upload your manuscript and distribute across many marketplaces (Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc.) with no inventory and no deletion policy tied to sales timeframe. (Wikipedia)
They handle conversion and distribution; you set the price and keep a share of royalties.
There’s no time limit on how long your title stays listed once published.
Not a POD print service, but excellent for digital sales if your main issue is distribution exposure.

3. Barnes & Noble Press

Type: Retailer + POD
Best for: Listing print and ebook without inventory
Key Points:

Allows you to list your book directly on Barnes & Noble’s online store and handle printing on demand for physical copies. (Kindlepreneur)
No inventory requirements; books are printed as ordered.
Your title remains available until you choose to unpublish.
Good complementary channel to Amazon KDP for broader reach. (Kindlepreneur)

4. BookBaby

Type: POD + direct storefront
Best for: Author-controlled sales with no inventory
Key Points:

You create a BookBaby Bookshop — your own sales page where books are always available because they are POD. (BookBaby)
They also offer expanded distribution to Amazon and other retailers if you choose.
It’s a paid service, but your book won’t expire or get deleted from the site just because a sale hasn’t happened.

5. Lulu (Including Lulu Xpress)

Type: POD + direct sales
Best for: Listing print books without inventory
Key Points:

Lulu allows you to publish books and sell them POD with no inventory or listing expiration. (Write, Publish, and Sell)
You can sell books via Lulu’s bookstore or integrate with your website (e.g., WooCommerce, Shopify).
Lulu is often preferred for more control than Blurb and broader distribution options.

6. Bookshop.org (for ebooks + physical)

Type: Marketplace / bookstore platform
Best for: Discoverability and bookstore support
Key Points:

Bookshop.org now supports ebook sales and lists physical books on behalf of bookstores and authors. (WIRED)
You can list your book for sale there, and the title remains indefinitely as long as you keep it published.
It’s geared toward independent bookstores and community-focused discovery.

7. Your Own Website + POD Fulfillment (Shopify / WooCommerce + Print Provider)

Type: Custom storefront + POD integration
Best for: Full control over sales without inventory
Key Points:

You integrate a POD provider (Lulu Xpress, Gelato, Printify, etc.) with your own storefront (Shopify, WooCommerce). (Shopify)
Books are printed on demand; your site never holds inventory.
You control pricing, branding, and availability — no expiration or deletion by a third party.

Summary Comparison

Platform	Print-on-Demand	Ebook Sales	No Inventory	No Automatic Deletion	Wide Distribution
Amazon KDP	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Very High
Barnes & Noble Press	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Medium
Draft2Digital / Smashwords	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	High
BookBaby	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Medium
Lulu / Lulu Xpress	Yes	No (ebook only via partners)	Yes	Yes	Medium
Bookshop.org	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Medium

Recommendation

If your primary issue with Blurb Store is inventory and deletion after 15 days, the two most practical and widely adopted platforms are:

Amazon KDP — for global print + ebook availability with POD and persistent listing. (MyDesigns)
Smashwords / Draft2Digital — for broad ebook distribution that stays live without a sales threshold. (Wikipedia)

You can combine both: publish your print edition on KDP (and Barnes & Noble Press or Lulu) and your ebook via Draft2Digital for maximum reach.